With increasingly hot, dry conditions as a result of the climate breakdown, there has been a surge in wildfires around the world that have had a devastating effect on the environment, communities, and wildlife. While we think of these events as natural disasters, the reality is that they are becoming more common due to climate change—a man-made crisis.
Many of the locations affected by wildfires in recent years have been tourist traps, such as Greece, Australia, and California. As travellers to these regions, what can we do to support wildfire-stricken communities, and how can we prevent further damage being done in the future?
The impact of wildfires on ecosystems
A healthy forest is a delicate system of processes that recycle nutrients, holds onto water, develops healthy soil, purifies the air, and supports a wealth of life from plants and insects to birds and mammals. But wildfires can spread rapidly and interrupt these crucial processes, killing and displacing animals, destroying plants, and polluting waterways.
Beyond the obvious destruction caused to trees and vegetation, which negatively affects pollution levels, wildfires have a staggering impact on ecosystems as a whole. First, it pollutes water resources from erosion, with watersheds retaining higher levels of nitrogen and dissolved carbon dioxide, which reduces the quality of the drinking water for local communities and wildlife.
The loss of vegetation can affect ecosystems by increasing erosion and increasing the risk of pest infestations, which can affect what thrives in the area in future years. It can also devastate the shrubs and trees where habitats live and survive, having a dire knock-on effect to natural selection. Grazing animals, for example, and insects that pollinate and carry out essential functions like nutrient cycling are lost, threatening the future of the area and increasing mortality rates for these creatures.
Raise awareness of endangered wildlife
As we have touched on, wildlife suffers immensely both during and after wildfires, facing immediate threats to survival and long-term destruction of their habitats. Many animal species lose critical food sources, breeding grounds, and protective cover during these events, which puts them at greater risk, even if they survive the fires.
Travellers can support wildlife recovery by understanding and participating in habitat restoration efforts. This includes supporting wildlife rehabilitation centres, participating in species monitoring programmes, and contributing to reforestation initiatives that specifically consider wildlife habitat reconstruction. Photography can be a great tool to spread awareness of the impact of wildfires too—images can convey emotion much faster and more effectively than words, capturing the destruction and inspiring action.
Work out where to spend your money
Effective support for wildfire-affected regions requires thoughtful financial engagement. Not all areas need assistance simultaneously, so strategic spending is crucial. Before travelling, research which communities are genuinely ready for tourism and economic support. For example, the head of Visit California, in light of the current wildfires, stated that ‘now is the time to love LA and support its recovery, helping it continue to shine as the beacon to the world’.
This might mean staying in family-owned accommodations, eating at local restaurants, or purchasing goods from community businesses. For recently affected areas, supporting on-the-ground efforts like food banks and non-profit organisations can be a huge help. For those with limited funds, offering physical labour can be equally valuable. Many communities welcome volunteers who can assist with restoration projects, helping rebuild infrastructure, or support environmental recovery efforts.
Do your research
If you are travelling to an area that has been affected by wildfires, or is more at risk, the best thing to do is to travel to another part of the country that has not been affected. There will be alternative locations that ensure you can support the economy of the country in its restoration efforts while remaining safe.
It is also vital that as a tourist to the area, you stay informed about the dangers in the area before and during your trip—if warning levels are high, do not put yourself in danger. It can create more problems for firefighters and, of course, poses a threat to your own safety, so always follow government guidance.
Travel responsibly
If you decide to go ahead with your trip, aim to do so as responsibly as possible—which should be a goal for every trip we take. This means offsetting your flights, travelling slowly, and staying for longer. It is tempting to take short trips as a way of breaking up the daily routine with a weekend away, but the reality is that spending longer in a destination is better for the local economy and helps you to enjoy a slower form of travel.
When you land, look for low-carbon ways to travel, such as hiking, cycling, or sailing. Not only does it prevent your trip from adding to the climate problem, but it also helps you see more of the area you are visiting. Engage with the locals, learn first-hand what communities need, and do what you can to support them when you are travelling. And, of course, try to minimise waste as much as possible by using reusable containers and bottles, staying in eco accommodation, and supporting companies that are doing more for the planet.
Travellers may be wary of visiting wildfire-stricken locations, and with good reason. But as tourists, we have extraordinary potential to transform tragedies into an opportunity for renewal.
Staying informed, compassionate, and engaged, we can support these regions on an emotional, ecological, and economic level. It is also vital that, collectively, we take action to lower our carbon footprints and push for businesses to stop using fossil fuels. As the primary driver behind the climate crisis, we need to take swift steps to use alternative fuels in order to protect ecosystems and communities from further damage in the future.
