Short Wave This Is Canada's Worst Fire Season In Modern History. It's Not New
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Jul 12, 2023 Nate Rott, an NPR climate correspondent, delves into the devastating wildfires plaguing Canada this year, which have burned over 20 million acres. He reveals how these fires are labeled 'unprecedented,' yet historical research shows they've occurred before. The discussion includes the significance of Canada's boreal forests and how insights from tree rings can inform future wildfire management. Rott also highlights the impact of climate change and past Indigenous land management on fire severity, shedding light on the intricate relationship between nature and human intervention.
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Scooper Planes
- Nate Rott traveled to Val-d'Or, Quebec, to report on the wildfires.
- He heard scooper planes taking off, which collect water from lakes and rivers to dump on fires.
Boreal Forests
- The taiga boreal forests, the largest terrestrial biome, stretch across the Northern Hemisphere.
- These forests store massive amounts of carbon and are currently experiencing widespread fires.
Unprecedented?
- While the scale of the Canadian wildfires is rare in contemporary records, researchers argue they're not unprecedented.
- A broader historical perspective reveals similar fire events have occurred previously.