Climate change, new construction mean more ruinous fires

[Sherman A1]

The winter grassland fire that blew up along Colorado's Front Range was rare, experts say, but similar events will be more common in the coming years as climate change warms the planet — sucking the moisture out of plants — suburbs grow in fire-prone areas and people continue to spark destructive blazes.

"These fires are different from most of the fires we've been seeing across the West, in the sense that they're grass fires and they're occurring in the winter," said Jonathan Overpeck, a professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. "Ultimately, things are going to continue to get worse unless we stop climate change."

Flames swept over drought-stricken grassy fields and neighborhoods northwest of Denver on Thursday with alarming speed, propelled by guests up to 105 mph (169 kph). Tens of thousands were ordered to flee with little notice.

https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/climate-change-new-construction-mean-more-ruinous-fires

[mountain grammy]

1. Rare that it's a first

But these events have been predicted by climate scientists for decades.

[Quakerfriend]

2. We must stop building subdivision after

subdivision. And, as Bernie said several years ago,
we need population control. Of course, he was immediately ‘shot down’ for bringing this up.

[Sherman A1]

3. Agreed

The constant expansion of the suburbs needed to stop long ago. Time to rehab the existing housing stock, replace it where it needs to be replaced and quit trying to develop every square inch of land just because we seem to think we can do so.

[CrispyQ]

5. Six billion miracles is enough.

That's a bumper sticker I bought back around the turn of the century.

[CrispyQ]

4. 1,000 buildings burned to the ground in a matter of a few hours.

The speed of destruction was boggling. I'm heartbroken for all those who lost their homes & their pets.