Project Summary
Wildfires, a longstanding and frequent threat to California, are expected to increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change. While wildfires are obviously a significant threat to property and public safety, they can also significantly affect air quality by increasing the amount of particulates in the air. Because of this, California included wildfire threat within its 2009 Climate Adaptation Strategy and seeks to reduce and adapt to the increasing future threat to air quality from wildfires.
Consistent with adaptation planning practices, California conducted a vulnerability assessment to better understand the projected magnitude of impact climate change could have on wildfire activity including concerns such as the effectiveness of California's climate sinks (i.e., carbon stored in vegetation) and how projected climate changes are expected to impact them. While there are many factors that may influence past trends, climate change is expected to significantly impact California's forests and contribute to an increase of wildfires in the projected future. California's 2010 Rangeland Assessment’s chapter on climate change notes that the fire season has been starting sooner and ending later, and the severity of wildfire acreage burned has been increasing in recent years. The Rangeland Assessment also includes reference to literature (i.e., studies) that suggests the increased number of wildfires will lead to a corresponding increase in the number of ‘bad’ air days from particulate matter. California is anticipating how climate change will affect wildfires and associated public health concerns and adapting by protecting forests, increasing public awareness of proper land management strategies and promoting efforts to better maintain air quality.
