Articles tagged with Forest Fires
A new 4,000-year study reconstructing fire history in the southern Appalachians supports the use of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health. The study found that fires became more frequent about 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of Native Americans.
Research suggests that frequent fires can promote forest composition and structure more consistent with historical conditions. This approach to land management may help save money and improve forest health.
Researchers found that land gastropod fauna are a good indicator of forest recovery following fires, with some species surviving in closed refuges. The study's findings suggest that post-fire forestry operations must consider the impact on these sensitive species to ensure their survival and habitat diversity.
A recent Oregon State University study found that forest fires consume only 1-3% of living trees' mass during fires, contrary to previous estimates. This reduction has significant implications for climate change mitigation strategies, with fire being a relatively minor player in greenhouse gas emissions.
The HRS technology combines space sensors with ground and air measurements to provide advance warnings of natural disasters such as forest fires. It can also identify water contamination, pollution spills and monsoon strikes, offering valuable insights for property developers and authorities.
New research from Oregon State University finds that fuel reduction treatments in Pacific Northwest forests may reduce carbon sequestration and worsen greenhouse warming. The study suggests that these efforts could lead to a net loss of carbon storage, even if biofuels are used to produce energy.
The study reveals that human activities are directly linked to the intensity of forest fires in Indonesia, with population density and land use being key factors. The research also highlights the impact of climate change and other meteorological phenomena on fire frequency and severity.
A US Forest Service study reveals that most homeowners in fire-prone areas have taken steps to protect their homes, but barriers such as financial constraints and physical limitations persist. The study also found that residents are concerned about fires and think they know how to reduce the threat.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sensor system that harnesses electricity from trees to predict and prevent forest fires. The system, which uses off-the-shelf batteries slowly recharged by tree power, can transmit temperature and humidity data wirelessly, enabling early alerts and improved fire prediction models.
A new study from the University of Colorado at Boulder found that fireproofing houses in forests can significantly reduce wildfire sizes. By insulating homes, fire risk is reduced, protecting not only structures but also neighboring forests and communities.
New research from UCLA finds that fireproofing homes dramatically reduces the spread of forest fires. By fireproofing not just their own homes but also those of their neighbors, individuals can help limit the damage and preserve entire neighborhoods.
A new Oregon State University study found that salvage logging and replanting increased fire severity in areas burned by the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Natural regeneration of forests appeared to result in less risk of severe future fires.
A University of Michigan study has found that forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized. The research, led by Doctoral student Abir Biswas, estimates that wildfires and prescribed burns account for approximately 25 percent of human-generated mercury emissions in the United States.
Scientists tracked air pollution from Alaskan-Canadian forest fires to Houston, finding a 50-100% increase in ozone levels within five kilometers of the city. This event highlights the impact of long-distance pollutants on local air quality and emphasizes the need for improved forecasting.
A NASA-funded study using satellite data, computer models and weather balloon readings found that smoke from Alaskan and Canadian forest fires increased ozone pollution levels in Houston by 50-100%.
Researchers found that pollutants from forest fires in Alaska and Canada significantly increased ozone pollution levels above Houston on July 19-20, 2004. The study highlighted the critical role of imported sources in local air quality, emphasizing the need for improved air quality forecasting and solutions.
A study by the University of Alberta found that forest fires can cause substantial increases in human health risks, resulting in mortality risk, restricted activity days, and acute respiratory symptoms. The study estimated economic losses of $9-12 million from a 2001 fire in Chisholm, Alberta.
Two groups of researchers from Oregon State University and the USDA Forest Service exchange perspectives on post-wildfire salvage logging, forest regeneration, and fire risk. The OSU team questioned the methodology and conclusions of a previous study, while the response emphasizes the strength of the original design and findings.
Recent research found that climate change is strongly linked to increased frequency and severity of large forest fires in the western United States. The study analyzed wildfire data from 1970 to 2003, finding a significant correlation between warmer temperatures and earlier snowmelt, leading to drier conditions and longer fire seasons.
A new study published in Science finds that rising temperatures are exacerbating the number of large and costly wildfires in the western United States. The research, led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, analyzed a database of recent large western wildfires since 1970 and compared it with climate and land-surface data from the re...
A new model predicts that implementing effective governance and conservation policies could preserve up to 73% of the Amazon forest by 2050. The study highlights the urgent need to redirect economic forces towards sustainable development and conservation.
A study using satellite data found that indigenous lands are highly effective in stopping deforestation, with some areas showing less than 1% inner deforestation rates despite high rates of outer deforestation. This contradicts the assumption that indigenous peoples will cease to protect forests with acculturation.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that homes at higher wildfire risk initially sold for more due to desirable views, but later sales data showed a decrease in price. This was largely due to a change in tastes towards less flammable building materials.
A new study using NASA satellites found that Siberian fires burned mostly near people, particularly in areas with roads, towns, and cities. The research used Terra MODIS data to map fire hotspots over three years, revealing a strong link between human presence and fires.
A study found that air pollution from Canadian forest fires increased eight-fold in Baltimore, with indoor levels reaching as high as 366 ug/m3. The researchers suggest reviewing health advisories to protect vulnerable individuals from transcontinental transport of pollutants.
Researchers tracked dust particles from Sahara desert to Toronto using laser ablation mass spectrometer, revealing global pollutants on local streets. The study enables identification of pollutants without prior knowledge of their origin.
Siberian forest fires significantly affected air quality in Seattle, exceeding EPA ozone limits. Climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and severity, posing a greater threat to human health across western North America.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a forest fire sensor based on a beetle's infrared sensing organs. The sensor uses polyethylene to mimic the beetle's cuticula and absorbs radiation, triggering an early warning system.
A recent BioScience article highlights that decades of fire suppression may have been overly criticized, and climate has a significant impact on fire spread in high-elevation forests. The studies also reveal how invasive alien plants can dramatically alter fire regimes, proposing a scheme for evaluating the dangers of these invasions.
A study found that ponderosa pine and Douglas fir needles can reduce water flow erosion by up to 60% and rain-induced erosion by up to 80%. Researchers used artificial rain laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of needle cover in preventing post-fire soil erosion.
Researchers found that Canadian forest fires can cause large pulses in atmospheric mercury levels, affecting regions like the northeastern US. The study estimated annual emissions from Canadian forests and worldwide boreal forest fires, suggesting a significant impact on mercury levels.
A new remote sensing system, the Wildfire Airborne Sensor Program (WASP), will be able to detect wildfires as small as 8-12 inches in diameter from 10,000 feet altitude. The system combines infrared and high-resolution visible cameras with GIS technology to provide accurate and reliable fire detection.
Research shows that fire frequency impacts the ability of forests to store carbon, with younger stands storing less carbon than older ones. Forests dominated by rapidly growing aspen trees tend to store more carbon than those with slower-growing black spruce and jack pine trees.
A new GIS tool called GeoWEPP can rapidly assess soil erosion and sediment delivery in streams after wildfires, allowing forest managers to quickly plan and implement conservation measures. The tool guides users to select the best and most cost-effective conservation measures to mitigate erosion and protect water sources.
Coal fires consume up to 200 million tons of coal annually, releasing greenhouse gases, soot particles, and toxic elements. Innovative solutions like heat-resistant grout may help fight these fires and mitigate their impact on climate change and human health.
The AEROCAN subnetwork measures aerosols globally, verifying NASA's Terra satellite data and providing a complete picture of pollution. Forest fires in western Canada generate significant aerosol effects, affecting visibility and air quality.
Researchers question the efficacy of prescribed burning in reducing large, intense forest fires. They argue that this technique is not suitable for closed-canopy forests and shrublands where natural fires are more frequent and severe. This approach can also have negative ecological consequences.
The Terra satellite beams daily images of western U.S. wildfires to NASA, which are then transmitted to the Forest Service. The collaboration uses MODIS data to create Active Fire Maps that help resource allocation decisions and aid in public understanding of fire locations.
Researchers have found that smoke from forest fires practically shuts off the 'warm rain' processes that create rain in tropical clouds. The cloud tops must grow above the freezing level for an alternative mechanism to start producing rain. This study, based on TRMM data, provides direct evidence of the impact of smoke on rainfall.
The University of Hawai'i computer system uses Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) to detect heat from fires on the ground, providing early warnings for forest services. The system has been tested in Southern California and will soon monitor fires across the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
A recent USGS study has found that urban sprawl, not fire suppression, is largely responsible for the devastating wildfires in southern and central-coastal California. The researchers suggest that strategic management of buffer zones between urban lands and wildlands could help mitigate ecological impacts.
Researchers found that global climate change could lead to dramatic increases in California wildfires and economic losses. The study analyzed the potential effects of climate change on wildfires in California and found that changes would occur despite enhanced fire suppression resources.
A computer simulation by Cornell University geologists shows that forest fires follow a fractal distribution, similar to other natural events. By analyzing data from forests and wildfires worldwide, including Yellowstone National Park, the researchers found that allowing smaller fires to burn can prevent larger ones.
A Penn State research team has found that small-scale fires play a crucial role in shaping forest structure. By analyzing aerial photographs from 1941 and 1993, the researchers determined that topography is key to understanding natural variability and restoring diverse fire regimes in Northern California.
University of Wisconsin-Madison biologists document a staggering decline in native prairie plant diversity over the last 30 to 50 years. The research reveals that short, small-seeded plants like legumes experienced the heaviest losses due to fire suppression and dense growth.