[Topic

Impact

Medium impact

Cost

Affordable

Time

Moderate

Climate change is linked to an increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, and extreme wildfire risk has doubled in the past 20 years. Rising global temperatures contribute to drier and hotter conditions, priming vegetation to become more flammable. By understanding this risk, individuals and communities can better prepare for more severe weather events.

Find out if you live in a wildfire zone

Local fire departments and government agencies often have wildfire history maps and resources available for the public, such as the Wildfire Risk to Communities portal from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service or the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System. Even if your area isn't in a wildfire zone, consider researching historical air quality impacts from nearby or distant wildfires.

Image sourced from the Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences

Evaluate local preparedness

As climate change makes natural disasters more severe and frequent, many people are finding themselves exposed to unfamiliar threats. Preparation can be the difference between life and death.

Take the quiz: Are you prepared for a climate disaster?

✓ Mark as complete

Ask if your community has climate disaster resilience planning

✓ Mark as complete

Take precautions

Start by creating an emergency kit, developing an evacuation plan, and figuring out how you'll stay informed if disaster strikes. You could also consider updating your insurance to cover wildfire damage.

Check out the article below from Ready.gov for more preparation tips, and refer to your local safety departments for relevant information.

Read article: Prepare for Wildfires

✓ Mark as complete

Read article: Your Home Is Vulnerable to Extreme Weather. Here’s How to Protect It.

✓ Mark as complete

Read article: 10 Tips to Prevent Wildfires

✓ Mark as complete

Call on your representatives: Declare a climate emergency

28 supporters
✓ Join the campaign

What did you think of this action?

😞 Bad
😐 OK
😊 Great
🤩 Awesome!