Future U.S. wildfire potential trends projected using a dynamically downscaled climate change scenario
The authors examined potential future (2041-2070) trends and spatial patterns of wildfire across the continental U.S. using downscaled regional climate change scenarios.
The authors found that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is expected to increase, driven primarily by increasing temperature across the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, Southeast, and Pacific coast, thereby increasing future fire potential across most of the continental U.S. The fire season is also projected to increase in length, potentially by several months in some regions.
Climate and Fire Linkages
The authors found that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is expected to increase, driven primarily by increasing temperature across the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, Southeast, and Pacific coast, thereby increasing future fire potential across most of the continental U.S.
The fire season is projected to increase in length, potentially by several months in some regions.