Global warming is responsible for the increase in wildfires in the United States

Global warming is believed to be the main cause of the increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the American West. This is the conclusion reached by American researchers in a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this Monday, October 10.

More frequent droughts, a longer fire season… Rising temperatures are directly linked to the risk of wildfires. This recent warming is believed to have contributed to "a doubling of the total area of forest burned since 1984" - or the area of Aquitaine.

In France, Météo France predicts that wildfires will increase in Aquitaine due to rising temperatures. But the issue is not that simple, because as forests become increasingly fragmented, this actually reduces the overall risk of wildfires.

Risk analysis must take into account the specific characteristics of each region, as well as the many contextual factors that either increase or decrease exposure to and vulnerability from climate change. Carbone 4 offers specialized support to conduct these risk analyses and identify levers for adaptation actions across a wide range of geographic areas and sectors.

Source: Stéphane Foucart, in an article from *Le Monde*

Article written by Claire Gassiat and Violaine Lepousez