Study Warns of Increasingly Severe Wildfires in Canada Due to Climate Change

Research highlights rising fire severity driven by dry forest fuels and extended fire seasons, posing greater risks to ecosystems and communities.

A new study published in the journal *Science* finds that Canadian forests are increasingly prone to severe wildfires, with climate change as a key driver.
The study reveals a rise in high-severity burn days from 1981 to 2020, with some regions experiencing up to five additional severe fire days annually in recent decades.
Dry forest fuels, such as twigs and leaves, were identified as the primary factor in fire severity, with drought conditions playing a critical role in intensifying wildfires.
Northern regions, including parts of Quebec, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia, saw the greatest increase in burn severity, threatening boreal forests that act as significant carbon sinks.
Experts emphasize the need for proactive fire management strategies, such as prescribed burns, to mitigate risks to ecosystems and nearby communities.