As super 'El Nino' looms, wildfires are set to heat up

"“This year the global fire season has got off to a very fast start,” said Theodore Keeping, an extreme weather researcher at Imperial College London, who is part of World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists. Wildfires have scorched 50% more than the average for this time of year, and the current area burnt by wildfires globally is over 20% higher than the previous record set since tracking began in 2012, he said."

"“Overall, 85 million hectares [around 328,000 square miles] have burned in Africa this year, compared to the previous record of 69 million hectares,” Keeping said. Record-breaking burn areas have been observed in almost all countries in West Africa and the Sahel region. Heavy rain provides more fuel for wildfires later on During the last growing season, these areas received unusually high seasonal rainfall, fueling grass growth that then served as kindling for fires."

"“In addition, the severe droughts and heat waves we've seen over the last few months have meant that fires are more likely to occur in lusher, generally less fire-prone areas,” Keeping added. Hydroclimate whiplash is the rapid transition between opposite weather extremes. This swing from wet to dry, called “hydroclimate whiplash,” is increasing in West Africa, he said."

"The other major contributor to the global fire season has been Asia, with massive wildfire outbreaks in India, Southeast Asia and northeastern China. Asian wildfires have so far burned nearly 40% more than the previous record year. The US and Australia have also experienced unseasonably high burnt areas so far in 2026. Scientists predict a 'super' El Nino for 2026 This all comes before a potential “super” El"

Wildfires are starting unusually fast in 2026, with global burned area already exceeding typical levels. Burned area is more than 20% higher than the previous record since tracking began in 2012, and wildfires have scorched about 50% more than the average for this time of year. Record-breaking burn areas have occurred across much of West Africa and the Sahel, with about 85 million hectares burned in Africa this year versus 69 million hectares previously. Heavy rainfall during the last growing season increased grass growth that later acted as fuel, while droughts and heat waves made fires more likely in areas that are usually less fire-prone. Hydroclimate whiplash, rapid swings between wet and dry conditions, is increasing in West Africa. Asia is also contributing strongly, with outbreaks in India, Southeast Asia, and northeastern China, and nearly 40% more burned area than the previous record year. The US and Australia have also seen unusually high burnt areas so far in 2026, ahead of a potential strong El Niño.

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