Forest Fires
An Air Pollution Emergency in Mexico City (in Photos)
Authorities in Mexico City declared an environmental emergency on Tuesday after pollution reached potentially hazardous levels.
Viewfinder: Farmers in Germany Fear Possible Summer Drought
The photographer lets soil the texture of dry sand slip through his fingers at a farmer's field on April 25th, 2019, near Liebenwalde, Germany.
The Trump Administration Wants to Roll Back Environmental Protections to Help Fight Fires
New farm bill provisions would eliminate environmental protections for forest management, without addressing the wildfires' biggest driver: climate change.
Trump May Be Pushing to Clear-Cut California's Forests to Manage Fires. Here's Why That's Dangerous.
Studies show that removing trees actually make fires more intense, wreaking further havoc on both human and wildlife habitat.
Why Some Home Prices Rebound Quickly After a Forest Fire
A ruined view following a wildfire affects property values, but only because it's a painful reminder of risk, economists find.
Human-Caused Fires Are Destroying the Amazon
A new study using a combination of data sources finds that fire is causing more degradation of forests than logging, the other most significant driver of loss in the Amazon.
It's Time to Rethink How We Fight Forest Fires
Americans learned long ago how to keep cities from burning. And then, it seems, we forgot.
The Mysterious Long-Term Effects of Inhaling Smoke From Forest Fires
As wildfires burn longer and fiercer, doctors are trying to work out how today's smoke will affect tomorrow's health.
The Thomas Fire Could Become the Largest Wildfire in California History
Weather models continue to show absolutely no rainfall until December 30th at the earliest.
After the Fires, Experts in Napa Valley Race to Prevent Water Contamination
Experts are concerned about how rainfall could spread toxic chemicals and destabilize hillsides thus threatening to damage the region's water supply.
Viewfinder: Confronting a Wildfire in Portugal
A firefighter tackles a wildfire close to the village of Pucarica in Abrantes on August 10th, 2017.
Groundwater Could Play a Major Role in Controlling and Preventing Forest Fires
A recent study puts forth a new factor for judging the flammability of forests: groundwater.
Searching for Signs That a Fire Is About Blow Up
Researchers detect "critical slowing down" as fires explode in the lab.
A Forest's Makeup Determines Its Carbon Emissions
Researchers from Oregon State argue that when it comes to carbon emissions, not all forest fires are created equal.
Smokey's Legacy: Are Forests Contributing to Climate Change?
While it's widely acknowledged that forests can be useful for holding carbon, they release phenomenal amounts of greenhouse gases when they burn.