Articles tagged with Wildfires
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new nationwide database, TWIG, is helping land managers evaluate the impact of fuel treatments on wildfire risk. The open-access platform consolidates decades of data from across the US, enabling more efficient and effective strategies for applying treatments.
A new study found that proactive forest management can significantly reduce the risk of high-severity wildfires by 88% and stabilize carbon stocks. The research analyzed over 200 fuel reduction projects in California's Central Sierra and found that treated forests stored carbon more durably, even after extreme droughts.
Researchers found that soot particles can transform their shape and behavior within hours of becoming airborne, altering their ability to warm or cool the atmosphere. This rapid transformation affects both soot's warming and cooling effects, as well as its lifetime.
Researchers found that wildfire chars can suppress methane production by supporting the growth of bacteria that outcompete methanogens. This natural process could have important implications for mitigating greenhouse gases and climate change.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed AI-guided aerial robots to detect, track and analyze wildfire smoke plumes. The technology provides high-resolution data collection across large areas at a lower cost than satellite-based tools, enabling more accurate computer models for air quality predictions.
A new UC Berkeley-led study demonstrates how home hardening and defensible space can significantly reduce wildfire risk. The research found that these strategies, when combined, can double the number of homes that survive a blaze and reduce structure losses by up to 50%.
Research suggests that black-tailed prairie dogs can reduce wildfire behavior by altering landscape features and promoting the growth of fire-resistant vegetation. By incorporating prairie dog activity into fire behavior models, land managers could develop more effective strategies for prevention and mitigation.
Scientists studying the devastating Lāhainā, Maui fires found that deaths were two-thirds higher than expected in August 2023, and 367% higher during the most intense week of the blaze. The researchers call for improved disaster preparedness and investment in restoring Native Hawaiian plants and agroecological systems.
The wildfire peer review report for Land Brandenburg, Germany reveals hidden challenges such as unexploded ordnance in the vast forest area. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the region's wildfire risk management system and sets out tailored recommendations to bolster effectiveness.
A study published in Science found that total burned area declined globally from 2002 to 2021, but human exposures to wildfires surged by nearly 40%, with Africa accounting for 85% of all incidents. Proactive mitigation strategies are crucial to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires.
Research led by the University of Utah found that industrial private land has nearly one-and-a-half times higher odds of high-severity wildfire compared to publicly owned forests. Reducing tree density can mitigate megafire risk even in extreme weather conditions.
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5 is linked to increased mortality and morbidity, with a 93% underestimation of the actual death toll. The research estimated 535 annual deaths from all causes due to short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
Combining federal monitors, low-cost sensors, and satellite data can provide a more complete picture of local air quality, enabling people to make safer choices in real-time. The study highlights the importance of timely and accurate air quality information during wildfire events.
New research finds that wildfire smoke substantially increases ozone concentrations, even in remote areas with few human emission sources. The study suggests that removing anthropogenic NOx emissions would not eliminate ozone problems, as fires can still produce ozone.
A recent study analyzed hourly data from nearly 750 low-cost and regulatory air pollution sensors throughout LA to understand the impact of wildfires on air quality. The findings suggest that combining different data sources, including ground-based sensors and satellite data, can provide more accurate and comprehensive information.
Research shows that the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires resulted in an estimated 440 excess deaths, while the 2023 Maui wildfires led to immediate increases in suicide and overdose deaths. Higher social support was linked to improved mental health outcomes but did not buffer physiological effects.
Recent research from American Meteorological Society journals predicts a new record for lightning and a decrease in hurricane frequency. Additionally, fire forecasts have been updated to better manage water resources in Colorado's Gunnison River Basin.
A new IIASA study highlights the critical role of socioeconomic conditions in shaping wildfire economic losses. By adopting sustainable development pathways, countries can reduce wildfire-related damages by up to 2% of GDP in low-income nations.
A new study from Colorado State University and Western Colorado University found that aspen forests can act as natural firebreaks, slowing fires' spread. Aspen trees with high moisture content and chemical differences reduce flammability, making them more resistant to burning.
A new study found that a wildfire and drought led to an increase in jaguar population density in the Brazilian wetlands. The site, which is home to a unique population of jaguars with aquatic diets, may serve as a climate refuge, buffering extreme climate events.
Scientists at NSF NCAR developed a method using satellite imagery and USGS data to assess forest recovery, revealing that areas with conservation practices recover faster. The study also found that fire severity increases in unprotected areas and that evergreen forests benefit the most from protective measures.
Researchers found consistent evidence of reduced global atmospheric oxidation in 2020, driven by decreased nitrogen oxide emissions and extreme wildfires in the Southern Hemisphere. This decline had a significant impact on methane concentrations, contributing to one of the largest annual increases ever recorded.
A new online platform, SMRT-Flames, estimates the health impacts of wildfire smoke and provides fire managers with tools to assess potential smoke exposure. The app uses a Harvard-developed computer model to predict how fires would behave across regions and how smoke would pool and disperse.
A new framework developed by researchers aims to better predict and understand cascading land surface hazards, which can increase the risk of subsequent events. The study's findings could help improve disaster response and build societal resilience after natural hazards.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that fire smoke exposure can alter the immune system on a cellular level, even in healthy individuals. Exposure to particulate matter, gases, and other compounds in fire smoke was linked to changes in immune cells, inflammation, and gene expression.