Megafires and longer fire seasons
Fire seasons are getting longer and more extreme. In 2024 fires, not farming, became the leading cause of tropical primary forest loss for the first time.
How this affects people
Hotter, drier conditions turn forests and grasslands into fuel. Megafires now burn through boreal forests, the Mediterranean and the tropics, sending smoke across continents.
Wildfire smoke is a public-health emergency far from the flames, and burned forests release carbon that feeds further warming.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Heat and drought that dry out vegetation
- 02Longer fire seasons from earlier snowmelt
- 03Land clearing with fire in the tropics
- 04Homes built deeper into fire-prone landscapes
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Another extreme fire season likely
Heat and drought keep fire risk high across boreal and tropical forests.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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