From the Southern Forest Network:

[Oklahoma] Steven McNulty grew up hearing Smokey Bear tell him how to prevent forest fires, but he believes addressing the issue of climate change may also prevent the blazes. The ecologist with the USDA Forest Service based in Raleigh, N.C., said when the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere increases, the temperatures also rise and the climate often varies from one extreme to another. McNulty spoke about the effects of climate change on the southern region’s forests, noting what to expect and what not to expect. “Water and air temperature will continue to increase — that’s about as likely as death and taxes,” McNulty said. Forest fires are another likely impact. He said federal and state financial incentives are a couple of the ways to get landowners to plant trees or manage the land they possess.

http://www.cushingdaily.com/statenews/cnhinsall_story_162152521.html