From wildfires consuming tens of thousands of acres across Europe, to millions of acres ravaged in Argentina’s Corrientes province in February, and hundreds of wildfires now burning across Canada, 2022 has seen plenty of extreme fire events fuelled by heat waves and droughts that scientists say have become more frequent. “Not only does it seem like these fires are getting larger, more deadly, and more frequent, it seems like they’re becoming more common across the globe,” says Dan Pisut, Environment and Climate Resilience Lead with digital mapping company Esri, in a story map titled “Discovering Patterns in Global Wildfires.” …In the map, using satellite data from NASA made available in real-time from Canada and the U.S. — and within three hours of observation in the rest of the planet — digital mapping company Esri gives a global view of active wildfires.
Sustained high temperatures throughout British Columbia this week are increasing the potential for wildfires. Residents, travellers and campers should be prepared for wildfire and heat, to have an emergency plan and to stay informed as conditions change. The BC Wildfire Service is closely monitoring these changing conditions and making necessary preparations with strategic aviation and crew placements. Of note is the potential for widespread lightning when the current weather pattern changes. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited throughout British Columbia. Campfires are currently permitted within the BC Wildfire Service’s jurisdiction. Escaped campfires can lead to human-caused wildfires, but that does not mean a campfire can’t be enjoyed safely. Patrols will be in place on Crown land.
In the Klamath National Forest in Northern California, where the McKinney Fire has killed four people, residents have been confronted by a raging inferno and flooding rain. On Tuesday night, slow-moving severe thunderstorms unleashed downpours near the McKinney Fire, which has consumed more than 57,000 acres and is California’s largest fire of 2022. The heavy rains helped slow the growth of the blaze but triggered flooding and mudslides in parts of the burned area. The National Weather Service reported … flash flooding on the eastern side of the fire. It also issued a severe thunderstorm warning and a flash flood warning for Siskiyou County. The Siskiyou County sheriff reported a possible mudflow near Mount Shasta and urged residents to be ready to evacuate. …fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns reported that some areas affected by the fire received three inches of rain in just over an hour, leading to debris flows that compromised roads in the fire zone. 
KLAMATH RIVER, California — A week ago, the scenic Northern California hamlet of Klamath River was home to about 200 people and had a community center, post office and a corner grocery store. Now, after a wildfire raged through the forested region near the Oregon state line, four people are dead and the store is among the few buildings not reduced to ashes. …The McKinney Fire broke out Friday and was still out of control on Wednesday, despite progress by firefighters who took advantage of rain from thunderstorms and lower temperatures. But even the welcome precipitation brought problems. …More than 100 buildings ranging from homes to sheds have burned. Identifying the four people who were killed could take several days, Kreider said. The fire has charred nearly 90 square miles (233 square kilometers) and is the largest in California so far this year. The cause is unknown.
The Moose, Woodtick and Wolf Fang fires are still raging in Central Idaho, and a new blaze — the Favre Fire near Midvale in Washington County — brought fresh smoke to the Treasure Valley on Wednesday night. The Favre Fire, identified at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, spread to about 2,431 acres, but it is expected to be contained by noon on Thursday and controlled by 8 p.m., Boise Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Jared Jablonski told the Idaho Statesman. Jablonski said the fire has not resulted in any injuries or damage to buildings, and its cause is still under investigation. A tweet from the Boise National Weather Service showed smoke from the Favre Fire at the airport in Caldwell on Wednesday evening, but Jablonski said on Thursday that he did not expect any further smoke impact.
BERLIN — A large fire triggered by explosions at an ammunition dump raged Thursday in a major Berlin urban forest on one of the German capital’s hottest days so far this year. A huge cloud of grey smoke hung over the city’s western districts and residents were asked to keep windows and doors shut. A major highway was closed and a train service interrupted, but authorities said no homes or inhabitants were under direct threat. More than 100 firefighters, dozens of soldiers and police officers were battling the blaze in the Grunewald forest, located in west Berlin. In addition, army tanks cut corridors into the forest to contain the fire and allow firefighters to get closer to the flames. …Massive explosions were heard in the morning from the site where old ammunition from World War II, fireworks and explosive ordnance is stored and controlled explosions are carried out.
Moroccan firefighters stepped up their efforts on Wednesday to contain forest fires, fanned by fierce winds, that are sweeping across the north of the country, according to local authorities. In the most affected province of Larache, south of Tangier, intervention teams supported by the army were attempting to keep in check fires that were still active and threatening villages, local sources told AFP on Wednesday night. Three Canadair firefighting aircraft made 25 runs over the day. More than 900 families from 15 villages were also evacuated as a preventative measure, the same sources said. …According to agriculture minister Mohamed Sadiki, who also oversees the country’s forests, the total area affected by the recent fires has reached 10,300 hectares. By comparison, 2,782 hectares of forest were destroyed by 285 fires between January and September 2021. Morocco has for several weeks been gripped by scorching temperatures amid abnormally intense drought and stress on water supplies.