United Nations, February 23 (RHC)-- A major new United Nations report warns of a “global wildfire crisis” as worsening heat and drought drastically increase the risk of devastating fires around the world. 

The study says the risk of fires could surge by over 50% by the end of the century due to the impacts of the climate catastrophe and that “the heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes.”   Scientists found that even the Arctic and other regions that were previously not affected by wildfires face a high risk. 

It’s the first time the UN Environment Program has assessed wildfire risks worldwide and comes as massive blazes across the western United States, parts of South America, Australia and other regions have intensified.