Articles tagged with Wildfires
Fungal spores found in dung indicate large animals went extinct in two waves in the Colombian Andes, with major impacts on ecosystems. The study reveals that megafauna existed for thousands of years before disappearing and reappearing again, highlighting the sensitivity of habitats to local herbivore declines.
A new detection technique reveals that megafires emit significantly more methane than previously thought, posing challenges to California's climate goals. Researchers used remote sensing to measure methane emissions from wildfires, finding nearly 20 gigagrams of methane emitted by a single fire.
Lehigh researchers develop new method to predict wildfires by analyzing power system ignition risk, considering mechanical behavior of conductor cables under strong winds. The study finds that encroachment probability is highly sensitive to vegetation clearance and wind intensity, providing valuable insights for decision makers and pol...
Researchers developed a deep learning model that provides improved predictions of air quality in wildfire-prone areas, distinguishing between wildfires and non-wildfires. The ST-Transformer model uses sparse attention to prioritize relevant information and captures trends associated with wildfires.
A new MIT study reveals that smoke particles from Australian wildfires can trigger chemical reactions that erode the protective ozone layer. The research found a 3-5% depletion of total ozone at mid-latitudes and widened the Antarctic ozone hole by 10% in 2020.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
Researchers discovered that certain microorganisms dominate burned soil after a wildfire, with some species increasing in abundance and others consuming charcoal. This finding could help revive megafire dead zones and provide insights into the human microbiome's response to stress.
A new analysis found that human ignitions started 76% of the wildfires that destroyed structures in Western states, leading to increased structure losses. The study suggests that policymakers can lessen the risks of wildfire damage by addressing human-related ignitions and promoting fire-resistant building materials.
A recent study, led by Purdue University researchers, identified key decisions and resource limitations during the Marshall Fire in Colorado. The findings highlight ways to minimize drinking water safety risks and expedite recovery for wildfire-vulnerable communities.
A recent study reveals that high-severity wildfires are increasing in Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade forests, with the average annual area burned at high severity nearly quintupled since before Euro-American settlement. This trend is concerning as most affected forest types are adapted to low-to-moderate severity burning.
Researchers found that wildfire exposure led to difficulty in sensory interference processing and increased frontal cortex activity, similar to PTSD symptoms. Cognitive deficits persisted 6-12 months post-wildfire, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address climate trauma.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that human-ignited fires are responsible for over 67% of small smoke particles called PM2.5 in the US, leading to 20,000 premature deaths annually. The research highlights the need for ignition-focused management plans to reduce human-ignited fires and minimize health impacts.
A study found bird diversity and abundance increased in areas with high-severity burns, but some species showed lower abundance. The findings suggest that managing forests to promote shrubland bird species could be beneficial. Researchers hope the results can inform forest management strategies to benefit birds.
New research reveals that California nursing homes exposed to wildfire risks have poorer compliance with emergency preparedness standards. The study found that 83.9% of these facilities had at least one deficiency compared to 76.9% of unexposed ones.
A team of scientists found that Americans are moving to regions prone to wildfires, defying expectations that natural hazards would deter migration. The study suggests that economic factors play a larger role in migration decisions in metropolitan areas, where people are drawn to desirable landscapes with higher year-round temperatures.
The NSF is seeking proposals to utilize the ISS National Laboratory for fundamental research in fluid dynamics, thermal transport, and combustion. Researchers aim to advance knowledge that benefits life on Earth, particularly in predicting and preventing catastrophic mudslides after wildfires.
Scientists have discovered a long-sought plant water loss-regulating sensor, composed of two proteins working together to regulate stomatal movements in response to changing CO2 concentrations. This finding has significant implications for trees, crops, and wildfires, as well as efficient plant water use and CO2 uptake.
A new study reveals that large parts of Europe are experiencing faster-than-average warming during summer months, leading to worse heatwaves and an increased risk of fires. The climate across the continent has also become drier, particularly in southern Europe.
New research finds climate change could lead to more frequent lightning strikes over mountains and Northern Europe, triggering increased wildfire risks. However, relatively fewer lightning hazards are expected over populated areas of Central Europe.
Scientists warn that climate change is at the door and pounding hard due to rising global temperatures, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. The report highlights urgent need to protect nature, eliminate fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations.
Researchers highlight climate-sensitive dermatological manifestations initiated or exacerbated by floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events. These events disproportionately affect marginalized populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.
Research finds LA mountain lions are avoiding burned areas but crossing roads and traveling longer distances to find resources. The population is increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
Researchers have made a surprising discovery that liquid smoke can enhance plant defense against pests and diseases, leading to new farming practices. The study found that sunflowers grown in soil treated with liquid smoke had larger, thicker, and greener leaves and appeared less prone to pests and disease.
A new study reveals that western wildfires can strengthen storms in central US states, leading to heavier rain and flash flooding. The heat and airborne particles from wildfires intensify severe storms, with some cases bringing hailstones larger than baseballs.
A recent OSU study found that traumatic injury rates among outdoor workers in Oregon's agricultural and construction sectors are significantly higher during periods of high heat. The study examined 92,000 injury claims from 2009-2018 and found a strong association between heat index above 75 degrees and increased risk of injury.
A recent study found that cattle grazing with virtual fencing can create effective wildfire fuel breaks on sagebrush landscapes, reducing the risk of devastating wildfires. The technology uses collars to communicate with GPS and reception towers, forming a virtual fence to manage livestock distribution.
A new review highlights the need for more research on the effects of wildfires on water quality in watersheds. The study found that pollutants from burned structures can exceed regulatory limits and affect the surrounding ecosystem, leading to increased risk of water contamination.
A new neural network model developed by Aalto University researchers can accurately predict the occurrence of fires in peatlands. The model identified a suite of interventions that would reduce fire incidence by 50-76%.
A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.
Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that Australian bushfires contributed to the highest recorded temperature in the lower stratosphere since the early 1990s. The smoke aerosols emitted by the fires led to a significant increase in stratospheric temperatures, with a modelled temperature spike of around 0.65 degrees Celsius.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that high-value properties in the western United States are disproportionately exposed to wildfire hazards. Researchers found that both low- and high-income communities bear a disproportionate burden of wildfires.
A team of researchers developed a unified model to predict human movement during large-scale extreme events. The model reveals 'spatiotemporal decay' and 'temporal decay,' showing people limit their mobility near disaster zones and exhibit faster changes in lower income areas.
A new study from UC Davis links air pollution exposure to increased inflammation and decreased cardiac regulation in children. Elevated markers of interleukin-6 and lower cardiac autonomic regulation were found in blood samples of healthy children aged 9-11 who lived near areas with high levels of PM2.5 during wildfires.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that counties with moderate-to-high wildfire risk are more likely to have higher poverty rates. The researchers identified 14 states in the lower 48 with the highest wildfire risk, including Arizona, California, and Texas.
Researchers from CU Boulder and NCAR found that soot and burned biomass from wildfires can affect Arctic sea ice, causing ripple effects on global climatic patterns. This study suggests a feedback loop between wildfires and Arctic sea ice, highlighting the interconnectedness of climate systems.
Scientists have developed a new method to estimate the impact of black carbon from wildfires on climate change, using measurements of light absorption by coated soot particles. The study provides a more accurate way to forecast global climate change and resolves a long-standing uncertainty in earth system models.
A new national study found that households led by women, those with children under age 18, renters, low-income individuals, and minority groups are less likely to be minimally prepared for disasters. The researchers recommend targeting these vulnerable groups with disaster preparedness resources.
Researchers discovered that cats exposed to wildfire smoke and injuries are prone to forming deadly blood clots, associated with cardiovascular disease. The study also identified a novel receptor on cat platelets that may play a role in clotting.
A new study from the University of California, Irvine finds that trees in California's mountain ranges and open spaces are dying from wildfires and other pressures, with tree cover area declining 6.7 percent since 1985. The decline is attributed to increased fire disturbance and climate stress.
A report by experts predicts 15 issues that will impact marine and coastal biodiversity in the next decade, including lithium extraction, wildfires, and overfishing. The study aims to raise awareness and encourage investment to protect these ecosystems.
New research models COVID-19 spread in wildfire incidents, showing vaccines and social distancing reduce impact on workforce. The study highlights the importance of communication outside fire environments.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing a new approach to harness the power of nanosatellites, collecting data insights while in orbit and reducing latency issues. This initiative will lay groundwork for innovative applications in fields like carbon mapping, traffic management, and precision agriculture.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that extreme heat and air pollution coincide to increase mortality risk by 21%. Deaths due to cardiovascular and respiratory conditions also increased significantly on days with both extreme heat and air pollution.
Researchers at North Carolina State University designed new fire shelter prototypes to protect firefighters trapped in wildfires. The shelters showed improved thermal performance and longer survival times compared to the current industry standard, with temperatures remaining within survival limits for up to 60 seconds.
A new study published in Geology describes the earliest record of wildfire found yet to date, dating back 430 million years. The discovery provides valuable insights into the role of wildfires in Earth's systems during the Silurian period.
Research reveals Paradise, California's water contained VOCs at levels exceeding EPA standards due to degraded plastic pipes near or above ground. To protect communities, experts recommend burying service lines deeper, using isolation valves, and monitoring temperature thresholds.
A new AI-powered technique updates fuel inventories to better predict fire behavior and spread. The method, developed at NCAR, uses satellite imagery to account for pine beetle damage and was tested on the 2020 East Troublesome Fire in Colorado.
Researchers developed a method to predict Western wildfire severity based on winter and spring climate conditions. The study found that April snowpack has a persistent influence on land and atmosphere during the summer, making it more conducive for fires.
A UCI-led research team suggests that extending the prescribed burning season in California can help prevent wildland fires from getting out of control. The study found that periods during winter and spring have favorable weather conditions for safe and effective human-set blazes, but limited burn windows are a major obstacle to conduc...
A new study reveals the most intense heatwaves ever recorded globally, exposing some extreme weather events that went largely underreported in the past. The research uses climate models to project an increase in heatwave intensity in line with rising global temperatures.
A new study published by the Union of Concerned Scientists warns that wildfires in US and Canadian boreal forests between now and 2050 could release about 12 gigatons of net carbon emissions, equivalent to 3% of the remaining global carbon budget. This could jeopardize nations' ability to limit warming in line with the Paris Agreement.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest are altering seasonal air pollution patterns and causing a spike in unhealthy pollutants in August. The research found that carbon monoxide levels have increased sharply, indicating the extent of smoke's impacts on clean air gains.
A new study finds that California wildfires increase both revenues and expenditures in municipalities, resulting in a budget shortfall over many years. The unique state constitution limits property assessments, but still leads to higher taxes and a boom in housing reassessments after fires.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
A new study finds that climate change will increase the risk of debris flows, flash floods, and extreme rainfall events following wildfires in the western US. By the end of the century, more than 90% of extreme fire events will be followed by at least three extreme rainfalls within five years.
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that aerosols carried in older wildfire smoke plumes can still affect climate. The research, led by Qi Zhang, discovered that particulate matter concentrations were low but oxidized organic aerosols from burning biomass were detected throughout the samples.
Researchers found that brown carbon from biomass burning contributes significantly to Arctic warming, exceeding previous estimates. The study highlights the importance of wildfire mitigation and suggests a positive feedback loop where increased wildfires emit more brown carbon aerosols, further heating the earth.
A new study reveals that smoke from major wildfires can destroy atmospheric ozone in the Southern Hemisphere for months. Researchers warn that more frequent wildfires with a changing climate will lead to increased damage and exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.