Wildfires Used to Be Helpful. How Did They Get So Hellish?
Fires are supposed to reset ecosystems, paving the way for new growth. But human meddling and climate change have turned them into monsters......»»
Lessons from Maui wildfires: Build channels of communication before firewalls
The deadly wildfires that consumed the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui have shocked and horrified people around the world, and raised questions about how they could happen in a state known for its lush beauty......»»
Can AC protect against wildfire smoke?
As climate change increases the severity and frequency of wildfires in North America, experts say many Americans are at risk of experiencing one in their lifetime. But even more may be affected by the unhealthy air quality from the smoke the fires pr.....»»
This Brutal Summer in 10 Alarming Maps and Graphs
From the Maui wildfires to ultrahigh ocean temperatures, climate change is leaving its devastating mark on the Earth. It’s but a taste of the pain to come......»»
"The risk is real": UK fire service preps for wildfires
At a military training site in Surrey, southeast England, a small team of firefighters blast the surrounding heathland with water as they practice tackling a different kind of enemy: climate change......»»
Maui conspiracy theories are spreading on social media. Why this always happens after a disaster
A slew of viral conspiracy videos on social media have made baseless claims that the Maui wildfires were started intentionally as part of a land grab, highlighting how quickly misinformation spreads after a disaster......»»
Wildfires continue to rage in Greece, as seen by satellite
A month after fires ravaged the island of Rhodes in July 2023, more fires have ripped through Greece this week as southern Europe swelters under a late summer heat wave. This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image shows the ongoing blaze near Alexandroupoli in.....»»
California deploys AI-powered wildfire detection systems
New system scans over 1,000 cameras for signs of smoke—with 77 hits so far. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) California's main firefighting agency, Cal Fire, is training AI models to detect visual signs of wildfires usin.....»»
Bushfires focus public attention on climate change for months, but it"s different for storms and floods
As the world warms and the climate changes, people are experiencing more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Just this year, heat waves blasted southern Europe, the United States and China; wildfires lit up Greece, Canada and Maui in Hawaii;.....»»
The Impossible Fight to Stop Canada’s Wildfires
Canada’s worst wildfire season ever has put unprecedented strain on the country’s firefighters. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, with millions more choking on toxic wildfire smoke. Next summer could be far worse......»»
NIST issues new guidance for emergency response during wildfires
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a pair of reports that provide guidance for strengthening wildfire preparedness across the United States, including specific actions that communities can take to save lives when t.....»»
At least 1,100 missing after Hawaii fires
At least 1,100 people are still missing two weeks after deadly wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui, authorities said Tuesday, with the FBI seeking family members' help in identifying the remains of the dead......»»
Climate change supercharged "fire weather" behind Canada blazes
Months of hot and dry weather created the tinderbox-like conditions behind this year's record-breaking wildfires in Canada, leading scientists to point the finger at climate change......»»
As wildfires multiply, a new era of air pollution
From Quebec to British Columbia to Hawaii, North America is facing an extraordinary wildfire season—and regions both near and far have found themselves increasingly blighted by smoke exposure......»»
People drive more slowly than usual during wildfire evacuations, study finds
During extensive wildfires, residents may need to evacuate to stay safe, but knowing when to leave is sometimes unclear. A new study from Lund University in Sweden, among others, shows that people fleeing their homes drive more slowly than usual, des.....»»
Wildfires contribute to nutrient-rich, murky water in lakes
Warmer temperatures and increasing drought severity associated with climate change are contributing to more frequent and more severe wildfires across North America......»»
Forest Service, Seattle Fire Department report "significant increase" in human-caused fires
A "significant increase" in wildfires has been caused by humans in National Forest lands in Oregon and Washington this year, according to the U.S. Forest Service......»»
Some plants are more flammable than others. How gardeners can reduce the risks
The deadly wildfires in Hawaii this month were fueled in part by plants, in particular invasive grasses that have taken over land once occupied by sugar and pineapple plantations......»»
Want to help Maui"s animals after the wildfires? Send cash, not kibble
An estimated 3,000 pets were still missing more than a week after deadly wildfires ripped through Maui in August 2023 and left thousands of people—many of whom had companion animals—homeless. The Conversation asked Sarah DeYoung, who has conducte.....»»
Viewpoint: Without more research and guardrails, geoengineering is a costly gamble, with potentially harmful results
When soaring temperatures, extreme weather and catastrophic wildfires hit the headlines, people start asking for quick fixes to climate change. The U.S. government just announced the first awards from a US$3.5 billion fund for projects that promise t.....»»
Two dead as Greece battles spreading wildfires
Greece on Tuesday battled to contain wildfires around the country that have killed two people and forced widespread evacuations in the second deadly wave of blazes in a month......»»