Articles tagged with Fire
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that some 'improved cookstoves' (ICs) may emit more black carbon particles than traditional mud stoves or open-cook fires. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of ICs as a clean cooking solution in developing countries.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Hebrew University have identified evidence of controlled fire use by human ancestors dating back to one million years ago. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that Homo erectus may have begun using fire as part of their way of life.
Researchers have found that fire was more widespread than previously thought during the Cretaceous period, potentially altering dinosaur communities. Charcoal deposits in fossil records indicate frequent wildfires, which could have exacerbated erosion and flooding.
A team of scientists created a methodology that considers timber vulnerability, harvesting value, and fire behavior to estimate potential net losses from timber production and fire survival probability. This approach helps fire managers and planners evaluate the economic impacts of wildfires on timber resources.
A new study found that consumers who lie during a service encounter are more satisfied when they get what they want. Lying is perceived as hard work, resulting in fewer mental resources for other tasks, including updating expectations about the conversation's progress. This leads to stronger reactions to outcomes.
The NRL has developed a humanoid robot called the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR) to fight fires on ships. The robot features enhanced multi-modal sensor technology, allowing it to navigate through narrow passages and interact with humans.
A recent study published in Ecological Applications found that wildfires in northwestern California have not become more severe, despite increasing in size. The study suggests that less intense fires can be used to achieve ecological and management goals, offering a new approach to wildfire management.
A new study estimates that landscape fire smoke contributed to an average of 339,000 deaths per year between 1997 and 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia were disproportionately affected, with estimated annual averages of 157,000 and 110,000 deaths, respectively.
Research by Douglas Woolford and Mike Flannigan suggests that peat fires in Canada are becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change. The study finds that the forest fire season is lengthening, and the risk of peat fires is increasing, with potentially devastating consequences for the environment.
Forest fire smoke exposure poses significant respiratory health risks, particularly for those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions. Effective strategies to mitigate these impacts include establishing clean air shelters and using HEPA-filter air cleaners or air conditioners in homes.
Researchers analyze lake sediment cores to infer past forest fire frequency and explore the success of First Nations' historical fire management strategies. They suggest a mixed approach combining controlled burning, silviculture, and aggressive fire suppression to mitigate increasing forest fires in Canada.
A University of Oregon-led research team warns that climate change and fuel buildup may trigger a perfect storm of wildfires in the US West. The team reevaluates fire-management practices to address a fire deficit due to rising temperatures, droughts, and increased tree mortality.
A team of scientists has confirmed the existence of Miller's Grizzled Langur, a rare and endangered monkey thought to be extinct. The species was found in a new geographic area of Wehea Forest in East Kalimantan, Borneo.
A new study reveals human land use activity is altering the Amazon basin's regional water and energy cycles. The research found signs of transition to a disturbance-dominated regime in the southern and eastern portions of the basin, linked to high-frequency wildfires and climate change.
A study published in Neurology found that nicotine patches improved memory loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment by 46% after six months. The treatment had minimal side effects and showed promise for further research into its potential benefits.
A new study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that forest thinning to prevent or reduce severe wildfires releases more carbon into the atmosphere than saved by successful fire prevention. The research analyzed the effect of fuel treatments on wildfire and carbon stocks in several scenarios, concluding that eve...
Ecologists warn that frankincense production could be halved in the next 15 years as Boswellia tree populations decline dramatically. The study found that factors other than tapping, such as fire, grazing, and insect attacks, are contributing to the decline.
Large areas of Canada are approaching threshold values for wildfires, increasing the area burnt down annually and fire size. Climate change is expected to cause an abrupt increase in fires, making strategies for combating wildfires reconsidered.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a comet harpoon to rapidly acquire samples from specific locations on rotating comets. The harpoon uses a
A new study using Landsat satellite data shows that Kirtland's warblers prefer young forests and forests that have been on fire. The researchers found that the age of the forest correlates strongly with its height, and that old forests with grazed underbrush provide suitable habitat for the warblers.
Researchers at Harvard University have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire, allowing them to trace signal propagation and study neural pathways. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up drug development and advance our understanding of genetic conditions.
In a surprising finding, firefighters are more likely to be injured while exercising than during firefighting activities. This is according to research that analyzed data from 21 fire stations in Tucson, Arizona between 2004 and 2009.
A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine found that patients with severe smoke inhalation injuries experienced increased inflammation and spent more time on ventilators and in intensive care. The study also found that the severity of smoke-inhalation injury may play a role in the overall pulmonary inflammatory response.
The DOE's Office of Science has awarded almost 1.7 billion processor hours to 60 high-impact research projects addressing national and global challenges, with applications including earthquake hazard forecasts, wind turbine efficiency, and laser energy coupling for ignition targets. These awards accelerate development costs and speed d...
Researchers discovered a one-third reduction in severe pneumonia among young children in homes equipped with smoke-reducing chimneys. Exposure to open fires and dirty cooking stoves increases respiratory infections, affecting billions worldwide.
A new study predicts wildfire severity in South America by analyzing Atlantic and Pacific ocean temperatures, providing vital insights for conserving tropical forests. The method has been tested with striking accuracy, enabling officials to prepare for fire seasons three to five months in advance.
A new NASA-funded study predicts Amazon fire season severity using ocean temperature data, which amplifies human impacts and varies from year to year. The model successfully predicted the 2010 fire season's severity and spatial distribution.
A new aerial robot system developed by University of Cincinnati researchers can provide real-time information about wildfire locations and movements, helping firefighters make informed decisions. The system, known as SIERRA, has been tested in West Virginia with a small fire and showed promising results.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that Delaware's fire service program is a model for comprehensive fire prevention. The researchers highlight the importance of community involvement, partnerships with schools and local businesses, and policy advocacy efforts to advance fire safety initiatives.
A new study by University of Guelph professor Merritt Turetsky and colleagues found that draining northern wetlands leads to severe peatland wildfires, releasing nine times as much carbon into the atmosphere. This discovery highlights the importance of cumulative impacts on peatland ecosystems and their role in the global carbon cycle.
The Princeton study suggests that savanna wildfires play a crucial role in maintaining the division between forests and savannas. The researchers found that regular fires prevent trees from establishing and savannas from turning into forest. However, human activities such as climate change, road construction, and fire prevention measur...
Historical data analysis reveals significant increase in forest fires in Valencia province starting from the 1970s. The shift can be attributed to depopulation, land use changes, and increased flammable vegetation. Fires are now more frequent and larger, posing challenges for long-term management.
NASA has released a series of new satellite data visualizations showing tens of millions of fires detected globally from space. The data helps scientists understand the impact of fire on local, regional and global scales.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found strong support for the 'hot hand' phenomenon in basketball data. The study analyzed five years of NBA free throws and showed that players' probabilities of hitting a shot increase following a hit than after a miss on the previous shot.
Researchers will examine how humans have responded to changes in surrounding forests over multiple centuries, focusing on New Mexico's Jemez Mountains and the intersection of climate change, drought, and forest fires. The team aims to understand how humans can live sustainably within fire-adapted ecosystems.
Scientists discovered that a protein called Knickkopf protects the insect's newly formed cuticle from being dissolved by chitinase. This finding has enormous potential for improving selective pest control and developing new biomaterials like football padding or lightweight aircraft components.
A recent study found that people who drink heavily are more likely to die in house fires due to increased risk from smoking and impaired escape ability. The researchers suggest that having someone sober in the home, smoke detectors in bedrooms, or using fire-safe cigarettes could help prevent such deaths.
A new framework for evaluating human influences on wildfires is developed to inform sustainable fire management practices. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding relative influences of climate, human ignition sources, and cultural practices in particular environments.
Tropical Storms Nate and Lee are affecting the Gulf of Mexico, while raging wildfires in Texas are also being monitored. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Nate to become a hurricane and make landfall in Mexico this weekend.
A new study will examine the value of using elevators as tools for attacking fires in tall buildings, building on previous national studies conducted by WPI and its national partners. The study aims to provide guidance that could influence codes for elevator design and placement in new high-rise construction.
Researchers at Purdue University are testing the effects of fire on steel structures and nuclear power plant designs to improve fire safety. They have developed models that can be used in designs to enhance fire resistance, and their findings may lead to updates in design codes and computational building-design models.
Fire response teams use Landsat satellite data to protect houses, wildlife, and bodies of water. The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) uses Landsat data to create maps depicting ecologic changes due to high temperatures after a fire.
A new CU-Boulder study finds that a major climate oscillation in the Southern Hemisphere is expected to increase wildfire activity in southern South America. The research team used tree rings dating back 500 years to track past wildfire activity, revealing widespread fires in Patagonia during periods of positive SAM phase.
A 20-year study in the Ozarks found that burning entire mountains and valleys restored ecological damage, benefiting multiple species. The collared lizard's expansion was facilitated by this process, allowing it to undertake its own restoration effort.
Researchers found that role abandonment by first responders is unlikely if organizations are proactive in protecting their employees. The study suggests that employers should reach out to families and provide support and resources for spouses to alleviate role strain. Additionally, education on disaster threats and personal protective ...
A new study by the FDNY reveals that WTC attacks led to more post-9/11 retirements due to respiratory-related illnesses. The increased disability retirements have placed a significant financial burden on the pension system, affecting approximately 10% of the workforce.
NASA's MODIS instrument on the Aqua and Terra satellites captured visible images of light brown smoke from wildfires streaming toward the Great Lakes. The data revealed high levels of aerosols, particularly north of the Great Lakes, posing a health hazard due to pollution from Ontario fires.
A record-breaking tundra fire in Alaska's North Slope released as much carbon as the tundra stored in 50 years, according to scientists. The study highlights the rapid impact of climate warming on tundra ecosystems.
A new study by UC Merced professor Anthony Westerling predicts a significant increase in large wildfires in Yellowstone by 2050, leading to changes in forest composition and wildlife habitats. The projected increase could result in fewer dense forests and more open vegetation, with some forests failing to regenerate after repeated fires.
A new UCLA study suggests that warfare likely shaped the development of civilization in the Titicaca basin of southern Peru. The researchers found evidence of massive fires, iconographic signs of conflict and agricultural decline after a devastating fire in Taraco state, indicating war may have led to the downfall of this early settlem...
A team of ecologists models climate change effects on fire occurrence and composition of Yellowstone forests, finding a tipping element that may alter the flora, fauna, and ecosystem quality. The researchers predict frequent fires will become the norm in parts of the landscape by 2050.
A new study projects that Yellowstone National Park will experience dramatic shifts in forest vegetation and fire patterns, with large fires occurring annually by 2050. The research suggests that a warming climate could lead to a fundamental change in the ecosystem, affecting wildlife, hydrology, carbon storage, and aesthetics.
Researchers found that reduced forest harvest levels led to increased carbon sequestration, making public lands a significant carbon sink. This discovery highlights the importance of forests in addressing global warming concerns.