Summit fire in Southern California
A fast-moving brush fire broke out in Riverside County, forcing the evacuation of several communities and destroying one home. Over 400 firefighters have been working to contain the nearly 3,000-acre Summit Fire.
Fire
Articles tagged with Fire
Fires in West Africa
Hundreds of deliberate fires were detected in West Africa by NASA's MODIS satellite on May 01, 2013. The fires were likely set to manage land for farming and crop rotation, but also produce smoke degrading air quality during the region's agricultural burning season.
Fire in Cape Cod
A prescribed burn is being conducted on the 22,000-acre Otis Air National Guard installation to manage habitat and reduce wildfire risk. The burn aims to eliminate dead wood and debris that can act as fuel for wildfires.
Fires in Western Australia
NASA's MODIS satellite detected dozens of fires in Western Australia and the Northern Territory on April 28, 2013. The worst time for fire is late in the dry season, when vegetation has dried to tinder and blazes tend to be uncontrollable.
Fires in eastern Russia
In eastern Russia, fires are set to clear land for planting and renew pastures. Fire is used globally as a tool for managing resources, mitigating larger wildfires.
AGU: Wildfires can burn hot without ruining soil, new study finds
A new study found that large, hot fires do not necessarily lead to scorched soil. Instead, the soil temperature is affected by factors such as fire speed, heat travel direction, and landscape moisture content. This counterintuitive result could help forest managers plan controlled burns more effectively.
Air pollution diminishing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument
A recent study published in Atmospheric Environment found that air pollution from wildland fires and urban areas is reducing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument. Ozone concentrations exceeded California standards, posing a risk to sensitive individuals, and may have phytotoxic effects on plants.
Best and worst times to start a fire
Early season prescribed burns, such as those conducted by the NASA-backed Ecofire program, are more effective at containing fires and reducing long-term damage. By mimicking traditional Aboriginal fire practices, these early-season burns can help reestablish vegetation and prevent the formation of extensive burn scars.
NIST tests in New York City suggest how to improve emergency radio communications
New York City tests suggest using repeaters to improve wireless emergency safety equipment in underground structures and high-rise buildings. The findings support NIST's next round of test methods for reliable voice radio and emergency beacon operations.
Going places: Rat brain 'GPS' maps routes to rewards
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the rat's hippocampus uses remembered spatial information to imagine routes, guiding behavior. This finding has implications for understanding memory and imagination in people with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.
Fires in Nepal
Nepal and India experience widespread agricultural fires, burning in the April 13, 2013 image from NASA's MODIS satellite. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected actively burning areas, which are outlined in red.
Fires in Central America
Widespread fires were observed in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras in a NASA satellite image taken on April 11, 2013. The fires may be caused by the region's dry season or deliberate actions by farmers to clear old crops.
Fires in the Yucatan Peninsula
Dozens of fires have been detected in the Yucatan Peninsula, with many believed to be deliberately set for agriculture purposes. The region is experiencing its dry season, which often leads to an increase in fires.
Fires in Southeastern United States
Thousands of wildfires are burning across the southeastern United States, with many prescribed fires also taking place to manage undergrowth and agricultural purposes. The National Interagency Fire Center reports 17 large fires, including three uncontained ones.
Fires in India and Nepal
Dozens of agricultural fires have been set in India and Nepal, with the NASA MODIS satellite capturing their extent. The fires are outlined in red on this natural-color image from April 06, 2013.
Fires in Victoria, Australia
NASA's Aqua satellite captured smoke and heat signatures from fires in Victoria's national parks on April 9, 2013. The affected areas include Snowy River, Errinundra, and Coopracamba National Parks.
Fires in Southeast Asia
Fires in Southeast Asia are ongoing, with crop burning identified as a primary cause. NASA images capture the extent of these fires, which can have devastating environmental impacts.
Ultrafine particles raise concerns about improved cookstoves
A new study questions the effectiveness of improved cookstoves in reducing air pollutants, particularly ultrafine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. The research found that while overall soot emissions are lower, these stoves still release three times more worrisome ultrafine particles than traditional open fires.
AGU journal highlights -- Mar. 26, 2013
Researchers study terrestrial water storage data to predict fire activity in the Amazon region months in advance. They find that during high fire years, water storage is below average before the fire season, while in low fire years, it is above average before the dry season.
Tearing down the technological 'Tower of Babel' along international borders
A joint US-Canada experiment, CAUSE, successfully demonstrated the ability to exchange information between local, state, and national systems across international borders. First responders could visualize resource deployments using situational awareness tools like Virtual Maine and MASAS, improving response efforts.
Bats not bothered by forest fires, study finds
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that bats are neutral or positively impacted by moderate to high-severity forest fires. The research suggests that fires may create a habitat structure beneficial for various bat species, with some even preferring burned areas for foraging.
Researchers discover workings of brain's 'GPS system'
A new study from Princeton University provides evidence for how the brain performs this feat. Grid cells are neurons that become electrically active as animals travel in an environment, and their activity ramping up and down corresponds with a proposed mechanism of neural computation called an attractor network.
Stanford researchers develop tool for reading the minds of mice
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a technique to observe hundreds of neurons firing in the brain of a live mouse in real-time. The tool uses fluorescent protein and calcium ions to decipher patterns in brain activity, offering insights into long-term information storage and spatial memory.
Scientists develop improved fire management tools for Africa's savannas
Researchers at World Agroforestry Centre developed nomographs to map out fire behavior, pinpointing optimal conditions for early-season prescribed fires. These controlled burns reduce the risk of late dry season bushfires, exacerbated by climate change.
Scientists identify new 'social' chromosome in the red fire ant
Researchers identified a social chromosome in the red fire ant that enables multiple queens, outperforming single-queen colonies in busy environments. The discovery could lead to novel pest control strategies, such as deactivating genes in the social chromosome to induce social anarchy.
As Amazon urbanizes, rural fires burn unchecked
A recent study finds that uncontrolled blazes in the Peruvian Amazon are driven by depopulation, increased road networks, and drought, leading to devastating forest, farm, and village losses. Researchers suggest that government policies promoting oil palm plantations could help mitigate these effects.
Wildfires light up western Australia
Bright areas in Western Australia are caused by wildfires, confirmed by satellite data and composite imaging. The fires, detected over nine days in April and 13 days in October, appear as a massive blaze due to cumulative lighting.
Invasive grass fuels increased fire activity in the West
Researchers found that invasive cheatgrass is linked to larger and more frequent fires, particularly in the Great Basin. The study used satellite imagery to identify cheatgrass in disproportionately high numbers of fires.
Tracking invasive cheatgrass role in larger, more frequent Western fires
A new study using satellite images suggests that invasive cheatgrass is a significant cause of larger, hotter and more frequent range fires in the Great Basin. Cheatgrass fueled most of the largest fires over the past decade, influencing 39 of the largest 50.
Fire and ice: Wildfires darkening Greenland snowpack, increasing melting
Researchers have found evidence of smoke from Arctic wildfires drifting over the Greenland ice sheet, darkening its surface and increasing the likelihood of melting. The soot from these fires can capture the sun's heat, accelerating the melting process.
Climate models project increase in US wildfire risk
Scientists using NASA satellite data and climate models have projected an increase in fire risk across the US by 2050, with more fire seasons expected to be longer and stronger. The analysis suggests that greenhouse gas emissions will lead to drier conditions favoring fire activity.
Fire the coach? Not so fast, says new study by University of Colorado, Loyola professors
A new study by University of Colorado and Loyola professors found that replacing a head coach for poor team performance has mixed results. On average, teams with poor records see a short-lived improvement in performance after a coaching change, while mediocre teams' records worsen.
Fire logs made from lawn clippings offer earth-friendly option
USDA researchers developed a formula to create eco-friendly fire logs and pellets from lawn clippings, agricultural waste, and plant-derived oils. The logs burn brighter, longer, and emit less pollution.
Driving drones can be a drag
Researchers found that a little distraction can help drone operators stay engaged and perform better. Participants who were distracted 30% of the time scored almost as high as those who focused the majority of their attention on the simulation.
Do Australia's giant fire-dependent trees belong in the rainforest?
The article assesses Australia's giant eucalyptus trees' classification as rainforest species, sparked by their unique relationship with fire. The study finds that despite being dependent on fire for regeneration, these trees coexist on the margins of rainforests and should be considered part of the ecosystem.
Preventing firefighter injuries and casualties by examining the culture of safety
A Drexel University researcher is developing a survey to measure the safety climate of fire departments, which will help identify areas for improvement. The study aims to reduce firefighter injuries and casualties, with potential applications for improving safety culture in other industries.
FEMA awards $1 Million to WPI to develop groundbreaking toxic gas sensors for firefighters
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will collaborate to develop a wearable, pocket-sized device warning firefighters of toxic gases. The sensor aims to reduce line of duty injuries and deaths caused by hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide.
Study ties forest 'greenness' in western US to snowpack extent
A new study links forest greenness in the western United States to fluctuating year-to-year snowpack extent, with mid-elevation mountain ecosystems found to be most sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt. The research provides important insights into the tipping point between water-limited forests an...
The Innocence Project: Science helping innocent people proven guilty
The ACS symposium highlights the critical role of forensic chemistry in protecting the innocent, featuring exonerated individuals and experts who used DNA testing to prove their innocence. The event also emphasizes the need for reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
Unusual weather events identified during the Black Saturday bushfires
The study reveals that horizontal convective rolls affected fire behaviour, introducing variability in wind, temperature, and humidity conditions. This new understanding has the potential to improve fire management and warning systems, providing a better guide for public warning systems and firefighting resources.
When the world burned less
A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.
Protected areas face threats in sustaining biodiversity, Penn's Daniel Janzen and colleagues report
A study by Penn's Daniel Janzen and colleagues reveals that four-fifths of protected forest areas have experienced declines in health, with half suffering more serious losses. The research highlights the challenges faced by conservation efforts, including human encroachment, logging, and climate change.
Active forest management to reduce fire could help protect northern spotted owl
Research suggests that active management of forest lands in high-fire-risk areas can improve forest health and reduce the threat to the northern spotted owl. The study found that over a long-term period, managing sites with high fire hazard would be more favorable for spotted owl conservation.
Washington's forests will lose stored carbon as area burned by wildfire increases
By 2040, parts of Washington State could lose up to a third of their carbon stores due to increasing wildfire risk. This would significantly impact the region's ability to act as carbon sinks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Leaf litter and soil protect acorns from prescribed fire
Researchers found that acorns inside leaf litter or soil are protected from fire, while those on top of the litter are vulnerable to low-intensity surface fires. The study suggests optimal timing and conditions for prescribed burning to promote oak regeneration without harming acorns.
Images in an instant: Suomi NPP begins direct broadcast
The Suomi NPP satellite is now providing 'direct broadcast' data to users in real-time, enabling quick evaluation of regional events such as forest fires and flooding. This data is used by organizations like the USDA Forest Service to produce fire mapping products and inform decision makers.
NASA observes the Waldo Canyon Fire, Colorado
The Waldo Canyon Fire has burned over 15,517 acres near Colorado Springs, forcing evacuations of at least 32,000 people. NASA satellites continue to provide coverage of the fire, which is currently being battled by over 750 firefighters.
NASA satellites see wildfires across Colorado
Fires raged in southwestern and northeastern Colorado, with the High Park Fire consuming 83,205 acres, the second-largest fire in Colorado history. The Weber Fire burned approximately 8,300 acres, while the Little Sand Fire had been burning for weeks, threatening nearly 200 people.
NASA satellite sees several western US fires blazing
Multiple large fires are burning across western US states, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing images of smoke and hot spots. The High Park Fire in Colorado has burned over 68,200 acres, while the Poco Fire in Arizona has burned over 11,950 acres.
Colorado's High Park fire: June 20, 2012
The High Park Fire in Colorado has expanded to 65,738 acres with over 1,900 people battling the blaze. The fire has generated significant smoke visible on NASA satellite imagery, affecting nearby areas like Wyoming and Nebraska.
Climate change to alter global fire risk
A new study projects increased fire activity across large parts of the planet due to climate change, particularly in the western United States. Meanwhile, fire activity is expected to decrease in tropical rainforests as a result of increased rainfall.
Satellite sees smoke from Siberian fires reach the US coast
Satellite data tracked aerosols from Siberian fires to reach America's shores in six days. Images revealed the densest area of smoke over Mongolia, transported across the Pacific Ocean and into Alaska.
New report examines effects of trees killed by bark beetles on wildfire
A recent report synthesizes published studies on the impact of bark beetles on wildfires, revealing that tree mortality can indeed affect fuels and fire behavior. However, the extent of these effects depends on various factors, including the time since the outbreak and the type of fuel or fire characteristic being studied.
Refining fire behavior modeling
Fine-scale measurements can be incorporated into models to reduce wildfire hazard in the southeast, according to a new study published in Forest Ecology and Management. The research focuses on methods that incorporate hundreds of fuel observations into tools used by managers to assess wildfire potential.
Southern pine beetle impacts on forest ecosystems
Research ecologist Katherine Elliott and her team found that cutting and burning sites reduces heavy fuel loads, improves soil nutrient status, and opens the canopy for restoration of shortleaf pine communities. However, poor pine regeneration was observed due to drought, seed production issues, and hardwood competition.
Ancient tree-ring records from Southwest US suggest today's megafires are truly unusual
A new study analyzing 1,500 years of tree-ring data and fire-scar records from the Southwest US found that today's megafires are atypical and driven by a combination of modern climate change and human activities. The researchers suggest that changes in fire management could be a solution to mitigate these extreme fires.
1 in 3 households misreports smoke alarm coverage
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that one in three households in Baltimore misreports its smoke alarm coverage, with the majority of errors due to over-reporting. The researchers suggest that relying on self-reports is not an accurate way to measure home protection against residential fires.
Chimpanzee ground nests offer new insight into our ancestors descent from the trees
Wild West African chimpanzees build ground nests, shedding light on ancient humans' transition from tree to ground sleep. The study suggests a gradual, tree-to-ground transition occurred before the emergence of Homo erectus.
800-year-old farmers could teach us how to protect the Amazon
A 2,000-year-old study reveals that indigenous people in the Amazon savannas farmed sustainably without using fire, conserving soil nutrients and organic matter. This labor-intensive approach to farming could be a model for modern raised-field agriculture, reducing carbon emissions and providing food security.
Pirates, beware: Navy's smart robocopters will spy you in the crowd
The Multi-Mode Sensor Seeker (MMSS) sensor uses high-definition cameras, mid-wave infrared sensors, and laser-radar to autonomously identify small boats on the water, reducing workload for Sailors.