Articles tagged with Fire
Scientists have found that tropical fires in Southeast Asia and Africa are responsible for high ozone concentrations in the air above the western Pacific Ocean. The ozone is a byproduct of burning organic material, which is transported thousands of miles away by winds.
A recent study found that human influence has accelerated the rate of species change in Wisconsin prairies, with some sites having fewer than 18% of original species and more than 60% non-native species. Controlled fires are being shown to be beneficial for restoring native habitat.
A team of researchers from University of Idaho calls for a national priority on preparing for and adapting to wildfires, which burned over 10.1 million acres in 2015. They propose five Wildfire Grand Challenges to help communities become more resilient to wildfire effects.
An international team of researchers has revealed that for many universal concepts, the world's languages feature a common structure of semantic relatedness. This study uses a new methodology to measure how closely words' meanings are related within and between languages.
The oil refinery fires in Libya have grown significantly since their initial outbreak in January, now covering a large area near Sidra on the coast. NASA has captured images of the burning areas using MODIS's thermal bands, which have been detected in red on the initial image taken on January 07, 2016
A new report by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher links Gulf War toxins to illness in veterans, citing pesticide and nerve gas exposure as causally associated with Gulf War Illness. The study found structural and electrical abnormalities in the central nervous systems of deployed troops with GWI.
New research reveals that Native American populations in the Southwest US collapsed rapidly in the 17th century due to sustained daily interaction with European colonizers, resulting in epidemic diseases, violence, and famine. The population decline had indirect effects on forest fires and climate, with findings published in PNAS.
A Harvard study reveals that disease didn't break out until nearly a century after European contact in northern New Mexico, coinciding with mission church establishment. Native populations dropped from 6,500 to fewer than 900 in just 60 years, resulting in staggering social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
A Drexel University study found emergency medical technicians and paramedics are 14 times more likely to be violently injured on the job than firefighters. Factors contributing to this risk include inadequate training, tenuous relationships with dispatchers, and high-stress environments.
Research by AU School of Public Affairs professor Taryn Morrissey found that mothers with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were less likely to ensure car seat safety and have working smoke detectors. The study also linked households with gun ownership to increased risk of firearm-related injuries among children.
A Texas A&M University study found that private landowners and managers are more likely to use prescribed fire for brush control in regions with lower legal liability standards. The research highlights the importance of integrated ecological, economic, and socio-political influences on natural resource management.
Scientists used a Baghdad seismometer to capture data on car bombs and mortar fire during the Iraq war. They identified distinct seismic signatures for different types of military operations in urban terrain, such as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and mortar fire.
Seismologists used a network of instruments deployed in Iraq to analyze the seismic patterns of explosions, including mortars, rockets, IEDs, helicopters, and drones. The analysis allowed them to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the 'cook-off' explosion.
Research at the University of Leicester found that carbon emissions from tropical peatlands in Indonesia vary significantly depending on fire type and location. The study revealed that peatlands closer to canals have a higher probability of high-frequency fires, releasing harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
New fossil evidence reveals that Australia's fire-prone shrubland open vegetation originated at least 70 million years ago. This finding rejects the previous notion that rainforests covered Australia until 40 million years ago and instead suggests that native vegetation types evolved under the influence of fires on a drying continent.
A recent study by Cornell University found that firefighter platoons who eat meals together have better group job performance compared to those who dine solo. This phenomenon is attributed to the social bonding and intimacy that comes with sharing meals, which spills over into improved work performance.
A study suggests global fires have a clear weekly pattern with Sunday being the least active day, resulting in 8% fewer fires than Tuesdays. The study's findings highlight the influence of human activities on natural phenomena.
Wildfires on Arctic tundra can contribute to permafrost thaw, changing ecosystems and affecting downstream waters. Researchers used lidar data to document thawing in the Anaktuvuk River fire's footprint, observing thermokarst and irregular topography.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that wildfires on the Arctic tundra can cause significant permafrost thaw, with about a third of the fire's footprint experiencing thawing. This effect is similar to those observed in boreal forests where burns are more common.
Researchers found that grid cells integrate information about time and distance to support memory and spatial navigation, even without visual landmarks. The discovery suggests a broader role for the medial entorhinal cortex in coding locations, time, and distance.
A new study led by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found no correlation between spruce beetle infestation and severe fire damage in the region. The study suggests that factors like topography and weather conditions play a larger role in determining fire severity.
The program provided a rare chance for participants to experience burn scenarios with controlled variables, yielding professional research-level training results. The five-day course covered fire science, death investigations, and forensic science, culminating in controlled experiments using cadavers.
The University of Arizona has received a $1.5 million grant from FEMA to study carcinogen exposure in firefighters. The researchers will evaluate exposure to carcinogens throughout the work shift and test interventions to reduce carcinogen exposure.
Research in Alaska's Yukon Flats reveals massive carbon losses due to increasing fire frequency, challenging assumptions about recent fire activity. The study finds that the region has become a net exporter of carbon, posing a significant threat to the global carbon cycle and climate balance.
Corporate bond 'fire sales' rippled through the economy, causing a prolonged recession. Capital expenditures dropped by 14.5% and research and development declined by 17.2%. The study highlights the interconnectedness of financial markets with the real economy.
A new study suggests that large fires will continue to increase as a result of climate warming, citing evidence from charcoal deposits in lakes near Mount Zirkel Wilderness in northern Colorado. The research found that even modest regional warming trends can cause exceptionally large areas to be burned by wildfires.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a polymeric fuel additive that reduces the intensity of postimpact explosions in jet engines, without affecting fuel performance. The additive works by inhibiting droplet breakup under impact conditions, thereby reducing explosion size and turbulence.
Seventy-five years after the start of the WWII Blitz, Herbert Mason's portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of Britain's resilience amidst destruction. The iconic image has been widely reproduced and continues to have a lasting impact on visual shorthand for momentous events.
Researchers propose using prescribed fires, mechanical thinning, and less suppression of wildfires in specific conditions to restore resilient forests. This approach could reduce catastrophic fires and their costly consequences.
A groundbreaking Australian pilot project, led by Martina McGrath, will provide a unique, non-clinical approach to care for suicidal persons. The Suicide Attempt Survivors Support Group will inject hope, connectedness, inclusion, and purpose into the lives of those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The 2015 Alaska fire season has surpassed 5 million acres burned, ranking No. 3 on record, and currently 768 fires are active across the state. The annual seasonal rain pattern is expected to help diminish fire activity.
A six-year controlled burn experiment in an Amazonian rainforest found that trees can survive initial fire disturbance but not repeated or coupled disturbances. The study highlights the potential for grassland incursion to fuel future burns and reduce forest carbon stocks by up to 90%.
A decade-long study in the Amazon rainforest found that forests can withstand initial, low-intensity burns but are vulnerable to repeated fires, especially during drought years. The research also highlights the role of leaf-cutter ant colonies in creating natural fire breaks and mitigating forest damage.
The Pacific Northwest is experiencing severe wildfires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with over 27 fires listed in the Inciweb database for Washington state. The largest active fire, Okanogan Complex Fire, has grown to 256,567 acres and is only 10% contained.
Case Western Reserve University researchers are developing sensors to alert structural and wildland firefighters of hazards in the air after they've entered the 'fire overhauling or mop up' phase. The sensors will expand on NASA's compact particulate and gas sensors to detect toxic gases, including formaldehyde and acrolein.
Scientists from Brown University and Carnegie Institution for Science have identified the volatile gas that drove lunar fire fountain eruptions, a type of eruption that occurs frequently in Hawaii. The gas is found to be carbon monoxide (CO), which combined with oxygen to form, responsible for the fire fountains that sprayed volcanic g...
Smoke from western fires mixes with atmospheric particles to obscure landmasses in eastern states, altering sunset colors. Residents notice increased reddish hues due to filtering of shorter wavelength light by smaller smoke particles.
Researchers found a strong link between high wildfire risk in the Amazon basin and devastating hurricanes that ravage North Atlantic shorelines. This connection is crucial for developing better seasonal outlooks for drought and fire risk in the Amazon.
During El Nino events, Indonesia experiences drier weather leading to an increase in forest fires on peat-rich land. These fires produce massive greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.
A new study reveals a strong connection between Amazon fires and North Atlantic hurricanes, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to both phenomena. The research found that reduced atmospheric moisture flow from the North Atlantic leads to drier conditions in the Amazon, creating an environment conducive to wildfires.
A new partnership aims to reduce wildfire fighting costs by developing and testing UAS platforms for smoke plume sampling, early warning, and detection. The project will leverage DRI's expertise in climate, ecosystem, and fire applications, as well as NASA's research and industry connections.
Researchers used satellite observations and atmospheric modeling to calculate the impact of fires from industrial concessions on air quality. The study found that these fires contribute significantly to air pollution, particularly in regions with degraded peatlands and deforested areas.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a stunning night-time image of the Jerusalem Fire in California, revealing its massive size and location. The fire has covered over 12,000 acres and is being managed by Cal Fire.
The 2015 Alaska fire season has seen a record-breaking number of acres burned, surpassing 5 million, with eight smokejumpers dispatched to address increased activity. The fires have been monitored using NASA's Terra satellite, capturing detailed images of the affected areas.
Forest fires in Siberia have grown over three times to 146 fires covering 63,600 hectares, with blazes reported in the Buryatia Republic and Zabaikalye Territory. A total of 10,700 hectares are registered in nature reserves, with firefighting efforts employing 3,500 people and 11 aircraft.
Several fire complexes are currently active in Northern California, including River, Fork, South, Route, and Mad River, with total fires numbering over 40 in the Fork Complex alone. Damage assessments are ongoing, and crews are working to contain fires and protect structures.
Scientists project higher fire risk in eastern Amazon due to warmer Pacific sea surface temperatures, while western Amazon experiences average or below-average risk. The fire season's severity is driven by the El Niño phenomenon and its impact on rainfall patterns.
The Reynolds Creek Fire in Montana began on July 21 after a lightning strike and has consumed mixed conifer trees, shrubs, and grass. As of July 24, the fire is at 4000 acres with predicted extreme fire behavior due to gusty west winds.
Wildfires on Croatia's Peljesac Peninsula and islands of Korcula and Brac have destroyed olive groves, vineyards, and pine forests, forcing evacuations. The fires have also disrupted main roads and power supplies, with hot winds and high temperatures hindering firefighters' efforts to contain the blazes.
Research found that controlled burning increases the growth of an aggressive species of invasive grass, Microstegium vimineum, particularly in moist soil conditions. Burning can promote seed production and spread, making eradication difficult.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the mammalian brain likely reconstructs memories in a way more like jumping across stepping stones than walking across a bridge. The study used electrode implants to track nerve cells firing in rats' brains as they planned their next move, revealing gaps between discrete memories.
Researchers discovered that chameleons' eyes do not move completely independently, but instead have cross-talk between the eyes, similar to binocular vision. The study showed that chameleons can track objects moving in opposite directions before deciding which object to target.
Researchers found that stratospheric intrusions bring extremely dry air from the upper atmosphere down to the surface, increasing fire danger. The intrusions were linked to a major wildfire in southern California, with ozone levels exceeding federal limits at monitoring sites.
A natural-color satellite image taken on July 05, 2015, shows the impact of Canadian wildfires on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals in Vancouver. The smoke from three wildfires in the Boulder Creek Wildfire complex grew rapidly, blanketing the stadium and surrounding areas.
In July 2015, dozens of wildfires were reported in Canada's Northwest Territories, South Slave, Sahtu, Deh Cho, Inuvik, and Alberta regions, affecting over 270,000 hectares of land.
Researchers studied the aftermath of Yosemite's Rim fire, which burned 400 square miles in 2013, to understand its impact on forest recovery. They found that uncharacteristically high severity and altered dynamics, with potential for vegetation switching to shrubs if not restored through controlled burns.
Two major wildfires are burning in California: the Lake Fire, which is 17,305 acres in size and has slowed its growth, and the smaller San Gorgonio Fire. The fires have forced the closure of hiking trails and caused air quality issues in surrounding areas.
A lightning strike sparked the Washington Fire near California Highways 4 and 89, fueled by strong erratic winds and severe drought conditions. The fire has grown to 8,000 acres since initial firefighting efforts began on June 19.
A California lake fire has burned over 11,000 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, with 150 structures threatened. The fire's proximity to hiking trails and high-pressure weather conditions are hindering containment efforts.
In June, nearly three-quarters of all fires in the North China Plain occur, fueled by wheat residue burning. The practice, though prohibited, remains common due to its cost-effectiveness in clearing fields and fertilizing soil.