Researchers at Brigham Young University developed a new wildfire model that uses plant chemistry to predict how quickly wildfires will burn. The study found that the type of shrub species affects the speed of combustion and chemical production, enabling more efficient fire management.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that tarballs, tiny organic particles formed during wildfires, can significantly impact local and global climate. The team's analysis revealed that tarballs form through chemical and physical changes of organic aerosols within the first hours following smoke production.
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used supercomputers to analyze the effects of wildfires on hydrological changes in a California watershed. The research found that post-wildfire conditions resulted in greater winter snowpack and subsequent summer runoff, as well as increased groundwater storage.
A new study published in Frontiers found that Amazon deforestation causes local climates to warm, particularly in areas with severe tree cover loss. Intact forests maintained more climate stability, while disturbed forests experienced larger temperature increases during dry periods.
Research predicts a 25% decline in evergreen conifer trees and a nearly doubling of broadleaf deciduous trees by 2100. This shift will have significant ecological and climatic implications for the entire ecosystem and carbon cycle.
Research finds that older stands of trees protect legacy carbon from burning, while younger stands do not. This shift could change boreal forests from a carbon sink to a source, exacerbating climate change. The study's findings have global implications for future climate scenarios.
A new study found that frequent and large wildfires are releasing stored carbon in boreal forests, transforming them into a source of carbon instead of a sink. This shift has significant implications for global climate change and greenhouse gas levels.
A recent paper by Montana State University researchers highlights the need for communities to adapt and transform themselves to be more resilient to wildfires. The authors argue that current approaches are not working, especially as fire seasons get warmer and longer.
Scientists studied a massive wildfire smoke plume that lasted for nearly nine months, providing an ideal opportunity to test climate models. The findings show that black carbon was key to the plume's rapid rise and persistence, challenging previous nuclear winter studies.
Scientists used a state-of-the-art climate model to study the lofting and movement of the colossal Canadian wildfire smoke cloud, which contained only about 0.3 million tons of soot. The modeling validated previous theories on nuclear war impacts and provided new insights into potential global climate effects.
Researchers compared observations with model simulations, revealing gaps in smoke plume rise and duration modeling. The study found that solar heating warmed air within the plume, causing it to self-loft to nearly 23 kilometers, but observed smoke lifetime was 40% shorter than calculated models due to photochemical loss of organic carbon.
A recent study suggests that restoring forests can stabilize carbon stocks and reduce the risk of severe wildfires. By thinning out dense vegetation and promoting biodiversity, restored forests can store more carbon than damaged ones. This approach has the potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Research suggests that wildfires can effectively 'lock away' carbon for years to come through the production of pyrogenic carbon, or charcoal. This process helps compensate for carbon emissions from fires and could provide a significant buffer against future climate change.
A new study suggests that unrestrained deforestation in the Amazon region could lead to a dramatic increase in wildfire risk by 70% by the end of the century. Improving sustainable land management practices could mitigate this risk and reduce the probability of wildfires.
A recent study found that wildfires disrupt night-time pollination processes by moths, leading to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of moth species. The research also showed that the loss of host plants due to fire can lead to significant changes in the moth community.
Massive wildfires in Ontario and Manitoba produce massive amounts of smoke moving southeast into Michigan, over the Great Lakes, and into Minnesota. The smoke is carried on the jet stream, with actively burning areas outlined in red on satellite imagery.
A recent study found that old-growth forests are less likely to experience high-severity fire than young-growth forests during wildfires. This suggests that old-growth forests could be used as biodiversity refuges to buffer the effects of climate change on fire regimes in the Pacific Northwest.
The University of Texas at Arlington's team, led by Associate Professor Yan Wan, excelled in the 2019 Swarm and Search AI Challenge. They developed algorithms for multiple UAVs to map wildfires efficiently. The technology can provide real-time information and forecasts to firefighters.
Researchers found that mountain streams retain sediment for thousands of years, revealing a waterway's history. Climate-induced threats like wildfires and increased precipitation will alter the dynamics of other rivers, including the Cuyahoga River.
A collaborative team of researchers developed a framework to integrate scientific understanding of fire and its effects on ecosystems and human communities with an understanding of the human values that ultimately determine what people care about. The study emphasizes the need for community members, policy makers, and land managers wor...
A recent geography study by the University of Cincinnati found that hot temperatures are a better predictor of western wildfires than other factors. The researchers identified other risk factors, including vegetation cover and proximity to roads and population centers, which can increase the likelihood of wildfires.
A University of Montana study found that climate change limits tree regeneration following wildfires in low-elevation forests, potentially leading to abrupt forest loss. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined post-fire regeneration of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees.
A study found that climate change and wildfires can lead to abrupt loss of low-elevation forests due to reduced tree regeneration after disturbances. Annual climate conditions now cross critical thresholds at most study sites, making it challenging for trees to regenerate.
A new study finds that California's wildfire season is no longer influenced by winter precipitation, but rather by decades of fire suppression and rising temperatures due to climate change. The research team used tree rings and historical records to reconstruct fire and moisture patterns over the past 400 years.
A recent study examines California's climate over a centuries-long time period, linking long-term wind patterns to future wildfire risks. The research provides a stronger foundation for evaluating regional natural hazards in the state.
Researchers used landscape models to examine the interaction between climate, vegetation, and prior fires on area burned. They found that the fuel limitation effect from prior fire events doesn't last long and is not as large as expected, moderating only a 7.5% reduction in cumulative area burned over the century.
A Georgia State researcher has been awarded a $1.2 million grant to develop drone technology for wildfire management, providing real-time data to aid evacuations and fire management decisions. The technology aims to help contain wildfires, predict fire spread, and support human-UAS collaboration.
A study of 2,800 hectares of mixed-conifer forest found that increasing tree density due to fire suppression leads to increased drought stress and reduced resilience to wildfires. Rising carbon dioxide levels exacerbate this effect, suggesting that denser forests will be more vulnerable to drought in the future.
A new study reveals that wildfires can affect plant growth hundreds of kilometers away from the impact zone, reducing productivity in areas far from the blaze. This finding suggests that fire pollution could pose an increasing threat to global productivity in a warming world.
Researchers created an experimental model to evaluate fire and water interactions in soil, finding low- to moderate-severity wildfires result in wetter soil. High-severity burns lead to increased surface runoff, leaving drier soils after the fire.
Researchers found that disaster media coverage can have lasting effects on children's mental health, impacting not only in school but also in response to future disasters. Teachers and parents are often the first source of support for students affected by disasters.
Researchers found that burned forest material can sequester mercury, preventing its release into waterways. Black ash from low-intensity burns contained similar amounts of mercury as unburned vegetation and white ash from high-intensity burns had higher levels in a non-reactive form.
Heavy precipitation fell in California wildfire areas, causing evacuations and flash floods, with IMERG data showing rainfall totals between 6.3-9.4 inches in north central California.
A new study links frequent, seasonal fires to the formation and expansion of ancient grasslands. The researchers used a novel approach to analyze plant biomarkers in fossil soils, revealing that fire played a crucial role in shaping the landscape.
A new study reveals that climate change is impacting human health, food supply, infrastructure, and economy through 467 ways, including warming, drought, heatwaves, wildfires, precipitation, floods, and sea level rise. By 2100, the number of hazards occurring concurrently will increase, making it difficult for people to cope.
Weekly air sample analysis in Singapore revealed that peat burning was the primary source of smoke during Indonesian fires in 2015. The study suggests that around 85% of smoke reaching Singapore originated from peat, highlighting the need to protect peat from wildfires.
A new study by Portland State University researchers finds that climate change is causing more severe wildfires and larger insect outbreaks in temperate forests. The study analyzed 50 protected areas and found a strong link between high disturbance activity and warmer, drier-than-average climate conditions.
The University of Cincinnati is studying landslides to improve public safety and understanding of these natural disasters. The research aims to add specific details on landslides to Nevada's map of known hazards, including areas prone to wildfires, flash-flood zones, and earthquake fault lines.
A new study reveals that racial and ethnic minorities face greater vulnerability to wildfires, with Native Americans being six times more likely to live in high-risk areas. The research used a 'vulnerability index' to assess wildfire risk in communities across the US, integrating physical risk with social and economic resilience.
Climate scientists predict that extreme summers, like 2018, will continue if countries don't phase out fossil fuels; however, switching to cleaner coal-burning technology can mitigate this effect. Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating temperatures and cooling the planet.
Researchers found that Douglas-fir density was high after 20 years in severely burned areas, unaffected by management practices. Forest managers should tailor post-fire management to specific objectives and landscape context to maximize effectiveness.
Historically, 4-12% of western US land burned annually, while current trends underestimate future risks. Climate-driven drying and excess vegetation have led to low wildfire rates, shifting assessment towards inevitable future fires. The authors highlight the need for more widespread effective management strategies.
Research suggests that Indigenous fire practices are protecting plant biodiversity in the Gibson Desert by preventing ecosystem transformations, retaining critical species. The traditional burning practices of the Pintupi people have helped conserve unique flora and prevent the destruction of desert myrtle shrubs.
A study of 6.5 million hectares of Brazilian Amazonia found that carbon losses from El Niño forest fires were three to four times greater than expected. The analysis showed that uncontrolled wildfires in understorey areas resulted in high immediate CO2 emissions.
A study by University of Barcelona researchers finds that global warming will increase burned areas due to fires in Mediterranean Europe, with a 40% rise at 1.5°C warming and 100% at 3°C. This calls for rethinking current management strategies and developing climate-fire models to prevent and reduce fire impact.
Researchers from the University of Montana used a flying laboratory to collect data on chemical composition of smoke and its changes over time and travel. The study aims to better predict air quality downwind and understand how fire smoke impacts the climate system.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $15 million in grants to researchers studying the complex interactions between humans and their environment. Projects will investigate topics such as nutrient management, wildfires, hydrology, and volcanic eruptions to better understand how people can interact with nature in a more sustainabl...
A new study from FSU researchers indicates that common satellite imaging technologies have underestimated the number of fires in Florida. Strategically prescribed burns are proving effective against wildfires, while fire experts' reliance on faulty data may be flawed. The study found that only 25% of burned area is detected by satellites.
A recent study found that invasive pine trees significantly increased the severity of the 2017 Knysna wildfires by trebling fuel loads. The study also showed that climate change exacerbated the fire's impact due to a prolonged drought period, and warned that similar conditions will occur again in the future.
Researchers at UCSB and NCAR find that climate change is affecting the connection between El Niño and wildfires, leading to more extreme and frequent fires. As the Earth warms, El Niño events are expected to have a larger impact on fire risk in California and other fire-prone regions.
Chemical engineering researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a physical model that can accurately predict soot and smoke emissions from wildfires. The model provides foundational elements for validating more efficient models, which will aid in predicting smoke emissions and related health effects.
Wildfires in Africa, driven by agricultural practices, have intensified due to low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures. In contrast, South American fires, particularly in Chile, are exacerbated by a mega drought and flammable tree plantations.
56 active wildfires in British Columbia have burned over 1.5 million acres, with hot and dry conditions creating a high risk of rapid fire spread.
A review of research on summer weather stalling highlights the impact of Arctic warming on air circulation patterns, leading to more frequent extreme weather events. The study suggests that prolonged sunny episodes can turn into heat waves and heavy rainfall, posing a major climate risk.
A new study found that frequent fires in eastern US forests make droughts harder for young trees to survive, even in wet areas. The research shows that fire can promote warmer, drier conditions and reduce nitrogen availability, leading to increased drought stress.
Researchers found that lichen communities in severely burned areas showed significantly lower abundance and diversity, even 16 years after the fire. The loss of tree canopy and hot, dry microclimate left in the forest post-fire hindered lichen growth, suggesting that recolonization may not occur until mature trees regrow.
A study published by the USDA Forest Service found that tweets from California during the 2015 wildfire season could predict air quality impacts from smoke. The research combined ground-based monitoring with a topic model mapping citizens' tweets to improve models for predicting smoke dispersion.
A recent study published in Ecosphere reveals that mixed-severity wildfires actually produce more benefits than costs to Spotted Owl populations. The research analyzed 21 scientific studies and suggests that management strategies prioritizing fuel-reduction logging are outdated.
Researchers found a significant association between wildfire activity and elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the northwestern United States. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that increased wildfires may offset reductions in anthropogenic PM2.5 levels.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that black carbon can age for millennia on land and in rivers before being exported to the ocean, forming a major long-term sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. This finding adds a significant piece to the puzzle of understanding the global carbon cycle.