Wisconsin’s wildfire smoke signals a growing climate crisis

Dear Editor,

Wisconsin Representatives Tom Tiffany and Glenn Grothman recently joined other Republican members of Congress in sending a letter to the Canadian government, alleging that its poor forest management practices are responsible for out-of-control wildfires and for this summer's air quality problems in our state.  

Notably, the letter fails to mention climate change, and when Tiffany was asked about its contribution to the increase in wildfires, he responded, "I think climate has always been changing." 

However, although fire-management practices can play a role in these megafires, climate change also has a profound impact.  In the words of Natural Resources Canada: 

"Warmer-than-average temperatures, decreased levels of snowpack, low soil moisture and elevated drought conditions are indicators that climate change is impacting the frequency, size and range of wildland fires in Canada. For example, the number of over-wintering fires is increasing."

It’s also important to take note of a 2015 issue of the U.S. Forest Service’s journal, Fire Management Today, titled “Climate Change: The Future Is Here.”  This publication states, “Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt patterns are increasing the severity and size of wildfires in the West.”  Concern is also expressed about the “occurrence of fire that is outside the range of our existing experience” and the danger this poses to firefighters and communities.

The reason is that hotter temperatures evaporate soil moisture and dry vegetation, making it more likely to burn.  According to physicist Phillip B. Duffy, "What would have been a fire easily extinguished now just grows very quickly and becomes out of control.”

In addition, their letter emphasizes, "Our constituents have been limited in their ability to go outside and safely breathe due to the dangerous air quality the wildfire smoke has created."

Significantly, in 2019, 174 medical and public health groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association, released a statement declaring: "Climate change is one of the greatest threats to health America has ever faced — it is a true public health emergency." 

These organizations cited extreme heat, floods and year-round wildfires, as well as air pollution caused by fossil fuel burning and the spread of mosquito and tick-borne diseases.

In order to deal with climate-driven threats, we must first recognize them.  Urgently reducing greenhouse gas emissions and funding adaptation should be top priorities for every politician who cares about public health and the future we all share.

Terry Hansen

Milwaukee, WI