Is this a new era of wildfires?

2026-08-09

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Huge wildfires have been sweeping across Southern Europe and North America. Is climate change increasing the risk? And what can we do? Weather experts say the world is starting to see new types of wildfire – including enormous Pyrocumulonimbus fire clouds that spit lightning and black hail.These infernos can burn for more than a year. They can also spawn fire tornadoes, which move at more than 200 kilometres an hour, destroying everything in their path. The Climate Question hosts Graihagh J...

Huge wildfires have been sweeping across Southern Europe and North America. Is climate change increasing the risk? And what can we do?

Weather experts say the world is starting to see new types of wildfire – including enormous Pyrocumulonimbus fire clouds that spit lightning and black hail.

These infernos can burn for more than a year. They can also spawn fire tornadoes, which move at more than 200 kilometres an hour, destroying everything in their path.

The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to John Vaillant, the author of “Fire Weather”, about how wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency, and how they are burning in places they have never burned before.

Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Producers: Simon Watts, Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dafydd Evans Editor: Simon Watts

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