US wildfires: Climate change and home construction likely causes - Opinion
Climate change induced persistent heat waves and drought paired with lightning strikes and high winds resulted in devastating fires throughout the Western part of the USA, writes Michael E Kraft of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on the pages of Centre Daily. Reason for the increased devastation caused by fire range from a change in federal environmental policies, land use, climate change and suppression of natural fires.
Improved forest management, capacity building of Forest Service personnel could lead to less risk. Mr Kraft adds: "Public education, greater use of community wildfire protection plans and adoption of improved zoning laws and building codes could limit home development in locations where it increases fire risk."