Articles tagged with Wildfires
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers found that prescribed burns can reduce the severity of subsequent wildfires by an average of 16% and net smoke pollution by an average of 14%. The study highlights a key nuance: prescribed fires were significantly more effective outside of the wildland-urban interface (WUI) than within it, with benefits seen in non-WUI zones.
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.
A study published in JACC found that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly among older adults, women, and those living in lower-income areas. The risk was found to be higher with increased levels of PM2.5 air pollution from wildfires compared to other types of air pollution.
A study of 100,000 water samples from 500 river basins found elevated levels of contaminants like organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment persisting for years after wildfires. Water managers can use this data to inform planning strategies for increasing wildfire resilience.
A new study reveals that wildfires have a profound impact on water systems, affecting microbial communities and nutrient cycling. The researchers found that moderate heat processing from fires leads to more bioavailable carbon for microbes, but also disrupts the nitrogen cycle and natural balance of aquatic ecosystems.
A recent USC study found associations between increased exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress during preconception and the first trimester with the odds of having a small-for-gestational-age infant. Living in a climate-vulnerable neighborhood can increase these risks, particularly for women exposed to heat stress.
Prescribed burns contribute to significant air pollution in the southeast, particularly in minority and low-income areas. Climate change may exacerbate these impacts as fewer burn days become available.
A recent study found that wildfires in the US West Coast in 2020 led to the disruption of outdoor activities, which in turn shaped the circulation of respiratory pathogens such as influenza and COVID-19. This research highlights the indirect health impacts of extreme weather events.
Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory are working with NASA to better understand pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which can inject smoke into the upper atmosphere and alter weather patterns. The Injected Smoke and Pyrocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE) aims to enhance predictive weather modeling through detailed analysis of wildfire-induc...
A new Stanford University report examines how US power utilities are confronting the escalating threat of wildfires. The research team found that while progress has been made in some Western states, utilities in high-risk areas remain underprepared.
Researchers at Uppsala University predict that concurrent extreme events will become more frequent due to climate change, posing new challenges for preparedness. The study examines six types of events and finds a sharp increase in combinations of heatwaves and forest fires, as well as heatwaves and droughts, in various regions worldwide.
Researchers used fluorescence lidar technology to detect thin layers of smoke at high altitudes, originating from Canadian forest fires. This suggests the upper troposphere over Europe may be more polluted than previously assumed, with potential impacts on ice cloud formation and climate.
A new white paper from Stanford University highlights gaps in US wildfire response workforce data, affecting support and reform. The report aims to improve data collection and provide targeted support for undercounted groups.
Exposure to lingering fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke was associated with increased hospitalization risks for various cardiorespiratory conditions, including ischemic heart disease and respiratory diseases. The study's findings highlight the need for research into the long-term health impacts of wildfire smoke.
The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, ranking as the 2nd and 3rd most destructive wildfires in California's history, highlighted alarming trends of increasingly frequent and destructive urban wildfires. The study emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities in an era of increasing extreme events.
Researchers measured air quality over 19 months to capture both smoky and clear days, finding increases in fine aerosols and carbon monoxide during wildfires. The study has implications for weather, cloud formation, and public health.
Record-breaking wildfires are rapidly transforming forests from carbon sinks to super-emitters due to warming and drought conditions. Planting trees can even increase wildfire risk in some cases.
A new report models current wildfire risks across the Southeastern US, projecting changes by the middle of this century under various scenarios. Prescribed fires can reduce wildfire risk through reduced fuels, promoting healthy forest growth.
A new study reveals the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) triggers dry, windy conditions that exacerbate wildfires in mid-latitude regions like Los Angeles. The research suggests strong MJO activity can lead to fire-favorable conditions thousands of miles away.
The University of Texas at Arlington researcher Yunyao Li has been selected by NASA to develop a system that provides early warnings of hazardous air pollution from wildfires. The project aims to enhance wildfire air quality forecasting capabilities and develop tools for decision-making processes related to health management.
A new guidebook from Northern Arizona University provides essential support for individuals and communities affected by wildfires in Arizona. The comprehensive resource covers topics such as insurance, erosion control, emotional recovery, financial aid, and more to help residents recover from the aftermath of these devastating events.
A new study reveals that the Neolithic Revolution in the southern Levant was triggered by catastrophic wildfires and climate-driven soil erosion, forcing early communities to adopt agriculture. Fertile soils formed in valley basins after hillslope degradation became hotspots for settlement and farming.
A new study from University of California San Diego suggests that climate trauma can have lasting effects on cognitive function, particularly decision-making. Researchers found that wildfire survivors were less likely to stick with choices that offered greater long-term rewards.
Researchers warn that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial public health risks. Over 50 volatile organic compounds have been detected in water distribution systems after wildfires, including carcinogens such as benzene.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that smoke from US wildfires and prescribed burns caused $200 billion in health damages in 2017, resulting in 20,000 premature deaths. Senior citizens were disproportionately affected, with Native American and Black communities experiencing the greatest harms per capita.
A new study found that exposure to fine particulate air pollution from wildfire smoke was associated with increased visits to emergency departments for mental health conditions. The study suggests that wildfire smoke may play a direct role in worsening mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
A cross-sectional study found wildfire smoke exposure associated with increased odds of mental health-related emergency department visits. The study suggests a possible increase in demand for mental health services during wildfire events.
The new Probability of Fire model incorporates multiple data sources beyond weather to refine predictions, providing a more holistic approach. Traditional weather-based fire danger indices often fail to pinpoint areas at risk of ignition with enough specificity, but ML can help.
A recent study by Concordia researchers found that solutions journalism in Canadian alternative media outlets is often constrained by institutional lack of support and daily pressures. Despite its benefits, the practice requires strong nurturing environments to flourish.
A new ACS-led study reveals that patients exposed to wildfire disasters during recovery from lung cancer surgery have longer hospital stays, posing significant challenges to their well-being. The findings highlight the need for disaster preparedness guidelines tailored to vulnerable patient populations.
A new study suggests that artificial intelligence can effectively detect wildfires in the Amazon rainforest, using satellite imaging and deep learning. The technology achieved a 93% success rate in training models via datasets of images with and without wildfires.
Researchers investigate optimal seed mixes for prairie restoration, finding that single-origin seeds may be more effective than mixed-species blends. Meanwhile, a study on wind turbines reveals their potential impact on grouse habitats, while another finds giant pandas thriving in protected areas. Beetles, meanwhile, are making wood mo...
Researchers discovered how air pollution and wildfire smoke can trigger S-nitrosylation of a key brain protein, preventing brain cells from making new connections. Blocking this chemical modification partially reversed signs of memory loss in Alzheimer's mouse models and nerve cells.
A new study reveals that UK peatland fires are responsible for up to 90% of annual fire-driven carbon emissions, with emissions set to rise by at least 60% if the planet warms by 2°C. Researchers found that rewetting peatlands can help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
A CSU study reveals trees are contracting in response to climate change, failing to regenerate in hottest areas and not expanding into cooler climates. Human-assisted tree migration is proposed as a solution to help forests adapt to climate change.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving intensifying wildfires by altering vegetation and humidity levels, but not significantly impacting lightning strikes. The simulations predict a 14% increase in global area burned by fires annually with every degree of global warming.
A recent report by Colorado State University reveals that the state's forests are emitting more carbon than they absorb, primarily due to insect and disease impacts. The study estimated that Colorado's forests stored 1,558 teragrams of carbon between 2010 and 2019.
Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.
A task group led by Samuel L. Manzello is developing international standards for large outdoor fires, including wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires. The new standards aim to improve resilience against these types of fires, which are becoming increasingly common due to urbanization and climate change.
A new study found that designated protected areas are benefiting Mexican Spotted Owl subspecies, maintaining their foothold in the region. The use of Protected Activity Centers, which protect core habitat, has been key to this success.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new portable tool that can deliver conductive aerosols to suppress flames using the power of vortex rings. The device was tested in two prototypes, both of which had an effective range of nearly 2 meters, and showed promise in suppressing fires.
Research highlights the impact of wind on wildfire growth, with areas in the US Southeast vulnerable to extreme heat and precipitation events. Meanwhile, a study suggests the 'drought' of EF5 tornadoes may be due to stricter ratings rather than changes in tornadoes.
Research reveals that wildfire smoke can carry contaminants hundreds of kilometers, leaving a toxic and lingering footprint. Urban landscapes accumulate
A UC Irvine-led study emphasizes the importance of fostering community ties, collaborating with emergency services, and implementing multilingual education campaigns to boost risk perception and preparedness among residents. The research found that short text messages and TV were preferred communication channels, while digital tools li...
Research finds that aerosols from Canadian wildfires of summer 2023 contributed to the formation of ice clouds over the Arctic. Aerosol particles were transported via atmospheric rivers and contributed to ice cloud formation at temperatures warmer than usual.
The ASCENT project provides real-time advanced air pollutant measurements, including PM2.5 aerosols and chemical components, to help increase public safety amidst the LA fires. The network measures chemicals emitted by burning structures and household materials, such as lead and chlorine, which can have toxic or carcinogenic effects.
A new publication provides comprehensive guidance for public drinking water system staff on responding to wildfire damage, outlining key findings from previous disasters. The guidance aims to improve detection of chemical contamination, reduce customer notification delays, and restore safe drinking water delivery quickly.