Forestry activities have been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, followed by wildfires and urbanization. The data indicates that forestry accounted for the majority of tree cover loss, with significant contributions from wildfires, which have been a persistent challenge, particularly in regions like California. Urbanization also played a notable role, reflecting the expansion of human settlements into forested areas.
The latest incident in California serves as a reminder of the persistent threat of wildfires in the region. While the number of incidents has varied annually, the broader trend points to a need for continued vigilance and sustainable forest management practices to mitigate the impact of these drivers on the United States' tree cover.
