Oregon wildfires open eyes to climate change

Posted Nov. 7, 2022

By Haley Moreschi

Staff Reporter

Oregon wildfires are opening the world's eyes to climate change.

Wildfires in Oregon have been releasing unwanted gasses into the air, causing effects on the natural climate across Oregon and the planet.

The wildfires started in May of 2021 and are still going today. By August 2022, there were 46 active fires, with The Green Butte and Deadline Flat fires still remaining zero percent contained today. And the number one reported cause of wildfires, not only in Oregon, but the whole country? Humans. 

Currently in Oregon, there are 12 active fires, which is less than before, but that doesn’t mean that we can guarantee they will get completely better. With the overall fires spread, 127,441.3 acres have been either burned or damaged by the fires. To put that into scale, Disneyland is just 500 acres, combining both California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. 

  Climate change cannot be blamed entirely on the wildfires. Car pollution, creating electricity, and cutting down trees are all factors of contribution to this change. But, wildfires release large amounts of carbon dioxide, and other carbons, into the atmosphere.  Research shows that climate changes result in warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Heat waves and droughts become more intense with climate change, along with powerful rainstorms provoking dangerous flooding. As greenhouse gasses emit into the atmosphere, they absorb heat radiation and trap the sun’s heat, therefore causing temperatures to increase. 

There are ways that teenagers can prevent wildfires from forming, which would help the overall change of climate. People are highly encouraged to check the weather and drought conditions before starting a fire.  They should  avoid doing so when it’s hot, windy, and dry.  Campers can build campfires in an open area that is far from flammable and douse the fire in water until it’s cold when they are done. A fire should never be left unattended. 

Outdoor conditions should always be considered before lighting and releasing fireworks. Fireworks, by themselves, start over 19,000 fires. State fire regulations should always be checked.

Not all fire is dangerous. Wildfires are devastating and can destroy homes, but they also play a role in natural and necessary landscape formations, and are vital for some wildlife habitats. Low-intensity fires can actually create open areas for new growth and help to speed up the process of natural forest decomposition and deliver nutrients to improve plants survival.