Publication Abstracts

Chen et al. 2026, accepted

Chen, Y., R.D. Field, R.C. Scholten, and J.T. Randerson, 2026: Persistent 2023-2025 wildfire extremes in Canada produced unprecedented emissions and air-quality impacts. Glob. Change Biol., accepted.

Wildfires are intensifying in size and severity under continued climate warming, with major consequences for the carbon cycle and air quality. Here we document an unprecedented sequence of extreme wildfire activity in Canada during 2023-2025, constituting a multi-year event unmatched in the modern record. Independent observational records show that satellite active fire detections, burned area, and fire-related carbon emissions exceeded historical means by more than 5 standard deviations, making 2023-2025 the three highest-emission years of the past six decades. These exceptional emissions resulted from the combined effects of extensive burned area and elevated combustion intensity. The sustained extremes led to widespread and prolonged air-quality degradation across Canada. The magnitude and persistence of the 2023-2025 wildfire episode has profound implications for ecosystem resilience, national carbon accounting, wildfire risk management, and human health.

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BibTeX Citation

@unpublished{ch07710v,
  author={Chen, Y. and Field, R. D. and Scholten, R. C. and Randerson, J. T.},
  title={Persistent 2023-2025 wildfire extremes in Canada produced unprecedented emissions and air-quality impacts},
  year={2026},
  journal={Global Change Biology},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - INPR
ID  - ch07710v
AU  - Chen, Y.
AU  - Field, R. D.
AU  - Scholten, R. C.
AU  - Randerson, J. T.
PY  - 2026
TI  - Persistent 2023-2025 wildfire extremes in Canada produced unprecedented emissions and air-quality impacts
JA  - Glob. Change Biol.
JO  - Global Change Biology
ER  -

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