Tanzania and many other tropical dryland countries, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan, are experiencing increasing levels of drought due to climate change. This persistent drought significantly elevates the risk of wildfires, which can wreak havoc on ecosystems, economies, and human lives.
California, a state celebrated for its natural beauty and diverse landscapes, is also a hotspot for one of the most devastating environmental crises of our time: wildfires. With its dry, windy, and hot conditions from spring to late autumn, California has become synonymous with extreme wildfire activity. While wildfires have been a natural part of its ecosystem for centuries, human activity and climate change have dramatically intensified their frequency and impact in recent decades.
Historical Context and Scale of the Crisis
Before 1800, California’s lush, resilient forests burned naturally at a staggering rate of 4.4–11.9 million acres annually. These fires played a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, aided by Indigenous practices of controlled burns. However, modern wildfire activity tells a different story. Between 2000 and 2020, the annual burned area ranged from 90,000 acres (0.09%) to 1.59 million acres (1.59%) of the state’s nearly 100 million acres. The 2020 fire season alone saw over 8,100 fires, burning nearly 4.5 million acres. The 2020 and 2021 fire seasons alone accounted for 58% of the burned area since 2012, destroying 30% of the habitat of 50 species and significantly disrupting ecosystems.
An estimated 2.7 million Californians live in zones with a high or very high risk of fire, with catastrophic wildfires resulting in billions of dollars in damages annually. The 2025 fire season has further amplified the crisis, starting in early January when an extremely powerful Santa Ana wind event swept through Southern California, sparking several large, destructive wildfires in Los Angeles County. These winds, known for their dry and fast-moving nature, created ideal conditions for the rapid spread of fires, exacerbating an already volatile fire season.
As of mid-January, 164 fires have burned a total area of 40,695 acres (approximately 164.7 square miles). These fires have led to at least 24 deaths, over 22 non-fatal injuries, and the destruction of more than 12,300 structures. The intense fires have caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and natural landscapes, with authorities struggling to contain the blazes and multiple evacuation orders in effect. The ongoing threat of more fires, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds, has heightened concerns about the long-term impact on the region. The growing intensity and frequency of these fires continue to challenge communities and ecosystems, with the state facing both immediate and long-term recovery efforts.
What’s Fuelling California’s Wildfire Crisis?
Several factors contribute to the growing intensity of wildfires in California. Climate change is a significant factor, with rising global temperatures extending fire seasons, increasing drought severity, and making vegetation drier and more flammable. Human impact also plays a role, as aging power infrastructure, such as poorly maintained lines by utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric, has caused numerous fires. Furthermore, urban expansion into fire-prone areas places more people and property at risk. Finally, fire suppression policies over the decades have led to an accumulation of highly flammable wood fuel in forests, making today’s fires larger and more destructive
The Role of CAL FIRE
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) plays a central role in combating wildfires, managing 31 million acres of forestland across the state. CAL FIRE is involved in wildfire suppression, prevention, and emergency services, working in close collaboration with programs like the California Conservation Corps to train and deploy firefighters. However, the department’s efforts have been complicated by significant challenges, particularly in Los Angeles County, where the loss of water pressure to fire hydrants has hampered emergency response.
On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed former President Trump’s claim that some fire hydrants lacked water, a critical issue for firefighting efforts. This information was shared with the BBC, where firefighters in Los Angeles reported experiencing shortages that hindered their ability to suppress flames effectively. In response, Newsom called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure and the unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir. He expressed concerns in a letter to the heads of the LA Department of Water and Power and LA County Public Works, describing the reports as “deeply troubling.” Newsom highlighted that the loss of hydrant water likely impaired efforts to protect homes and evacuation routes and called for full transparency in the investigation.
Captain Adam Van Gerpen from the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to the BBC that his crew, which had been battling the Pacific Palisades fire, as well as other crews across the region, had run out of water and had to improvise. Despite these challenges, as of Sunday morning, CAL FIRE reported that one of the remaining fires, the Kenneth Fire, had been fully contained, and significant progress had been made on the Hurst Fire. However, the largest fire in Palisades was only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire was 27% contained. The ongoing struggle to secure sufficient resources, including water, underscores the complexity and scale of the wildfire crisis in California.
Climate Change and the Future of Wildfires
Scientists warn that climate change is amplifying wildfire risks. Strong rains followed by droughts, driven by changing climate patterns, create more vegetation that eventually dries out and becomes fuel for fires. Research indicates that from 1950 onward, the likelihood of such extreme conditions has increased by 31–66%. Without mitigation efforts, a further 3°C rise in global temperatures could double the risk of catastrophic events.
Why Are Tropical Drylands Vulnerable to Wildfires?
Tropical drylands countries, such as Tanzania, share some vulnerabilities with California, but their unique climatic, geographic, and socio-economic conditions make them particularly susceptible to catastrophic wildfires.
- Weather and Climate
Extended dry seasons in tropical drylands make vegetation highly flammable. With climate change, these dry periods are becoming longer and more intense, increasing fire risk. Irregular rainfall patterns often lead to the rapid growth of vegetation, which subsequently dries out and becomes fuel for wildfires. Persistent high temperatures in tropical regions further exacerbate vegetation drying, creating ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread.
- Geographic and Ecological Factors
Fire-adapted vegetation in woodlands relies on periodic fires for regeneration. However, uncontrolled fires, often occurring too frequently, disrupt ecological balance and degrade biodiversity. Proximity to human settlements increases the likelihood of human-induced ignitions, such as agricultural clearing or accidental fires.
- Technology and Infrastructure
Limited detection systems hinder the early identification of fires. Unlike California, which utilizes satellite monitoring and drones, many African countries lack advanced fire detection and monitoring technologies. Inadequate firefighting equipment, such as aerial units, makes suppressing large-scale wildfires particularly challenging.
- Economic Challenges
Low funding for fire management limits investments in prevention and response infrastructure, leaving communities highly vulnerable. In tropical drylands, communities often rely on forests for fuelwood and agriculture, which can inadvertently increase fire risks, especially when fire is used for land clearing.
- Policy and Governance
Weak fire management policies and poor enforcement lead to uncontrolled burns and escalating wildfire risks. Lack of land use planning results in unplanned urban expansion into fire-prone areas, increasing exposure to wildfires.
- Firefighting Infrastructure and Training
Firefighting units in many tropical drylands are underfunded and understaffed, with limited access to training and modern techniques. Many areas rely on untrained community members to manage fires, which can be dangerous and ineffective during large-scale wildfires.
Learning from California’s Wildfire Crisis
California’s experiences offer valuable lessons that can be adapted to Tanzania and other tropical dryland countries:
- Invest in early detection and monitoring through technologies like drones, satellite imagery, and mobile apps for real-time fire detection to enhance response times.
- Promote sustainable land management by encouraging controlled burns and agroforestry practices to reduce the accumulation of fuel loads in forests and grasslands.
- Strengthen policies and enforcement by updating fire management policies and ensuring strict compliance to prevent illegal burns and reduce human-caused ignitions.
- Enhance firefighting capacity by investing in modern equipment, training specialized teams, and establishing community-based fire management programs to improve local resilience.
- Raise public awareness through campaigns that educate communities on fire prevention, safe agricultural practices, and the ecological importance of fire control.
A Call to Action for Tanzania
Tanzania’s forests cover 48.1 million hectares, 55% of the country’s mainland area, and are vital for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions. Yet, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by uncontrolled wildfires. By adopting proactive measures inspired by California’s approach to wildfire management, Tanzania can mitigate fire risks, protect its natural resources, and support sustainable development.
The time to act is now. With climate change exacerbating fire risks, investing in fire management infrastructure, policies, and community resilience will not only save lives but also safeguard Tanzania’s ecological heritage for future generations.