A new study predicts increasing wildfires and insect outbreaks in European forests due to climate change, altering landscapes and biodiversity. The model simulates changes in forest disturbance rates under three climate scenarios, with wildfire and bark beetle outbreaks projected to intensify.
A UBC-led global review found water-quality impacts from wildfires often emerge months or years later, with contamination intensifying over time. The study highlights the need for long-term fire retardants and preparedness planning to protect drinking water sources in fire-prone provinces.
A preliminary study found that short-term exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with a higher incidence and severity of stroke, particularly in patients with elevated ozone and particulate matter levels. The study suggests that public health interventions during wildfires are crucial for preventing strokes.
A recent study co-authored by NAU researchers found that fires in northern Canada have a net cooling effect when coupled with snowpack, but this is outweighed by the warming effects of permafrost carbon released from fires in Alaska. This highlights the need for land and fire managers to reconsider how wildland fires are managed.
Forest thinning found to improve wildfire risk reduction and hydrological resilience, increasing snowpack depth by 30% on north-facing slopes. The treatment recovered about 12.3 acre-feet of snow-stored water per 100 acres, equivalent to roughly 15 Olympic swimming pools per square kilometer.
A UC Berkeley-led study reconstructed emissions from Swedish wildfires and found that current climate estimates are failing to fully account for carbon released from smoldering organic soils. This highlights the need for improved climate models to better understand the impact of northern wildfires on the environment.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is launching its 2026 climate and weather data challenges to improve rapid decision-making during wildfires, explore flood forecast data from 10,000 stations globally, and detect implausible behavior in machine learning. The deadline for applications is April 9, 2026.
Scientists detected statistically significant changes in global atmospheric temperatures in response to three major natural events: Mount Pinatubo, Australian wildfires, and Hunga Tonga eruption. The study's findings suggest that these events may not have played a role in the acceleration of global surface warming in recent years.
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
Up to 30% of bird diversity hotspots in the western US face threats from high-severity wildfires, which could eliminate critical forest habitats. However, up to 58% of hotspots are predicted to experience low-severity fires, creating potential refuges for forest-dependent species.
A recent study by PLOS reveals that large increases in PM2.5 exposure from wildfires have overshadowed gains made in reducing air pollution disparities in traditional sources, particularly among California's racial groups.
Witching Hour's technology uses robots and drones to add insulation to powerlines, reducing wildfire risk and costs. The innovative approach offers faster and more affordable solutions for utility companies and local communities.
Research links long-term exposure to wildfire smoke with increased risk of stroke in US adults, estimating around 17,000 annual cases. The study suggests wildfire smoke may be more harmful than pollution from other sources, and highlights the need for preventative measures.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that exposure to wildfire smoke during the third trimester may raise the risk of autism diagnoses in children. Mothers who were exposed to more than 10 days of wildfire smoke had a 23% higher risk of their child being diagnosed with autism by age 5.
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.
A study estimates that wildland fires release an average of 143 million tons of airborne organic compounds annually, 21% higher than earlier estimates. This increase poses complex air-quality challenges, particularly in regions such as Equatorial Asia and Northern Hemisphere Africa.
Global climate change intensifies extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts, altering wildfire patterns worldwide. The study quantifies the impact of 'hot drought' on 2025 LA wildfires, showing an increased risk by up to 210%. Additionally, strong Santa Ana winds played a significant role in fire spread.
A new study reveals that recent changes in air pollution are not the main reason for Earth's increasing energy imbalance. Cloud changes, driven by surface warming and natural climate variability, largely outweigh the effects of aerosol reductions.
Research in Chile's national parks shows that wildfires significantly alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, affecting ecosystem resilience. Humid temperate forests recover faster than mediterranean woodlands due to fire-adapted trees and higher rainfall.
Western US faces a 'fire deficit' with 74% of areas behind on annual burns, requiring 3.8 million hectares of forest to burn each year over decade. Strategies like prescribed burns and managed wildfire use can help address the issue.
A new study from Cedars-Sinai found a 118% increase in visits for general illness and significant spikes in heart attack and lung complication cases following the January 2025 LA fires. Fine particles released by wildfires can cause injury, particularly to the heart and lungs.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences quantify the role of climate change in wildfires and air quality, finding that 60-82% of total burned area in western US forests is directly attributable to warming temperatures and drier conditions caused by climate change.
Wildfires on Alaska's North Slope have reached unprecedented levels in recent centuries, driven by drying soils and expanding woody shrubs. The study's findings suggest a rapid transformation of the tundra ecosystem, with modern-day fires burning hotter and consuming more fuel.
Researchers found that wildfires can convert chromium 3, a benign form in rocks and soil, into the carcinogenic chromium 6. Soils from summits contained high levels of chromium 6 when burned at temperatures above 750 F, which could taint groundwater for up to 2.5 years. The study highlights the need for better understanding of fire's i...
Research from University of Vermont reveals exposure to Canadian wildfire smoke worsened asthma symptoms in children in the US Northeast. The study found that smoke from hundreds of miles away affected children's health, highlighting growing health risks for the region as climate change fuels more smoke-filled summers.
The SWIFTT project presents a hybrid seminar to showcase its platform that helps foresters detect and prevent insect outbreaks, analyse windthrow and fire damage. The event features live demos and presentations from the project team, highlighting the platform's benefits for sustainable forest management.
A study published in Science Advances found that unusually large particles of wildfire smoke had a significant cooling effect on the region they were observed in, increasing outgoing radiation by 30-36% compared to smaller smoke particles. This effect has not been included in current climate models.
A new computer model, GeoFlame VISION, uses AI and satellite imagery to produce a dynamic wildfire risk map for the entire US. The model shows that California's eastern, southwestern, and northwestern parts are at high risk due to Santa Ana winds.
Researchers at the University of Maryland analyzed air samples from College Park, Md., and found that chemical compounds from Canada's historic 2023 fires persisted in the atmosphere, forming an 'atmospheric soup.' The study provides insights into the long-term effects of wildfire smoke on human health and the environment.
Research found a 42% increase in respiratory virtual visits among those living near burn zones, while cardiovascular virtual visits rose by 44%. In-person outpatient visits also increased substantially.
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires led to substantial increases in acute health care utilization, particularly through virtual care-seeking. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring healthcare preparedness and response in the face of rising climate-related disruptions.
A team of scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires during the Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago. The findings suggest that wildfires played a significant role in shaping ecosystems during this time period, contrary to previous assumptions based on a lack of charcoal in the geologic record.
Research shows strong Midwest summer storms can puncture the stratosphere, bringing aerosols and burning biomass from western wildfires. This could affect the ozone layer's stability and warm the stratosphere.
A new survey conducted by UC Berkeley researchers found that approximately 75% of agricultural workers in Sonoma County have worked during wildfires since 2017. The study also found that half of the farmworkers reported having ailments like headaches or sore throats after working during a wildfire.
Researchers analyzed feces samples from 11 herbivore species in Namibia's Etosha National Park to understand how environmental factors shape their gut microbiomes. The study found five types of bacteria serving as environmental indicators, which could help monitor ecosystem changes and animal adaptation.
Human-driven climate change makes wildfires in parts of South America and Southern California much larger and more destructive. Climate models warn that severe heatwaves and droughts will make extreme wildfires more frequent and intense worldwide.
Researchers found that weaker lightning during thunderstorm development can ignite forest fires, posing a higher risk due to distinct atmospheric conditions like low precipitation and strong winds. This discovery sheds new light on the prevention and control of lightning wildfires in mountainous areas globally.
Researchers found a strong link between compound droughts and wildfires in California, leading to increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. The study shows that severe droughts can substantially raise wildfire risk, with PM2.5 levels increasing by 9.5·m³ under extreme conditions.
A recent study found that UK heatwaves have led to unseasonable drying of vegetation, bypassing natural ecological processes that limit the spread of wildfires. The extreme heat conditions increased the risk of wildfire incidents, with a 500% increase in 999 calls and 14 major incidents during the 2022 heatwave.
The University of Oklahoma will receive a $19.9 million award to develop the KaRVIR system, a groundbreaking dual-Doppler 3D mobile Ka-band imaging radar that will enhance atmospheric science research and provide critical insights into weather systems and wildfires.
Wildfire disasters worldwide have become markedly more burdensome over the last 40 years, tripling in fatality events and increasing economic losses fourfold since 1980. The escalation is driven by intensifying climate conditions and human activities such as land-use shifts and fire suppression policies.
Catastrophic wildfires are increasing worldwide, posing significant challenges for governments. A study suggests investing in proactive wildfire mitigation and prevention is more cost-effective than reactive response and recovery.
A new study finds that large wildfires like those in Colorado, Oregon, and California increase ozone concentrations by 21 parts per billion, exceeding health standards. The research team developed a computer model to simulate the effects of wildfire smoke on ozone levels, highlighting the urgent need for air quality monitoring.
A new study estimates that US wildfires could cause up to 70,000 deaths annually by 2050 due to increased smoke pollution. The researchers also found that no community is safe from smoke exposure and estimated economic damages could reach $608 billion annually.
Climate change is expected to bring increased damages and costs for European forestry, with gains in Northern Europe and losses in Central and Southern Europe. The study highlights the need for strategic adjustments to forest management to reduce economic losses and foster more climate-resilient forests.
A team led by Joe Ripberger from the University of Oklahoma aims to create a unified national approach to wildfire warnings. The project will focus on understanding fire and atmospheric interactions, social and behavioral science questions, and building a transdisciplinary network with practitioners and researchers.
A growing body of research links environmental pollutants to worsened health and shorter life spans in childhood cancer survivors. The study found that only 25% of pediatric oncology providers felt comfortable discussing environmental pollutant impacts with patients.
A new study finds that wildfires in the western US worsen local air quality but unexpectedly improve air quality in the eastern US due to heat's effect on weather patterns. This overlooked factor significantly alters regional air quality, with climate models overestimating pollution impacts.
A new study predicts an increase in western US wildfires sparked by lightning strikes, with 98% of the region seeing more risk days by 2060. The western US is expected to see a significant rise in lightning days, with areas like Oregon and Idaho experiencing up to 12 more days per summer.
A new CU Denver study finds that climate change and wildfires are disrupting dragonfly mating traits, threatening some species with local extinction. The research highlights the importance of considering reproductive success in conservation biology.
Researchers found that wildfire chars can suppress methane production by supporting the growth of bacteria that outcompete methanogens. This natural process could have important implications for mitigating greenhouse gases and climate change.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed AI-guided aerial robots to detect, track and analyze wildfire smoke plumes. The technology provides high-resolution data collection across large areas at a lower cost than satellite-based tools, enabling more accurate computer models for air quality predictions.
A new UC Berkeley-led study demonstrates how home hardening and defensible space can significantly reduce wildfire risk. The research found that these strategies, when combined, can double the number of homes that survive a blaze and reduce structure losses by up to 50%.
A new study by UN University scientists finds that the global human population directly exposed to wildland wildfires increased by 40% since 2000, with 85% of those in Africa. This has led to 2,500 direct deaths and 1.5 million smoke-related deaths each year.
Scientists studying the devastating Lāhainā, Maui fires found that deaths were two-thirds higher than expected in August 2023, and 367% higher during the most intense week of the blaze. The researchers call for improved disaster preparedness and investment in restoring Native Hawaiian plants and agroecological systems.
A study published in Science found that total burned area declined globally from 2002 to 2021, but human exposures to wildfires surged by nearly 40%, with Africa accounting for 85% of all incidents. Proactive mitigation strategies are crucial to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires.
A team of UBC Okanagan students developed an adaptive model that can automatically detect subtle shifts in complex images, improving accuracy for doctors and scientists. The technology, called MEBS, uses advanced mathematics to pick out important details, helping to spot illnesses sooner and track wildfires more effectively.
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5 is linked to increased mortality and morbidity, with a 93% underestimation of the actual death toll. The research estimated 535 annual deaths from all causes due to short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
A recent study explores how climate and vegetation index anomalies pre-conditioned the landscape for catastrophic fires. The research found that significant rainfall deficits and reduced snowpack severely diminished soil moisture, leading to cumulative vegetation stress.
A recent study analyzed hourly data from nearly 750 low-cost and regulatory air pollution sensors throughout LA to understand the impact of wildfires on air quality. The findings suggest that combining different data sources, including ground-based sensors and satellite data, can provide more accurate and comprehensive information.