As wildfires burn out West, scientists warn the Northeast

MILLBROOK — The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies presented a program on Thursday, Sept. 16, Wild Fires: a Burning Issue. The hour-long program was hosted by Cary President Joshua Ginsberg, and featured three panelists: Catrin Edgeley, an assistant professor of natural resource sociology at the School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University; Winslow Hansen, a forest and ecosystem ecologist at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; and Philip Higuera, a professor of fire ecology at the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences at the University of Montana, where he directs the PaleoEcology and Fire Ecology Labs.  

About 200 people watched the program via Zoom. 

Devastating forest fires have been front page news recently, burning large land masses in the western United States, as well as around the world. Among the 4.2 million acres affected in California were forests with old-growth redwood and sequoia trees, which are among the largest trees in the world.  

Aside from the loss of life — human, flora and fauna — there is an economic loss that comes with wildfires that take up to 10 years or more to rectify. That loss comes in rebuilding homes, businesses and other properties. 

Climate change plays a significant role in the number of wildfires we’re seeing these days, and there is much to be learned from what is taking place said the speakers at the Cary talk.

Because these fires are not burning locally it may seem that residents in the Northeast need not worry about such extreme weather conditions, but could Dutchess County be at risk? Like the global temperature, the fires are burning hotter and are spreading faster. In the Northeast, there are many forests, so there are questions about whether the region could potentially be in danger of wildfires like hotter climates out West? That was a question posed by the scientists last week.

Wildfires that burn in or threaten to burn buildings and other structures are referred to as wildland urban interface (WUI) fires. Wildfires also include terms such as forest fires, brush fires, grass fires, range fires or ground fires. 

There are three classes of wildfires: surface fires, ground fires and crown fires. The most common is the surface fire; those burn slowly along the forest floor, killing and damaging trees. 

Often started by lightning,  ground fires burn on or below the forest floor. 

The third type, crown fires, move rapidly, burning through the tops of trees, mostly moved by wind. 

There are four categories of fire, according to FEMA: wildland fires, WUI fires, firestorms caused by extreme weather events and fires that are man-made, intentionally set and managed.

Nature itself causes some of these fires; it is one way to clear out old growth and in the Southeastern U.S., fire is often used as a means of de-cluttering forested areas and developing healthy new growth in the forests. These burns are carefully directed and every precaution is taken to keep them in check. Studies show that 97% of the homes threatened by wildfire in the U.S. from 1993 to 2015 were from human-caused ignitions that were not part of a conservation plan.

The impact of climate change on fires in the wild can be summed up in a few words, said those at the Cary talk: It has become hotter as temperatures increase, resulting in drier air and an increase in vapor pressure deficit. 

This also produces an increase in fuel aridity, making forest vegetation extremely flammable.

Social factors also are involved; people are building homes in more rural areas, second or vacation homes. More leisure time allows for more camping and hiking, especially popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have led to more accidental ignition of fires.

There is an economical factor as well, as more camping and hiking means more money coming in from those areas, adding tourist dollars to local economies, which causes revenue loss when these areas are closed or destroyed. 

So what can be done to prevent forest fires? What can be done to lessen their impact on daily life?

According to the panelists there is no silver bullet that will solve the crisis. Prevention is key. Control the vegetation around buildings. Use nonflammable materials whenever possible. For living spaces, use air filters to clean air when smoke is in the area. 

Talk to local and national politicians to advocate for climate mitigation and to fund fire-science research. Discuss at the community level climate change and fire risk, and make plans in case a fire starts near you. 

Most programs at Cary are free to the public, although registration in necessary. Donations are accepted. This and other presentations are available on the website, www.caryinstitute.org.