The Alarming Cycle of Wildfires

Each year, predominantly during the summer season, our planet takes a big chunk of damage from wildfires. It is estimated that, since the year 2000, an average of 70,072 wildfires burned about 7 million acres worldwide. Each of them contributes negatively to Climate Change, influencing and escalating the impact these fires have throughout time.

The significant increase in global temperature we’ve been experiencing in the past years makes the circumstances easier for these horror shows to take place, requiring only a spark in dry conditions to initiate a domino effect.

When we have a look at the science behind it, it is actually more complex than it seems. Ironically, we have fewer fires than before, but the intensity of the ones we have now is through the roof.

Our lack of action tackling this global emergency, in conjunction with human activity since the beginning of the industrial era (industrial releases, exhaust fumes, and deforestation), results in a devastating cycle that we’re putting ourselves and the environment in. All of these gases we’re sending into the atmosphere are cloaking it, resulting not only in an increase in temperature but also in drought and a change in the planet's water cycles.

Under these alarming conditions, we find a pattern that resembles fuel itself, because if there’s a fire, there are tons of carbon dioxide released, which leads to an increase in global temperature that, in turn, leads to an increase in wildfires. It’s starting to look like a never-ending cycle that ravages ecosystems and communities in its path and it must be stopped, ASAP! 

The most troubling and direct consequences of these events are, of course, the pollution of the soil, air, and water. The ecological impact is far beyond what we see on the news, as we experience its toll on our public health (air quality), flora and fauna, and food production. 

What can be done?

• Creating natural defenses, allowing nature to defend itself - fires have existed since the dawn of time and nature has its way of dealing with them with a little help from us when it comes to the setup of plantations, forest structures, and fire suppression tactics;

• Reducing carbon emissions worldwide - a classic, we know, but also the most important measure;

• Following local regulations and laws, from the basics to the not-so-obvious - remember, all it takes is a spark from your cigarette or an innocent bonfire.

Like so many unsolved problems that affect our environment, the change we need to see starts within us. Humanity can achieve unimaginable things, so the sooner we all realize how serious this issue is, the better. For now, let’s do what we can and teach our young ones about the dangers and consequences of wildfires while doing our best ourselves to not become the cause of this terrifying problem.