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Greenhouse gases causing more "Super Fires"?

Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:22 PM
Updated: Jul 1, 2012 11:10 PM


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TUCSON- As the Fourth of July approaches, the federal government is directing federal land managers to take additional measures to help reduce the risks of new wildfires.

Experts have been studying so-called "super fires" like the one burning in Colorado, and they said these "super fires" been happening with more frequency throughout the years.

If we're not careful with our environment, experts said we may be seeing less of our forests.

So many families and friends make the trip up to Mt. Lemmon for the views and the adventure.

"It's a beautiful place, there's lots of recreational things you can do get some exercise enjoy the mountain air. Get out of the city," said David Kriven who was there rock climbing.

But imagine a life without this natural beauty.

"You know with climate change and what not, if we want to be able enjoy stuff, we need to be careful with how we manage it," said John Herrera, who was there to visit the forest.

University of Arizona professor Tom Swetnam said if things keep going the way they are, more and more so called "super fires" will wipe out forests.

"This is a human problem for sure. We have changed our forests, we've increased our vulnerability by building in places that are of risk and very likely have changed the climate," said Swetnam.

Swetnam said the warming trend, possibly caused by greenhouse gases, are causing the forest to dry out sooner making a likelihood for severe forest fire to increase.

"Year after year we're seeing a repeat of these really extraordinary large fires, and they are burning very severely very hot," said Swetnam.

Much like the fire in Colorado.

"My sister lives in Denver, and she said it's just burning up the whole state is just burning up there," said James Martin.

Professor Swetnam said if the warming trend continues on this path, it's likely we'll have much more "super fires" like that of Colorado.

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