January 14, 2020

expert reaction to Rapid Response Review on wildfires and climate change

A literature review, published on ScienceBrief.org by UEA and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, considers all peer-reviewed studies looking at climate change and wildfire risk.

This roundup accompanies an SMC briefing. 

Prof Stefan Doerr, Professor of Physical Geography at Swansea University and Editor in Chief of the International Journal if Wildland Fire, said:

“This summarises the latest available evidence very well.

“The overall reduction in global burned area is mainly driven by less fire occurring in areas where they are of limited wider consequence in terms of risk to humans, infrastructure or carbon balance.  The fact that fires are increasing in areas within or near closed canopy forest is the key issue of concern.  This is one of the land cover types where direct impact on societies is greatest.

“It is also important to highlight that most studies predict increased lightning activity in a warming atmosphere, which further exacerbates wildfire risk.”

‘Climate Change Increases the Risk of Wildfires: Rapid Response Review using ScienceBrief.org’ by Matthew W. Jones et al. was published on ScienceBrief.org by UEA and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at 00:01 UK time on Tuesday 14 January 2020.

No DOI as this is not a journal publication.

Declared interests

None received.