Since the industrial revolution civilization has been pouring vast quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. (ambergrisCaye.com)
High - latitude soil such as permafrost hold vast quantities of carbon that could speed up global warming if it enters the atmosphere. (newscenter.lbl.gov)
Not only are such fires more likely as the climate changes but they also release vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, contributing to climate change themselves. (environmentalresearchweb.org)