Trees facilitate wildfires as a way to protect their habitat
Fire is often thought of something that trees should be protected from, but a new study suggests that some trees may themselves contribute to the likelihood of wildfires in order to promote their own abundance at the expense of their competitors. view more (2009-10-29)
Forest ecologist sees climate consequences
Many people worry about the link between rising bark-beetle infestations and an increase in western wildfires. But Dr. Susan Prichard, a Research Scientist at the University of Washington, adds another concern: what happens after the fires go out? view more (2009-09-15)
Large Trees Declining in Yosemite
Large trees have declined in Yosemite National Park during the 20th century, and warmer climate conditions may play a role. view more (2009-07-30)
Wildfires set to increase 50% by 2050
The area of forest burnt by wildfires in the United States is set to increase by over 50% by 2050, according to research by climate scientists. view more (2009-07-29)
Scientists expect wildfires to increase as climate warms in the coming decades
As the climate warms in the coming decades, atmospheric scientists at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and their colleagues expect that the frequency of wildfires will increase in many regions. view more (2009-07-29)
Tiny diamonds on Santa Rosa Island give evidence of cosmic impact
Nanosized diamonds found just a few meters below the surface of Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara provide strong evidence of a cosmic impact event in North America approximately 12,900 years ago. view more (2009-07-22)
In the warming West, climate most significant factor in fanning wildfires' flames
The recent increase in area burned by wildfires in the Western United States is a product not of higher temperatures or longer fire seasons alone, but a complex relationship between climate and fuels that varies among different ecosystems. view more (2009-06-26)
NIST study offers first detailed look at the progress of a wildland-urban fire
A wildfire rages across southern California wildlands towards residential communities, endangering residents and firefighters and sending property up in smoke. view more (2009-06-18)
Alaska researchers contribute to national climate change report
Two University of the Alaska Fairbanks researchers are among key contributors to a new national report that details visible effects of climate change in the United States and how today's choices stand to affect the future. view more (2009-06-17)
NASA study says climate adds fuel to Asian wildfire emissions
In the last decade, Asian farmers have cleared tens of thousands of square miles of forests to accommodate the world's growing demand for palm oil, an increasingly popular food ingredient. view more (2009-05-01)
Fire is important part of global climate change, report scientists
Fire must be accounted for as an integral part of climate change, according to 22 authors of an article published in the April 24 issue of the journal Science. The authors determined that intentional deforestation fires alone contribute up to one-fifth of the human-caused increase in emissions of carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that raises... view more... (2009-04-24)
Plants could override climate change effects on wildfires
Scientists predict that global climate change will make many regions around the world warmer and drier, a factor which, taken by itself, would seem to increase the risk of wildfires. view more (2009-04-23)
Plants could override climate change effects on wildfires
The increase in warmer and drier climates predicted to occur under climate change scenarios has led many scientists to also predict a global increase in the number of wildfires. view more (2009-04-22)
Climate change to spur rapid shifts in wildfire hotspots
Climate change will bring about major shifts in worldwide fire patterns, and those changes are coming fast. view more (2009-04-08)
Why California should consider Australia's 'prepare, stay and defend' wildfire policy
Even as debate rages over the safety of Australia's "Prepare, stay and defend, or leave early" policy of wildfire defense, fire researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and in Australia say that the strategy is worth consideration in California and other regions in the United States. view more (2009-02-26)
What if New Mexico doesn't address climate change?
If nothing is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, New Mexico could experience some $3.2 billion in associated costs -- led primarily by wildfires and health-care. This could translate to an individual tab of about 8 percent of annual household income by 2020, according to a report produced for the University of Oregon's Climate Leadership... view more... (2009-02-18)
Charcoal evidence tracks climate changes in Younger Dryas
A new study reports that charcoal particles left by wildfires in sediments of 35 North American lake beds don't readily support the theory that comets exploding over the continent 12,900 years ago sparked a cooling period known as the Younger Dryas. view more (2009-01-29)
Comet impact theory disproved
New data, published today, disproves the recent theory that a large comet exploded over North America 12,900 years ago, causing a shock wave that travelled across North America at hundreds of kilometres per hour and triggering continent-wide wildfires. view more (2009-01-27)
Research ties tree mortality trends to climate warming
Global warming is speeding up the mortality of trees, and NAU research is providing some of the data to prove it. view more (2009-01-26)
Where there's wildfire smoke, there's toxicity
The health threat to city dwellers posed by Southern California wildfires like those of November 2008 may have been underestimated by officials. view more (2008-11-20)
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