Abrupt, Climate-Induced Increase in Wildfires in British Columbia Since the Mid-2000s

Abrupt, climate-induced increase in wildfires in British Columbia since the mid-2000s

In the province of British Columbia, Canada, four of the most severe wildfire seasons of the last century occurred in the past 7 years: 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. To investigate trends in wildfire activity and fire-conducive climate, we conducted an analysis of mapped wildfire perimeters and annual climate data for the period of 1919–2021. Results show that after a century-long decline, fire activity increased from 2005 onwards, coinciding with…

EDITORIAL: Extreme destruction defined recent wildfire seasons

Five worst seasons on record in B.C. occurred from 2017 onward