Wildfires in western North America hinder forest recovery

A study published in the journal Science Advances indicates that fast-moving, intense wildfires are hindering the ability of conifer forests in western North America to recover. Researchers analyzed 3,500 wildfires that burned over 100 million acres between 2012 and 2023.

The research, involving institutions such as Western Colorado University, Colorado State University, and the U.S. and Canadian Forest Services, found that higher fire spread rates correlate with increased fire intensity and higher rates of total tree mortality. As fires move faster, the distance to surviving trees capable of reseeding the area also increases.

Professor Jonathan Coop noted that warmer and drier conditions driven by climate change are making ecosystems less habitable for tree species. Severe fires can accelerate the transition of these landscapes into shrublands or other ecosystems if they leave large areas without living trees to provide seeds for repopulation.