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South America Sees Sharp Increase in Wildfire Risk Due to Climate Change

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Over the last five decades, South America has become significantly more susceptible to wildfires, with some areas experiencing a threefold to fourfold increase in days marked by extreme fire conditions. This dramatic rise poses a severe threat to critical ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and the Gran Chaco forest, as highlighted in a recent study published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal.

Source: NBC News/YouTube

The study, led by Raul Cordero, a climate scientist at the University of Groningen, reveals that since 1970, extreme conditions conducive to wildfires — characterized by intense heat, dryness, and strong winds — have not only become more frequent but also more widespread, covering millions of square kilometers across the continent.

Researchers analyzed weather patterns from 1971 to 2022, focusing on each 30-by-30 kilometer grid cell in South America. They found an overall increase in the number of days each year that experienced simultaneous hot, dry, and flammable conditions. These alarming findings underscore the escalating fire risk across various South American regions, with four major “hotspots” identified: the expansive Amazon rainforest, the Venezuela-Colombia border, the vast Gran Chaco forest, and central Chile.

The underlying cause of this increase is attributed primarily to climate change, which has led to prolonged droughts and higher temperatures. These conditions are particularly perilous when combined with agricultural fires, commonly set for land clearing or illegal activities such as logging. Once ignited, these fires are increasingly difficult to control, leading to rapid and widespread devastation.

This trend is exacerbated by global climate oscillations like El Niño and La Niña, which respectively increase fire risks in the northern Amazon and central South America. With ongoing deforestation, experts warn that these regions could face even more severe wildfires in the future, emphasizing the urgent need for robust fire management and climate action strategies.