Rising Australian forest burned areas are linked to climate change
In short: Researchers who analyzed decades of satellite and ground-based data found that forest burned areas in Australia are increasing. The study observed a linear increase in annual burned area and a marked rise in megafire years—where more than one million hectares burn—since 2000.
This trend aligns with more dangerous fire weather and increased risks from phenomena like dry lightning and fire-generated thunderstorms, all of which are linked to anthropogenic climate change. The researchers compiled 90 years of ground-based data alongside satellite observations and climate simulations to reach these conclusions.
Why it matters: Climate change is driving more frequent and intense forest fires in Australia.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Canadell et al. (2021). Multi-decadal increase of forest burned area in Australia is linked to climate change. Nature Communications. · cc-by
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