This article is re -published with Conversation under Creative Commons license.
Dozens of fires occurred North KarolinaIN South CarolinaAND Georgia At the beginning of March 2025, as powerful winds, abnormally desiccated conditions and low humidity combined to featherlight and spread flames.
Fires occurred in the year Weather weather in Carolinas, lamps from the summer to the summer to Extreme floods of hurricane In September, and then to drought again. Storms on March 5, 2025 helped Put on many fires It is still burning, but the south -eastern fire season is just beginning. Experts Wake Forest University Wildfire Lauren Lowman AND Nick Corak Place the fires and the desiccated winter of the region in context.
Why did Carolinas see so many fires?
Most of the North and South Carolina were abnormally dry or in moderate drought From at least November 2024, consistently desiccated conditions through the winter dried vegetation, leaving fuel for fires.
When the earth and vegetation are so desiccated, just a lightning strike or artificial fire and gusts of wind to start a fire.
Hurricanes flooded the region in behind schedule summer 2024, but earlier Carolinas experience flash drought.
Flash suggestion They are extreme drought that develop rapidly due to the lack of rainfall and desiccated conditions in the atmosphere. When the atmosphere is desiccated, it pulls water out of vegetation and soils, causing the surface to dry.
In August and September Tropical Storm Debby i Hurricane Helene It caused extensive floods in two states, but Carolinas received slight rainfall in the following months, leaving the winter 2025 invariably desiccated again.
How amazing are such fires in the region?
Fires are historically quite common in Carolinas. Are a natural part of the landscape and many Ecosystems have evolved rely on them.
Carnivores such as Flytraps Venus and Plants Playsters rely on frequent fire activity To remove shrubs and other plants that would grow over them and block the featherlight. Even some Wild animals depend on the fire For their habitats and food from a mixture of native plants that grow back after a fire.