wildfires | Common News Update

Dec172021 by adminNo Comments

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...

Sep122020 by adminNo Comments

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...

Sep82020 by adminNo Comments

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 ...

Oct122019 by adminNo Comments

Authorities: 3 deaths tied to Southern California wildfires

Technology

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Aug262019 by adminNo Comments

Heat, wildfires could alter Alaska’s forest composition

Science

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- If global warming continues unabated and wildfires become bigger, stronger and burn more frequently among northern climates, scientists worry the composition of Alaska's northern forests could be permanently altered. According to a new study, published this week in the journal Nature Plants, warmer temperatures and the threat of fire is likely to enable the spread of deciduous tree species at the expense of evergreens. In simulations, the well-tested ecosystem model called ecosys predicted northern Alaska's conifer population, including black spruce, will decline by 25 percent by the end of the century. The abundance of moss and lichen will decline by 66 percent, according to the ecosys model. Broadleaf deciduous trees like aspen will eventually come to dominate. The shi...