Wide-scale cropland loss has consequences for wildfire resilience in the American West

The western United States is grappling with the combined challenges of drought and frequent wildfires, threatening the resilience of croplands. Over the past four decades, more than 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) of cropland have been lost in the region, leading researchers to investigate the implications of this loss on wildfire resilience. A new study published in Environmental Research Letters examines the relationship between cropland and wildfire containment in the western U.S.

Austen Lorenz, a co-author of the study, explains that cropland acts as a landscape-scale buffer, lessening the impact of wildfires compared to other land uses. When well-irrigated, croplands can hold sufficient moisture to act as an effective barrier to wildfire progression, and can also serve as staging points for firefighters during active blazes. The study found that cropland was 1.3 to 5 times more associated with where fires stopped than other land types, such as wildlands, urban communities, and forests.

As drought adaptation strategies are implemented, the conversion of cropland to other uses, such as scrubland or urban development, can eliminate the fire-buffering advantages it previously conferred. The researchers emphasize the need for integrated water and wildfire planning, as well as the potential benefits of expanding agricultural conservation programs to include fire-buffering value.

By considering both water savings and wildfire risk, western communities can better adapt to the compounding hazards of drought and wildfires.