fires
Newsletter
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Indigenous fire practices show potential for wildfire resilience in California
A Miwok fire practitioner sees signs of renewal in wildfire-scorched California landscapes, advocating for wider use of Indigenous cultural burns to manage land and reduce wildfire risks.
In short:
- Don Hankins, a Miwok cultural fire expert, observes ecological resilience in areas managed with cultural burns during the Park Fire in Northern California.
- Indigenous fire practices, which have been restricted by historical policies, show promise in reducing wildfire intensity by promoting native species and reducing flammable grasses.
- Despite success on smaller scales, significant policy barriers prevent widespread adoption of cultural burns.
Key quote:
“Indigenous communities often recognize colonization as the beginning of the climate crisis.”
— Don Hankins, cultural fire practitioner
Why this matters:
Indigenous fire practices could play a crucial role in mitigating wildfire risks as climate change intensifies. Addressing policy barriers may allow these methods to be implemented more widely, enhancing ecological resilience.
Related: LISTEN: Deniss Martinez on Indigenous science and cultural fire practices
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Wildfire resources in the US are stretched thin despite federal claims of full staffing
Despite the U.S. Forest Service’s assertion that it met its 2024 firefighter hiring goals, those on the ground report severe shortages, especially in experienced staff, as wildfires continue to burn millions of acres across the country.
In short:
- The U.S. reached Preparedness Level 5 in July, signaling a national strain on firefighting resources.
- Firefighters report that many crews are understaffed, with essential equipment and leadership roles unfilled.
- Low pay and high risks are driving experienced firefighters away, leaving gaps that worsen fire response.
Key quote:
“The system is being stressed and can’t deal with it. Now, it depends on the weather and site conditions whether these fires will be put out before they burn down houses and so on. We’ve effectively lost our asses and are triaging”
— Morgan Thomsen, union steward and Forest Service firefighter
Why this matters:
The depletion of skilled wildland firefighters threatens the ability to control fires effectively, raising the risk of widespread destruction. This ongoing issue underscores the need for better support and retention strategies in the firefighting workforce.
Be sure to read: Wildland firefighters face a national crisis amid low pay and high risks
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Drought crisis in the Amazon sparks urgent responses
The Amazon region is experiencing severe drought conditions earlier than expected, threatening water supplies and increasing fire risks across several countries.
In short:
- The Amazon Basin, holding a fifth of the world's fresh water, is seeing critically low river levels, prompting emergency measures across Bolivia, Peru and Brazil.
- Brazil's federal water agency declared water shortages in the Madeira and Purus basins, affecting a region nearly as large as Mexico.
- Fires are on the rise, with 25,000 incidents recorded, the most in nearly 20 years, exacerbating the threat to local communities and agriculture.
Key quote:
“It’s been two years in a row of extreme events.”
— Julie Messias, Acre's secretary of environment
Why this matters:
Early drought conditions in the Amazon impact the region’s ecosystem and economy, threatening water supply and food security. This situation could lead to increased forest fires, affecting global climate patterns and biodiversity.
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New Mexico town battles fires and flash floods
A New Mexico village facing evacuation orders due to wildfires is now grappling with flash floods caused by heavy rains.
In short:
- Ruidoso, N.M., under evacuation due to the South Fork and Salt wildfires, is now facing flash flooding.
- About 2.5 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes, causing floodwaters to surge down slopes charred by the fires.
- The South Fork and Salt fires have burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed 1,400 structures, and claimed at least two lives.
Why this matters:
The combination of wildfires and flash floods creates a dual disaster, compounding the risks and challenges for emergency response. Wildfires, which strip the landscape of vegetation, leave the ground unable to absorb sudden downpours, resulting in flash floods. This cycle of destruction not only endangers human lives but also disrupts ecosystems, washing away topsoil and further destabilizing the terrain.
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Europe's climate change response lags behind growing threats
Heatwaves, floods, and ecological stress are outstripping Europe's preparations for climate change, warns a European Environment Agency report.
In short:
- The EEA has identified 36 significant climate threats to Europe, urging immediate action on half, with five deemed urgent.
- Southern Europe, a climate "hotspot," requires expedited measures to protect agriculture and communities from wildfires and extreme weather.
- The report underscores the inadequacy of current financial sector stress tests in accounting for compounded environmental risks.
Key quote:
"Our new analysis shows that Europe faces urgent climate risks that are growing faster than our societal preparedness."
— Leena Ylä-Mononen, executive director of the EEA
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, leading to more frequent and severe weather events, European nations have been prompted to implement comprehensive strategies aimed at mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building.
Dr. Robbie Parks joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss the need to treat destructive storms, hurricanes and typhoons as public health and justice issues.
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British Columbia's budget overlooks climate disaster prevention efforts
In British Columbia, despite recent devastating climate events, the latest budget focuses more on emergency response than on preventing future disasters.
In short:
- The budget increases funding for emergency management but lacks investment in measures to prevent climate disasters.
- Experts criticize the budget for not addressing the root causes of climate events, emphasizing the need for a shift towards resilience and proactive measures.
- While some funding is directed towards drought issues and wildfire mitigation, there is a call for more strategic, long-term approaches to climate response.
Key quote:
"We have too many provincial officials with their heads stuck in the mud from floods and their heads stuck in the ash of forest fires."
— Sto:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, chair of the Emergency Planning Secretariat
Why this matters:
This article highlights a critical gap in addressing climate change: the need for proactive, preventative measures rather than reactive responses. It underscores the importance of investing in resilience and preparedness to mitigate health and environmental impacts, aligning with broader national and global efforts to combat climate change.
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Amazon's growing fire crisis: a deep dive into the rainforest's struggle
The Amazon is experiencing increasingly frequent and intense megafires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, leading to significant ecological damage and carbon emissions.
In short:
- The Amazon is experiencing unprecedented megafires, with flames reaching more than 10 meters high, signaling a dire environmental crisis.
- These fires, often caused by human activities like crop burning and deforestation, are releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change.
- The 2023 fires, some of the worst in decades, highlight the vulnerability of the Amazon, with scientists warning of a grim future where such fires become the norm.
Key quote:
"When I see the rainforest burning, I know what I’m really seeing is Amazonia dying."
— Erika Berenguer, Brazilian researcher at the University of Oxford
Why this matters:
The Amazon's megafires not only release vast amounts of carbon, worsening global climate change, but also destroy vital ecosystems. This ongoing crisis emphasizes the urgent need for global attention and action to protect one of the planet's most crucial natural resources.
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