Articles tagged with Forest Fires
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A new visual tool, Visual Seveif programme, assesses economic losses from forest fires by considering tangible and intangible resources. The programme evaluates factors such as carbon fixation, tree age, and species, to estimate the true impact of forest fires on the economy.
A new study found that forest fires are causing snow to melt earlier in the season, exacerbating a cycle of fire and snowmelt. The research revealed that over 11% of Western forests experience earlier snowmelt due to fires.
Researchers reconstructed fire activity using lake-sediment records, finding extensive burning occurred after mature forests developed. They also saw increased fire activity with rising temperatures, particularly in the past 100 years.
Researchers found fire, forest disturbances, and soil erosion decreased in the 14th century, indicating a gradual decline in land-use intensity. The moat was covered with floating vegetation by the end of the 14th century, indicating it was no longer maintained.
Fires increased during phases of lush steppe oak forest growth in relatively humid and warm climates. This contradicts the assumption that dry brushwood was decisive for early fires, suggesting fire risk is linked to plant biomass.
Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.
A recent study found that elk avoid areas with extensive tree mortality due to bark-beetle epidemics. This avoidance leads to a decline in preferred habitat for elk, impacting wildlife and land managers managing populations in affected areas.
A study evaluating the impact of the 100-year Northwest Forest Plan found that old-growth forests are declining due to increased fires, while regenerating habitats are increasing in some regions. Despite these findings, the authors recommend continued conservation efforts for old-growth habitats.
Birds associated with older forests in the Pacific Northwest are declining faster than those in early-seral ecosystems, despite conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of continuing to protect and restore old-growth habitats as wildfires become more frequent.
Researchers found that certain endangered owl species continued to persist and even flourish after large forest fires, with stable occupancy rates observed. The study suggests that fire may enhance conditions for rodent populations, which are a crucial prey source for the owls, offsetting any negative effects on nesting habitat.
Researchers at ICTA-UAB are developing a participative prevention and fire fighting strategy for the Montseny Biosphere Reserve. The project aims to analyze types of fires, establish strategic management points and foster institutional coordination of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.
A study of 6.5 million hectares of Brazilian Amazonia found that carbon losses from El Niño forest fires were three to four times greater than expected. The analysis showed that uncontrolled wildfires in understorey areas resulted in high immediate CO2 emissions.
The Mendocino Complex has become the largest fire in California history, burning over 290,000 acres and forcing nearly 4,000 firefighters to battle the inferno. The complex consists of two separate fires, River and Ranch Fires, which have destroyed 75 residences and 68 structures.
A recent study published in Ecosphere reveals that mixed-severity wildfires actually produce more benefits than costs to Spotted Owl populations. The research analyzed 21 scientific studies and suggests that management strategies prioritizing fuel-reduction logging are outdated.
A new technique using high-resolution satellite imagery and aerial measurements provides a more accurate picture of forest recovery from wildfires. By distinguishing between canopy and understory growth, scientists can better understand forest dynamics and carbon sequestration.
The study uses Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis to identify forest fire hotspots in Brunei-Muara District, highlighting the need for new fire stations. Site Suitability Analysis is conducted using local road networks to suggest suitable locations for new fire stations.
A new study by Portland State University geographer Andrés Holz tracked ecosystem changes over 10,000 years, finding that climate and frequent forest fires were the primary drivers of change in west-central Patagonia.
Researchers found charcoal accelerates fine roots decomposition, leading to increased CO2 emissions in boreal forests. High charcoal concentrations resulted in greater root mass loss over two years.
Researchers found that areas recently treated with controlled burns fared better in the 2013 Rim Fire. The best predictor of fire severity was how severe the area last burned, indicating that reducing initial burn severity can limit future fires.
A recent study warns of the increasing threat of forest fires in Europe and their impact on air quality. The JRC's annual report confirms longer and more intense fire seasons, with severe health implications for humans, particularly during prolonged fire seasons.
Researchers found that mechanically thinning and prescribed burns can reduce fire-severity by up to 60% when used optimally. The study's findings have implications for forest management teams across the US, highlighting the importance of fire in ecosystem restoration.
British Columbia has been severely impacted by forest fires, with large portions of the landscape decimated by fire. The NASA's Aqua satellite provides a clear visual representation of the extent of the damage through its natural color and false color images.
Research monitored wildlife acoustic activity before, during and after major forest fires in Southeast Asia, revealing a 37.5% decline during the haze. The damage was likely greater near fires, where air pollution levels were 15 times higher.
A study by researchers from the USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota found that controlled burns did not lead to increased mercury levels in yellow perch, contradicting previous mixed results. The research also showed no significant disruption to watershed food webs.
A new study predicts a significant decline in carbon storage in the Sierra Nevada mountains under projected climate-wildfire interactions. The research highlights the need for policy makers to take action to maintain these forested ecosystems, which can help regulate water flow and mitigate the effects of global warming.
A UC Berkeley study has found significant flaws in research used to challenge the US Forest Service's plan to restore Sierra Nevada forests. The study, published in Ecological Applications, uses historic field data to estimate forest density and finds two major methodological flaws.
A 68-year study found that frequent burning of forests can lead to diverse ecosystems with small trees and herbaceous plants, while annual burning creates tall canopy trees with wide spaces. The study suggests land managers should plan fire use strategically based on forest goals.
Seasonally inundated areas in the Amazon heart may be weak spot to climate-induced collapse and fires, spreading to surrounding forests. Fire-related savannas dominate flooded parts when rainfall drops below 1500 mm/year.
A study in Norway's boreal forest reconstructs past events over the last 700 years, showing a surge in human-instigated fires during the 17th and 18th centuries followed by fire suppression after AD 1800. The analysis provides valuable insights into historical fire patterns, guiding forest management planning.
Research reveals that forest fire activity in California's Sierra Nevada has been driven by human land use rather than climate change. The study found four distinct periods of altered fire regimes corresponding to different types of human occupation and land use.
A new study reveals that human-induced climate change has doubled the area affected by forest fires in the U.S. West over the last 30 years. The study found that heightened temperatures and resulting aridity have caused fires to spread across an additional 16,000 square miles than they otherwise would have.
A new study by researchers at the University of Idaho and Columbia University finds that human-caused climate change has nearly doubled the amount of land burned in western US forest fires over the past three decades. The study estimates that human-caused climate change caused an additional 16,000 square miles of western forest lands t...
A framework has been developed to help scientists predict when forests will be resilient enough to recover from fires, and when they will be drastically altered. The framework considers factors such as ecological memory, material legacies, and the impact of changing climate conditions on forest recovery.
A new study on the King Fire in California finds that even large, intense fires like this one do not exterminate spotted owls. In fact, owl populations may be resilient to megafires, contrary to previous studies, which suggests a reevaluation of forest thinning and prescribed burns as conservation strategies.
A new study published in Fire Ecology chronicles the history of forest fires in Oklahoma and Tennessee to determine their importance in maintaining forest health. Researchers found that forest fires are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, with some areas experiencing higher fire frequency than others.
A study by Lund University finds that demographic changes, such as population growth and urbanization, pose a greater threat to natural fires than climate change, increasing the risk of fires in certain regions. The research suggests that areas with no human population are more prone to uncontrolled fires due to lack of urban planning.
A University of Vermont-led study finds that insect outbreaks, such as mountain pine beetle and western spruce budworm infestations, significantly reduce wildfire severity. This contrasts with popular attitudes linking the two, and provides new insights for forest management and policy applications.
Researchers created a European-scale map of wildland-urban areas to predict fire risk, finding that regions with high WUI areas are more prone to catastrophic large wildfires. The study highlights the need for local authorities to prioritize fire risk control and develop better forest fire management strategies in high-risk areas.
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 team of chemists from ITMO University has developed a novel type of firefighting foam based on inorganic silica nanoparticles, beating existing analogues in fire extinguishing capacity and thermal stability. The new foam is fully biodegradable and non-toxic to living organisms.
A study found that reducing Amazon deforestation leads to improved air quality and a decrease in premature deaths from exposure to particulate matter. The research estimated that the 40% reduction in Brazilian deforestation between 2001-12 prevented approximately 1,700 adult deaths annually in South America.
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 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%.
Wildfires have been raging in Washington State, Oregon's Malheur National Forest, and California's Golden State, burning over 390,000 acres and forcing evacuations. The blazes are fueled by strong winds and lightning strikes, with no imminent relief expected.
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.
A study reveals that Amazonian agrarian settlements are responsible for 13.5% of all deforestation in the region, with forest cover declining by 43.5%. Poor coordination between government agencies exacerbates conflicts between environmental and development policies.
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.
A UCI study reveals that conifer tree species drive different types of fires in North America and Eurasia, with varying climate effects. These patterns have large-scale implications for fire ecology, climate modeling, and forest management.
A new study suggests that aggressively fighting wildfires may actually increase societal vulnerability, highlighting the importance of learning to coexist and adapt with natural hazards. The research recommends integrating fire management strategies into land-use planning, zoning regulations, and building codes to mitigate human losses.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a small Polynesian population in New Zealand initiated rapid forest transition around 750 years ago, with drier forests shifting to shrub land over decades. The high rate of deforestation was likely due to native and previously burned vegetation vulnerability to fire.
A CU study led by Humboldt State University found that recent Colorado Front Range wildfires are not more severe than those in the past. The researchers analyzed fire-scarred trees and tree-ring data going back to the 1600s, showing only 16% increase in severe fires since then.
The King Fire is an arson-caused fire that began on Sept. 13, 2014, fueled by hot, dry conditions, large amounts of fuel, and winds. It has grown to 82,018 acres in size and is currently 17% contained, prompting evacuations of over 2,800 people
A new study predicts that climate change will increase forest fire danger in Europe by 200% by 2090. However, prescribed burns and improved firefighting can reduce this risk to below 50%. The study examined adaptation options for forest fires on a pan-European scale.
The Rim Fire study examines the impact of drought and fire suppression on large fires, contrasting with a nearby National Park's natural fire regime. This natural experiment provides insights into the effects of megafires on watersheds under different management regimes.
Heavy smoke from forest fires in the Northern Territories has triggered a high health risk warning for Yellowknife and surrounding areas. The smoke contains harmful particles and chemicals, posing risks to vulnerable populations such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Severe forest fires are burning across the region, with 160 wildfires currently active, and a total of 855,000 hectares burned so far this year. The area burned has grown eight-fold compared to the 10-year average, posing high fire danger in the region.
A study found that logging, partial destruction by burning, and fragmentation result in the loss of nearly 54 million tons of carbon annually, equivalent to up to 40% of total deforestation. This degradation has a severe impact on the forest, with enormous quantities of stored carbon being lost into the atmosphere.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that climate change and Northern Hemisphere forest fires combined to drive large-scale surface melting of the Greenland ice sheet in 1889 and 2012. The research suggests nearly annual widespread melting of the ice sheet's surface by 2100, with a positive feedback mechanism set in motion.
The Signal Fire in New Mexico is a rapidly spreading wildfire with 507 firefighters and resources from NASA. The fire's cause is believed to be human, with evacuations ordered for residents near the affected area.
A recent study found that severe droughts and repeated fires in the Amazon lead to high tree mortality rates, with 60% of trees dying in a single experiment. The researchers warn that climate change will exacerbate this issue, making it essential to implement policies and programs to control forest fires and prevent deforestation.