How the world’s fires changed while humanity hit pause
Ars Technica1 min read1 reads
Wildfires occur worldwide, and they can sometimes become serious threats to people’s lives. A series of massive bushfires from 2019 to 2020 swept across southeastern Australia and destroyed thousands of homes. Recently, the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires spread widely across the city, resulting in massive damage to local communities.
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Wildfires occur worldwide, and they can sometimes become serious threats to people’s lives. A series of massive bushfires from 2019 to 2020 swept across southeastern Australia and destroyed thousands of homes. Recently, the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires spread widely across the city, resulting in massive damage to local communities.
Many things can cause wildfires, but humans are the only factor that can also make preventative efforts. Measuring people’s impact on fire is difficult because of the mix of human and natural influences.
