I do not believe there were no warnings that wildfires would escalate. However, I wrote a post in the other wildfire thread about forests, wildlife, and livestock, which I can contribute here instead. The real problem today is that much of Thailand’s original forest has disappeared or become fragmented. Humid evergreen rainforest is not naturally adapted to frequent fire and normally resists it because it stays moist. But during severe drought, or after logging and other human disturbance, even rainforest can burn. Once it has burned, the forest becomes more open and dry, making future fires more likely. Thailand also has naturally drier forests that have adapted to periodic fires. These forests do not normally burn completely down during low intensity fires, and fire can be part of their natural cycle. However, fires that are too frequent or intense can still damage the forest and prevent it from recovering. Another factor, both in Thailand and Europe, is changing land use and reduced grazing in some areas. Livestock such as goats, sheep, and cattle can reduce grass, shrubs, and other vegetation that would otherwise become fuel. This is especially relevant in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France, where abandoned farmland and reduced grazing can allow vegetation to build up. Wild animals such as deer, wild cattle, wild goats, and elephants also shape vegetation, but their influence is more complicated and varies between ecosystems. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and hunting can disrupt these natural processes.
