As the Southeastern US reels from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, experts warn that climate change is fueling a deadly combination of wildfires and drought. The region’s dry conditions and fallen trees are creating the perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread.
Hurricane-downed trees may have helped fuel the flames in a number of fires that broke out in the Southeastern US last week. Experts warn that severe wind and an unusually long period of dryness in the region are making it easier for wildfires to ignite and spread.
The Perfect Storm: Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Wildfires
Hurricane Helene, which tore through the Southeast in September, dumped more than a foot of rain in some locations and knocked over hundreds of thousands of acres of trees across the region. These dried-out trees act as kindling and could block firefighters’ access to the fires.
The Dangers of Wet to Dry Whiplash
While many people think of the West as the US fire epicenter, the Southeast has more wildfires than any other part of the country in a given year, according to NASA. These numerous and mostly small fires occur primarily in the spring and fall, with peak activity hitting between March and May.
The Wildland-Urban Interface: A Growing Concern
For people living in close proximity to forests and grasslands, even abnormally dry conditions can pose heightened risks if a fire ignites. ‘It’s not typical for conditions to be as dry as they have been the past couple of months,’ says Lauren Lowman, an associate professor in environmental engineering at Wake Forest University.
The Role of Fallen Trees
In some areas, fallen trees can act as fuel and promote fire spread in the short and long term. ‘After the hurricane, there were lots of dead trees felled on the ground, and that allows for sunlight to reach the ground,’ says Virginia Iglesias, who studies the effects of climate variability on social-environmental systems at University of Colorado Boulder.
Fallen trees play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
They provide habitat for various species, such as insects, 'which help decompose the wood' , including fungi and microorganisms, which help decompose the wood.
This process releases nutrients back into the soil, supporting plant growth.
Fallen trees also create pathways for water to flow, reducing erosion and improving soil quality.
In addition, they serve as a source of food and shelter for animals during harsh weather conditions.
The Consequences of Climate Change
Climate change is expected to exacerbate this deadly combination of hurricane-fueled destruction and drought. ‘Droughts are expected to become more intense and more frequent in the Southeast and many other areas of the country because of climate change,’ Iglesias says.
Climate change refers to significant long-term trends in global climate patterns.
The main cause of climate change is the increasing levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the Earth's atmosphere.
These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a rise in global temperatures.
According to NASA, 2020 was the hottest year on record globally since 1880.
Climate change has severe consequences, including rising sea levels, more frequent natural disasters, and altered ecosystems.
Combating Wildfires with Prescribed Burns
To combat this, forest managers often ignite planned, contained fires known as prescribed burns, which help clear out dry plants before they can fuel larger infernos. However, there are roadblocks to this strategy, including getting permission from homeowners and the impact of climate change on the number of days that land managers can practice prescribed burning.
The Trump Administration’s Funding Freeze
The Trump administration has put funding and hiring freezes on programs that support wildland firefighting in recent weeks, leaving large swaths of the country unprepared to take on large wildfires.
