Climate Change and Fire Danger
I haven't put much thought into what climate change might mean for wildland fire danger, but this short article jump started my brain cells (from ABC News Online).
A new study has found bushfire risk across Victoria will increase significantly, due to climate change.The study, funded by the Federal Government, found the number of days of very high or extreme fire danger will increase by up to 70 per cent over the next 45 years.
A google search on "climate change" and "fire danger" has tons of reports and information on this subject from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, etc.
I'm not a climate expert, but if it gets hotter without any additional moisture, it makes sense that there will be more wildland fires. The question is whether scientists know enough about global weather patterns and climate change to accurately predict what is going to happen. I wouldn't make any large wagers that they can.
If if does get hotter without more moisture, typical wildland fire areas could really be in for it. Areas that don't typically have wildland fires could be facing and wildland fire problem that they aren't prepared to deal with.
