Ecological Surprises From Fires Down Under
The recent Australian 2019-2020 bushfires were devastating for people and fauna. Long term, they may not hurt wildlife and ecosystems as much as expected.
Climate Change’s Dangerous Effects on the Boreal Forest
The forest's unique ecosystem protects the world's largest carbon sink—the Earth's permafrost layer. But for how much longer?
Smoke Pollution from Prescribed Burns vs. Wildfires
Government can regulate air quality. But some policies on smoke might be self-defeating.
Tree Bark and Fire
A tree's hard outer bark helps it survive. Studying why it's thicker on some trees than others could help scientists understand how to protect them.
The Global Suppression of Indigenous Fire Management
Indigenous peoples' techniques to manage and benefit from fire are threatened, even as wildfires burn more frequently and intensely.
A Recipe for Ancient Wildfires
The earliest wildfires raged long before humans, and they only needed three ingredients to get started.
Wildfires and Climate Change
Scholarly research offers insight into the ways climate change and other factors are contributing to the wildfire crisis.
The Linguistic Anatomy of a Political Firestorm
The prime minister of Australia has a background in marketing, but with the bush fire crisis, his manipulation of language is only getting him so far.
How Native Americans Came to Fight Southwestern Fires
The practice began with the 1933 creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and, specifically, its Indian Division.
Can Fire Destroy the Amazon?
The massive fires of 2019 have many asking the question: is there a "tipping point" beyond which the Amazon cannot recover?