Posted on 08/20/2018 11:40:07 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
As temperatures rise in the U.S. West, so do the flames.
The years with the most acres burned by wildfires have some of the hottest temperatures, an Associated Press analysis of fire and weather data found. As human-caused climate change has warmed the world over the past 35 years, the land consumed by flames has more than doubled.
Experts say the way global warming worsens wildfires comes down to the basic dynamics of fire. Fires need ignition, oxygen and fuel. And whats really changed is fuel the trees, brush and other plants that go up in flames.
Hotter drier weather means our fuels are drier so its easier for fires to start and spread and burn more intensely, said University of Alberta fire scientist Mike Flannigan.
Its simple, he said: The warmer it is, the more fire we see.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicago.suntimes.com ...
Today is the 118th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1910 which, alone, was over 3,000,000 acres or 4700 square miles. I guess climate change was alive and well even then.
Don’t confuse the liberals with your facts.
You’re a meanie.
What are you talking about? We've always been at war with Eastasia!
Much of what we are seeing with respect to wildfires has absolutely nothing to do with what most people are talking about. It may largely be the result of a shift in “philosophy”. I recently came across an article (unfortunately posted at fivethirtyeight.com) entitled “Wildfires in the U.S. are getting bigger.” My apologies, as I do not know how to link to FreeRepublic.
The summary version of the story is that while over the past 30 years the number of wildfires in the U.S. has remained constant, or maybe even slightly declined, the total acreage burned on an annual basis has more than quadrupled. One could reasonably imagine that the number of people involved/time/expense necessary to extinguish has thus similarly quadrupled. Perhaps accidentally, the article includes this quote:
“Fire managers began to change their philosophy and allow some fires to burn in a more natural way in the 1970s, said Bill Gabbert, a former fire management officer and the current managing editor of Wildfire Today. Over the last 15 or 20 years, thats become more of the norm. In the past, every little fire that started got put out before it burned much land. Today, one fire might be allowed to eat up much more built-up kindling. In addition, Collins told me, managers are now less likely to try to contain those fires to be as small as possible. Instead, theres more of a wait and see approach, both because of the knowledge that the forests need to burn and because of an increased emphasis on protecting firefighters lives. Its better to let the fire burn more acreage than risk lives unnecessarily.”
small correction—
Global Warming is a good excuse to cover up for bad forest management practices, allowing more ARSONIST psychos on the streets, and building houses in high fire danger areas.
The liberals cant handle the fact they have aided and abetted the current wildfire problem. Global Warming allows them to sleep without any sense of guilt.
One of the biggest problems is the overcrowding of Western forests with dead trees, and the areas beween stand with dry, flammable grasses, noted a recent analysis in the Washington Examiner. Part of the problem is that logging and grazing have been discontinued or discouraged in too many places.
Worse, the federal governments policy of wildfire suppression has, perhaps paradoxically, contributed to the problem. Before humans lived here in enormous numbers, the landscape had many small fires that suddenly erupted from lightning strikes and other causes, and then burnt themselves out.
But in recent decades, the policy has been to stop fires immediately. This leaves huge areas of accumulating dry brush that catches fire fast and burns hot, with the fire traveling quickly once lit. Thats where we are today.
Dr. Ben Wattenberg preached about this 25-30 years ago and people in sacramento ignored him. The smartest guy in the room
Oh, wait!
King CloneA ring of creosote bushes that are estimated to be 11,700 years old. Lucerne Valley, California
Gee, I wonder how long desert/drought conditions have existed in California?
California fires update: San Pasqual fire is ARSON, say authorities
"PG&E shares spike after suspected wildfires arsonist is arrested in Northern California"
Illegal immigrant is arrested for 'starting dozens of wildfires in Colorado ...
The Alleged Holy Fire Arsonist Seems Obsessed with Conspiracy Theories
California Wildfires Caused By Radical Environmentalists, Not Climate Change
Trump blames deadly wildfires on California governor Jerry Brown and 'environmental laws'
Well it does because they used to be called Forest Fires ,LOL
Is it 2028 already? I took a nap earlier, but it didn’t feel that long.
That, and the fact that they let the fires get roaring before they do anything.
California firefighters do an incredible job. Conditions are extremely difficult: massive concentrations of tinder-dry fuel, extreme heat, very rugged terrain, and deadly high winds.
I really think the main problem is lack of forest management - no thinning, no dead tree removal, etc.
.
>> “I really think the main problem is lack of forest management” <<
Amen!
There has been zero maintenance or harvesting of our forests under Obummer.
We have a small ranch in the middle of the Stanislaus NF. There has been no management whatsoever since 2009.
.
If these eco-fascists were any more stupid, we’d need to lock them in zoo cages and feed them bananas.
” the Great Fire of 1910 which, alone, was over 3,000,000 acres or 4700 square miles.”
And the multiple fires of that event accomplished it all in about two days. Then the rains came and calmed everything down.
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