Articles tagged with Wildfires
A new study analyzes three decades of radar data to build a catalogue of rainbands, helping scientists create storm prediction algorithms. The researchers found that 60% of events resulted in at least one National Weather Service warning, with some associated with atmospheric rivers.
A study found that frequent-fire forests in the Sierra Nevada have far fewer trees due to fire suppression, leading to increased competition among remaining trees. Managing for resilience involves drastically reducing densities to create low-density stands with less tree competition.
A long-term monitoring program found that wildfires and salvage logging negatively affected fisher abundance by 27% and population density. The study suggests that increased severity and frequency of wildfires will have negative impacts on fishers and change community composition for medium-size predators.
A recent study found that large wildfires and severe heat events worsen air pollution across the western United States, affecting 68% of the region's population in one day. The study revealed an increasing trend in days with high levels of both particulate matter and ozone, tied to rising temperatures and wildfires.
A new study finds that controlled burning can stabilize or increase soil carbon, offering a method to maximize carbon storage. By manipulating fires, ecosystems can store huge amounts of carbon when the frequency and intensity are just right. This approach may help maintain natural ecosystem processes.
A global survey of 10,000 children and young people found that nearly half report feeling anxious and distressed due to government inaction on climate change. The study concludes that governments must take collective action to protect the mental health of young people by addressing climate change.
A study found concurrent heatwaves occurring simultaneously in mid- to high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere were seven times greater in the 2010s, causing more severe societal impacts. The heat events grew hotter and larger, exhausting countries' ability to provide mutual aid during crises.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
Researchers link dwindling Arctic sea ice to worsening wildfires in the Western United States, finding a previously unknown mechanism driving the connection. As sea ice melts, it warms surrounding areas, triggering heat and fire-favorable conditions in distant states.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose creating a market for small diameter trees and woody biomass to reduce wildfire risk while limiting carbon emissions. By investing in innovative wood products, the state can achieve both net carbon benefits and wildfire mitigation benefits.
A new study reveals that the Pantanal, a vast wetland in central South America, can reconcile healthy jaguar populations with economic activities. Ecotourism lodges have been found to be suitable habitats for jaguars, allowing for a landscape of tolerance where the species is no longer persecuted.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
A new Stanford analysis provides empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating tree species range shifts toward cooler, wetter sites. The study found that two species had larger range shifts in areas burned by wildfire.
Researchers have developed a new method that uses deep neural networks to predict extreme heat waves with unprecedented accuracy, up to two weeks before they occur. This breakthrough has significant implications for risk management, planning, and warning systems, which will greatly improve public safety and support public policies.
A UCLA-led study found that human-caused climate change is the main cause of increasing fire weather in the western United States. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze climate and fire data, estimating that 68% of the increase in vapor pressure deficit between 1979 and 2020 was likely due to human-induced global warming.
A new study found black spruce trees' ability to regenerate after fire dropped by 38% and failed completely at 18% of sites. This trend threatens the iconic species' place as dominant tree species in boreal North America, with implications for biodiversity and carbon storage.
A study by University of Cincinnati professor Michael J. Fry found that a single large warehouse would be the most cost-efficient approach for disaster relief supplies, but a single location is vulnerable to destruction. The research suggests cooperation between government and relief organizations can improve response effectiveness.
Heat extremes have increased by 90-fold, with 3-sigma events affecting 9% of land area; record daily rainfall events also increased, with 1 in 4 records attributed to climate change. The small temperature increase has pushed up extreme weather substantially.
A new study aims to use the microgravity conditions of space to better understand how flames spread on Earth. By performing complementary ground-based and microgravity experiments, researchers can precisely measure flame spread along a combustible object, allowing for more accurate predictions of wildfire behavior.
A new study reveals that while Western US wildfires contribute more health problems, they affect a greater number of people in the Eastern US due to higher smoke concentrations. The researchers estimated 6,300 extra deaths annually from long-term smoke exposure, with most occurring in populous states.
A study finds that N95 respirators can significantly reduce hospital visits due to wildfire smoke exposure. The researchers estimated a 22-39% reduction in hospitalizations if N95s were widely used.
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
A recent study published in Nature reveals that pyrogenic iron from Australian wildfires fertilized the Southern Ocean, leading to unprecedented algal blooms. This phenomenon raises concerns about the role of wildfires in spurring phytoplankton growth, which absorbs large quantities of climate-warming carbon dioxide.
A study by Matthew Auer highlights the need for community-led wildfire protection plans to address growing threats, particularly among low-income households. These plans can provide educational resources, fire-resistant home construction, and access to funding.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $3.1 million in grants to develop improved water data, modeling and forecasting capabilities for water managers in western states. The selected projects will provide accurate and reliable information to support informed decision-making in a changing climate.
A study published by Sandia National Laboratories reveals that older solar farms are more susceptible to extreme weather events, while snowstorms have the highest impact on electricity production. Machine learning analysis also found that low sunlight levels due to cloud cover and geographical features of the farm are significant factors.
A Stanford University study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, with as many as 7,000 extra births attributed to this factor between 2007 and 2012. The research highlights the need for investment in prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, or other efforts to reduce extreme wildfires.
The NIST-developed emberometer uses digital cameras to track embers in mid-air and reconstruct their 3D shapes. This tool helps researchers understand the behavior of embers, which can aid in developing better protection for structures during wildfires.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new method to simulate the spread of wildfires through forests, capturing complex dynamics involved. The model accurately predicts fire behavior at forest scale and can be used to optimize firebreaks and improve wildfire management.
Research by University of Washington and US Forest Service scientists reveals a dramatic shift in nighttime air's drying power over the Western US, increasing wildfire activity. This shift is not captured in climate models, with some areas experiencing water loss doubling up on warmer nights.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
Research suggests that Western wildfires will initially intensify for about a decade due to hotter and drier conditions, then decrease in size as fire becomes self-limiting.
A study found that the Australian bushfires had a more significant impact on global climate than pandemic lockdowns, cooling the planet by about .06 degrees Celsius. The fires injected sulfates and other particles into the atmosphere, disrupting the climate system and influencing storm tracks.
The study found that under an intermediate greenhouse emission scenario, temperatures will rise during dry episodes but long-lasting dry episodes will not increase. However, if emissions are not reduced, summer no-rain periods will last five more years and temperatures will rise by 6ºC.
Researchers found that wildfire smoke affects the ability to observe more than a third of common bird species in Washington state. Higher concentrations of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, were associated with harder-to-observe bird species, while some species became easier to detect when smoke was present.
A new study predicts a decline in lightning-caused ignitions but an increase in the size of wildfires by mid-century. Human-caused fire ignitions are expected to remain steady, while climate change is expected to worsen social inequalities and lead to more extreme wildfire events.
A new University of Montana study finds high-elevation forests in the central Rocky Mountains are experiencing unprecedented fire activity, with burning now occurring every 120 years compared to historical averages of 230 years. Climate change is identified as a primary cause of this increase.
Scientists have discovered a climate pattern in the Arctic that drives co-occurrences of European heatwaves and large-scale wildfires with air pollution. The circum-Arctic wave (CAW) pattern is linked to exceptionally high PM2.5 levels and organic carbon aerosol concentrations.
Researchers analyzed vertical ozone distributions and found deep stratospheric intrusions contributed to large ozone partial pressure in the troposphere. Long-range transport of wildfire smoke from central Russia in 2016 caused ozone pollution over the northern Tibetan Plateau.
Research Scientist Bok Haeng Baek is collaborating with other institutions on a project addressing anthropogenic emission updates and wildfires. The team will use the National Air Quality Forecast Capability Community Emission Testbed to solve these problems, incorporating NOAA satellite remote sensing and data sources.
The American Thoracic Society releases a report highlighting the need for research on wildfire smoke's effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health, as well as communication strategies to protect public health. The report emphasizes the importance of coordinated federal response and dedicated funding to mitigate health risks.
Researchers at UC Riverside develop method to estimate air quality in neighborhoods affected by wildfire smoke, providing critical data for public health officials. The new approach fills gaps in current methods by predicting particulate matter concentrations over short distances.
Boreal forests can store nearly five times more soil carbon after severe wildfires through shifts to deciduous tree species like aspen and birch. This can provide a negative feedback to climate warming.
Researchers develop a streamlined process to convert woody biomass into ethanol, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and create new jobs in the bioenergy industry.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that wildfires can lead to more extensive cloud formation and intense storm development due to the chemical aging of particles emitted by these fires. This study's findings have significant implications for accurately modeling Earth's climate and how it may change in the future.
Research finds elevated air pollution events, like wildfire smoke and inversions, impact indoor spaces. Indoor air quality is up to 30% of outdoor levels during inversions, while wildfires can increase pollution by 78%.
Scientists confirm climate change and fire suppression influence wildfires, but their effects vary within regions. Climate change increases burn probability in wetter areas while decreasing severity in drier locations.
A new study published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire found that forests with diverse tree sizes and small clearings slow down wildland fire growth. The research used a 3D analysis to examine how forest structure affects fire behavior and revealed that varying tree sizes and shapes can significantly impact fire spread.
Researchers are tracking black carbon from West Coast wildfires to study its impact on the global carbon cycle and global warming. The first flush of carbon and nutrients from burned land has been captured for the first time, revealing a previously unknown pathway in the chain that connects fire-derived black carbon to the deep ocean.
Wildfire smoke carries microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that can spread infection when inhaled. The study highlights the potential for wildfires to become a source of bioaerosols, which can travel long distances and impact human health.
Indonesian wildfires are a major issue due to their impact on the environment and human health. The project aims to investigate the causes and possible solutions to these fires. Experts believe that the drivers behind the peatland fires are a combination of climatic processes, land use, and ignition by humans.
Researchers studied slope failure after wildfires in Southern California's San Gabriel Mountains, finding a shift from debris flows to shallow landslides over time. The study suggests that land managers prioritize post-wildfire mitigation and planning, with debris flows being the primary concern during the next year.
Research in Colorado's mountain forests found that wildfires accelerate climate-driven species changes by compounding regional warming trends. In contrast, canopy loss due to beetles resulted in slight cooling, suggesting a type of forest resilience.
A Monash University study warns of devastating impacts of climate change on wildfire seasons, with fuel, oxygen, and ignition source conditions fueling the crisis. Immediate action is needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions and avoid substantial increases in wildfire exposure by the end of the century.
The Morris Animal Foundation has awarded grants to five studies aiming to improve care and rehabilitation of wildlife impacted by wildfires. The studies will develop guidelines for rescue and rehabilitation, track outcomes, and improve antibiotic treatments.
A probabilistic model reveals three distinct regimes of particle motion on burned hillslopes, driven by changes in slope, particle size and surface roughness. Burned slopes are measurably smoother than vegetated slopes, affecting steepland erosion following wildfires.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe wildfires in the Cascade Range, reshaping forests. Historically, fires occurred every 50-200 years, but climate-driven changes have led to increased fire frequency, with some areas burning within 12 years of each other.
Using advanced X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to study smoldering, Stanford researchers developed a new analysis method that provides three-dimensional images of wood structures. Their computer model can predict where wildfires might strike next and allocate resources more efficiently, saving lives and reducing property loss.
A recent study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers reveals that humans caused 97% of wildfires in the wildland-urban interface, a fivefold increase from previous estimates. The study also found that human-started wildfires are expensive and account for half of firefighting costs.
The Apple Fire has grown to 26,850 acres with 15% containment, spreading into sparse wilderness areas due to low moisture content and high temperatures. NASA's Aqua satellite provided two images of the fire, including a true color image and one showing corrected reflectance bands for burn scar detection.