Articles tagged with Wildfires
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A new study found that half of all buildings destroyed by wildfire in California are located in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, which has less grasses and trees to fuel fires. The WUI accounts for 82% of all building losses, with 50% occurring in the interface portion.
A UCI team developed a new technique for predicting wildfires' final size, focusing on specific ignitions that pose the greatest risk of getting out of control. The model can forecast whether a blaze will be small, medium or large by its end, helping allocate scarce firefighting resources.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that tarballs, tiny organic particles formed during wildfires, can significantly impact local and global climate. The team's analysis revealed that tarballs form through chemical and physical changes of organic aerosols within the first hours following smoke production.
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used supercomputers to analyze the effects of wildfires on hydrological changes in a California watershed. The research found that post-wildfire conditions resulted in greater winter snowpack and subsequent summer runoff, as well as increased groundwater storage.
A recent study found that wildfires disrupt night-time pollination processes by moths, leading to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of moth species. The research also showed that the loss of host plants due to fire can lead to significant changes in the moth community.
A recent geography study by the University of Cincinnati found that hot temperatures are a better predictor of western wildfires than other factors. The researchers identified other risk factors, including vegetation cover and proximity to roads and population centers, which can increase the likelihood of wildfires.
A new monitoring method uses thermal stress measurements to identify drought conditions sooner, enabling conservation measures and reducing damage. The method, developed by Duke University researchers, combines surface and air temperature data from thousands of weather stations and satellite images.
A new UTA study highlights the critical role of non-profit organizations and businesses in providing support and funding during disasters. The research found that voluntary groups are essential for successful post-disaster coordination and recovery, but need government funding to improve their capabilities.
A Georgia State researcher has been awarded a $1.2 million grant to develop drone technology for wildfire management, providing real-time data to aid evacuations and fire management decisions. The technology aims to help contain wildfires, predict fire spread, and support human-UAS collaboration.
A new study from Stanford University suggests that climate change is doubling the odds of regions experiencing both warm and dry conditions in a given year. This trend poses significant challenges for agriculture, as hot-dry conditions can lead to reduced crop yields and exacerbate fire risk.
A new study by Portland State University researchers finds that climate change is causing more severe wildfires and larger insect outbreaks in temperate forests. The study analyzed 50 protected areas and found a strong link between high disturbance activity and warmer, drier-than-average climate conditions.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing machine learning algorithms to analyze petabytes of data, extract new patterns and correlations, and improve science discoveries. The technology also helps monitor spacecraft health, prevent catastrophic failures, and assist engineers in designing new missions.
A $1.5 million FEMA award will fund a first-of-its-kind study on the health effects of wildland firefighter smoke exposure. The research aims to quantify pulmonary and cardiovascular health consequences for firefighters exposed to toxic hazards in wildland fires.
Researchers at UCSB and NCAR find that climate change is affecting the connection between El Niño and wildfires, leading to more extreme and frequent fires. As the Earth warms, El Niño events are expected to have a larger impact on fire risk in California and other fire-prone regions.
56 active wildfires in British Columbia have burned over 1.5 million acres, with hot and dry conditions creating a high risk of rapid fire spread.
A Montana State University-led team discovered that low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures contribute to Chile's massive fires. The researchers found that Chile replaced native forests with more flammable tree plantations, which facilitated the spread of fires.
The Carr fire has consumed 110,154 acres, destroying 161 residences and 12 outbuildings. Weather conditions and terrain make firefighting efforts challenging, with over 2,500 structures still at risk.
Researchers found a significant association between wildfire activity and elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the northwestern United States. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that increased wildfires may offset reductions in anthropogenic PM2.5 levels.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that black carbon can age for millennia on land and in rivers before being exported to the ocean, forming a major long-term sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. This finding adds a significant piece to the puzzle of understanding the global carbon cycle.
The study found that wildfire had a strong effect on the density of many bird species, with some reaching maximum densities after high-severity fires. The researchers also discovered complex patterns in species' responses to fire severity and time since burning, highlighting the dynamic nature of avian communities after fires.
Research analyzing 30 years of data reveals that large wildfires significantly increase annual river flow, but also lead to increased contaminants like sediment and nutrients. Prescribed burns, on the other hand, show no significant impact on river flows.
Wildfire smoke plumes spread across the US, causing devastating effects on air quality and health. Researchers found that smoke from wildfires can tip air quality to unhealthy levels, particularly in urban areas with high population densities.
A new study found significant decreases in tree regeneration following 21st century wildfires, highlighting the loss of forest resilience. The research team analyzed data from over 1,500 sites across five states, measuring seedlings growing in areas burned by wildfires during the past three decades.
A team of researchers at the University of Oregon has identified a universal pattern in protein motion, which could help pinpoint where proteins bind to other molecules. The study found that protein motion is governed by random energy fluctuations and a critical hydrogen-bonding network.
A University of Missouri team created a Physical Chemical Fire Frequency Model to understand how climate influences wildfire frequency. The model uses temperature and precipitation variables to predict wildfire patterns across different regions. By analyzing global wildfire data, the researchers have identified predictable patterns in ...
A growing movement in higher education is launching a global effort to educate health professionals on the health impacts of climate change. The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education aims to build expertise among health workers to integrate knowledge into daily practice, enhancing public health while mitigating climate change.
Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.
Researchers at Portland State University found a correlation between wildfires and warm weather fluctuations, known as the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), in fire-scarred trees dating back to 990 A.D. This study, published in PNAS, indicates that wildfires have become more frequent due to climate change.
A new study reveals that the Atlantic and Pacific ocean temperatures play a significant role in droughts and wildfires in southwestern North America. The research shows that the large-scale difference between the two oceans enhances the risk for drought and wildfire in the region.
UCSB researchers are evaluating urban wildfire patterns and resilience strategies using a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant, integrating atmospheric, fire-spread, and transportation models to enhance the understanding of extreme fire weather regimes and wildfire behavior in the wildland-urban interface.
Researchers deployed planes to measure chemicals and particles in real-time, discovering a significant increase in fine particle levels. The study's findings highlight the importance of prescribed burns as a potentially effective strategy for reducing wildfire pollution.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that extreme fire events are associated with anomalous weather patterns, such as droughts and strong winds. The research suggests that the global footprint of extreme fires is expanding, particularly in regions like Australia's east coast and the Mediterranean region.
A new Yale-led study estimates that by mid-century, over 82 million people will experience 'smoke waves,' or consecutive days with high air pollution related to fires. The regions likely to receive the highest exposure include northern California, western Oregon, and the Great Plains.
Scientists at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation discovered wildfire changes in cave dripwater chemistry, which will be preserved in stalagmites. The study highlights the need to carefully interpret dripwater data, including trace metals, to avoid wrongly attributing climate change.
Researchers have found that Antarctic lakes are repositories for ancient soot from wildfires, dating back over 2,500 years. The study also indicates a more recent increase in dissolved black carbon from fossil fuel burning, which may be caused by helicopter emissions or long-range transport of carbon.
Fires continued to burn in the Fort McMurray area, forcing a total of 15 wildfires with three out of control, spanning over 284,214 hectares. Firefighters battled the fires using 1,919 personnel, 161 helicopters, and heavy equipment.
A new study examines human behavior's impact on wildfires in California, finding that it explains as much about their frequency and location as climate change. The researchers recommend considering both climate change and human variables for future models to accurately predict wildfire risks.
NCAR will develop a revolutionary forecasting system to predict wildland fire behavior in Colorado, capturing critical feedbacks between fires and local weather. The system will provide unprecedented detail about interactions between weather and fire, helping firefighters and the public.
A new study warns that wildfires may double soil erosion in some western US states by 2050, degrading water quality and affecting aquatic life. The increase in wildfires due to climate change is projected to cause at least a 100% increase in erosion in a quarter of western watersheds.
A new study suggests that large fires will continue to increase as a result of climate warming, citing evidence from charcoal deposits in lakes near Mount Zirkel Wilderness in northern Colorado. The research found that even modest regional warming trends can cause exceptionally large areas to be burned by wildfires.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $27.5 million in research grants to study ways to predict and respond to natural disasters. Researchers will focus on topics such as hurricane risk assessment, wildfire resilience and drought policy.
A new study reveals that Southern California wildfires have two distinct personalities, with Santa Ana winds-driven fires being more damaging due to faster spread, urban burns, and higher economic losses. Climate change is expected to fan flames for the region, increasing fire risk from hot summers.
A decade-long study in the Amazon rainforest found that forests can withstand initial, low-intensity burns but are vulnerable to repeated fires, especially during drought years. The research also highlights the role of leaf-cutter ant colonies in creating natural fire breaks and mitigating forest damage.
Researchers are studying ways to increase communities' ability to withstand and recover from wildfires with the support of a $2.8 million grant. The team will create a virtual early warning system to identify vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and work with stakeholders to develop action plans for at-risk areas.
The 2015 Alaska fire season has seen a record-breaking number of acres burned, surpassing 5 million, with eight smokejumpers dispatched to address increased activity. The fires have been monitored using NASA's Terra satellite, capturing detailed images of the affected areas.
A study from University of California, Davis, found that forest disturbances like wildfire and thinning are replacing understory plants with those from more southern areas, such as Mexico and Southern California. This shift is driven by climate change, leading to a potential increase in forest diversity.
Researchers found a significant association between wildfire-related air pollution and an increased risk of heart-related incidents, including out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and emergency department visits. The study suggests that fine particulate matter may act as a trigger factor for acute cardiovascular health events.
Researchers found a strong association between exposure to tiny particulate pollutants from wildfire smoke and the risk of heart-related incidents, including cardiac arrests, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. The study suggests that fine particulate matter may act as a trigger factor for acute cardiovascular events.
Researchers found that stratospheric intrusions bring extremely dry air from the upper atmosphere down to the surface, increasing fire danger. The intrusions were linked to a major wildfire in southern California, with ozone levels exceeding federal limits at monitoring sites.
A natural-color satellite image taken on July 05, 2015, shows the impact of Canadian wildfires on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals in Vancouver. The smoke from three wildfires in the Boulder Creek Wildfire complex grew rapidly, blanketing the stadium and surrounding areas.
In July 2015, dozens of wildfires were reported in Canada's Northwest Territories, South Slave, Sahtu, Deh Cho, Inuvik, and Alberta regions, affecting over 270,000 hectares of land.
Two major wildfires are burning in California: the Lake Fire, which is 17,305 acres in size and has slowed its growth, and the smaller San Gorgonio Fire. The fires have forced the closure of hiking trails and caused air quality issues in surrounding areas.
Scientists have discovered that dinosaurs remained rare near the equator during the late Triassic period due to extreme climate fluctuations and wildfires that fueled hotter fires. The study revealed a pattern of rapid vegetation changes related to climate shifts, which led to droughts and plant die-offs.
Human-started fires account for nearly 90% of wildfires in the Northwest Territories, with 46 reported fires burning over 40,632 hectares. Preventing fires is crucial, and simple rules such as properly disposing of cigarettes and attending campfires can help prevent these incidents.
The Beaver Complex and July Complex wildfires in California have burned over 35,000 acres, with the Oregon Gulch Fire affecting 25,683 acres and the California fire burning 9,464 acres. The fires are currently 100% contained, but resources continue to be focused on hotspots.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University uncover key attributes of brown carbon, a toxic airborne particle that warms the atmosphere. The study reveals that brown carbon shares a common production mechanism with black carbon, leading to significant underestimation of warming effects in climate models.
A blanket of heavy smoke covers dozens of wildfires in remote eastern Russia areas caused by lightning strikes. The fires spread rapidly, covering the landscape with no apparent stopping point.
NASA captured images of a large swath of smoke from Canadian wildfires hovering over the Great Lakes and settling over the Bay of Baffin, which borders Greenland. The fires have been raging this summer, with some smoke drifting southward into the US.
The WIFIRE project is developing a cyberinfrastructure system that integrates dynamic wildfire models, sensor data, and computational techniques to monitor and predict wildfire behavior. This will enable situational awareness, responses, and decision support for local, state, national, and international levels.
Satellite images from NASA's MODIS instrument reveal the extent of wildfires in Eastern Russia, showcasing burn scars as reddish-brown splotches amidst green landscapes. The fires have ravaged remote areas of the Sakha Republic, with smoke and flames visible even in false-color images.