EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Wildfires on the Eastern Coast of the United States are increasing in frequency, reshaping the usual disaster preparedness in the region. Historically rare due to humid climates, this trend stems from climate change, land-use changes, and outdated fire suppression policies. Recent surges, such as over 537 fires in New Jersey and 60 in New York in late 2024, highlight the urgency of action. These fires pose profound health risks, economic burdens, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

OVERVIEW

The Eastern United States, which encompasses the regions from the Northeast down through the Southeast, has been traditionally perceived as less susceptible to wildfires compared to arid landscapes of the Western U.S., as humid climate, abundant precipitation, and dense deciduous forests have acted as natural deterrents to large-scale fires. However, in 2024, the Eastern Coast faced a striking and unprecedented rise in wildfire incidents, marking a significant departure from historical trends as persistent drought conditions, elevated temperatures, and changing weather patterns combined to create a perfect storm for wildfire proliferation.

BACKGROUND

Historical Context

Historically, the eastern U.S. has experienced wildfires, particularly in the Southeast, but their frequency and intensity were generally lower compared to the Western regions. Aggressive fire control measures were put in place throughout the United States, especially the East, at the beginning of the twentieth century. Dense vegetation accumulated and fuel loads grew in wooded areas as a result of the U.S. Forest Service’s complete fire suppression program, which sought to put out all fires and led to more intense and unpredictable fires resulting from this suppression of natural fire regimes.

Current Developments

Increased human activity, dry conditions, and climate change have all been responsible for the recent surge in wildfire events in the Eastern United States.
Interestingly, the Jennings Creek Fire, which burnt around 5,000 acres along the New York-New Jersey border in 2024, was the biggest wildfire to hit New York since 2008.

Red Flag Warnings, which indicate dangerous fire weather conditions, have been issued in the Northeast at an abnormally high rate and the number of such warnings issued in November has set records in states including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Strong winds, low humidity, rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, which have created warmer and drier conditions, the expansion of the wildland-urban interface (WUI), and fire suppression policies have led to denser forests with increased fuel loads and accumulation of dead vegetation, as well as underbrush providing ample fuel for fires, heightening the potential for severe wildfires.

Geopolitical context

In addition to placing a burden on emergency response and disaster management resources, the growing frequency and severity of wildfires in the Eastern United States are also having geopolitical repercussions, resulting in property loss, economic disruptions, and financial expenses. Exposure to wildfire smoke raises public health concerns since it can exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Given that wildfires contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, the United States may come under pressure from other countries to take more active action to combat climate change.

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

The increasing wildfire instances on the Eastern Coast of the United States have resulted from a complex interplay of environmental, climatic, and socio-economic factors, which has transformed the eastern region historically considered low-risk into a hotspot for the fire-related disasters. One of the significant drivers of the wildfire activity has been recognized as climate change, as the increasing temperatures, prolonged drought periods, and shifting weather patterns have created conditions conducive to the fire outbreaks. Climate change is intensifying wildfire threats, as drier vegetation and soil in historically moist regions has increased flammability and disrupted traditional fire seasons, posing a year-round vulnerability.

The expansion of the wildland-urban interface (WUI), which consists of the land where homes and businesses coexist within wildland vegetation, is another crucial factor, as rapid urbanization and population growth have led to increased human settlements encroaching on wildlands, making them especially susceptible to wildfire damages due to proximity to fuels and heightening the risk of wildfires ignited by human activity. The East Coast has a higher density of population and infrastructure within the wildland-urban interface, increasing the risk to human life and property when wildfires occur, which means that even smaller fires can have significant impacts on communities.

Economic and resource constraints also play a significant role in wildfire management challenges, as traditionally the wildfire management funding and resources have focused on the Western U.S., which had its wildfire season well defined (usually peaking in the summer and fall), with its dry climate and vast forests creating conditions for large and vast-spread fires, leaving the Eastern states underprepared for the growing threat as the wildfires can occur almost year-round in the eastern part due to varying weather patterns, which makes it more challenging to predict and prepare for wildfires in the east.

Given that wildfires generate fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions, impact air quality in far-off urban areas, and strain public health systems, they pose serious health and safety threats. The logistical difficulties associated with evacuation make disaster response operations more difficult and raise the possibility of property damage and human losses.

Historically, the eastern region invested less in wildfire detection and monitoring infrastructure compared to the Western U.S. as the frequency and intensity of the wildfires were markedly lower, which limited early warning systems coupled with inadequate real-time data and predictive modelling to deploy the resources effectively.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Enhanced Land Management: In order to promote healthier ecosystems and lessen the availability of fuel for wildfires, land management is essential. Balance can be restored and undergrowth reduced by controlled burning. Efforts can be strengthened by working with Indigenous groups and growing fire training programs. It can also be beneficial to prioritize forest thinning in high-risk areas and promote replanting with native species that can withstand fire.
2. Community Preparedness: Community preparedness through public awareness campaigns, developing tailored evacuation plans, incorporating them into mobile apps, and conducting regular drills is crucial for reducing wildfire risk. Reducing property damage during wildfires can be achieved by upgrading homes and encouraging the use of fire-resistant building materials. Subsidies and tax breaks may persuade homeowners to take these actions.
3. Strengthening Infrastructure: Reducing vulnerabilities and safeguarding vital systems require bolstering infrastructure resilience, which includes improving water systems, strengthening transportation networks with fire-resistant materials, and upgrading the electrical infrastructure. By taking these precautions, the chance of a fire involving equipment is reduced, and dependable water supply for combating fires is guaranteed.
   
   
4. Action on Climate Change: Minimizing wildfires is mostly dependent on addressing and taking action against climate change through a transition to renewable energy via investments in clean, wind, and solar technology. Support for carbon sequestration projects like growing forests and wetlands, stricter zoning laws in wildfire-prone areas, and cutting-edge technology like direct air capture devices are crucial.
5. Research and Monitoring: Utilizing cutting-edge technologies like drones, satellite imaging, and AI-based analytics, research and monitoring initiatives should be bolstered to enhance wildfire management. Understanding the distinct dynamics of the Eastern United States, such as humidity, deciduous forests, and urbanization, should be the main goal of increased research funding. These initiatives will be strengthened by international cooperation on resource sharing and best practices.
6. Policy and Governance Reforms: For regulatory frameworks to be strengthened and wildfire control strategies to be successful, governance and policy reforms are vital. While more federal and state financing will promote long-term resilience, a national strategy for the Eastern region of the United States should standardize emergency response protocols, communication, and resource sharing.

CONCLUSION

Due to changing biological circumstances, land-use patterns, and climate change, wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a serious threat to the US East Coast. This concerning pattern emphasizes the necessity of a paradigm change in regional planning, climate resilience, and wildfire management. The Eastern United States can reduce the effects of wildfires, protect infrastructure and public health, and create a resilient future in the face of a changing climate by using a proactive and integrated approach through collaboration across federal, state, and local levels coupled with international cooperation, which will be indispensable in addressing the systematic nature of wildfire risks.