Study: Extreme Fire Weather Days Doubled Globally Since 1979

Are extreme fires driven by climate change or are they down to individual human error and failed suppression policies?

Published 4 days ago

Study: Extreme Fire Weather Days Doubled Globally Since 1979

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Above: A forest fire burning in the mountains of the rural area of Epuyen, Argentina, on Feb. 1. Image credit: Gonzalo Keogan/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

Extreme fire weather days have nearly tripled globally since 1979, with human-caused climate change responsible for over 60% of this alarming increase. The synchronous nature of these conditions means multiple regions now face fire threats simultaneously, overwhelming suppression resources that once could be shared between areas with staggered fire seasons. South America has seen fire weather days skyrocket from 5.5 to over 70 annually, proving the climate crisis is fundamentally reshaping global fire risk.

Guardian

Climate-skeptic narrative

Long-term data reveals wildfires were far more frequent before 1900, and current increases simply reflect relaxed fire suppression policies after decades of dangerous fuel accumulation. The flammability of vegetation depends on 1 to 4 days of dry weather, not on climate trends that require 30 years to detect, while 85% to 95% of fires stem from human ignitions, including arson. Blaming CO2 ignores that only 6% of the Earth has experienced increased aridity, with most changes driven by natural La Niña conditions rather than warming.

Jim Steele on X