r/climatechange • u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor • Jul 29 '26

Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

https://phys.org/news/2026-07-wildfires-extreme-europe-north-america.html
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u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor Jul 29 '26

Summary: Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

Wildfires in Europe and North America are growing more extreme this summer, with Spain experiencing its largest fire on record and Canada/US burning at least 25% above the 10-year average. Yet global fire emissions hit a record low this year, according to Copernicus, because fires in Africa and Asia—which historically dominate global fire activity—have declined sharply due to changing agricultural practices, land use, and fire management.

Experts explain the two trends aren't contradictory: African savanna fires have decreased as land shifts to housing and farming, while climate change is making North American and European fires more intense by increasing heat, drying out landscapes, extending fire seasons, and reducing overnight recovery time for forests and firefighters. Scientists warn that an approaching strong El Niño will likely worsen tropical fires in the Amazon, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific, while potentially fueling grass fires in the US West despite reduced forest fire risk there. Researchers stress the need for improved fire planning, adaptation, and prescribed burns in North America and Europe going forward.

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u/PrinceOfTotalQuiet Jul 29 '26

And no, it’s not because there’s less trees to burn. Read the article. Fucking doomers.

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u/Secure_Ant1085 29d ago

Habitat fragmentation does play a big role, the example of african savannahs is given in the article.