Wildfires are becoming faster and more furious in the US West
Fast-growing flames have been responsible for the lion’s share of U.S. wildfire-related damage in recent years, despite being relatively rare occurrences, a new study has found. Nearly 90 percent of such destruction that took place between 2001 and 2020 occurred during “fast fires,” or those that thrust embers into the air ahead of encroaching flames,…
Why it's not good news that wildfires are becoming less frequent in the American West
Recently published research from Western Colorado University under lead author Emma McClure sought to tackle the topic of wildfire trends, looking at how the wildfires of today compare to those of yesteryear and how that information can be used to improve the approach to wildfire mitigation. The study focused on the southwestern region of the United States, and involved scientists studying tree ring data from more than 400 sites in New Mexico and Arizona forests to compare how wildfires have changed overtime. ...
East Coast States on High Alert for Wildfires
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) have issued special warnings for nine East Coast states due to heightened wildfire risks on Friday. Abnormally dry conditions and warm temperatures have plagued much of the region, leading to an increased potential for fires to ignite and spread quickly. The states in the forecast include Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Factors such as low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuel sources are exacerbating the situation, prompting the NWS to strongly discourage outdoor burning and urge caution in handling potential ignition sources like cigarette butts.
Before You Can Blink: The Rise of Fast Fires
The 2018 Camp Fire in California burned 52,000 acres the day it started, killing 85 people and destroying over 16,000 homes. The 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado was driven by winds over 100 mph, traveling 3 miles within the hour it started and burned more than 1000 homes. The 2023...