A UN report states that the consequences of global warming and changes in land-use patterns could alter the "nature" of wildfires and the damage they cause – they could affect larger areas of the globe than previously experienced, with a corresponding increase in pollution caused by smoke. Understandably, other as-yet-unforeseen problems may arise, which neither governments nor responsible institutions have yet considered.

The western part of the USA, northern Siberia, Central India and eastern Australia have, unfortunately, already faced attacks by fire. Information compiled by the UN Environment Programme suggests that the number of wildfires could increase by at least 50% by the end of the century (over the next 75-80 years).