Wildfires
Articles tagged with Wildfires
Fire that scorched African mountain range was unprecedented in the last 12,000 years, research shows
Forest restoration and spotted owl conservation can work together, study finds
Wildfire smoke risks understudied, review paper warns
Do megafires drive prairie grouse into sub-optimal habitats?
A study found that megafires force prairie grouse into sub-optimal habitats, including smaller patches near cropland. This can lead to reduced persistence and habitat quality for the species.
Western US wildfires have gotten less frequent, though larger
A new study reveals that wildfires in the Western US have decreased by 28% over the past three decades, with fires starting from natural causes declining more than those caused by humans. The findings suggest that higher population densities lead to fewer fires, while adding people to less populated areas makes blazes more common.
Wildfires leave lasting risks: Improving predictions of hazardous debris flows in burned areas
Researchers developed a new method to predict debris flows in post-fire landscapes, incorporating vegetation recovery, which reduces unnecessary warnings and improves accuracy. The updated method reflects changes in soil absorption and plant water uptake after wildfires, providing more accurate hazard maps and rainfall threshold guidance.
The wildfire paradox: How social media quickens response but strains resources
New research from the University of Waterloo shows that social media posts can speed up wildfire response but also trigger costly over-reaction. The study analyzed Twitter data on California wildfires and found that while emotional posts can amplify urgency, they also distort resource allocation.
Exposure to wildfire smoke may be linked to increased risk of developing several cancers
A study found that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing lung, colorectal, breast, bladder, and blood cancer. The risk increased with every additional microgram per cubic meter of fine particulate matter in the air.
Natural disasters trigger 69% surge in public protests across Latin America, new research finds
A new study reveals that natural disasters lead to a 69% spike in public protests across Latin America. Smaller communities tend to face the longest economic recoveries, with damage persisting for up to four months.
Wildfires accelerate winter snowmelt in Oregon's western Cascades, PSU study finds
A new study by PSU researchers found that wildfires can intensify midwinter rain-on-snow events, leading to rapid snowmelt and increased flood risk. This threatens the region's critical seasonal water storage, refilling reservoirs and producing hydroelectric power.
Plants need water? Breakthrough sensor measures leaf hydration in real time
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an electronic tattoo to track moisture levels in plant leaves with greater accuracy. The technology uses graphene and can measure hydration levels directly from live leaves, providing more information on plant ecosystem health.
Invasive grasses may be turning B.C.’s burn scars into the next wildfire
A UBC study finds invasive grasses are a sleeper threat on B.C.'s post-fire landscape, with the window to stop them narrow. The research highlights three actions to reduce risk: vehicle and boot washing stations, targeted seeding, and early herbicide treatment.
AMS Science Preview: Mississippi River, ocean carbon storage, gender and floods
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
California communities’ recovery time between wildfire smoke events is shrinking
A study by UC San Diego finds that California wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent, with communities in Southern and Central California experiencing shorter recovery times between smoke events. These communities are also disproportionately vulnerable, with higher proportions of racial and socioeconomic minority residents.
Housing displacement, employment disruption, and mental health after the 2023 Maui wildfires
The study found that wildfire exposure and its socioeconomic consequences were associated with increased psychological distress beyond the burn zone. Integrating mental health care, housing stability, and economic recovery are crucial for disaster response and climate resilience strategies.
Canadian drinking water at risk long after wildfires, UBC study warns
A UBC-led global review found water-quality impacts from wildfires often emerge months or years later, with contamination intensifying over time. The study highlights the need for long-term fire retardants and preparedness planning to protect drinking water sources in fire-prone provinces.
Permafrost is key to carbon storage. That makes northern wildfires even more dangerous
A recent study co-authored by NAU researchers found that fires in northern Canada have a net cooling effect when coupled with snowpack, but this is outweighed by the warming effects of permafrost carbon released from fires in Alaska. This highlights the need for land and fire managers to reconsider how wildland fires are managed.
Selective forest thinning in the eastern Cascades supports both snowpack and wildfire resilience
A recent study found that selective forest thinning in the eastern Cascades increased snowpack by 30% on north-facing slopes and 16% on south-facing slopes. Thinning created gaps of 4-16 meters in diameter, which aided snowpack the most, highlighting a potential strategy for optimizing forest management.
Large forest fire emissions are hidden underground
A new study by Lund University reveals that large forest fire emissions occur below the ground surface, in peat and organic soils, rather than above-ground. This affects climate impact assessments, as traditional methods risk missing significant carbon releases.
We may be underestimating the true carbon cost of northern wildfires
A UC Berkeley-led study reconstructed emissions from Swedish wildfires and found that current climate estimates are failing to fully account for carbon released from smoldering organic soils. This highlights the need for improved climate models to better understand the impact of northern wildfires on the environment.
Rising simultaneous wildfire risk compromises international firefighting efforts
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
Exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may be linked to increased likelihood of autism
Researchers found strongest associations on very smoky days and in areas with cleaner air overall. The study of over 8.6 million births in California suggests that intense wildfire smoke exposure may increase the likelihood of autism in children.
NASA selects UW-led STRIVE and EDGE teams for satellite missions
The University of Washington's STRIVE team will examine the atmosphere where weather forms, while the EDGE team will study the three-dimensional structure of the Earth's surface. These satellite missions aim to provide new insights into temperature, trace gases, and air pollution.
Large increases in PM2.5 exposure from wildfires have exaggerated progress in reducing inequities in traditional sources of PM2.5 in California
A recent study by PLOS reveals that large increases in PM2.5 exposure from wildfires have overshadowed gains made in reducing air pollution disparities in traditional sources, particularly among California's racial groups.
How fire-loving fungi learned to eat charcoal
Fungi have evolved unique strategies to digest charcoal and other pollutants, including gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer. These discoveries could lead to new methods for cleaning up contaminated environments.
Exposure to wildfire smoke late in pregnancy may raise autism risk in children
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that exposure to wildfire smoke during the third trimester may raise the risk of autism diagnoses in children. Mothers who were exposed to more than 10 days of wildfire smoke had a 23% higher risk of their child being diagnosed with autism by age 5.
Increased deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.
Fires could emit more air pollution than previously estimated
A study estimates that wildland fires release an average of 143 million tons of airborne organic compounds annually, 21% higher than earlier estimates. This increase poses complex air-quality challenges, particularly in regions such as Equatorial Asia and Northern Hemisphere Africa.
Study quantifies ‘hot drought’ impact: 2025 Los Angeles wildfire risk amplified by up to 210%
Global climate change intensifies extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts, altering wildfire patterns worldwide. The study quantifies the impact of 'hot drought' on 2025 LA wildfires, showing an increased risk by up to 210%. Additionally, strong Santa Ana winds played a significant role in fire spread.
Cedars-Sinai reports heart attacks, general illness spiked after LA fires
A new study from Cedars-Sinai found a 118% increase in visits for general illness and significant spikes in heart attack and lung complication cases following the January 2025 LA fires. Fine particles released by wildfires can cause injury, particularly to the heart and lungs.
Nearly three-quarters of western US overdue for wildfires
Western US faces a 'fire deficit' with 74% of areas behind on annual burns, requiring 3.8 million hectares of forest to burn each year over decade. Strategies like prescribed burns and managed wildfire use can help address the issue.
Recent tundra fires ‘exceed anything in past 3,000 years’
Wildfires on Alaska's North Slope have reached unprecedented levels in recent centuries, driven by drying soils and expanding woody shrubs. The study's findings suggest a rapid transformation of the tundra ecosystem, with modern-day fires burning hotter and consuming more fuel.
The smoky signature of climate change
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences quantify the role of climate change in wildfires and air quality, finding that 60-82% of total burned area in western US forests is directly attributable to warming temperatures and drier conditions caused by climate change.
Sky-high smoke
A study published in Science Advances found that unusually large particles of wildfire smoke had a significant cooling effect on the region they were observed in, increasing outgoing radiation by 30-36% compared to smaller smoke particles. This effect has not been included in current climate models.
GeoFlame VISION: Using AI and satellite imagery to predict future wildfire risk
A new computer model, GeoFlame VISION, uses AI and satellite imagery to produce a dynamic wildfire risk map for the entire US. The model shows that California's eastern, southwestern, and northwestern parts are at high risk due to Santa Ana winds.
AMS 2026 Meeting showcases atmospheric science and the “human factor”
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
AI-powered vision gives meaning to wildfire chaos
A UBC Okanagan team harnesses computer modeling to study wildfire movement, finding that fires often behave randomly due to factors like fuel type, wind, and terrain. This randomness can lead to significant variations in fire spread, highlighting the need for more probabilistic models.
Los Angeles wildfires prompted significantly more virtual medical visits, UW-led research finds
Research found a 42% increase in respiratory virtual visits among those living near burn zones, while cardiovascular virtual visits rose by 44%. In-person outpatient visits also increased substantially.
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and outpatient acute health care utilization
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires led to substantial increases in acute health care utilization, particularly through virtual care-seeking. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring healthcare preparedness and response in the face of rising climate-related disruptions.
AMS Science Preview: Railways and cyclones; pinned clouds; weather warnings in wartime
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
Prescribed burning helps store forest carbon in big, fire-resistant trees
A long-term study found that prescribed burning significantly enhances the net productivity of plots with three treatments, increasing carbon sequestration capacity while maintaining large fire-resistant trees. This approach can help reduce wildfire hazard and support California's goal of net zero carbon by 2045.
Ancient sediments reveal Earth’s hidden wildfire past
A team of scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires during the Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago. The findings suggest that wildfires played a significant role in shaping ecosystems during this time period, contrary to previous assumptions based on a lack of charcoal in the geologic record.
October research news from the Ecological Society of America
Research explores connections between Arctic land and sea, revealing how polar bears' health impacts Arctic fox populations and tundra prey. A study also finds that beaver restoration could boost fire and water resilience in California's Sierra Nevada by storing up to 120 million cubic meters of surface water.
Conflict, climate change and public health
The Lancet Countdown report links climate change to violence and community health, emphasizing the need for social and economic changes to prevent conflict. Strengthening food systems and ensuring emergency responses can reduce grievances and protect healthcare workers.
World’s leading medical journal details the climate emergency
The Lancet Countdown report reveals that the world is facing unprecedented levels of health threats due to climate change, with millions of lives lost unnecessarily. The report calls for urgent action to limit future harm by prioritizing human health in policy decisions.
International scientists issue State of the Climate Report, highlight mitigation strategies
A new report published in BioScience reveals Earth's climate crisis is accelerating at an alarming rate, with 22 of 34 planetary vital signs now at record levels. The study emphasizes that climate change mitigation strategies are available and urgently needed to limit warming.
Fire in the sky: Strong summer storms in the Midwest send wildfire smoke into the previously pristine stratosphere
Research shows strong Midwest summer storms can puncture the stratosphere, bringing aerosols and burning biomass from western wildfires. This could affect the ozone layer's stability and warm the stratosphere.
Most of Wine Country’s agricultural workers have been exposed to wildfires, new survey finds
A new survey conducted by UC Berkeley researchers found that approximately 75% of agricultural workers in Sonoma County have worked during wildfires since 2017. The study also found that half of the farmworkers reported having ailments like headaches or sore throats after working during a wildfire.
Climate change drove extreme wildfire seasons across the Americas, making burned areas around 30 times larger
Human-driven climate change makes wildfires in parts of South America and Southern California much larger and more destructive. Climate models warn that severe heatwaves and droughts will make extreme wildfires more frequent and intense worldwide.
Unveiling the impact of compound drought and wildfire events on PM2.5 air pollution in the era of climate change
Researchers found a strong link between compound droughts and wildfires in California, leading to increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. The study shows that severe droughts can substantially raise wildfire risk, with PM2.5 levels increasing by 9.5·m³ under extreme conditions.
UK heatwaves overwhelm natural ecological safeguards to increase wildfire risk
A recent study found that UK heatwaves have led to unseasonable drying of vegetation, bypassing natural ecological processes that limit the spread of wildfires. The extreme heat conditions increased the risk of wildfire incidents, with a 500% increase in 999 calls and 14 major incidents during the 2022 heatwave.
AMS science preview: global heat record false? Rainier storms
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
Could bacteria help fix the smoky taste of wildfire-tainted wine?
Researchers found two bacterial strains on grape leaves that can degrade guaiacol, a compound causing smoky taste in wines exposed to wildfire smoke. The study provides hope for developing biotechnological strategies to restore flavor in tainted wines.
Frequent wildfires, heat intensify air quality issues in American megacities such as New York City
Research from Colorado State University reveals how wildfire smoke combines with existing particulate pollution to create secondary, often more toxic, pollution and contribute to ozone formation. The study found that 90% of aerosol pollution over NYC is sensitive to at least one aspect of global changes, such as high temperatures.
Scientists successfully recreate wildfire-induced thunderstorms in Earth system models for the first time
Researchers develop novel framework to simulate pyrocumulonimbus clouds, capturing complex interplay between wildfires and atmosphere. The breakthrough enhances scientific understanding of these dangerous storms and their long-term impacts on climate.
US faces rising death toll from wildfire smoke, study finds
A new study estimates that US wildfires could cause up to 70,000 deaths annually by 2050 due to increased smoke pollution. The researchers also found that no community is safe from smoke exposure and estimated economic damages could reach $608 billion annually.
The economic cost of climate change for Europe’s Forests — Need for strategic adjustments
Climate change is expected to bring increased damages and costs for European forestry, with gains in Northern Europe and losses in Central and Southern Europe. The study highlights the need for strategic adjustments to forest management to reduce economic losses and foster more climate-resilient forests.
University of Oklahoma leads collaboration to transform fire weather warnings
A team led by Joe Ripberger from the University of Oklahoma aims to create a unified national approach to wildfire warnings. The project will focus on understanding fire and atmospheric interactions, social and behavioral science questions, and building a transdisciplinary network with practitioners and researchers.
Lightning to spark more wildfires in western US in coming decades
A new study predicts an increase in western US wildfires sparked by lightning strikes, with 98% of the region seeing more risk days by 2060. The western US is expected to see a significant rise in lightning days, with areas like Oregon and Idaho experiencing up to 12 more days per summer.