But there’s just one issue, wildfire activity is actually down. Data from the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service shows that, to the end of June, this year had substantially lower wildfire activity – across every continent – than any year since they began collecting data in 2003. The caveat here – according to the University of East Anglia paper – is that while the number of fires, and total area burnt is down, “severity” is up. In short, less overall wildfire activity seems to be somehow translating to greater human cost, both in lives and money. A case of cope to cover misbehaving data: “Fine, wildfires are down, but the ones we’ve had are SO much more DESTRUCTIVE!”.