Wildfires Kill People In US, Europe, And Asia

The new State of Wildfires 2024/2025 report examines the economic and environmental toll of wildfires worldwide. The data covers the period from March 2024 through February 2025. The data was also gathered by 60 institutions in 30 nations. 

The primary conclusion of the report was that “Some of the most prominent extreme wildfire events of the 2024-25 global fire season, in Los Angeles and parts of South America, were 2-3 times more likely due to climate change, and the area burned by wildfires during those events was 25-35 times larger.”

More tragically, these fires killed people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa. They also forced mass evaluation, which in total resulted in the relocation of hundreds of thousands of people. In sum, the fires caused CO2 emissions of 8 billion tons, which did untold damage to the environment. 

LA Wildfires

As for location, some hit close to home for Americans. “Emissions were over triple the global average in South American dry forests and wetlands, and double the average in Canadian boreal forests.” Canadian wildfires have become increasingly prevalent in the US. Two summers ago, they nearly blotted out the Sun in New York City. This year, the rain affected over half of America’s largest cities. Some of the Canadian fires burn throughout the year, but are more active in the summer

The LA wildfires early this year were the most active in the US in recent history. The damage from these was estimated at $30 billion or more. The burnt vegetation also made it easier for flooding to happen after heavy rainfall

The solutions suggested by the authors are similar to those from other studies. It is the government’s job to force people to change their behavior to reduce emissions. “Ambitious national and international climate commitments are required to minimize these risks in the future.” The challenge is that many nations, including the US, have walked away from their commitments entirely.

---

Sponsor

Find a Vetted Financial Advisor

1. Finding a fiduciary financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area in 5 minutes.
2. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Get on the path toward achieving your financial goals!

More from ClimateCrisis 247

• Saudi Arabia Goes Green
• It May Be Too Late To Stop Climate Change
• A Texas City Is Running Out Of Water
• As Arctic Ice Melts, Shipping Grows