Wildfires Could Have a Major Impact on the Environment, Experts Say

Experts say wildfires could have major impacts on the environment the longer they burn. Heat and dry land pose risk for more fires and smoky skies throughout the summer. Travis Longcore is an assistant science professor at USC and says although fires are a natural part of the ecosystem in California, they damage air quality, kill off wildlife and can ultimately change the land itself.

"It will get worse until we address the underlying drivers of the climate," Longcore says.  

"Everythings adapted to come back. The problem is when we get two frequent fires...then it transitions into a grassland that's completely unnatural and we get even more fire."

Longcore added that wildfires can also make way for land and mudslides. He says conditions are likely to get worse over the years because of climate change.