The phrase "Earth on fire" is an exaggeration. While wildfires are a global issue, they are part of the planet's natural cycles and do not indicate the complete destruction of the Earth.

However, the provided data of almost five times as many wildfires over the last year compared to the previous year does indicate a significant increase in wildfire activity. This increase can be attributed to various factors such as climate change leading to drier conditions and increased temperatures, human-induced activities like improper land management and arson, and natural causes such as lightning strikes.

It's important to address wildfire prevention and management strategies, including efforts to mitigate climate change, improve forest management, and strengthen early detection and response systems.