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Climate-induced variations in global wildfire danger from 1979 to 2013

W. Matt Jolly, Mark A. Cochrane, Patrick H. Freeborn, Zachary A. Holden, Tim J. Brown, Grant J. Williamson, David M. J. S. Bowman
Summary - what did the authors do and why?

The authors assessed global trends in fire weather season length.

Publication findings:

The authors found that fire season length has significantly increased across approximately 25% of the Earth’s vegetated area resulting in a doubling of the global burnable area. Areas with the greatest increase in fire season length occurred where there were the greatest changes in especially temperature, but also humidity, length of rain-free periods, and wind speeds.

Climate and Fire Linkages

How do fire season length and ERC relate to annual area burned and fire size?

The authors found that fire season length has significantly increased across approximately 25% of the Earth’s vegetated area resulting in a doubling of the global burnable area. Areas with the greatest increase in fire season length occurred where there were the greatest changes in especially temperature, but also humidity, length of rain-free periods, and wind speeds.

How does drought relate to annual area burned and fire size?

The authors found that fire season length has significantly increased across approximately 25% of the Earth’s vegetated area resulting in a doubling of the global burnable area. Areas with the greatest increase in fire season length occurred where there were the greatest changes in especially temperature, but also humidity, length of rain-free periods, and wind speeds.

How do temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit relate to annual area burned and fire size?

The authors found that fire season length has significantly increased across approximately 25% of the Earth’s vegetated area resulting in a doubling of the global burnable area. Areas with the greatest increase in fire season length occurred where there were the greatest changes in especially temperature, but also humidity, length of rain-free periods, and wind speeds.