While 2020 was and will always be defined as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia was fighting off another disaster that destroyed national parks, forests, ecological habitats, and homes. Australia is no stranger to wildfires, however, the 2019-2020 fire season had some of the worst wildfires the country has seen in years. In the past couple of years, wildfires have also ravaged through our country in the West, causing immense damage. Every year, it seems as though more wildfires are occurring and getting harder to control. Is climate change playing a role in the intensity of the wildfires?
With the increase in global temperatures, prolonged periods of droughts, and shifting weather patterns, the perfect conditions for wildfires to start are created. As temperature increases, the warmer air takes in more water from the surrounding soil and vegetation. As a result, this dry vegetation creates a great risk for a wildfire to start and spread rapidly. Something as much as a lightening spark could ignite a fire. Climate change is contributing to the longer heat waves and stretching out the hot-dry season in the Western part of the United States. As stated by the National Geographic, the nature of wildfires are changing and becoming more intense, and climate change is playing a role in this alarming trend.
The 2020 California wildfires burned over 4 million acres, setting a record for the number of acres burned during a wildfire year. As of October 4, 2020, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection released a summary that more than 8,200 fires had erupted, causing the damage over the 4 million acres. In Australia, more than 1,588 homes had been destroyed and over 650 homes damaged. In addition, in six of Australia’s states, more than 17.9 million acres were burned. The state affected the most was New South Wales with 12.1 million acres burned. The smoke from the fires also caused the air pollution in many parts of Australia to be 11 times the hazardous air quality measure. Sadly, animals such as kangaroos, koala bears, and birds were also affected, with many animals being displaced as they lost their homes.
As the intensity of the wildfires increases, the approach towards controlling and managing the wildfires may need to be reevaluated. Some cities have put into place greater regulations for homes that are built in fire-prone areas. There was even a movement to use a prescribed fire in order to get rid of vegetation that could possible ignite a larger wildfire. Overall, climate change has played a role in the increased severity of the wildfires, leaving officials to adapt towards tackling this new challenge.
It is really sad that these wildfires aren’t getting as much attention as they should be because of the pandemic. It is really sad how much climate change and humans have effected the environment negatively. I hope everyone in these areas stay safe and healthy.
These natural disasters and the many others occurring around the world are not receiving enough attention. What is devastating to me is how many places these wildfires can affect. They cause extreme damage, and are found globally rather than just in one place.
I like how you have incorporated statistics into your article as I think the statistics help push the urgency and danger aspect of your article. I also like how you brought a world perspective to wildfires by expanding your scope to Australia.