How wildfire restored a Yosemite watershed
For nearly half a century, lightning-sparked blazes in Yosemite's Illilouette Creek Basin have rippled across the landscape—closely monitored, but largely unchecked. Their flames might explode into plumes of heat that burn whole hillsides at once,.....»»
Older wildfire smoke plumes may still affect climate
Aerosols carried in wildfire smoke plumes that are hundreds of hours old can still affect climate, according to a study out of the University of California, Davis......»»
Wildfires devastate the land they burn, and they are also warming the planet
The 2021 wildfire season broke records globally, leaving land charred from California to Siberia. The risk of fire is growing, and a report published by the UN last month warned that wildfires are on track to increase 50% by 2050. These fires destroy.....»»
How Indigenous burning shaped the forests of the Klamath Mountains for a millennium
Decades of logging and fire suppression have left California's forests prone to drought, infestation and catastrophic wildfire. Climate change is only exacerbating these impacts. But for thousands of years before, during and after European colonizati.....»»
Answers to faster recovery from a wildfire are in the water
The more frequent wildfire disasters become, the less time communities will have to recover from each catastrophe. But it can take months for a town's water to be safe to drink again after a wildfire......»»
The world"s longest car has a pool, helipad, and mini golf. Turning is tricky.
How long is the longest car in the world? Well, over 100 feet, but more importantly it has a hot tub, a swimming pool, and a helipad.On March 1, the world's longest ever car broke its own 1986 Guinness World Record after being restored by a group led.....»»
Chemical analysis reveals effects of wildfire smoke on grapes and wines
As wildfire season in the West grows in length and severity, it is taking a toll on the wine industry through the effects of wildfire smoke on the quality of wine grapes. Volatile compounds in the smoke from wildfires can be absorbed by grapes and pr.....»»
California fire led to spike in bacteria, cloudiness in coastal waters
Scientists analyzed coastal water quality in the months following a major Southern California wildfire. Their results were eye-opening......»»
Research reveals how experience with climate-related disasters affects willingness to take and accept protective actions
Two new studies—a survey of residents in hurricane-battered Florida and Texas and a survey of people in wildfire-scarred California—reveal that negative personal experiences are among key variables in pushing people to take or accept protective m.....»»
US climate risks are rising: A scientist looks at the dangers future generations will have to adapt to
When I was a young researcher studying how forested ecosystems recover from wildfire, I brought my 6-month-old daughter with me to Yellowstone National Park. These forests are incredibly resilient to wildfire because they've been adapting to it for 1.....»»
Climate change brings extreme, early impact to South America
Scientists have long been warning that extreme weather would cause calamity in the future. But in South America—which in just the last month has had deadly landslides in Brazil, wildfire in Argentine wetlands and flooding in the Amazon so severe it.....»»
Study reveals chemical link between wildfire smoke and ozone depletion
The Australian wildfires in 2019 and 2020 were historic for how far and fast they spread, and for how long and powerfully they burned. All told, the devastating "Black Summer" fires blazed across more than 43 million acres of land, and extinguished o.....»»
After California"s massive Dixie fire, PG&E to ramp up spending on wildfire safety in 2022
PG&E Corp. spent nearly $4.9 billion last year to prevent wildfires—and still wound up responsible for the second-largest fire in California history......»»
Tonga’s internet restored five weeks after massive eruption
A volcanic eruption in Tonga last month killed six people, destroyed homes, and knocked the tiny nation offline. Five weeks on, it's finally been reconnected......»»
Judge restores protections for gray wolves across much of US
A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. on Thursday, after their removal in the waning days of the Trump administration exposed the predators to hunting that critics said would undermine their rebound from widespr.....»»
Closing in on the carbon costs of wildfires
Wildfire and post-fire recovery could lead to more carbon being stored than released in the long term in savannahs and grasslands, according to a new study involving the University of East Anglia (UEA)......»»
Spinal Stimulation Helps People with Paralysis Walk, Canoe and Stand at a Bar
A new system that targets specific spinal nerves restored motor function quickly in three patients unable to move their legs or trunk -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Researchers identify "double-hazard" zones for wildfire in the West
Some plants and patches of Earth withstand heat and dry spells better than others. A new Stanford University study shows those different coping mechanisms are closely linked to wildfire burn areas, posing increasing risks in an era of climate change......»»
Beaver Dams Help Wildfire-Ravaged Ecosystems Recover Long after Flames Subside
Dams mop up debris that would otherwise kill fish and other downstream wildlife, new observations suggest -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Original "Fight Club" Ending Restored in China After Censorship Backlash
Last month streamers in China discovered that Fight Club had arrived on streaming platform Tencent — but with an entirely new ending where local authorities "rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals....." But now there's.....»»
Researchers develop rapid computer software to track pandemics as they happen
Researchers have created lightning-fast computer software that can help nations track and analyze pandemics, like the one caused by COVID-19, before they spread like wildfire around the globe......»»