Report Links Climate Change and Idaho Fires
Monday, August 18, 2008
Boise, ID – The wildfire season in the West becomes a vicious cycle when climate change is factored in, according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation(NWF).
The study shows changing weather patterns make the forests more susceptible to fire, and the intense fires then increase the air pollution that is associated with climate change.
It's hardly good news for Idaho. But report author and NWF climate scientist, Dr. Amanda Staudt, says forest management could help reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
"These fires can release tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, basically enhancing global warming until the forests can grow back. It is critical to restore forests to more natural conditions and fire cycles; to step up protections for people and property; and to jumpstart new forest growth after catastrophic fires."
Some blame the increase in large, intense fires on forest management, not climate change, but the report links climate change to a fourfold increase in fires throughout the West in recent years. The report is online at www.nwf.org/news.
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