Made to Burn: How climate change impacts fire-adapted environments

Many forest, grassland ecosystems across US evolved to thrive after fires, but climate change alters delicate balance

April 12 to 14, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, which indicates extreme risk for a wildfire due to different environmental conditions. April 14, the Arcadia Fire — a 2,900-acre wildfire — started in Monroe County, according to the DNR. Officials contained the fire within a day.

DNR Forest Fire Protection Section Chief James Barnier said that due to climate change, the ideal conditions for wildfires are becoming more common in recent years. According to the 2021 Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Report, precipitation during the summer months has decreased, making Wisconsin’s forests more vulnerable to wildfires...

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Ken Notes: Good read. Special thanks to the Badger Herald for doing a deep dive on this issue.