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Tag: wildfires

Jun102023 by adminNo Comments
Wildfires: UK to set up new Mediterranean-style specialist units

Wildfires: UK to set up new Mediterranean-style specialist units

Science
Surrey Fire and RescueBy Malcolm PriorBBC News Rural Affairs producerFirefighters will deploy new techniques learnt in the world's worst wildfire hotspots as climate change raises the risk level in the UK this summer.Last year's heatwaves saw thousands of fires break out, with one destroying homes at Wennington, east London.This year has already seen hundreds of grass fires and one of the UK's largest ever has been burning near Cannich in Scotland for the past two weeks.More fire crews are now training in skills from southern Europe and the US.Are Europe's wildfires linked to climate change?Highland wildfire could be largest ever in UKHow wildfires start and how to stop themFire chiefs are particularly looking to expand the number of specialist teams trained in "burn suppression" techniqu...
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Dec172021 by adminNo Comments
Brazil wildfires killed an estimated 17 million animals

Brazil wildfires killed an estimated 17 million animals

Science
CENAP-ICMBioAmid the bleakness of 2020, scientists in Brazil concluded a particularly grim conservation study - attempting to count the animals killed by huge wildfires in the Pantanal wetlands. They estimate that as many as 17 million vertebrates - including reptiles, birds and primates - died. Wildfires burned between January and November, destroying 30% of the world's largest tropical wetland.This estimate of the loss is published in the journal Scientific Reports. AFPDr Mariana Napolitano Ferreira, head of science at WWF-Brazil explained that there were 22,000 separate fires recorded during that year. This new research highlights, the researchers say, the importance of preventing such disasters in the future. Body countThe Pantanal does burn naturally, but the 2020 wildfires were "apoc...
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Sep122020 by adminNo Comments
US wildfires fuelled by climate change, California governor says

US wildfires fuelled by climate change, California governor says

Science
The deadly wildfires sweeping through US West Coast states show that the debate around climate change is "over", California Governor Gavin Newsom says."Just come to the state of California. Observe it with your own eyes," he told reporters from a charred mountainside.Fires have been raging in California, Oregon and Washington for three weeks.Fanned by winds amid record heat, the blazes have burnt millions of acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and killed at least 25 people.On Friday Oregon Governor Kate Brown said dozens were missing in her state alone. The fires have burnt a total 4.5m acres - an area larger than Connecticut and slightly smaller than Wales - in recent weeks, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.Wha...
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Sep82020 by adminNo Comments
Wildfires burn through record area in California as blazes continue to spread

Wildfires burn through record area in California as blazes continue to spread

Science
Media playback is unsupported on your device Wildfires have burned through a record number of acres in California this year as firefighters continue to battle several large blazes across the state.The state's department of forestry and fire protection, Cal Fire, says more than two million acres have burned, more than the size of Delaware.One fire, El Dorado, which has spread over 7,000 acres, was started by a gender reveal party, officials say.California is currently experiencing a record heatwave.Los Angeles County reported its highest ever temperature of 49.4C (121F) on Sunday. Although temperatures are expected to drop from Tuesday onwards it may bring strong winds which could fan the flames, the National Weather Service warns. Life in the ...
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