Articles tagged with Forest Fires
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.
A study of forest changes reveals a 2.4 times increase in tree density since 1929, with fewer pine trees and more fir and cedar, leading to reduced biodiversity and increased susceptibility to severe fires. The findings highlight the importance of restoring fire resilience and improving biodiversity in forests.
The Rim Fire has consumed over 246,000 acres of Yosemite Forest land, prompting concerns about intensifying fire activity and potential resumption of gusty winds. Personnel have been working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control, with six persons injured during the operation.
The Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity project uses Landsat data to quantify large fires nationwide, providing long-term burn severity maps. Researchers investigate fire behavior changes over years using the valuable data, revealing increasing fire activity in the western US.
The Rim Fire in California has grown to over 106,000 acres, largely due to dry conditions and challenging terrain. Despite efforts of over 2,000 firefighters, the fire remains only 2% contained.
Landsat satellites analyze post-fire images to estimate burn severity, helping crews focus restoration efforts on high-risk areas. By analyzing maps created with Landsat data, teams can identify areas at risk of post-fire flooding and implement restoration projects to mitigate damage.
A persistent high-pressure weather pattern contributed to the heat wave, which saw temperatures reach 32° Celsius in northern Siberia. The fires are burning in an unusual area, significantly north of the typical summer wildfire zone.
The Rancho Fire started on July 19, 2013, and has burned 722 acres of land. Containment efforts involve 337 resources, including 14 crews, 10 engines, and 2 helicopters.
Forest fires are burning north and east of Russia's Irkutsk Oblast in southeastern Siberia, affecting recreational areas and the nearby town of Mirny, home to the world's largest diamond mine. The MODIS instrument detected heat from various wildfires using its infrared capabilities.
The Quebec forest fires have caused significant disruptions, with over 10% of Quebecers losing electricity due to power line failures triggered by smoke from the fires. More than 280,000 hectares of forested area have been scorched, with three major forest fires being monitored.
A series of forest fires near James Bay, Quebec have consumed over 617,000 acres of land, causing air quality problems for Canadians and Americans. The smoke has been pushed by winds to southern Ontario and the northeastern US state of Maine.
Predicted climate changes may hinder conifer regeneration after major forest fires on dry, low-elevation sites, leading to conversion of forests to grass or shrub lands.
Understory fires in Amazon rainforest cause significant damage, with climate conditions playing a crucial role in determining fire risk. The study reveals that these hidden fires burn at a much slower rate and can destroy up to 50% of the affected area's trees.
The USGS has taken operational control of Landsat 8, the latest in a series of remote-sensing satellites that have been monitoring Earth's landscape since 1972. With this shift, at least 400 scenes will be collected daily to be processed and archived, supporting scientific research and decision-making on environmental issues.
New York University physicists have found that energy is released and dispersed in magnetic materials through a process akin to forest fires. By manipulating magnetic fields, they were able to control the speed of this process and understand how energy is sustained and spreads.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that burning plants create chemical messages in soil that stimulate dormant seeds to grow, explaining a fundamental ecological mystery. The findings may aid in developing plant varieties that help restore ecosystems.
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 used dispensary records to measure the effect of forest fires on people with chronic lung diseases. The study found that even small increases in smoke were associated with higher salbutamol dispensations, highlighting the impact of pollution on public health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers use a historic fire to model the sensitivity of a natural sensor found in fire beetles. The study reveals that these sensors can detect extremely low levels of heat, rivaling those of radio telescopes.
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.
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.
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 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...
A recent study found a significant increase in hydrocarbon levels along the Galicia coast five years after the Prestige oil spill, primarily due to forest fires in 2006. The pollution surge was attributed to the badly-handled ship course and subsequent pyrogenic pollution sources.