Recap – Facing the Flames: Wildfire Challenges in a Warming World, with Eric Kennedy

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Published on September 30, 2024

On September 11, 2024, Dahdaleh faculty fellow and Associate Professor at York University Eric Kennedy delved into wildfire management within the context of climate change focusing on how communities and governments can adapt to increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Dr. Kennedy began by emphasizing that wildfire is a natural and necessary part of many ecosystems particularly in Canada, where half of the wildfires are caused naturally by lightning. He explained that many forests depend on fire for their regeneration. For example, species with "serotinous cones," such as certain pine trees, require fire to open their seeds and reproduce. Dr. Kennedy also highlighted the use of fire by Indigenous communities for land management, which is a practice largely suppressed during colonization, leading to the accumulation of fuel that now exacerbates modern wildfires.

While fires are natural, Dr. Kennedy argued that the scale and frequency of wildfires today – and their impacts on our communities – are significant. He illustrated this by referencing the 2023 wildfire season in Canada, which burned an astounding 18.5 million hectares, a distinct contrast to the typical annual average of 1-2 million hectares. This increase was driven by many factors, including location and weather. However, these massive fires emitted significant carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to a global feedback loop of climate change.

Dr. Kennedy also discussed the challenges of fighting wildfires, noting the increasing intensity of fires, driven by climate change, making them nearly impossible to combat. He referenced Australia’s "catastrophic" fire danger category, where authorities now advise citizens to evacuate early rather than attempt to defend their homes. Similarly, he described the tragic 2016 Fort McMurray fire, where entire neighborhoods were lost, and the limitations of current firefighting capabilities became evident. The seminar concluded by stressing the importance of changing how society thinks about fire, moving away from full suppression toward living with and managing fire as a natural part of the environment.

Watch the seminar presentation below: https://youtu.be/Mv-9sZLxIps

Connect with Dr. Eric Kennedy

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