What’s Hot in Climate Change – Summer 2026
Wildfire season is accelerating in 2026, with activity already running well above the 10-year average and millions of acres burned. At the same time, states are facing hundreds of millions in unexpected firefighting costs, while new research links wildfire smoke to roughly 17,000 strokes annually in the U.S. Together, these signals point to a clear shift: longer fire seasons, broader economic strain, and health risks that extend far beyond the fire line.
