Study finds global increase in hot, dry days ideal for wildfires

 

Study finds global increase in hot, dry days ideal for wildfires

A new study published in Science Advances (February 2026) reveals that the number of days with weather conditions ideal for extreme wildfires—characterized by hot, dry, and windy factors—has nearly tripled globally over the past 45 years.

 

Key Findings from the Research

Synchronous Fire Weather: The world is increasingly seeing "synchronous fire weather," where multiple regions experience dangerous conditions simultaneously. In the late 1970s, the globe averaged 22 such days per year; by 2024, this surged to more than 60 days.

Human Impact: Researchers calculated that over 60% of this increase is directly attributable to human-caused climate change from burning fossil fuels.

Regional Hotspots:

South America: The southern half of the continent saw the most dramatic rise, jumping from an average of 5.5 dangerous days (1979–1988) to 70.6 days in the last decade.

United States: The continental U.S. now averages 38 dangerous days annually, up from 7.7 in the 1980s.

Southeast Asia: This was the only region to see a decrease, likely due to increased humidity in the area.

Intensity and Frequency: The six most extreme years for wildfire frequency and intensity have all occurred since 2017, with 2023 recording the highest intensities in the 45-year study period.

Consequences for Management

The study warns that as fire weather becomes synchronized, countries may no longer be able to rely on neighboring nations for firefighting resources, as multiple regions are likely to be battling blazes at the same time. This creates a "feedback effect" where burning forests release massive amounts of C02, further accelerating global warming.