Your Forests Whether you rely on forests to make a living, or simply enjoy our nation's forests for recreation, you should know that rising temperatures might pose a serious threat to trees. According to some scientists, an increase in temperature may create an atmosphere conducive to forests fires. Rising temperatures could increase the risk of wildfires by warming and drying out vegetation and stirring up the winds that spread fire. When scientists investigate the effect of warming on California wildfires, they are discovering some sobering information. Some models predict an increase in the number of fires and an increase in land area burned — more than doubling losses in some regions. « Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Why Others Care »

Climate Change Impacts on the United States The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change compiled by the National Assessment Synthesis Team, US Global Change Research Program published in 2000.