Covington, an internationally recognised expert on forest restoration, says a prolonged drought, higher temperatures and stronger than usual winds mean big wildfires are inevitable across the southwestern US.
The main season for wildfires in the region has in the past been from mid-May through till late September, but now forest fires burn virtually year round.
Vulnerable landscape
“Climate change and misguided forestry policies have combined to present a landscape very vulnerable to devastating fires,” Covington told the Climate News Network.
“Since around 2000, we’ve seen more severe dry weather, matched with high winds throughout the western US. Intense firestorms are the result. Get in the vicinity of one of those and it’s like being near a blast furnace.”
Covington and other experts say it is vital that people and government policy adapt to the changes in climate.
Over the years, forests have been densely planted in many areas, and old forestry practices – such as clearing out forest and shrubland by regularly burning off old tree cover and dry shrubs – were stopped.
The result is not only an abundance of dense forested areas where fire can build up and spread easily, but also accumulations of dried-out grasses and shrubs − referred to as fine fuel.
Opening up forest areas and reintroducing controlled, periodic burning to rid the landscape of these tinder-dry fuels is key, according to Covington.
He says: “The US Forest Service now sees opening up forest areas and restoring them to what they once were – right across the US – as its primary goal. That’s a huge policy breakthrough.”
Read more at US Braces Itself for Even Worse Wildfire Season
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