2024 Western megafires explained

The Jasper wildfire is one of three record-breaking megafires^{[1] [2]} in North Americaalong with the 2024 California wildfires^[3] and the 2024 Oregon wildfires where blazes intensified at an alarming rate.^[4] According to a July 2024 Inside Climate News, these three wildfires in Western North America are fueled by climate change, creating a "unique...cocktail of conditions".^{[4] [5]} Concerns have been raised about the potential for megafiresalso referred to as mega-fires and mega firesby firefighters since at least 2018,^[6] raising questions about wildfire management.^[7]

Notes and References

1. 10.1111/geb.13499. 31. 1906–1922. Linley. Grant. Jolly. Chris. Doherty. Tim. Geary. William. Armenteras. Dolors. Belcher. Claire. Bird. Rebecca. Duane. Andrea. Fletcher. Michael-Shawn. Giorgis. Melisa. Haslem. Angie. Jones. Gavin. Kelly. Luke. Lee. Calvin. Nolan. Rachael. Parr. Catherine. Pausas. Juli. Price. Jodi. Regos. Adrián. Ritchie. Euan. Ruffault. Julien. Williamson. Grant. Wu. Qianhan. Nimmo. Dale. What do you mean, 'megafire'?. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 2022. 10. 2022GloEB..31.1906L. 11336/160389. free.
2. News: Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper. Associated Press and krem.com . 2024-08-03. 2024-07-25. Rob . Gillies.
3. News: 0190-8286. Leonard. Diana. Sacks. Brianna. Why the Park Fire exploded so quickly. Washington Post. 2024-08-03. 2024-07-28.
4. Web site: Price. Kiley. Supercharged by Climate Change, Western Megafires Explode Simultaneously. Inside Climate News. 2024-08-03. 2024-07-30.
5. News: Mega-fire fears have smouldered in Jasper for years. St. Albert Gazette. 2024-08-03. 2024-07-28.
6. News: Foresters alarmed at Jasper's 'mega-fire' potential. Craig . Gilbert . Jasper Fitzhugh. 2024-08-03. 2018-04-06.
7. News: Simmons. Drew Anderson, Matt. Jasper wildfire: why are Canada's parks so primed to burn?. The Narwhal. 2024-08-03. 2024-08-02.