Hotter, Faster, Deadlier: The Rise of 21st Century Wildfires

29/09/2025 11 min
Hotter, Faster, Deadlier: The Rise of 21st Century Wildfires

Listen "Hotter, Faster, Deadlier: The Rise of 21st Century Wildfires"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode, I explore what scientists are calling "21st century fires"—a new type of wildfire that burns hotter, faster, and with more destructive power than any previous in human history. These fires can emit radiant heat of 900 degrees Fahrenheit, causing materials to ignite before flames even reach them. The combination of climate change and petroleum-based building materials has created ideal conditions for these unstoppable infernos, capable of turning large homes to ash in just minutes.