Author(s)

Nadin Boegelsack¹, Jonathan Withey², Gwen O’Sullivan², Dena McMartin¹

¹Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada.
²Faculty of Science and Technology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada.

The relationship between climate change and wildfires was examined to summarize factors associated with vulnerability to wildfires. The complex and cyclic nature of interaction effects between the two was highlighted and the following conclusions were drawn. Climate change is leading to more frequent wildfires with higher intensity, resulting in release of more gasses and particulate matter that further exacerbates the progression of climate change. Direct and indirect impacts are detailed in the main body. A new fire management policy is deemed necessary, with a more local approach being recommended. Human impacts were found to further complicate the already complex relationship. It is recommended to treat accidental and incendiary fires separately for the purpose of evaluating fire management regimes. This requires successful advances in current fire investigation techniques.

Wildfire, Carbon Emission, Climate Change, Fire Management

Boegelsack, N. , Withey, J. , O’Sullivan, G. and McMartin, D. (2018) A Critical Examination of the Relationship between Wildfires and Climate Change with Consideration of the Human Impact. Journal of Environmental Protection, 9, 461-467. doi: 10.4236/jep.2018.95028.