Wildfires and climate change

_{the sun and sky from my window today}

---

Due to the calamity of hurricanes down south, most news outlets have missed or skimmed over the fact that a good portion of Montana is on fire.

Montana wildfire photos

---

_{a similar photo last week}

---

The Rice Ridge fire in Montana affects 55,000 acres alone.

Rice Ridge Fire

---

I'm saying this because down in Colorado, the temperature is about 10-15 lower due to the smoke drifting downwards.

thick blanket of smoke covering CO

_{wider panorama of the top photo}

---

_{similar photo earlier this month}

---

Steemians in Canada have told me it also has affected British Columbia. Of course they have their own fires there as well, as do other areas of the Pacific northwest. In other areas around the world, the problem is similar.

Wildfire smoke produces haze over much of British Columbia and the US northwest

Most large fires are simply contained because of their enormity. Some places utilize controlled burns in order to keep fires under control.

New Study proposing controlled burn

---

These large scale fires burn out eventually, but it might take months. For some fires, they are never fully extinguished until the coming of winter rain and snow.

Wildfires are a yearly hazard, but this year the fires are particularly bad. According to the article below,

"Extensive studies have found that large forest fires in the western US have been occurring nearly five times more often since the 1970s and 80s. Such fires are burning more than six times the land area as before, and lasting almost five times longer."

How Climate change is increasing forest fires around the world

---

_{Rocky Mountain National Forest.}

My thought on weather is this; it's an ecosystem. What affects one part of the world will have ramifications in another.

Consider the wildfires in the northwest while you contemplate the destruction of hurricanes in the southern United States. Look into global climate change policy around the world. Finally, look at the United States and the current administrations views on climate change.

Lastly, if you are considering lighting a fire anywhere, please consider the earth first. Think of the climate, think of the trees which help convert C02 to oxygen. Think of the people affected by the smoke and destruction.

If you absolutely need to light that fire, please do it safely.

Just some food for thought.

---

---

all photos in this article by @torico; all rights reserved.