Wildfires are uncontrolled fires in combustible vegetation, categorized by the type of vegetation as bushfires, grass fires, etc. Some ecosystems depend on wildfires, and modern forest management uses prescribed burns to mitigate risks and promote natural forest cycles. However, controlled burns can accidentally become wildfires.
1937: Nationwide Fire Prevention Campaign
In 1937, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched a nationwide fire prevention campaign to address human carelessness in forest fires. The campaign later featured Smokey Bear, Uncle Sam, and Disney characters, becoming a significant cultural icon in the United States.
1949: Mann Gulch Fire
In 1949, the Mann Gulch fire in Montana, USA, led to the deaths of thirteen smokejumpers due to disorientation and loss of communication amidst the intense heat and smoke.
1950: Increase in Hot Days in Australia
Since 1950, Australia has seen a substantial increase in hot days, contributing to the severity of wildfires.
1974: Australia's Worst Wildfire
Australia experienced its most severe wildfire in 1974-1975, impacting 15% of its landmass.
1975: Australia's Worst Wildfire
Australia experienced its most severe wildfire in 1974-1975, impacting 15% of its landmass.
1988: Advancements in Fire Information Delivery
During the 1988 Yellowstone fires, a data station enabled quicker delivery of satellite-based fire information.
1990: Wildfire Firefighter Deaths from Heart Attacks
From 1990 to 2006, a study found that 21.9% of wildfire firefighter deaths were caused by heart attacks, linking cardiovascular risks to wildfire fighting conditions.
1997: Indonesian Forest Fires and Carbon Emissions
In 1997, forest fires in Indonesia released a substantial amount of CO2, comparable to 13-40% of global annual emissions from fossil fuels.
1998: Decline in Fires (1998-2015)
Between 1998 and 2015, the number of fires, both natural and human-caused, decreased by 24.3% due to a societal shift from nomadism towards settled lifestyles and intensive agriculture, reducing fire use for land clearing.
2000: Wildland Firefighter Deaths
Between 2000 and 2016, over 350 wildland firefighters died on duty, underscoring the occupational hazards associated with wildfire fighting.
2001: Wildland Firefighter Fatalities and Hazards (2001-2012)
Between 2001 and 2012, over 200 wildland firefighter fatalities occurred due to various hazards, including heat, chemicals, electrocution, equipment injuries, slips, trips, and falls, vehicle rollovers, heat-related illnesses, insect bites, stress, and rhabdomyolysis.
June 2002: Hayman Fire and Respiratory Symptoms
The Hayman fire in Colorado during June 2002 led to increased respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD, illustrating the impact of wildfire smoke on pre-existing respiratory conditions.
2003: North Yorkshire Moors Wildfire
In 2003, a wildfire in the North Yorkshire Moors burned 2.5 square kilometers of land, revealing archaeological remains and demonstrating the long-term impact of wildfires on the environment.
2003: Southern California Wildfires and Hospital Admissions
Wildfires in Southern California in 2003 resulted in a rise in hospital admissions for asthma, demonstrating the connection between wildfire smoke and respiratory health issues.
2004: Wildfire Suppression Costs
Between 2004 and 2008, approximately $6 billion was spent on suppressing wildfires in the United States, highlighting the economic impact of wildfire management.
2004: Wildfire Smoke and Particulate Matter
From 2004 to 2009, an estimated 46 million people in the Western US were exposed to wildfire smoke, which has been shown to increase airborne particulate levels.
2006: Wildfire Firefighter Deaths from Heart Attacks
From 1990 to 2006, a study found that 21.9% of wildfire firefighter deaths were caused by heart attacks, linking cardiovascular risks to wildfire fighting conditions.
2007: San Diego Wildfires and Respiratory Diagnoses
A study on the 2007 San Diego wildfires showed a rise in respiratory diagnoses, particularly asthma, indicating the impact of wildfire smoke on public health.
2007: California Wildfires and Heavy Metals
Following the 2007 Californian wildfires, high levels of heavy metals were found in the ash debris, prompting a clean-up campaign due to health concerns.
2007: Black Carbon and Arctic Warming
Research in 2007 revealed that black carbon in snow significantly impacts temperature change, potentially causing a large portion of Arctic warming.
2008: Wildfire Suppression Costs
Between 2004 and 2008, approximately $6 billion was spent on suppressing wildfires in the United States, highlighting the economic impact of wildfire management.
February 2009: Victorian Bushfires
In February 2009, the Victorian bushfires in Australia resulted in a significant loss of life and property, with at least 173 fatalities and over 2,029 homes destroyed.
2009: Wildfire Smoke and Particulate Matter
From 2004 to 2009, an estimated 46 million people in the Western US were exposed to wildfire smoke, which has been shown to increase airborne particulate levels.
2012: Wildland Firefighter Fatalities and Hazards (2001-2012)
Between 2001 and 2012, over 200 wildland firefighter fatalities occurred due to various hazards, including heat, chemicals, electrocution, equipment injuries, slips, trips, and falls, vehicle rollovers, heat-related illnesses, insect bites, stress, and rhabdomyolysis.
2014: VIIRS Active Fire Data Validation
A 2014 campaign in Kruger National Park, South Africa, validated new fire detection products, including VIIRS active fire data.
2015: New Fire Detection Tool
In 2015, the USDA Forest Service implemented a new fire detection tool utilizing NPP satellite data for enhanced fire detection and prediction.
2015: Decline in Fires (1998-2015)
Between 1998 and 2015, the number of fires, both natural and human-caused, decreased by 24.3% due to a societal shift from nomadism towards settled lifestyles and intensive agriculture, reducing fire use for land clearing.
2016: Wildland Firefighter Deaths
Between 2000 and 2016, over 350 wildland firefighters died on duty, underscoring the occupational hazards associated with wildfire fighting.
2017: Discovery of Chemically Contaminated Water Systems
In 2017, the first discovery of hazardous chemical contamination in buried water systems after wildfires was made in the U.S., raising new concerns about post-wildfire water safety.
2018: Camp Fire and Water Contamination Theory
After the 2018 Camp Fire, the theory of plastic degradation as a source of water contamination was first proposed.
2018: Camp Fire and Water System Damage
The 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, resulted in over $150 million in damages to the municipal drinking water system, highlighting the economic impact of wildfire-related water contamination.
2018: California Camp Fire and Heavy Metals
The devastating 2018 California Camp Fire, which resulted in 85 deaths, saw a significant increase in lead levels in the surrounding areas, highlighting the health risks associated with heavy metal contamination after wildfires.
July 2019: Arctic Wildfires and Carbon Emissions
In July 2019, Arctic wildfires emitted significant amounts of CO2, emphasizing the need to consider these emissions in greenhouse gas reduction targets.
2019: Climate Variability and Wildfires
A 2019 study suggested human-induced climate change as a factor in increased California wildfire risk. Climate variability, including heat waves, droughts, and El Niño, significantly influence wildfire behavior.
2019: Catastrophic Bushfires in Australia
In 2019, Australia faced unprecedented bushfires, leading to the first catastrophic fire conditions declared for Greater Sydney.
2019: Arson and Wildfires 2019
In 2019, despite over 20% of human-caused fires being attributed to arson, an independent study downplayed its role in the Australian bushfires.
2019: Amazon Carbon and Atmospheric Impact
In 2019, the Amazon was estimated to store 90 billion tons of carbon. Destroying the Amazon could significantly raise atmospheric carbon levels.
2019: Wildfires and Climate Change
Wildfires in 2019 served as a significant marker of the impact of climate change on wildfire severity.
August 2020: Global Carbon Emissions from Wildfires
By August 2020, global carbon emissions from wildfires matched the European Union's average annual emissions, highlighting wildfires' role in carbon release.
August 2020: Wildfires Worse than 2019
By August 2020, wildfires had intensified by 13% compared to 2019, primarily due to climate change, deforestation, and agricultural burning.
2020: Development of Wildfire Impact Inspection Guidance
In 2020, for the first time, evidence-based guidelines on inspecting and testing wildfire-impacted wells and building water systems were created.
2020: Confirmation of Plastic Degradation as Contamination Source
The theory about plastic degradation as a source of water contamination was confirmed in 2020.
2021: Canadian Adaptation of Post-Fire Investigations
In 2021, Canadian authorities in British Columbia adapted their post-fire public safety investigations to assess the risk of chemical contamination in water systems, although no contamination was found as of 2023.
2021: NASA's FIRMS for Real-Time Fire Data
Since 2021, NASA's FIRMS has provided near real-time active fire location data.
2022: AI for Wildfire Management
Between 2022 and 2023, North American wildfires drove the adoption of AI technologies for wildfire detection, prevention, and prediction.
2023: AI for Wildfire Management
Between 2022 and 2023, North American wildfires drove the adoption of AI technologies for wildfire detection, prevention, and prediction.
2023: Arson and Wildfires 2023
False claims about arson as a major cause of Canadian wildfires circulated on social media in 2023, although it's generally not the primary cause.
2023: Confirmation of Contamination Mechanism
In 2023, the mechanism of contamination being sucked into pipes that lost water pressure was confirmed.
2023: Confirmation of Contamination Source Theory
In 2023, the theory that contamination can be drawn into pipes with lost water pressure was confirmed.
2030: Amazon Rainforest Projections
By 2030, it is projected that more than half of the Amazon rainforest could be damaged or destroyed due to a combination of wildfires, drought, and human activities.
2050: Projected Health and Economic Impact of Wildfires
By 2050, wildfire smoke is projected to cause around 30,000 annual deaths and cost $240 billion annually, exceeding other climate-related damage costs.