Droughts self-propagate, just like wildfires
Up to 30% of the rainfall deficit can be caused by "drought self-propagation," the DRY–2–DRY European Research Council (ERC) project shows......»»
"Out of control" fires endanger wildlife in Brazilian wetlands
The Pantanal wetlands in western Brazil are famed as a paradise of biodiversity, but these days they have enormous clouds of smoke billowing over them, as raging wildfires reduce vast expanses to scorched earth......»»
Québec"s summer 2023 wildfires were the most devastating in 50 years. Is the worst yet to come?
After a summer of exceptional wildfires, the return of cooler temperatures and snowy conditions will provide Québec's forests a brief respite......»»
Low-intensity fires reduce wildfire risk by 60%, according to study
There is no longer any question of how to prevent high-intensity, often catastrophic, wildfires that have become increasingly frequent across the Western U.S., according to a new study by researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities......»»
Lightning identified as the leading cause of wildfires in boreal forests, threatening carbon storage
Lightning is the dominant cause of wildfire ignition in boreal forests—areas of global importance for carbon storage—and will increase in frequency with climate change, according to new research......»»
"Time bomb": Tree-killing bugs threaten France"s lush forests
Last year, ferocious wildfires destroyed thousands of hectares of one of France's most picturesque forests......»»
Investigating banana trees as buffers to fight wildfires
Fire buffers composed of irrigated banana trees could slow and calm wildfires and generate profit for residents of fire-prone regions, according to a study published in PNAS Nexus. Climate change is increasing wildfire risk. Wildfires in the Western.....»»
New study unveils breakthrough in forest fire detection despite environmental changes
A technology that combines satellite data and numerical model data for forest fire detection has been developed, offering a more comprehensive and adaptable approach to monitor and respond to wildfires. This innovative solution, developed by Professo.....»»
Drought conditions expose rivers to hotter water temperatures
As climate change warms the planet and droughts are anticipated to become more frequent and extreme, a new study reveals how reduced water flows and rising atmospheric temperatures are set to heat our rivers—creating major challenges for aquatic li.....»»
Cracking the code of 2022"s unprecedented heat waves and droughts
Extreme weather events have been making headlines worldwide due to their increasing frequency and severity, often attributed to ongoing global-scale warming. The year 2022 was no exception, with record-breaking heat waves and droughts of highly unusu.....»»
In 2020, 30% of the Pantanal was burned to cinders by wildfires
In 2020, the Pantanal, the largest tropical freshwater wetland in the world and a biodiversity hotspot, was swept by high-intensity fires that destroyed native vegetation in an area totaling 44,998 square kilometers, or about 30% of the Brazilian por.....»»
What extreme fire seasons, and 2,500 years of forest history, tell us about the future of wildfires in the West
Strong winds blew across mountain slopes after a record-setting warm, dry summer. Small fires began to blow up into huge conflagrations. Towns in crisis scrambled to escape as fires bore down......»»
Climate network analysis helps pinpoint regions at higher risk of extreme weather
Climate change and the rapid increase in frequency of extreme weather events around the globe—such as wildfires and floods—reinforces the reality that these events are not only not random but, rather, interconnected. Interlinked climate behavior,.....»»
Subalpine forests in the Northern Rockies are fire resilient—for now
Research shows that over 4,800 years in the Northern Rockies during wet periods and dry periods, subalpine forests consistently recovered from wildfires, growing back vegetation and leaving evidence of their resilience in lake sediment cores......»»
How Hop Nerds Are Saving Your Favorite Beer From Climate Change
Extreme heat and droughts are cutting into hop plants’ yields and making them less bitter. But scientists and farmers are brewing up clever solutions......»»
Study finds wildfire isn"t primary factor in invasive annual grass expansion in Great Basin
Scientists examined the assumption that wildfires are the primary factor driving the expansion of invasive annual grasses that are taking over shrubland and grassland in the U.S. Great Basin and found that annual grasses are highly competitive even i.....»»
How wildfires and weather affect Portugal"s public health
The past few decades have passed in a smoke-filled haze as severe wildfires have blazed across forests and tundras on multiple continents, frequently turning skies orange and triggering air quality alerts. These fires often occur in tandem with event.....»»
New research can help better predict the health and sustainability of "grassy" ecosystems
Newly published research from UNC Greensboro's Dr. Kevin Wilcox and colleagues will help scientists better predict how global changes—such as droughts, fires, and heat waves—will impact the health and sustainability of the Earth's grassy ecosyste.....»»
Global study warns water security threatened by droughts and heat waves worldwide
Increased demand for water due to global population growth, coupled with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, endangers our water security. Nonetheless, little is known about the relationship of water use by sectors and the occurrence.....»»
Record heat unleashes deadly floods from New York to Libya
Extreme heat is usually associated with drought and wildfires. But across five continents this year, it's also unleashed a different kind of disaster: deadly flooding......»»
Injured tortoises make slow recovery from Greece fires
In an animal shelter near Athens, veterinarian Kleopatra Gkika gently smears soothing cream on the leg of a tortoise, one of hundreds singed in Greece's devastating summer wildfires......»»