Warmer temperatures tied to wildfires, scientists say

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Warmer temperatures tied to wildfires, scientists say
By David E. Williams


Scientists say that warming trends appear tied to increased wildfire activity in parts of the U.S. West.

(CNN) -- Huge wildfires, such as the ones that have charred more than 460,000 acres this week in Southern California, are becoming more common in the Western United States, and scientists say warming trends and other climate factors may be responsible.

A study published last year in the journal Science found that the number of large wildfires (greater than 1,000 acres) in Western forests increased dramatically in the mid-1980s.

The length of the fire season also increased, the study found. It noted that the average length of the fire season between 1987-2003 was 78 days longer than it was between 1970 and 1986. That's a 64 percent increase, the study found.

Thomas Swetnam, one of the study's authors, said that there's a pretty strong connection between the early arrival of spring and increased wildfire activity. "Fuel has a longer season to dry out, and the soils have a longer season to dry out so the fire season starts earlier and lasts longer," Swetnam said....

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/25/env.environment.fires/index.html

[kestrel91316]

1. This was always a no-brainer to me, but the MSM has been

vehemently denying it for so long, I just thought maybe it was me, smoking crack.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DeepModem Mom.

[Igel]

3. But not these.

"Thomas Swetnam, one of the study's authors, said that there's a pretty strong connection between the early arrival of spring and increased wildfire activity...." in many places.

BUT

"Swetnam, director of the University of Arizona's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, said different climate factors are fueling the Southern California fires."

[Cha]

4. Rec'd..

I think we The People have the power to change this since the corporatations WILL NOT. All we need is enough of us.