Surge in Wildfires and Tree Cover Disturbance in the United States

Surge in Wildfires and Tree Cover Disturbance in the United States

The United States has witnessed a significant increase in wildfire incidents and tree cover disturbances over the past two decades. The latest incident report from Wyoming, dated September 13, 2024, adds to the growing concern about the country's forest health. Analysis of historical data reveals that the total tree cover loss in the U.S. has reached staggering figures, with a net loss of 17,472,750.87 hectares, while gains are reported at 13,986,759.49 hectares, indicating a net negative change in tree cover.

Forestry activities have been the leading cause of tree cover loss, accounting for the majority of the total area affected. Wildfires, on the other hand, have resulted in significant losses as well, with hundreds of thousands of hectares impacted annually. Urbanization also contributes to the loss, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the other drivers.