Home / Editor's Pick /

What causes wildfires?

02:00 PM
February 27, 2022

New research
What causes wildfires?

Research published this week suggests that forest fires are set to grow more severe in the coming decades, but what really causes them?

Scientists around the world are in near complete agreement that climate change is exacerbating forest fires. Warmer temperatures and drier vegetation are culminating in the perfect conditions for fires to break out.

All but one of the most damaging fires in U.S .history have taken place in the past decade and strong winds in 2020 resulted in California’s record for their largest wildfires being broken six times.

Argentina fires© picture alliance

Dry forest land does not suddenly combust of its own accord, the spark needs to come from somewhere. Populations around the wildland-urban interface, nearby forests, is growing year-over-year, creating more opportunities for accidental fires to grow out of control.

While winter weather can help limit fires, long-term climate outlooks show a consistent warming.

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
setting-sun
Saturday, September 6, 2025

Coldest time of the day

Lowest temperature is just after sunrise
Weather radar with dust plumes and webcam view of Mallorca with milky skies.
Saturday, August 30, 2025

Sky coloured orange

Saharan dust over Spain
Dust cloud over Tucson alongside weather radar showing thunderstorms in Arizona.
Sunday, August 31, 2025

Fascinating phenomenon

Dust storm hit Phoenix last week
All weather news
This might also interest you
Hurricanes approaching the coastline can cause extensive impacts, including flooding, even before landfall.
Saturday, September 13, 2025

Knowledge is power

What to know this hurricane season
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Daily briefing

Plains showers, storms persist
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Mario's remnants

Flood threat grows for Southwest
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.com

instagramfacebookthreadsContact uslinkList
Privacy policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement