Numerous wildfires have impacted Russia's landscape this summer, producing smoke that has drifted to the Arctic Sea. The smoke contains a mixture of particles and chemicals produced by incomplete burning of carbon-containing materials.
Researchers found that mowing and prescribed burns increased plant density and flowering percentage of gentian species, a rare find due to human suppression of wildfires. Northern pine snakes struggle to cross roads, with only small patches of habitat left to support populations.
Four major wildfires are burning in northern Washington, including Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, Lone Mountain, and Duncan fires, all started by lightning strikes, with dry conditions and red flag warnings in place.
A rare pyrocumulonimbus cloud has been spotted over Canadian wildfires, posing a risk to air quality. The cloud, which is an extreme manifestation of pyrocumulus clouds, can inject smoke and pollutants high into the atmosphere, affecting areas far from the fire site.
A special journal section assesses regional interactions between climate change, fire, and forests in the US, providing insights into projected changes and ecosystem services. The goal is to inform forest management choices and policy responses to mitigate these impacts.
A blanket of heavy smoke covers dozens of wildfires in remote eastern Russia areas caused by lightning strikes. The fires spread rapidly, covering the landscape with no apparent stopping point.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University uncover key attributes of brown carbon, a toxic airborne particle that warms the atmosphere. The study reveals that brown carbon shares a common production mechanism with black carbon, leading to significant underestimation of warming effects in climate models.
NASA captured images of a large swath of smoke from Canadian wildfires hovering over the Great Lakes and settling over the Bay of Baffin, which borders Greenland. The fires have been raging this summer, with some smoke drifting southward into the US.
The WIFIRE project is developing a cyberinfrastructure system that integrates dynamic wildfire models, sensor data, and computational techniques to monitor and predict wildfire behavior. This will enable situational awareness, responses, and decision support for local, state, national, and international levels.
Forest fires in the Northwest Territories have destroyed over 893,000 hectares of land, with lightning blamed for most fires. The ongoing wildfires are also affecting residents in Yellowknife, prompting residents to stay indoors due to unhealthy air quality.
A swath of smoke from Canadian fires drifted across the Great Lakes region of the U.S., with visible paths taken by the smoke as it moved southeastward. The smoke originated in Manitoba and parts of Ontario before crossing the lakes.
Satellite images from NASA's MODIS instrument reveal the extent of wildfires in Eastern Russia, showcasing burn scars as reddish-brown splotches amidst green landscapes. The fires have ravaged remote areas of the Sakha Republic, with smoke and flames visible even in false-color images.
Severe forest fires are burning across the region, with 160 wildfires currently active, and a total of 855,000 hectares burned so far this year. The area burned has grown eight-fold compared to the 10-year average, posing high fire danger in the region.
Multiple wildfires are burning in Oregon, threatening private property, livestock, and agriculture lands. The fires, fueled by lightning strikes and hot, windy conditions, have burned over 90,000 acres in the state's forest areas.
NASA captured satellite images reveal extensive wildfires in central Russia, with hotspots and smoke plumes indicating active fires. The smoke contains various pollutants, including carbon monoxide and particulate matter, posing health risks to nearby populations.
Scientists have discovered a new form of soot particle, 'superaggregates,' emitted by wildfires in regions like Southeast Asia and Russia. These particles contribute up to 90% more warming than conventional soot particles, warranting further research.
Researchers develop a new framework for risk assessment that incorporates sociological perspective and human risk perception, leading to more effective mitigation plans. The framework helps decision-makers understand public perception of natural hazards, resulting in better policy decisions.
Fierce wildfires have engulfed Lake Baikal, ravaging large areas of forest and surrounding croplands due to extreme temperatures and careless handling with fire. The wildfires have burned over 53,644 hectares of land across the region, with the highest rates reported in Trans-Baikal territory.
A total of 103 wildfires are currently burning across Russia, with the majority located in the Far East and Siberia. The fires have already destroyed over 800 hectares of land and have raised concerns about the environmental impact.
The Yucatan Peninsula experienced severe fires during its dry season, from January to May, with the number of fires growing as the season progressed. The fires, which may be wildfires or accidental, produce smoke degrading air quality and pose a threat to local farmers' crops.
A new study reveals a significant increase in wildfires across the western US over the last 30 years, with larger fires burning more frequently. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this trend, with rising temperatures and droughts contributing to increased fire activity.
A new study found that prolonged droughts cause more intense and widespread wildfires, consuming more forests than previously understood. Climate change is expected to lead to shorter rainy seasons and longer dry seasons, increasing the risk of forest fires.
Seven large fires are burning in the Southeast, with six located in Oklahoma and one in Louisiana. Prescribed fires account for the majority of these fires, reducing wildfire damage and improving habitat, according to land management officials.
A swirling Eastern Pacific Ocean storm system is heading towards California, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the drought-stricken state. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the region, warning of potential flash flooding and debris flows in areas that recently burned from wildfires.
A new Yale study reveals that ancient forest emissions and wildfires had a significant impact on global warming, even before human-generated CO2 emissions. The research found that concentrations of tropospheric ozone, aerosol particles, and methane during the Pliocene epoch were twice those observed in the pre-industrial era.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology suggests that increased wildfires due to climate change will have significant impacts on air quality and human health. By 2100, emissions from wildfires in California are expected to grow by 19-101%, posing challenges for agriculture and ecosystems.
Researchers create a new computer model that combines cutting-edge simulations of weather and fire with satellite observations to predict the extent and behavior of wildfires. The technique, called CAWFE, allows for updated forecasts every 12 hours, enabling accurate predictions throughout a fire's lifetime.
Researchers at NCAR and University of Maryland create a new model that combines weather simulations with satellite observations to predict wildfire growth. The model can produce accurate forecasts every 12 hours, improving prediction tools for large, intense wildfires.
Researchers have designed a fire-spotting satellite using advanced sensors and analysis software, which can detect hot spots in search of newly ignited wildfires. The satellite could view the Western states continuously, directing firefighting resources to prevent fires from growing out of control.
A comprehensive review of climate change's impacts on forest pests, diseases, and ecosystems reveals complex consequences. Warmer temperatures alter pest distribution, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, while also boosting forest health and acreage in some areas.
A Washington State University researcher found that moderately restrictive land-use policies can significantly reduce rural wildfire risk in Flathead County. The model predicts a 10-fold increase in residential losses under increased but still moderate restrictions, while highly restrictive policies show only a nine-fold increase.
Wildfires in Cordoba province, Argentina, cause evacuation of 480 people due to strong winds and heat. Firefighters struggle with flames, one man seriously injured after being struck by a tree.
Portugal's Serra da Estrela National Park was finally brought under control after 24 hours of fighting, but one firefighter killed and nine injured. The fires have destroyed over 31,000 hectares this year, according to Portugal's conservation institute.
A Harvard University study projects that wildfires in the western United States will be three weeks longer, up to twice as smoky, and burn a wider area by 2050. Climate change is expected to exacerbate fire season due to warmer temperatures.
Wildfires in central and northern California continue to rage, with the American wildfire affecting over 13,000 acres. The Swedes Fire has grown to 1,995 acres and is expected to be fully contained by Thursday.
Fires in eastern Russia's Siberia and Urals are often set by farmers to return nutrients to the soil and clear unwanted plants. These fires produce smoke degrading air quality, highlighting the need for fire management teams to limit uncontrolled wildfires.
In central Canada, wildfires have burned over half a million acres, with 508 new fires starting in the past week. Most of these fires were concentrated in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, with areas of high to extreme fire danger reported.
Scientists from NASA and other agencies use satellite observation and computer modeling to predict wildfire activity in the American West. The data helps guide firefighting resources and prevention efforts, with over 2.5 million acres burned this year.
In July 2013, Oregon's severe drought and thunderstorms ignited dozens of difficult-to-control wildfires. The fires burned nearly 144,688 acres across the state, with smoke posing health risks to residents. Firefighters battled the blazes, including the Douglas Complex and Big Windy Complex, which collectively burned over 50,000 acres.
A persistent high-pressure weather pattern contributed to the heat wave, which saw temperatures reach 32° Celsius in northern Siberia. The fires are burning in an unusual area, significantly north of the typical summer wildfire zone.
Researchers use tree-ring growth data to reconstruct forest drought-stress index, revealing strong relationships between FDSI and regional forest productivity. Climate change is expected to lead to increased forest drought-stress by the 2050s, driving imminent changes in forest structure and composition.
New research led by Michigan State University scientists predicts that climate change will continue to fuel larger and more extreme wildfires in the western United States, posing a significant challenge to fire and forest management.
The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center captured a true-color image of the region's hotspots and smoke plumes on July 23, 2013. The image revealed large fires in the Northern Territory, with temperatures higher than background detected by thermal sensors.
Recent decades have seen a dramatic increase in wildfires in the Yukon Flats of Alaska, with fire frequency surpassing the limit seen during the Medieval Climate Anomaly. This shift towards deciduous forests has significant implications for carbon storage and climate warming, as dry deciduous trees can become highly flammable.
Forest fires are burning north and east of Russia's Irkutsk Oblast in southeastern Siberia, affecting recreational areas and the nearby town of Mirny, home to the world's largest diamond mine. The MODIS instrument detected heat from various wildfires using its infrared capabilities.
In July 2013, NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of numerous uncontained fires in the Yukon territory, with over 329,000 acres burned. The region has seen significant wildfires, with 133,166 hectares burned this year to date.
Measurements from the 2011 Las Conchas fire show that 'tar ball' effect significantly degrades air quality and contributes to global warming. The team found spherical carbonaceous particles called tar balls dominate emissions, which can increase climate warming by increased light absorption.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured multiple images of fire and smoke from Canadian wildfires on July 4, 2013, revealing hot spots that appear red in the image. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument detected plumes of smoke blowing across many provinces and out over the Atlantic Ocean.
The Silver Fire, burning in southern New Mexico's Gila National Forest, has consumed over 133,625 acres as of July 1. The fire, caused by a lightning strike on June 7, is partially contained at 50 percent.
A total of 27 fires are currently burning in northeast Manitoba, with areas at risk due to dry conditions. The wildfires have burned approximately 126,000 hectares and pose a significant threat to local communities.
Wildfires in western Alaska produce massive smoke clouds, with MODIS detecting unusually warm surface temperatures. The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center reports record-setting fire potential across boreal spruce forests and tundra landscapes.
In June 2013, NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites captured images of smoke billowing from Sumatran wildfires. The resulting haze descended on Singapore, pushing air quality indices to hazardous levels. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that the haze could last for several weeks.
Northern Australia is prone to bushfires during winter and spring due to dry conditions and strong winds. NASA's satellite images reveal active burning areas, highlighting the region's susceptibility to wildfires.
A recent study offers a tool to identify regions exposed to multiple forest threats, including wildfires, urban development, and insects and disease. The tool uses a novel analysis technique to highlight locations where threats are more concentrated.
The Fourmile fire in Arizona and Silver Fire in New Mexico are two major wildfires burning in the region. The fires, which were started by lightning strikes, have grown to over 5,000 acres in size and pose a high risk of growth due to extreme weather conditions.
Seventy-seven wildfires have been reported in Saskatchewan, with the largest burning over 247 acres. The province's 'observation zone' policy allows fires to burn naturally, reducing suppression costs.
Two devastating wildfires in New Mexico, Tres Lagunas and Thompson Ridge, continue to threaten residents around Santa Fe. The causes of the fires, downed power lines and human activity, have raised concerns about growth potential and containment efforts.
Multiple wildfires burned in eastern China, producing massive smoke plumes detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The MODIS instrument revealed hot spots as red areas and smoke as light brown areas.
The NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite captured an image of the Powerhouse Fire in California at night. The high-sensitivity instrument detected the fire using illumination from natural and man-made sources, revealing its large impact on city lights and surrounding landscape.
The Thompson Ridge Fire, located in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, has burned approximately 1,906 acres as of May 31, 2013. The Tres Lagunas Fire, started by a downed power line, has burned over 7,400 acres and is currently uncontained.