What percentage of all wildfire incidents worldwide are caused by human activity?
Human activity accounts for approximately 85% of all wildfire incidents worldwide. Arson represents more than 20% of these human-caused fires in many regions.
Questions about Wildfire
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Australia suffer its worst recorded wildfire season with significant land damage?
The summer of 1974, 1975 saw Australia suffer its worst recorded wildfire season with 15% of land mass damaged. An estimated 18 million hectares burned during those months causing extensive ecological destruction.
How much carbon dioxide did forest fires in Indonesia release annually in 1997?
Forest fires in Indonesia in 1997 released between 0.81 and 2.57 gigatonnes of CO2 annually. This amount represented 13 to 40% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Which satellite system has provided active fire locations in near real-time since 2021?
NASA has provided active fire locations in near real-time via the Fire Information for Resource Management System since 2021. Satellite-mounted sensors like Envisat's Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer measure infrared radiation from fires.
What percentage of wildland firefighters died on duty between 2000 and 2016?
Between 2000 and 2016, more than 350 wildland firefighters died on duty. A study tracking firefighter deaths from 1990 to 2006 found 21.9% died from heart attacks.