Despite massive fires in Europe and America, their total number in the world is decreasing

Forest fires this summer have become significantly larger in Europe and North America, but the global number of fires and related emissions remain at a record low. This is due to a significant reduction in fires in Africa and Asia, reports Associated Press, writes UNN.

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According to experts, at first glance this seems contradictory, but both trends are real.

It really seems like a paradox, because we are talking about an increase in the number of fires, while global indicators are constantly decreasing. But both statements are true

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This year in Spain, the area of forest fires has already exceeded 500 square kilometers. In Canada and the US, the area of burned territories is at least 25% larger than the average of the last decade, and in many regions, smoke has significantly worsened air quality.

Africa and Asia provided a record reduction in global indicators

At the same time, the European Copernicus service reports that global carbon emissions from fires this year have become the lowest in nearly 25 years of satellite observations. According to scientists, this was achieved due to a reduction in the number of fires in Africa and Asia because of changes in agriculture, more effective fire management, and changes in land use.

Africa dominates global fire activity. So if there is any trend in Africa, it will be a trend in global fire activity

Experts explain that in Africa, people are increasingly using land for agriculture and construction, which reduces the area of natural fires. At the same time, in Europe and North America, due to climate change, forest fires are becoming larger, more intense, and occur more often.

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