Articles tagged with Fire
A team of McMaster University chemists has discovered a method to efficiently break down and dissolve tire rubber, paving the way for more effective recycling. The process addresses the massive environmental burden posed by 3 billion tires worldwide, which can leach contaminants into ecosystems.
A recent study published in Science Advances finds that global warming is the primary cause of extensive wildfires in Siberia. The research reveals that climate conditions, such as changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature, play a crucial role in fire spread.
A new study found that fire impacts water levels for up to 40 years after a wildfire, with increased flooding and elevated stream flow in subsequent summers. Salvage logging and re-seeding forest areas can help reduce these effects and restore normal water levels.
Research developed by Oregon State University enables land managers to take a risk-analysis approach to new wildfire reality. The tools provide analytics that integrate fire risk with management difficulties and opportunities, allowing for preplanning responses that balance risk with success. This approach aims to improve outcomes and ...
Tropical cyclone Blake made landfall in Western Australia, causing fires to rage in the southern part of the state. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided an image showing the storm's center inland, with bands of thunderstorms stretching far south and red spots indicating wildfires burning.
The NASA Terra satellite captured before-and-after images of Kangaroo Island, showing the extensive burn scars and areas still affected by fires. The island's protected nature reserves, home to native wildlife such as sea lions and koalas, have been severely impacted by the bushfires.
The study found nearly 9 million injuries and over 120,000 deaths worldwide in 2017 due to fire, heat, and hot substances. Heat-related injuries disproportionately kill the very young and very old, with the risk of death greatest in Seychelles and Laos.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured extensive fires burning in New South Wales, Australia, covering approximately 5.3 million acres of land. The resulting smog poses significant health risks to vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing wildfires.
Researchers investigate how smoke plumes develop and travel from prescribed burns, aiming to create more accurate models for fire managers. They partner with experts in fire management and conduct field experiments to refine their understanding of the complex interactions between fire, topography, and vegetation.
New studies examine prescribed fires' effectiveness and explore wildfires' characteristics as predictors of firefighting resource demand. Researchers aim to improve wildfire risk assessments and optimize fire management resource allocation.
Researchers from Siberian Federal University participated in a global project to collect data on forest composition, distribution, and carbon stocks. They found that Siberian forests will experience changes due to climate change, including increased growth and thicker vegetation, but also threats from pests and soil erosion.
A new study suggests that Northern Goshawks prefer late-seral forest habitats with larger trees and closed canopies, which are already in short supply due to changing fire patterns. The research found that 80% of foraging habitat and 87% of roost sites were designated a 'High Wildfire Potential Hazard' by the US Forest Service.
A study found that bats in the Sierra Nevada appear to be well-adapted to wildfire, with overall species richness increasing in burned forests. This suggests that prescribed burns and managed wildfire may benefit these species by creating diverse habitat conditions, including openings for roosting and insect-foraging.
Animal species from low-disturbance environments are more sensitive to modern forest fragmentation, according to a study of global datasets. The researchers found strong support for the extinction filter hypothesis, suggesting that species adapted to high disturbance areas may be more resilient to new disturbances.
Researchers created the first comprehensive North American Wildland Fuel Database to improve wildfire and smoke predictions. The tool incorporates best available measurements of vegetation, allowing fire managers to see where fuel information is missing, ultimately informing more realistic smoke predictions.
Scientists explore how fire ants build rafts to respond to changes in their environment during floods. The ants' ability to sense and adjust to fluid forces enables the formation of durable and safer rafts.
A new study by the University of South Australia found a significant disconnect between individual bushfire preparedness and community-level protection plans. To mitigate this risk, communities must band together to ensure everyone is informed and prepared for bushfires, including those living in peri-urban areas.
Scientists have linked the surge in Amazon fires this summer to large increases in deforestation, with August's active fire counts three times higher than in 2018. Deforestation is often followed by fire, and evidence from NASA satellites shows a significant upturn in both active fire counts and deforestation in 2019.
NASA's Terra satellite captured a massive image of fires and smoke from Australia's bushfires, spanning the southern Pacific Ocean. Over 1.1 million hectares have burned since September, with more than 70 fires still raging in Queensland.
A Baylor University study found that strong same-sex friendships among male firefighters can help reduce job stress, but loving relationships with their wives may increase anxiety. The 'marriage effect' was a surprise, as married men have better health and lower mortality risk compared to single or divorced men.
A record number of bushfires are raging on Australia's east coast, spanning across New South Wales and Queensland. The fires, fueled by hot and dry weather, have burned over 365,000 hectares, with temperatures expected to remain high for the next week.
Scientists develop a waterproof metal structure, repelled by water after being submerged for long periods, thanks to femtosecond laser patterns mimicking spiders' diving bell webs and fire ants' air-trapping abilities. The unique etching technique traps air within the structure, preserving its buoyancy even when damaged.
Non-native invasive grasses increase fire occurrence and frequency across multiple ecoregions in the United States. Eight species showed significant increases in fire size and six in fire frequency, posing a risk to vulnerable ecosystems.
A recent national-scale analysis found that invasive grasses can significantly increase wildfire risk, with some doubling fire frequency in affected areas. Eight non-native grass species, including cheatgrass and buffelgrass, were identified as major contributors to increased fire occurrence.
Researchers found DNA from pyrophilous fungi inside the surface-sterilized mosses and lichens from burned and unburned areas. The team also discovered fungal DNA in soils from both within and outside burn zones.
Researchers discovered evidence of controlled fire in Lusakert Cave 1, contradicting the long-held notion that Homo sapiens were the first to master fire. The team used archaeological, hydrocarbon, and isotope analysis to determine the age of fire control among early humans.
Researchers have identified 10 previously hidden pyridine alkaloids in fire ant venom, which could help explain the severity of bites and potential health complications. These compounds are found in different species of fire ants and even within individual ant castes.
A NUS team developed a novel mixed virtual reality game called 'The Lost Foxfire' that combines four sensory streams to achieve remarkable realism. The game requires players to use their senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch to succeed.
A new study analyzing sediment cores from Swamp Lake reveals that climate has been the main driver of fire activity in the Sierras over the past 1,400 years. The researchers found that warmer and drier conditions promote fire, suggesting future fires may be more extensive than observed in the last century.
Scientists recommend policy approaches that expedite collaboration and capacity-building in fire management. Innovative projects across the US demonstrate effective partnerships between land managers, communities, and organizations, such as the Rio Grande Water Fund and California's Fire MOU Partnership.
A new study suggests that a nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in 50-125 million deaths, with temperatures potentially dropping by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The conflict could also lead to severe food shortages worldwide, affecting human populations higher on the food chain.
A study by University of California, Davis, found that high-severity fires are turning forest patches into shrub fields, indefinitely in some cases. The researchers suggest a multifaceted management approach to help forests adapt and preserve plant diversity.
Researchers developed nontoxic, biodegradable viscoelastic carrier fluids to enhance fire retardant retention on wildfires-prone vegetation. Treating high-risk locations with these fluids may help prevent wildfires from starting during peak season.
A preventive treatment developed by Stanford researchers could greatly reduce the incidence and severity of wildfires. The approach involves an environmentally benign gel-like fluid that helps common wildland fire retardants last longer on vegetation.
Emissions of volatile organic pollutants in West Africa far exceed current estimates, with road traffic, waste combustion, and domestic fires contributing significantly. The study emphasizes the importance of setting up more accurate regional emission inventories to predict health and climate impacts.
A new study found that half of all buildings destroyed by wildfire in California are located in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, which has less grasses and trees to fuel fires. The WUI accounts for 82% of all building losses, with 50% occurring in the interface portion.
Wildfires can lead to significant impacts on soil infiltration, triggering flooding and erosion. Sediment flows can carry large amounts of debris downstream, posing a threat to reservoirs. Researchers are developing new models to predict the risks of post-wildfire sediment on reservoirs.
A new statistical approach revealed that forest fires in 19th and 20th centuries were man-made, driven by changes in forest management and vegetation. This finding highlights the need for adaptive forestry practices to address climate change.
A UCI team developed a new technique for predicting wildfires' final size, focusing on specific ignitions that pose the greatest risk of getting out of control. The model can forecast whether a blaze will be small, medium or large by its end, helping allocate scarce firefighting resources.
A new study by the University of Nottingham found that virtual reality (VR) training can improve employee safety by increasing engagement and retention. The research used immersive VR systems to simulate health and safety training scenarios, comparing outcomes with traditional PowerPoint training. The results showed that VR-trained emp...
Suomi NPP's OMPS detects aerosols and smoke from fires in South America and Canada's Yukon Territories. High aerosol concentrations impact breathing, reproduction, climate, and visibility.
A recent study by University of Kansas researcher Gabriel de Oliveira analyzed satellite data to understand the effects of deforestation on Amazonian ecosystems. The research revealed significant differences in soil and air temperatures, evapotranspiration rates, and energy exchanges between forested and non-forested areas.
Researchers have discovered a feedback loop that reinforces atmospheric inversions, locking smoke in valleys and worsening air quality. Understanding this loop enables scientists to predict when fire inversions are likely to occur, aiding firefighters and residents.
NASA satellite data tracks large-scale trends in fire activity, consistent with a warming climate, particularly in the western US, Canada, and Northern Hemisphere forests. Research reveals that high temperatures, low humidity, and warmer nighttime temperatures contribute to increased fire risk and activity.
Researchers used satellite data to measure soil moisture and predict fire risk in Asian peatlands. The study found that drier soils up to 30 days before a fire correlated with larger burned areas.
A study of nearly 9,800 NY firefighters suggests an association between greater exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and long-term cardiovascular disease risk. Both acute and repeated exposure during work at the site are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk compared to those with less exposure.
Researchers found that neighborhoods with larger households have a lower risk of fire-related injuries and deaths among children. A household size of 2-3 people was associated with the highest risk of injury or death, while households with 4 or more people had a significantly reduced risk.
A new study by Penn State researcher Marc Abrams suggests that white-tailed deer browsing has not impacted forest canopies, but rather slowed the densification process. Forests are becoming increasingly dense due to a lack of fire and increased deer populations.
A new paper by researchers at the University of Colorado Denver calls for a fundamental shift in how we approach wildfires, from basic recovery to transformation. The study highlights the need for communities to adopt more resilient strategies, such as reducing flammability and promoting prescribed burns.
Research predicts a 25% decline in evergreen conifer trees and a nearly doubling of broadleaf deciduous trees by 2100. This shift will have significant ecological and climatic implications for the entire ecosystem and carbon cycle.
A Stanford-led study found that incorporating traditional techniques into current fire suppression practices could help revitalize American Indian cultures, economies, and livelihoods. The approach increased the production of high-quality stems needed to make culturally significant items up to 10-fold compared with untreated shrubs.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered a new way of understanding time in the quantum world, where events can be in multiple states simultaneously. This 'quantum time order' challenges our classical notion of cause and effect.
Researchers have discovered that particles and even time itself can exist in a state of superposition, blurring the lines between cause and effect. This phenomenon has significant implications for quantum computing, potentially leading to breakthroughs in operations performance.
A new study found that frequent and large wildfires are releasing stored carbon in boreal forests, transforming them into a source of carbon instead of a sink. This shift has significant implications for global climate change and greenhouse gas levels.
Research finds that older stands of trees protect legacy carbon from burning, while younger stands do not. This shift could change boreal forests from a carbon sink to a source, exacerbating climate change. The study's findings have global implications for future climate scenarios.
A new tool is being built to help first responders allocate resources more effectively by searching real-time text, photos and videos from various sources. The search interface will be able to analyze information across different sources and databases to provide a holistic view of the situation.
A study published in Ecology and Evolution found that prescribed burns of invasive western juniper increase the time native mountain sagebrush remains dominant by 44 percent compared to cutting juniper back. This approach can provide better long-term habitat for endangered sage-grouse.
A recent paper by Montana State University researchers highlights the need for communities to adapt and transform themselves to be more resilient to wildfires. The authors argue that current approaches are not working, especially as fire seasons get warmer and longer.
A new study found that police officers become less proactive when they perceive negative public scrutiny, even if they are motivated to help people. The researchers surveyed 183 police officers and 238 firefighters across the southern US, finding a significant link between perceived public understanding and officer proactivity.
A new study from Drexel University suggests three practical solutions to improve the legal system's response to assaults on emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The research emphasizes the need for education, preparation, and supportive policies to address violence against first responders.