by Mathilde Spiropoulos 

Wildfires are no longer an occasional disaster; they are a devastating new normal. From Greece’s forests engulfed in flames to California’s rolling hills reduced to ash, wildfires have left behind thousands of stories of heartbreak and resilience. But they are also a call to action we can no longer afford to ignore. We have the power to reduce their impact and frequency by addressing climate change and how we treat the environment. They are currently fueled by our actions, but this hasn’t always been the case. 

Wildfires have long been a part of nature, sparked by lightning or ignited in drought- stricken regions. Today, the fires in places like Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal aren’t natural occurrences at all. They are more intense and frequent due to human activity. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, “The national average of human-caused wildfires comprises 87 percent of all wildfire occurrences every year. Most of these fires can be prevented.” 

Carelessness is a major factor. Just this year, a wildfire near Los Angeles was traced back to an unattended campfire. Across the Mediterranean, human activity from deforestation to industrial accidents is sparking blazes that could have been avoided. It is definitely clear that our behavior plays a critical role in wildfire outbreaks. 

Global warming is a hidden accelerator, drying out forests and making areas like California, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, and Brazil. In Greece, entire stretches of forest have been wiped out. In Spain, the flames have ravaged wildlife habitats. Los Angeles, one of the world’s largest urban centers, is repeatedly threatened by wildfires, forcing thousands to evacuate and leaving behind a trail of destruction. In Spain and Greece, thick smoke has caused respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the economic toll is shocking. In California alone, wildfires have cost billions in firefighting efforts and rebuilding homes.  

Spain and Greece face similar financial burdens as entire towns and agricultural lands are destroyed. If we don’t act now, the cost to future generations will be even greater. There is a huge difference between the costs of firefighting and reducing the wildfire hazard of California. In 2018, in Athens, there was a huge fire that took the lives of 104 people. Six years later, nature is recovering from being burned. It appeared black and sad and is now back to being green with life. This change began to happen two or three years after that fire. 

It is no coincidence that our warming planet is a key driver of these increasingly catastrophic events. By addressing climate change and global warming, we can reverse this dangerous trend. Wildfires aren’t just burning land, they are destroying ecosystems that take decades, if not centuries, to recover. But nature has an amazing ability to heal, if we give it a chance. With stronger policies and proactive strategies like strict land-use policies, mandatory fire-resilient infrastructure, community fire adaptation programs, clearing the forests, and enhancing training and equipment for firefighters, we can protect people and prevent such disasters before they occur. With protective measures in place, we can say that we are putting something in motion to save the environment and ourselves. 

The second and final part of this series will demonstrate how safety and preventative measures can reduce the impact of wildfires and prevent them from happening.