Wildfires
Wildfires have existed past the course of humanity. Ages ago, they occurred naturally; it was not as harmful to the planet. In today’s generation, scientists estimated that wildfires had emitted approximately 8 billion tons of CO2 per year for 20 years. Scientists estimate that fires produce about 10 per cent of global CO2 per annum.
Natural occurrences of fires have been ongoing for millions of years, and thus scientists find it reasonable for the presence and deem them part of a natural cycle of the planets carbon cycle. Human activity has brought the addition of more significant fires, which can be a large contributor to global warming. An example of how much current CO2 is emitted from fires is that of California’s 2017 wildfire which produced CO2 in one week than all the vehicles in California in a year.
Aftermath of Peshtigo fire, which killed about 2500 people. Article by Michael S. Rosenwald. “the night America burned.” This was one of America’s deadliest wildfires in which more than 1.5 million acres of land was engulfed — occurred October 8, 1871.
“South Korea declares giant forest fire ‘national disaster”. April 6, 2019. Mid-day. About 4000 people evacuated with one death occurring. About 400 homes were fired upon with more than 870 fire engines taken to the scene.
“China says 30 killed fighting mountain forest fire”. April 1, 2019. Bloomberg. China has been battling more than frequent forest fires in the recent week. It is said that these fires were produced due to dry weather.
Bandipur disaster, authorities look to declare forest fires a national catastrophe. March 25, 2019. A few days after about 4500 hectares of land burnt, The nation said the fire to be on a scale of 8/10 in a disaster scale, with a frequent occurrence.
Firefighters are burning forests to use them as practice for firefly events that would occur at any point in time.
California’s 2018 was the worst ever recorded for wildfires. September 3, 2019. Tom Mckay. 1.8 million acres of land that burned was recorded as the worst event to occur and surpass the 1.3 million acres in 2017, California.
“As forest fires burn in Ontario, expect to warn of long-environmental impact.” August 6, 2018. Gabriele Roy. This was a foreshadowing of the warning that had occurred not too long ago about Canada warming two times faster on a global scale.
“23 forest fires identified by Sunday afternoon in northwestern Ontario.” July 16, 2018. CBC. One of the 23 fires which occurred in Red Lake.
An after-event of a fire that spread into a city.