Air quality isn’t just bad in cities – here’s why and how we’re tracking pollution from upland fires

How a new monitoring system improves fire detections and captures the air pollution effects of planned peatland burns.

Maria Val Martin, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, Atmospheric Sciences, University of Sheffield • conversation
June 30, 2025 • ~8 min

After the smoke clears, a wildfire’s legacy can haunt rivers for years, putting drinking water at risk

Scientists analyzed water quality in 145 watersheds after wildfires and found dramatic spikes in contaminants.

Ben Livneh, Associate Professor of Hydrology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
June 23, 2025 • ~8 min

Increasing northern wildfires will actually slow climate change

"...I wouldn't say this is good news. But it helps us better understand nature and these trends."

U. Washington • futurity
June 20, 2025 • ~7 min

California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability

Hedges and trees may actually reduce home exposure to radiant heat and flying embers, but they must be well maintained. Two scientists who study how plants burn explain.

Luca Carmignani, Assistant Professor of Engineering, San Diego State University • conversation
June 2, 2025 • ~8 min

Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios

Park and forest managers can’t rely on the past any longer to understand future risks. Fires, pests and climate change are changing the game.

Imtiaz Rangwala, Research Scientist in Climate, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
May 27, 2025 • ~10 min

As US ramps up fossil fuels, communities will have to adapt to the consequences − yet climate adaptation funding is on the chopping block

The administration wants to cut funding for programs that help communities adapt to wildfire risk, sea-level rise and invasive species, among many other risks.

Meade Krosby, Senior Scientist for the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington • conversation
May 12, 2025 • ~9 min

As US doubles down on fossil fuels, communities will have to adapt to the consequences − yet climate adaptation funding is on the chopping block

The administration wants to cut funding for programs that help communities adapt to wildfire risk, sea-level rise and invasive species, among many other risks.

Meade Krosby, Senior Scientist for the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington • conversation
May 12, 2025 • ~9 min

Hotter and drier climate in Colorado’s San Luis Valley contributes to kidney disease in agriculture workers, new study shows

A prolonged drought in the San Luis Valley has contributed to kidney issues in agricultural workers.

Katherine Ann James, Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
April 25, 2025 • ~6 min

Controlled burns reduce wildfire risk, but they require trained staff and funding − this could be a rough year

Uncertainty from Washington along with staff and budget cuts have created turmoil for the US Forest Service’s fire management efforts.

Laura Dee, Associate Professor of Ecology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
April 23, 2025 • ~8 min

Fire smoke tied to thousands of premature deaths in 2017 alone

Smoke from US wildfires and prescribed burns caused premature deaths and billions of dollars in health damages in 2017, researchers report.

Caitlin Kizielewicz Carnegie Mellon • futurity
April 8, 2025 • ~6 min

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