Scott Detrow

A catastrophic hurricane, a dry spell, and a windy spring helped create the current wildfire risk in the mountains of North and South Carolina. But studies show that climate change could increase the intensity of wildfires in southern Appalachia, and a growing population could increase the danger to humans. And people like Jeremy Knighton stress that the region will need to be ready for that.

Consider this. Wildfires are growing more common in southern Appalachia. How will the region adapt to the future? Coming up, we will hear the answer to that from a landscape ecologist and fire expert. From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.

Consider this. Wildfires are growing more common in southern Appalachia. How will the region adapt to the future? Coming up, we will hear the answer to that from a landscape ecologist and fire expert. From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.

Consider this. Wildfires are growing more common in southern Appalachia. How will the region adapt to the future? Coming up, we will hear the answer to that from a landscape ecologist and fire expert. From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.

It's Consider This from NPR. Wildfires are not new to the Carolinas, but the severity and frequency of those blazes, that is concerning to experts. For the past 25 years, Rob Scheller has studied fires. He is a professor of landscape ecology at North Carolina State University. I asked him what is the best way to describe what's going on right now in the southeast.

It's Consider This from NPR. Wildfires are not new to the Carolinas, but the severity and frequency of those blazes, that is concerning to experts. For the past 25 years, Rob Scheller has studied fires. He is a professor of landscape ecology at North Carolina State University. I asked him what is the best way to describe what's going on right now in the southeast.

It's Consider This from NPR. Wildfires are not new to the Carolinas, but the severity and frequency of those blazes, that is concerning to experts. For the past 25 years, Rob Scheller has studied fires. He is a professor of landscape ecology at North Carolina State University. I asked him what is the best way to describe what's going on right now in the southeast.

Is it fair to say then that the massive population growth that you've seen throughout so much of the Southeast is a big factor here? I mean, I think one example, Greenville, South Carolina, this is one of the communities near one of these fires, gained something like six new households every week between 2000 and 2020. This is just massive population growth in this region.

Is it fair to say then that the massive population growth that you've seen throughout so much of the Southeast is a big factor here? I mean, I think one example, Greenville, South Carolina, this is one of the communities near one of these fires, gained something like six new households every week between 2000 and 2020. This is just massive population growth in this region.

Is it fair to say then that the massive population growth that you've seen throughout so much of the Southeast is a big factor here? I mean, I think one example, Greenville, South Carolina, this is one of the communities near one of these fires, gained something like six new households every week between 2000 and 2020. This is just massive population growth in this region.

How does that affect all of this?

How does that affect all of this?

How does that affect all of this?

What is the best way to frame it from your perspective on the question? I'm sure you've gotten a lot of has climate change made made this risk worse?

What is the best way to frame it from your perspective on the question? I'm sure you've gotten a lot of has climate change made made this risk worse?

What is the best way to frame it from your perspective on the question? I'm sure you've gotten a lot of has climate change made made this risk worse?

So obviously, temperatures are going up. That's not changing anytime soon. No. More people are moving to the southeast. That doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

So obviously, temperatures are going up. That's not changing anytime soon. No. More people are moving to the southeast. That doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

So obviously, temperatures are going up. That's not changing anytime soon. No. More people are moving to the southeast. That doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

What to you are the biggest steps that can be taken to try and mitigate these risks?