Wildfires now threaten almost every city on Earth

As wildfires intensify due to climate change, author John Vaillant warns that our old strategies to manage fires are no longer enough.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• Wildfires are growing more intense and occurring in unexpected places as climate change amplifies heat, drought and wind.
• Modern firefighting is increasingly focused on saving lives, not stopping fires, as extreme conditions overwhelm resources and tactics.
• California, as a global economic leader, could influence climate policy by adopting stricter building codes and energy reforms.

Key quote:

"Nature is speaking eloquently now through higher winds and hotter summers and more destructive fires."

— John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather

Why this matters:

Stronger, faster wildfires threaten homes, health and lives, with toxic smoke and economic disruptions adding to the toll. As traditional methods fail, cities must adapt to protect people and rethink development in a warming world.

Related:

• Oil and gas profits come at the cost of wildfire preparedness in California
• Climate extremes disrupt U.S. with blizzards, wildfires and record heat
• Wildfires in the US grow larger due to climate change