What is the relationship of climate change to fire intensity and frequency?
* A: Widespread fire years and fire extent are associated with warmer and drier spring and summer conditions in the Western United States Warmer spring and summer conditions lead to relatively early snowmelt, and lower summer soil and fuel moisture, and thus longer fire seasons. Increased temperatures and drought occurrence in some locations owing to global warming will likely lead to increased fire frequency and extent. Intensity of fires may also increase in some areas if higher temperatures interact with fuel characteristics to increase fire intensity. (Heyerdahl et al. 2008, McKenzie et al. 2004, Taylor et al. 2008, Westerling et al. 2006).
