CNN/AP: Scientists: Climate change making wildfires worse

[DeepModem Mom]

Scientists: Climate change making wildfires worse
November 14, 2006


Firefighters light a backburn near McLeod, Montana, in September as crews try to contain the Derby Mountain fire.

SAN DIEGO, California (AP) -- Global warming could stoke ferocious wildfires that will be more difficult and costly to fight and might drastically alter the environment in parts of the world, some scientists warn.

Approximately 1,000 scientists and forestry officials who gathered in San Diego for an international wildfire meeting that began Monday urged policymakers to consider the effects of global warming when managing wildfires.

The wildfire season that just ended in the U.S. was the most severe -- and expensive -- on record with more than 89,000 fires scorching 9.5 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The U.S. Forest Service spent $1.5 billion fighting those fires -- about $100 million over budget.

Wildfire season typically peaks in late summer and early fall. Climate change is being blamed for a longer fire season and some even predict the possibility of a year-round fire season....

Future fires, the scientists warned, could drastically alter the land and convert vegetation from one type to another. That, in turn, could put native animals and plants at risk of extinction.

Increased wildfires also could adversely affect the planet. Wildfires emit tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to planet-warming greenhouse gases....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/14/wildfires.ap/index.html

[Uncle Joe]

1. It's a vicious cycle,

and at some point in the near future global warming will become self sustaining. That will be the moment when the pudding truly hits the prop.

Thanks for posting DeepModem Mom

Kicked and recommended

[Ezlivin]

2. We still need more data

That's what our Glorious Leader says.

I suppose that after our ecosystems have collapsed, the seas are empty of any life and wildfires scour the landscape Bush will finally say that he has enough information to act. Then he'll appoint Michael Crichton to head a panel.

Sigh.