Forest Ecologist Backs Inslee’s Assertion that Wildfires are Worsened by Climate Change

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Gov. Jay Inslee has continued his stance that the hundreds of thousands of acres burned by wildfires in Washington state are a result of climate change, bringing a forest ecologist to back research that shows the connection in his latest meeting with the media. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted.

“As bad as it is now, as high as the risks are now, they will continue to worsen as long as climate change continues to worsen,” Raymond said.

Gov. Inslee Points to Climate Change as Wildfires Choke Washington State, West Coast

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[Gov. Jay Inlsee] and a fire ecologist warned during a news conference that if something isn’t done about climate change, conditions will worsen for the U.S. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist and fire ecologist, is quoted. 

“As bad as it is now (and) as high as the risks are now, they will continue to worsen as long as climate change is an issue,” Raymond said. “We can expect to see more extreme fire danger days, longer fire seasons and overall greater acreage burned.” 

Gov. Inslee: Too Much Suffering to ‘Ignore Clear and Present Danger’ of Climate Change Induced Fires

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The air quality across Washington state this week is “unhealthy at best, hazardous at worst,” said Governor Jay Inslee in a Tuesday press conference. Crystal Raymond is quoted.

“The connection between climate change and increasing fire potential across the west has been clearly established by scientists for over a decade,” Raymond said. “The situation that we are in now is unfortunate, but it does not come as a surprise to fire scientists who have been studying this issue for several years across the region.”

What Makes Smoke Forecasts So Hard to Predict — and How Tech Could Help

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For reasons seemingly as numerous as current air pollution readings, guessing at how wildfire smoke will behave is tricky business. Crystal Raymond is quoted in this article from GeekWire. 

“Studies of climate change effects on wildfire show that with continued warming and drier summers, we expect to see more acreage burned and more large wildfires throughout the western US,” Crystal said. “And where there is fire, there is smoke.” 

Climate Change Front of Mind as Cloud of Smoke Chokes Washington Again

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Fires and smoke are sometimes called the “new normal” of climate change in the Northwest. But some hope these events will be yet another wake-up call. Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover is quoted.

“It’s terrifying to see what’s happening,” Snover said. “It’s upsetting to see what’s happening. And the worst of it is, it’s only going to get worse until we decide we don’t want it to get worse anymore, and reduce and eliminate greenhouse emissions.”