The hottest Wildfires Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Learn smart lessons from the L.A. fires, not stupid lessons

Noahpinion • 30118 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Wildfires are getting more common, and insurance companies can't keep up. When too many people claim losses at once, some might not get paid.
  2. Climate change is making wildfires worse, but we can't change it overnight. It's a big issue that affects fire patterns.
  3. We really need to prepare for wildfires better than before because they are becoming more frequent and damaging. Improving forest management and regulations is crucial.

An Eerie Light

The Crucial Years • 3457 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. America's relationship with science is changing. Instead of supporting scientific exploration, there seems to be a trend towards cutting funding for important research, which is really concerning.
  2. Fairness in society is declining, with actions that reverse progress made in terms of equality. This includes moves against voting rights and support for disadvantaged communities, showing a shift away from promoting fairness.
  3. A sense of servility is growing, where companies and individuals seem to be bowing down to those in power instead of standing up for democratic values. It's important to resist and push for change where we can.

The Silent Fall: How Climate Change Is Killing the World’s Trees - and our Future

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Trees worldwide — old growth, newly planted, and reforested — are dying much faster because of hotter, drier conditions, wildfires, pests and disease linked to climate change.
  2. Widespread tree loss could release huge amounts of carbon, raise local temperatures, worsen flooding, and threaten species and human resources like medicine, food and fuel.
  3. Preventing a worse crisis requires cutting emissions and protecting existing forests; shifting to renewables and safeguarding old-growth trees are key since many new saplings also fail to survive.

L.A. Was Built to Burn

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4363 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Los Angeles is built in a way that fire is part of its natural environment. This means wildfires will keep happening regardless of who is in charge.
  2. The area has a history of being described as a grassland, not a desert, and fires are a normal part of this ecosystem.
  3. Some experts believe that certain areas in L.A. should never have been developed because they are prone to burning, making homes there very risky.

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen again in 2025

Sustainability by numbers • 339 implied HN points • 04 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has decreased, with 5,800 square kilometers cleared in 2025, which is an 11% drop from the previous year. This shows some progress in protecting the forest.
  2. While deforestation rates are falling, wildfires have caused significant damage to the forest, leading to degradation even when trees are not permanently lost. This makes the Amazon weaker and more vulnerable.
  3. Brazil's leadership change has had a direct impact on deforestation rates, with policies under President Lula da Silva leading to a rapid decline compared to the previous administration. However, the goal remains to eventually stop all deforestation.
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Climate Change Did Not Cause the L.A. Fires

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2160 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Climate change isn't the main cause of the L.A. fires; rather, the amount of flammable material and infrastructure choices play a bigger role. Clearing brush and using fireproof materials in construction can help save areas from fires.
  2. Steven Koonin argues that focusing solely on reducing carbon emissions won't address the immediate fire risks. He believes there are more direct and practical solutions to prevent such disasters.
  3. The discussion highlights differing opinions on climate issues, especially in relation to immediate environmental disasters like wildfires. It's important to consider various factors rather than attributing everything to climate change.

Escape from Los Angeles. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2114 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
📰 News Wildfires
  1. Southern California is facing serious wildfires, leading to evacuations and deaths. Many structures, including famous schools and celebrity homes, have been destroyed.
  2. Women have been exposing the long-hidden issue of grooming gangs in Britain, which involved the exploitation of young girls for years. Their efforts are gaining attention after recent events sparked wider discussions.
  3. Many Indians on H-1B visas feel excluded from the American Dream. Some are experiencing challenges with the visa system and have chosen to return home instead.

Thoughts on Being a California Fire Refugee

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1682 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Unexpected fires can lead to urgent evacuations, often with little notice. It's important to stay alert and ready to move when living in fire-prone areas.
  2. During emergencies, normal routines can quickly change and navigating in the dark can be challenging. Using visible landmarks helps in such situations.
  3. Staying productive during stressful times can provide comfort and a sense of purpose. Finding ways to engage in work can help manage anxiety and offer distractions.

‘You Can Taste the Fires in the Back of Your Throat’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1627 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Disasters can change a community forever, marking a point where everything feels different. People will remember the day before and the day after as a significant divide in their lives.
  2. Fires can spread quickly, affecting homes and neighborhoods, often forcing families to evacuate urgently. Smoke and visible flames can create a sense of urgency and fear.
  3. The emotional toll of losing a place of worship or gathering is profound. It can leave a community feeling lost and in need of support during recovery.

Letters to the Editor: The Fires Weren’t Inevitable

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1521 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
📰 News Wildfires
  1. Some readers disagree with the idea that Los Angeles was meant to burn, arguing it's a defeatist attitude. They believe avoiding blames and focusing on solutions are more productive.
  2. The discussion highlights that LA's construction on dry grasslands makes it vulnerable to wildfires, but it's also important to consider how this can be managed better.
  3. There’s a broader concern about accepting problems as unavoidable rather than addressing them, which can reflect in various societal issues today.

This Week in Canada: Trump Sparks a ‘Three-Alarm Fire’ for Canadian Manufacturers

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 296 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Wildfires
  1. Canada's wildfire season is getting worse, with Manitoba experiencing its worst fires in nearly thirty years. Air quality is affected across the border in the U.S., causing some states to declare alerts.
  2. Political tensions have risen because U.S. lawmakers are blaming Canada for the wildfires and the resulting smoke. They claim that poor forest management in Canada is affecting American communities.
  3. Canadian fire departments are underfunded and lack adequate equipment to combat wildfires. This issue contributes to the spread and impact of wildfires, highlighting the need for better funding and resources.

Canadian wildfires and climate change

The Climate Brink • 550 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Canadian wildfires are being affected by climate change, with hotter conditions and fuel aridity making fires more likely and destructive.
  2. Climate change is not the only factor worsening wildfires, as a history of wildfire suppression has primed forests for catastrophic fires.
  3. Scientific literature shows a strong link between climate change and wildfires, with warmer conditions leading to more fire incidents.

Fire Weather

The Chris Hedges Report • 392 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Wildfires are becoming more common due to climate change and a reliance on fossil fuels. Areas like California are facing intense fire seasons, which scientists warned would happen.
  2. The boreal forests, which play a critical role in storing carbon and providing fresh water, are being destroyed by industrial activities like oil extraction. This destruction contributes to the worsening fire conditions.
  3. Modern homes are highly flammable because they're made with many petroleum-based materials. When they catch fire, they can burn much hotter than older buildings, making wildfires even more dangerous.

Emerging from the Fog

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 235 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. The world is facing extreme climate changes due to greenhouse gas emissions affecting temperatures and ecosystems.
  2. Human actions and inactions are contributing to the worsening climate crisis, leading to heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather events.
  3. Efforts to address climate change include clean energy initiatives, conservation victories, and legal actions against fossil fuel companies.

SOME IMAGES: This Morning's Pacific Palisades Fire in Los Angeles

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 269 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Al Gore and Bill Clinton came close to tackling climate change 30 years ago, but some politicians blocked progress.
  2. Dealing with global warming will likely cost a lot of money in the future, especially for managing wildfires.
  3. The biggest future dangers from climate change may not be wildfires, but issues related to water systems in Asia.

eXports eXports eXports

The Crucial Years • 777 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. In 2015, the US Congress repealed the ban on exporting US oil, contradicting climate change goals.
  2. America has become the largest exporter of gas and oil globally, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. There is a need for the Biden administration to halt licensing new LNG facilities to prevent further climate damage.

The Mercury is Off the Charts

The Crucial Years • 946 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Global warming is rapidly increasing sea surface temperatures, with 2023 likely to be the hottest year yet.
  2. Despite the alarming climate situation, the fossil fuel industry is not making significant changes to reduce their impact.
  3. There is a call for urgent action to transition away from fossil fuels and support clean energy initiatives to combat the climate crisis.

Sorrow

Situation Normal • 184 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Los Angeles is facing multiple wildfires, causing significant destruction and uncertainty for many residents. People are worried about their homes and the loss of memories associated with them.
  2. The situation is overwhelming for those living in the area, with constant alerts and the threat of evacuation on their minds. It's hard for them to find peace in such a chaotic environment.
  3. Many people need help due to the fires, and there are charities available that can assist in the recovery process. Supporting these organizations can make a real difference for those affected.

L.A. Will Keep Having Catastrophic Fires No Matter Who You Blame

KERFUFFLE • 131 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Los Angeles is naturally a grassland, not a desert, and wildfires are part of its ecosystem. This means that as long as we live there, we're going to deal with fires.
  2. Urban development in L.A. happened very quickly, making it one of the few cities that sits right next to wild nature. This close proximity makes it more likely for fires to spread from wild areas to neighborhoods.
  3. Many of the problems with wildfires come from development patterns established long ago. The places where we live today were built before the fire risks were fully understood.

Renewables Mania And Woke Dogma Behind Hawaii Fire, Not Climate Change

Public • 469 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Climate change may not have directly caused the Hawaii fire, as the strong winds from Hurricane Dora played a significant role.
  2. Human-made changes to the landscape, including the growth of invasive grasses due to former sugar cane farms, contributed to the fire's intensity.
  3. Issues like failure to clear flammable grasses around electric wires and delayed release of water by a state official also played crucial roles in the Hawaii fire.

You Can Survive a Wildfire. Here's How.

OK Doomer • 91 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires
  1. Wildfires are a serious risk that can happen anywhere, not just in places like California. It’s important to recognize this threat and start planning ahead.
  2. Preparing for a wildfire isn't just about having a plan to leave; it involves many steps to improve your chances of surviving and protecting your home.
  3. Many people don’t recover fully from wildfires, so it's essential to take preparation seriously. Governments and insurance can often fall short when disaster strikes.

530: Road Trip in Paradise

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🏝 Travel Wildfires
  1. The film about the Paradise fire includes various voices and perspectives, showcasing the aftermath and people affected by the disaster. It's important to capture many experiences rather than just focusing on one narrative.
  2. The shooting experiences are a mix of challenges, ranging from difficulties with the main director to interesting local characters encountered during interviews. Filmmaking often involves navigating complex personalities and situations.
  3. The community in Paradise seems reluctant to change despite the devastating fire. Many prefer to stick to old ways despite the risks, showcasing a tension between progress and tradition.