The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Arizona, over 10,000 wildfires burned nearly 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2020 Bighorn Fire alone costing over $36 million. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement policies for forest health, community safety, and equitable resilience investments.

• Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions—measured by vapor pressure deficit (VPD)—in western North America since 1901.
• Since 1986, 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America is attributable to emissions from the top 88 carbon producers. Out of 53.0 million total acres burned in the region during this period, nearly 19.8 million acres are linked to these companies.
• Arizona has faced significant wildfire impacts from 2017 to 2021, including more than 10,000 wildfires that destroyed over 300 buildings and burned nearly 2.5 million acres. The 2020 Bighorn Fire cost more than $36 million to fight.
• The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, requiring full disclosure of climate risks, and pressuring companies to align business models with the Paris Agreement.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2023). The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-AZ.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona. 2023. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-AZ.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona |date=May 2023 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-AZ.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2023fossil, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-AZ.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }