Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

But even as wildfires in Europe and North America grow more extreme, key worldwide burning statistics are at a record low largely because Africa and Asia are controlling fire more. Less than one-eighth comes from North America and Europe. In North America and Europe there are also “human fingerprints” on the more extreme fires dominating the news, but that is from climate change Abatzaglou said. Abatzaglou said that North America has long done a good job of fire suppression. Regardless of El Nino, scientists said areas in North America and Europe will have to improve planning and adaptation for worsening wildfires, including prescribed burns to thin excess trees and grasses.