Environment

Deliberate fires are responsible for half of the land burned each year

The finding that managed fires burn a much greater area than thought means we may be underestimating the increase in wildfires due to global heating

By Michael Le Page

22 April 2024

Managed fires may be used to renovate pastures or reduce forest fires
Patricia De Melo/AFP/Getty Images

Half of the global area burned by fires every year is a result of deliberately set and managed fires, rather than wildfires caused by lightning, accidents or arson, a study suggests.

If the finding is correct, it means that the increase in the area burned annually by wildfires as the world heats up will be even greater than currently predicted by computer models.

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Environment

Deliberate fires are responsible for half of the land burned each year

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