As the world seeks effective solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the serious effects of climate change, wildfires have surged at an unprecedented rate over the past year, complicating the global efforts to address this crisis.
According to the Annual 2024 Wildfires Report, released in January 2025, the year 2024 saw approximately 61,685 wildfires, burning an estimated 8,851,142 acres. These fires were primarily concentrated in the Americas, leading to numerous environmental challenges as they cause ecological disasters and release vast quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
How Do Wildfires Ignite?
The combination of dry vegetation, high temperatures, and an ignition source creates the perfect conditions for wildfires to start. Natural events such as lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions can also trigger these fires. Once ignited, they can burn for days, resulting in significant damage.
Damages Caused by Wildfires
The consequences of wildfires are extensive and include:
- Loss of Biodiversity: Fires lead to the destruction of diverse plant and animal habitats, forcing species to migrate in search of safer environments. This displacement can result in extinction, disrupting the balance of the food web.
- Destruction of Property: Many communities depend on forests for their livelihoods. Wildfires can devastate properties, leading to significant economic losses.
- Soil and Water Damage: Fires affect the quality of soil and water in the burned areas, causing soil erosion and water pollution.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Wildfires release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, along with dust and smoke that can harm human health and local ecosystems.
The Scale of Emissions
At Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, data on carbon emissions has been collected since the late 1950s. Recently, this observatory reported the highest levels of carbon dioxide, reaching 427 parts per million, compared to 280 parts per million before the escalation of global warming. Wildfires are significant contributors to these emissions, along with fossil fuel combustion and other human activities.
Forests are crucial for maintaining ecological balance on Earth, yet vast areas are lost each year due to high temperatures and factors largely driven by human activities. The tragic reality is that wildfires exacerbate global warming. For this reason, addressing wildfires must be a top priority on the climate action agenda.
