Researchers found that Indigenous communities in California were exposed to 1.7 times more wildfire smoke than expected, with the average annual exposure being a critical factor in understanding long-term health effects. The study proposes new metrics to measure cumulative exposure and duration of smoke exposure.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 29, 2024
A new study predicts that cooler, wetter parts of the Pacific Northwest will experience increased fires due to climate change. The region's highly productive forests are vulnerable to larger and more frequent blazes, which could impact drinking water sources, timber resources, and biodiversity.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 22, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers used advanced computer models to simulate the Lahaina Fire, which killed 100 people and destroyed over 2,200 structures. The simulation showed how strong winds whipped up a brushfire and drove flames through neighborhoods, helping scientists develop more detailed predictions of wildfires in populated areas.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 20, 2024
Researchers found that more extreme and frequent droughts could lead to a nearly five-fold increase in total area burned, from 231 sq mi in 2016 to over 17,000 sq mi by 2100. Fires would also become more frequent, returning to certain forest points every five years.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFire Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 17, 2024
New research by Oregon State University scientists reveals that forests on the west slope of Oregon's Cascade Range experienced frequent fires between 1500 and 1895. The study found that these historical fires were relatively small and had no strong link with dry air, suggesting Indigenous fire stewardship.
SourceOregon State University·JournalEcosphere·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 26, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study analyzing data spanning over three decades finds a concerning trend of increasing wildfires in the eastern United States. The research highlights the need for proactive forest management and individual preparedness for people living in the region, particularly in areas with the highest risk from wildfire.
SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 18, 2023
Researchers at Ohio State University are testing the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar to help with wildfire detection and improve first responders' ability to predict and respond to deadly forest fires. The new tool has potential for tracking wildfires from start to finish, monitoring soil moisture, and discerning flame-prone areas.
A recent study analyzing US wildfire events from 2014 to 2022 found that low-income and black populations receive less personnel and funding during wildfires. High-income neighborhoods, on the other hand, receive more attention and resources in disaster response and recovery efforts.
SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateDec 13, 2023
A 20-year study confirms that prescribed burning and restoration thinning can reduce wildfire risk and boost forest health. The treatments improve tree resilience to drought and bark beetles without harming biodiversity. Combining thinning with fire produces the best results, making forests more resilient to climate change.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalEcological Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2023
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Research finds national parks and protected areas in Thailand are more prone to forest fires when located far from indigenous communities. Collaborative work with local communities reduces forest fires and air pollution, highlighting the importance of indigenous practices.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalForest Policy and Economics·DateDec 7, 2023
Researchers analyzed satellite data on medium-sized and large wildfires in Utah from 1984 to 2022, finding that medium-sized fires had significant impacts despite smaller size. The study suggests that looking at these 'hidden' fires can help inform decisions on prescribed burns and predict future fire behavior
SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalFire·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2023
Recent US legislation aims to increase fire management and tree planting to reduce large destructive fires and promote carbon sequestration. Fuel reduction activities are projected to remove 194-288 million metric tons of carbon from western forests over the next decade.
Researchers investigated the effects of megafires on California's wildlife habitat, analyzing over 600 species. They found that high-severity fires impacted 100 species, with 16 considered conservation concern, yet some species may find refuge in unaffected habitats.
SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 20, 2023
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Prescribed fire can improve forest health and reduce catastrophic wildfires, but barriers hinder its use. Four strategies can overcome these obstacles: fostering a supportive culture, providing dedicated funding, building capacity and cooperation, and implementing monitoring and adaptive management.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 15, 2023
A new study by Columbia University and Stanford University finds that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires in California forests. The analysis reveals a 60% reduction in risk after a low-intensity fire burns, with effects lasting at least six years.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2023
A new study found that wildfires and drought have led to a 10% reduction in the value of private timberland in three Pacific states over the past two decades. Climate change is attributed as the primary cause of this damage, with large wildfires causing an additional 8.7% loss.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateNov 12, 2023
Research reveals that smoke from individual extreme forest fires can lead to global impacts, influencing the energy balance of the atmosphere and global climate. The study found a significant temperature increase in upper air layers and weakening of lower stratospheric circulation.
SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeCase study·DateNov 10, 2023
Researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities found that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires for years at a time. By analyzing satellite data from over 100,000 square kilometers of California forests, the team showed that controlled burning can significantly decrease the risk of high-intens...
SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 10, 2023
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Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Research reveals that lightning ignitions account for 77% of burned areas in intact extratropical forests, which store vast quantities of carbon. Climate change is projected to increase lightning frequency, posing a significant threat to these forests and the planet's carbon storage.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 9, 2023
Climate change is increasing wildfire risk, with fires in the Western US doubling in frequency between 1984 and 2015. Banana trees, when irrigated by recycled water, can produce high-value crops and act as a multifunctional fire buffer.
A new study using satellite imagery found that fires in boreal forests shift from coniferous to deciduous trees, but these changes are reversible over time. The study's findings suggest that continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity could lead to pronounced changes in forest composition.
SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 23, 2023
A recent study using SENTINEL-2 satellite images estimated burned areas with 96% accuracy, revealing a much larger area affected by wildfires than previously thought. This higher precision will help improve estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and inform fire management decisions.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFire·DateOct 17, 2023
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Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers found that subalpine forests in the Northern Rockies consistently recovered from wildfires over 4,800 years, with lake sediment cores providing a detailed record of past ecosystem responses. The study suggests that these forests are resilient to fire now, but future climate change may alter this resilience.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateOct 17, 2023
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 16, 2023
Research from Colorado State University shows wildfire smoke can attach to home surfaces like carpet and drapes, extending exposure and potentially causing health problems. Simple surface cleaning, such as vacuuming or mopping, can reduce exposure and limit risk.
SourceColorado State University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2023
A new study by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain finds that climate change is limiting the use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfires. The research projects a 17% reduction in favorable days across the Western US, with most reductions coming in spring and summer.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateOct 3, 2023
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have found that decades-old remains of large trees are a major contributor to fire severity in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. This discovery could help improve the state's wildfire management efforts through targeted fuel treatments and prescribed burns.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 25, 2023
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A study suggests that dispersal plays a major role in microbial succession after a fire. Researchers found that the emerging microbial communities in the soil surface changed with the seasons and plant reappearance, driven by dispersal. Dispersal from air contributed significantly to microbes entering the soil surface.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSystems·DateSep 25, 2023
A new study found that over 2 billion people are exposed to potentially health-impacting wildfire smoke each year, with a significant increase in exposure levels over the past decade. The study highlights the severity and scale of landscape fire-sourced air pollution and its impact on public health, particularly in low-income countries.
SourceMonash University·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 20, 2023
By 2070, 44.61% of koala habitats in Australia will be highly susceptible to bushfires, up from 39.56% today. Koalas may struggle to survive due to habitat fragmentation and food source vulnerability.
SourceFlinders University·JournalEnvironmental Technology & Innovation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 18, 2023
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A recent study by the University of Cordoba confirms that controlled burning has minimal short-term effects on soil properties, but can improve fertility and biological properties. Long-term assessments show that alterations are recovering pre-burn values.
SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2023
Researchers analyzed wildfire data to find that fireworks-caused ignitions are concentrated on tribal lands and in the western U.S., with more ignitions in the week leading up to the 4th of July. The day after the holiday often sees a spike in ignitions, while weekends tend to have fewer wildfires.
SourceAuburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2023
A study by Oregon State University found that forest thinning is enhancing native biodiversity and improving the resilience of older trees on federal lands in eastern Oregon. The research, led by James Johnston, involved long-term monitoring and partnerships between OSU, the US Forest Service, and local groups.
SourceOregon State University·JournalForest Ecology and Management·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2023
Satellite data reveals an increase in nitrogen dioxide levels in remote forest areas of California, attributed to wildfires and soil emissions. The findings suggest a growing concern for air pollution in rural areas, highlighting the need for policy interventions.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 29, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A new modeling tool called REBURN can simulate large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics under different management strategies. The tool shows that setting prescribed burns and allowing smaller wildfires to burn can yield more varied and resilient forests over time.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalFire Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2023
A Washington State University-led study found that dry lightning can cause wildfires despite up to 7.7 mm of precipitation, posing a risk for responders to detect fires earlier. The research analyzed data on over 4,600 naturally caused fires and found holdover fires, which can smolder for days before exploding into full-blown wildfires.
SourceWashington State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 14, 2023
Researchers are working to understand and predict wildfires' effects on the environment, including their impact on the carbon cycle and biodiversity. Studies have shown that repeated wildfires can accelerate the transition from tree- to shrub-dominated ecosystems, reducing plant diversity.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 2, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Scientists found that contemporary fires in dry conifer forests are burning hotter and killing more trees than in previous centuries, due to a lack of low-severity fires. Regular management and prescribed fires can help mitigate this trend and restore resilience to these ecosystems.
SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·JournalForest Ecology and Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 25, 2023
Melinda Adams' research highlights the benefits of pyromantic or 'good fire' in reducing environmental dread, fostering control, and promoting carbon storage. Her work, co-authored with Erica Tom and Ron W. Goode, aims to educate students and community members about Indigenous land stewardship and climate solutions.
SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEcopsychology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023
Research from Cornell University estimates that wildfire smoke can cause between 4,000 and 9,000 premature deaths and cost between $36 to $82 billion per year in the United States. Metropolitan regions near fire sources are likely to experience a large health burden and economic loss.
SourceCornell University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJun 21, 2023
Dr. Dave E. Calkin has been recognized with the prestigious Ember Award for his contributions to wildland fire science, including developing tools and strategies for risk management and decision-making. His work aims to improve the effectiveness of wildfire management systems, supporting the health of public lands and communities.
SourceUSDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station·DateJun 20, 2023
Researchers found that controlled burns in key areas of northern California, western Oregon, and eastern Washington could drastically reduce wildfire smoke exposure throughout the entire western U.S. This is due to prevailing winds carrying smoke across the continent and abundant dense vegetation fueling smokey fires.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalEarth s Future·DateJun 14, 2023
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
A new study led by University of Florida forest management researcher Victoria Donovan found that as woody plants like shrubs and trees replace herbaceous plants like grasses, spot fires can occur farther away from the original fire perimeter. This 'woody encroachment' increases the risk of structural damage and firefighter safety.
SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 18, 2023
A new study reveals that Indigenous people in the Amazon Basin are twice as likely to die prematurely from smoke exposure due to wildfires than the broader South American population. Exposure to harmful smoke particles is highest during the dry season, and mortality rates can be up to 6 times that of the general population.
SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Health·DateMay 4, 2023
A new online tool predicts the potential abundance of Black-backed Woodpeckers after fire by incorporating pyrodiversity into forest management decisions. This helps balance human and wildlife needs in post-fire landscapes.
SourceCornell University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Researchers found Mountain Quail were more common than thought, with positive associations to high-severity fires. They were most positively associated with areas that had burned in the past 6-10 years, but also showed positive relationships ranging from 1 to 35 years after fires.
SourceCornell University·JournalFire Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023
A study found that savanna species in Cerrado biome produce significantly more bark than forest species to protect against frequent fires. This adaptation enables them to survive and regenerate after burning, highlighting the importance of controlled fire management in these ecosystems.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAnnals of Botany·DateApr 14, 2023
A decade-long study suggests Indigenous-managed forests can absorb up to 26,000 metric tons of dangerous pollutants from wildfires each year, preventing an estimated 15 million cases of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. This absorption saves Amazon cities US$2 billion a year in healthcare costs.
SourceBurness·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
The study reveals that a lack of community involvement and inadequate governance are major contributors to wildfire management in the Amazon region. Local stakeholders identified deficiencies in institutions, staff cuts, and underinvestment as significant vulnerabilities.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateApr 5, 2023
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have built and tested a full-scale bushfire safe room that demonstrates excellent heat resistance. The results suggest the shelter could keep people alive for up to two hours in extreme conditions, but further testing is needed to confirm human survivability.
SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalStructures·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023
Lehigh researchers develop new method to predict wildfires by analyzing power system ignition risk, considering mechanical behavior of conductor cables under strong winds. The study finds that encroachment probability is highly sensitive to vegetation clearance and wind intensity, providing valuable insights for decision makers and pol...
SourceLehigh University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 14, 2023
Research suggests that wildfires need to fall within a narrow severity range to improve forest health. The study found that moderate severity fires are most effective at reducing community and ecosystem risk, but even these may not be enough to restore species composition. Land managers can use the predicted post-fire conditions to inf...
SourceOregon State University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2023
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Warmer and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for trees to regenerate after wildfires, according to new research published in PNAS. Ecological forest management can partially offset climate-driven declines in tree regeneration by limiting fire-caused tree death, but only if action is taken quickly.
SourceThe Nature Conservancy, Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 6, 2023
A Stanford-led study estimates that about 20% of all Sierra Nevada conifer forests are mismatched with the climate around them. This means they are temporarily surviving in habitats that have grown too warm for them, but are likely to be replaced by tree species better adapted to the climate after catastrophic wildfires.
SourceStanford University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 22, 2023
A new technique maps the effects of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska, revealing widespread topographic change and vegetation shifts. The study used a machine learning-based approach to quantify thaw settlement across 3 million acres of land, with results showing a significant loss of evergreen forest and shrubland encroachment.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2023
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found over 74,000 active fires in the Brazilian Amazon during the period, mainly due to recent deforestation. The research also revealed a sharp increase in forest fires on public lands and areas of Indigenous reservations.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 14, 2023
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Researchers discovered that certain microorganisms dominate burned soil after a wildfire, with some species increasing in abundance and others consuming charcoal. This finding could help revive megafire dead zones and provide insights into the human microbiome's response to stress.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateFeb 7, 2023
A new study shows that midwinter dry spells accelerate snowmelt in burned areas, as wildfires increase sun exposure and reduce the snowpack's ability to reflect sunlight. This can lead to earlier snowmelt, affecting water availability and forecasting, with cascading impacts on hydrology.
SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 1, 2023
A new framework incorporates plant physiology into fine-scale computer models of wildland fire, improving global fire forecasting. Plants' water and carbon dynamics influence combustion and heat transfer, affecting fire behavior and effects.
SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeObservational study·DateJan 31, 2023
A recent study reveals that high-severity wildfires are increasing in Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade forests, with the average annual area burned at high severity nearly quintupled since before Euro-American settlement. This trend is concerning as most affected forest types are adapted to low-to-moderate severity burning.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEcosphere·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 20, 2023
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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.