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......»»
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......»»
Chicago stargazers find more light pollution and wildfires are obscuring the skies
Some of Drew Carhart's earliest memories remind him of his love of nature. Not just trees, flowers or birds—but the stars, planets and galaxies visible in the night sky......»»
REBURN: A new tool to model wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and beyond
In 2006, the Tripod Complex Fire burned more than 175,000 acres in north-central Washington. The fire, which was within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, was more than three times the size of Seattle. Yet while considered severe at the time, ev.....»»
Canada wildfires: Trudeau criticises Facebook over news ban amid crisis
The prime minister accuses the company of putting profits over safety amid Canada's wildfire crisis......»»
Justin Trudeau blasts Facebook for blocking news as Canada"s wildfires rage
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blasted Facebook for "putting corporate profits ahead of people's safety" as the social media platform continues to block news content while wildfires rage in Canada's Northwest Territories and British Columbia......»»
Study: Changing climate, growing human populations and widespread fires contributed to the last major extinction event
Over the past decade, deadly wildfires have become increasingly common because of both human-caused climate change and disruptive land management practices. Southern California, where the three of us live and work, has been hit especially hard......»»
Canada wildfires spread and merge as evacuations continue
Two huge and fast-moving wildfires merged overnight in western Canada, threatening hundreds of homes and forcing continued evacuations in British Columbia province, officials said......»»