Articles tagged with 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.
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.
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.
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.
A swath of smoke from Canadian fires drifted across the Great Lakes region of the U.S., with visible paths taken by the smoke as it moved southeastward. The smoke originated in Manitoba and parts of Ontario before crossing the lakes.
Seven large fires are burning in the Southeast, with six located in Oklahoma and one in Louisiana. Prescribed fires account for the majority of these fires, reducing wildfire damage and improving habitat, according to land management officials.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology suggests that increased wildfires due to climate change will have significant impacts on air quality and human health. By 2100, emissions from wildfires in California are expected to grow by 19-101%, posing challenges for agriculture and ecosystems.
Researchers create a new computer model that combines cutting-edge simulations of weather and fire with satellite observations to predict the extent and behavior of wildfires. The technique, called CAWFE, allows for updated forecasts every 12 hours, enabling accurate predictions throughout a fire's lifetime.
Researchers at NCAR and University of Maryland create a new model that combines weather simulations with satellite observations to predict wildfire growth. The model can produce accurate forecasts every 12 hours, improving prediction tools for large, intense wildfires.
Portugal's Serra da Estrela National Park was finally brought under control after 24 hours of fighting, but one firefighter killed and nine injured. The fires have destroyed over 31,000 hectares this year, according to Portugal's conservation institute.