WILDFIRE-CLIMATE

AND HUMAN
IMPACTS
MELISSA COOPER
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

Fire has always been a natural part of life on earth. With the benefit of

continued research, we are able to learn more about wildfire causes,

prevention, risk factors and after effects. We could ask, is human related or

climate change is more influential, but equally important is what man can do

to reduce the risk?

Within the last 10 years, uncontrolled fire and economic costs have

significantly increased by the billions. Our main concern is how fires affect

humans and our surroundings with pollutants. The Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that there is concern that climate change

will increase extreme fires, and note that studying patterns of vegetation,

human activity and biological cycles will guide efforts to manage fire events.
1

History shows through fossil charcoal, that wildfires began soon after

plants appeared on the planet. Flammable vegetation types leave their

signature in the fossil record depositing evidence to follow changes as well

as their range geographically.2 Later, human caused fires occurred about the

time land-use began by way of agricultural uses and industry and landscapes

continued to change with human growth and consumption.

1 Fire in the Earths System, David MJS Bowman, et al, Science Mag.org, Vol. 324 2009,
www.sciencemag.org on April 24, 2009

2 Fire in the Earths System, David MJS Bowman, et al, Science Mag.org, Vol. 324 2009,
www.sciencemag.org on April 24, 2009
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

Scientist, David Bowman provides and explanation regarding

information from satellite observation in the 1980s. It notes that

flammability is connected to carbon rich vegetation, a dry climate in warmer

seasons, atmospheric oxygen as well as lightening ignitions. He also

concludes that the ecological effects of fire are determined by the intensity

and frequency. Because plants have reproductive and survival abilities, fire

is a biological filter that influences biomass production and vegetation

distribution. Vegetation transitions when fire patterns change and even fire

protection promotes thick re-growth. Climate is a main stimulator for large

fires. Wet weather encourages growth and drought and warm temperatures

extend fire seasons. Historically, fires increase during La Nia phase in the

southern U.S. and fire activity increases in tropical rain forest areas during El
3
Nio phases.

Fire influences the climate system by releasing carbon stored in the

vegetation. Bowman notes that if fire and climate patterns were more equal,

then fire-induced atmospheric CO2 emissions would balance with uptake

from living vegetation. Fire releases atmospheric aerosols that change

surface albedo, and black carbon aerosols have solar radiation absorption

properties which have a strong effect global warming after CO2. He says,

Smoke plumes inhibit convection and black carbon warms the

troposphere.reducing vertical convection and limiting rain-cloud formation

3 Fire in the Earths System, David MJS Bowman, et al, Science Mag.org, Vol. 324 2009,
www.sciencemag.org on April 24, 2009
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

and precipitation. When fire heats the surface, albedo is reduced. CO2

emissions from deforestation fires contribute to an increase in radiative

forcing or the difference of sunlight absorbed by the earth and energy

4
radiation back to space. The interaction between fire, vegetation and

human land-use result in fire patterns where climate influences fire spread

and fire produced emissions effect future climates and consequently, fire

weather.

Many scientists have gathered data showing that spring weather

timing has an effect on large wildfire activity. On average it is noted that

spring is beginning 10 days earlier than it did in the 1950s.5 When spring

arrives early it causes snowmelt impacting reservoirs and dams which fill too

early and lack the ability to contain the overabundance of water. It then

must be released to manage flood concerns. The problem with this is that

vegetation dries out earlier leaving soils dry and by late summer with hotter

temperatures, large forest fires become a concern.

The problem with the increase of large wildfires is that they are

recorded as occurring in areas not typically known to experience natural fires

this high in elevation, typically not human-caused, such as high in the Rocky

4 Fire in the Earths System, David MJS Bowman, et al, Science Mag.org, Vol. 324 2009,
www.sciencemag.org on April 24, 2009

5 Union of Concerned Scientists, Science for a Healthy Planet and Safer World,
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/springs-domino-
effect.html#.WDcs6neZNUc
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS
6
Mountains. Fire management, scientists, and media are working to find

answers regarding wildfire causes studying human land-use history vs.

climate since large wildfires have consumed larger areas of the western U.S.

in the past 30 years. Also in their research, the scientists state that if the

wildfire increase is caused by land-use history then ecological restoration

and fuels management are a possible solution; however, if the risks are

caused by climate then restoration and fuels treatment wouldnt solve the

issue.7 Researchers, Westerling, Hidalgo, Cayan, and Swetham, found that in

the late 19th century and early 20th century, land-use such as extensive

livestock grazing combined with effective fire suppression reduced the

occurrence of large wildfires. Forest regrowth after large-scale logging

efforts combined with absence of large fires promoted changes in the forest

structure and biomass accumulation. Fire suppression was then less

effective, allowing for an increase in the size of fires and their burn areas.

In studies of climatic explanations, variability in moisture conditions

where climate is often changing from wet to dry, encourages biomass growth

and then burning, and an increased tendency for drought and warm

temperatures followed by large wildfires. Also, studied are tree rings and

6 Union of Concerned Scientists, Science for a Healthy Planet and Safer World,
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/springs-domino-
effect.html#.WDcs6neZNUc

7 A.L. Westerling, H.G. Hidalgo, D.R. Cayan, T.W. Swetham, 18 August 2006, Warming
and Earlier Spring Increase Western U.S. Forest Wildfire Activity Vol 313,
www.sciencemag.org
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

past climates related to fire history confirming that western U.S. forest

wildfire risks are connected to drought, summer fire season and moist

conditions of previous years.8

Data reviewed by Westerling, Hidalgo, Cayan and Swetham points to

the possibility that actually land-use history and climate may not be

competing factors, but complementary. Their research shows that in some

forests, previous land uses have caused forest wildfire patterns to be more

susceptible to the changing climate and consequently increasing the

quantity, arrangement and availability of fuels leading to more large high

severity fires, droughts and excessive fuels. It seems to be a cyclical

pattern, one causing the other, though the scientists cited stated that

climate may remain the primary cause of wildfire risk, because overtime

climate determines vegetation, its species and drought tolerance and

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biomass continuity, all affecting fire patterns.

Wildfires across western U.S. are growing bigger, as well as increasing

in frequency over the past 30 years. Research indicates that this trend is

likely to continue as climate change is connected to increasing temperatures

and drought. The cycles are likely to become more severe as fires increase

8 A.L. Westerling, H.G. Hidalgo, D.R. Cayan, T.W. Swetham, 18 August 2006, Warming and
Earlier Spring Increase Western U.S. Forest Wildfire Activity Vol 313, www.sciencemag.org

9A.L. Westerling, H.G. Hidalgo, D.R. Cayan, T.W. Swetham, 18 August 2006, Warming and
Earlier Spring Increase Western U.S. Forest Wildfire Activity Vol 313, www.sciencemag.org
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS
10
in frequency. From the same source, research ecologists, Max Moritz and

Jeremy Littell say, increases in fire activity in forested areas could be at

least a partial response to decades of fire suppression.

Forests that were usually wet, are drying out earlier due to climate

change and having an effect on the ecosystem. Potential drought leaves

species without food, inhibits their adaptability and migration as human

activity and development encroaches on their habitat. The after-effects of

wildfires include risks to health as well as property damage. The costs both

physically and financially impacted on the local and national level. There is a

need for serious consideration to control land-use in regards to clearing,

development, mining to a reasonable degree to protect human, and animal

health, and to slow down future climate change. It is also understandable

that restrictions and cautions are made especially during firework season

through July here in Utah. Because the wildfire risk is known to be high in

the western U.S. I think it is justifiable to set a few more restrictions.

While there are few things we can do personally to prevent wildfires in

relation to weather, there are a number of things we can do personally and

collectively to counteract climate change by way of conservation. We can

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using energy star products and

appliances, be conservation minded with our heating and cooling, using

10 Phillip Dennison, Jeremy Littell, 7 April 2014, More Bigger Wildfires Burning Western U.S
Study Shows, AGU American Geophysical Union, www.https://news.agu.org/press-
release/more-bigger-wildfires-burning-western-u-s-study-shows/
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

water and electricity efficiently, reduce-reuse and recycle, and composting

yard waste. The EPAs website offers many more ideas to help reduce our

carbon footprint.

It is wise to be aware of the health risks of wildfires to prepare

ourselves and prevent future health problems. Particle pollution from wildfire

smoke is harmful to health. It is a mixture of carbon dioxide, water vapor,

carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and other organic

chemicals, nitrogen oxides and trace minerals. Small particles are most

dangerous as they enter the lungs or bloodstream. Large particles may

irritate eyes, nose and throat, but dont pose the threat that the small

particulate matter can.11

It is important to be aware of the health risks and do what we can to

avoid further health problems. People with heart or lung disease, coronary

artery disease, congestive heart failure, asthma, and chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease are at an increased risk when exposed to pollution, as

well as older adults or children. Young children are at risk, as their lungs are

still developing. Even those who are healthy may experience temporary

symptoms of particle exposure, including irritation of eyes, nose and throat;

coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Those with health

concerns may have more extreme symptoms, even death.12

11 US EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Sept 2003, Air Now Particle Pollution and Your Health,
EPA-452/F-03-001 https://www3.epa.gov>particle>pm-color
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WILDFIRE- CLIMATE AND HUMAN IMPACTS

To avoid unhealthy exposure there are recommended precautions

including, checking the EPAs Air Quality Index to learn when it is unsafe, and

stay inside when possible if levels are high, close doors and windows, run air

conditioning in recirculating mode, install and maintain clean furnace filters.

Some indoor behaviors could improve air quality as well, such as; do not

smoke indoors, limit frying and broiling, burning candles and incense, using a

fireplace or gas stove, and vacuuming.13

It serves our whole community to become aware of climate change and

the components that influence it. Once we understand how the risks of

wildfire affect us personally, we are more likely to adhere to guidelines and

help do to our part to manage our health and surroundings.

12 US EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Sept 2003, Air Now Particle Pollution and Your Health,
EPA-452/F-03-001 https://www3.epa.gov>particle>pm-color

13 US EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Sept 2003, Air Now Particle Pollution and Your Health,
EPA-452/F-03-001 https://www3.epa.gov>particle>pm-color