In this current wildfire crisis, acknowledge widespread suffering

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Climate change impacts
• Disaster research

Background:

• Extreme weather events, including wildfires, are increasing globally due to climate change.
• Societies face choices of mitigation, adaptation, or suffering in response to these events.
• The full extent of suffering caused by extreme wildfires remains undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and encapsulate the diverse impacts and effects of extreme wildfires.
• To identify common themes of suffering resulting from wildfires.
• To evaluate adaptation strategies for reducing wildfire-induced suffering.

Main Methods:

• Conducted two systematic literature reviews to determine wildfire impacts and effects.
• Identified six common themes of suffering: environmental, social, physical, mental, cultural, and resource-based.
• Applied these themes to case studies of the Las Maquinas (Chile) and Fort McMurray (Canada) wildfires.

Main Results:

• Six distinct themes of wildfire suffering were identified, varying in scale from local to global.
• Case studies demonstrated that adaptation strategies can reduce suffering.
• Suffering from wildfires is multifaceted, affecting individuals, communities, and ecosystems.

Conclusions:

• Wildfire suffering is diverse and widespread, encompassing environmental, social, physical, mental, cultural, and resource dimensions.
• Effective adaptation strategies must integrate social and ecological considerations.
• Increased engagement with comprehensive adaptation strategies is crucial for mitigating future wildfire suffering.