Pacific‐Atlantic Ocean influence on wildfires in northeast China (1774 to 2010)

Identification of effects that climate teleconnections, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), have on wildfires is difficult because of short and incomplete records in many areas of the world. We developed the first multicentury wildfire chronologies for northeast China from fire‐scarred trees. Regional wildfires occurred every 7 years from the 1700s to 1947, after which fire suppression policies were implemented. Regional wildfires occurred predominately during drought years and were associated with positive phases of ENSO and PDO and negative NAO. Twentieth century meteorological records show that this contingent combination of +ENSO/+PDO/−NAO is linked to low humidity, low precipitation, and high temperature during or before late spring fire seasons. Climate and wildfires in northeast China may be predictable based on teleconnection phases, although future wildfires may be more severe due to effects of climate change and the legacy of fire suppression. Key Points Regional wildfires in northeast China reconstructed from tree ring data occurred on average every 7 years from 1774 to 1949 Regional wildfires were associated with regional droughts and large‐scale climate drivers (+ENSO/+PDO/−NAO) Fire suppression policies implemented since 1949 may have contributed to more severe fire behavior and more extensive burning