We’re now gripped by the new global phenomenon of megafires – that’s the term used to describe wildfires which are extreme in size, behaviour, and impacts. The most obvious driving factor is climate change.
Burning problems
- : 40 years
Average area of forested land burnt each year in the US increased 1,000% the past 40 years.
- : 2.2 billion
In summer 2023, fires in Northern Canada scorched 18.4 million hectares, emitting 2.2 billion tonnes CO2.
- : 41%
In Europe in 2023, 470,000 hectares were scorched, with 41% of the burnt area within designated Natura 2000 EU Biodiversity Reservoirs.
- : 962 million
In 2015, fires in Indonesia’s forests and peatlands resulted in 962 million tonnes CO2 emissions of carbon emitted and toxic haze spreading across Southeast Asia.
- : 30-40%
In the Arctic, wildfires burn the Boreal Forest that stores 30-40% of terrestrial carbon, and scorches the layer of moss, lichen and leaf litter that insulates the frozen permafrost underlaying the region. The melting permafrost releases vast amounts of carbon and methane, leading to a feedback loop of more fires and more melting permafrost.
- :
"Zombie fires” are also on the rise in parts of Alaska and Canada. These are fires that come back to life and reignite in the spring when the weather warms up, after smouldering dormant underground during winter.
Want to know more?
Debbie Spillane
Global MarComm Lead
+45 53 67 10 43