wildfires Archives - Disasters News

Nov112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

USC Unveils Breakthrough Low-Cost Wildfire Detection System Using Mobile Phones to Alert Within Seconds

Breaking News, Environment, Idea & Innovations, Tech

In a significant advancement for wildfire detection, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed an innovative system named FireLoc that leverages everyday mobile phones to detect wildfires within seconds of ignition. This new approach aims to provide critical early alerts, reducing the time needed to identify and respond to fires and potentially saving lives and properties in high-risk wildfire areas. How FireLoc Works: A Low-Cost, Community-Centric Solution FireLoc, presented at the ACM SenSys conference on November 5, employs a network of strategically placed, affordable mobile phones equipped with basic cameras and sensors, all mounted on properties in fire-prone regions. These devices act as early-warning sensors, scanning their surroundings for tel...

Sep182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Children Born in 2020 to Face Twice as Many Wildfires as Those Born in 1960

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Children born in 2020 are projected to experience double the number of wildfires over their lifetimes compared to those born in 1960, according to recent studies. In regions like California, wildfires have become a common occurrence during the summer and fall seasons, releasing harmful particulate matter (PM₂.₅) into the air that poses significant health risks. Wildfire-produced PM₂.₅ can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing immediate respiratory issues. While short-term exposure is linked to acute health problems like asthma, the long-term effects of repeated exposure are still unclear. A major challenge is accurately measuring wildfire-related PM₂.₅ exposure, as the intensity of pollution can vary drastically from day to day. Current methods of measuring annual average PM₂.₅, whi...

Aug52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

When Wildfires Create Their Own Weather: Understanding Extreme Fire Situations

Breaking News, Disasters

Wildfires are becoming increasingly destructive, and in some cases, they can become so intense that they create their own weather systems. This phenomenon, seen in the massive Park Fire near Chico, California, in summer 2024, highlights the complex interplay between wildfires and atmospheric conditions. Here's a detailed look at how wildfires can influence weather and the implications of these extreme fire events. Wildfires can start with a simple spark, ignited by lightning or a downed power line, and quickly spread in hot, dry, and windy conditions. As vegetation burns, it releases a significant amount of heat, which causes the air near the ground to rise rapidly. This rising hot air, much like a hot air balloon, creates its own wind patterns as cooler air rushes in to replace it. ...

Jun172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Nepal’s Wildfires Intensify: Over 5,000 Blazes Recorded in 2024 Amidst Climate Change and Forest Mismanagement Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Nepal is grappling with an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with nearly 5,000 incidents recorded this year alone. This makes 2024 the second-worst year for wildfires since records began in 2002, surpassed only by the devastating fire season of 2021, which saw over 6,300 outbreaks. In the past 12 months, more than 100 people have lost their lives due to wildfires, and the capital city, Kathmandu, was shrouded in hazardous wildfire smog for days on end. Climate models predict that Nepal will continue to experience more frequent drought conditions in the future, likely exacerbating the wildfire situation. However, forest scientists suggest that the increasing incidence of wildfires is not solely due to climate change. They point to changes in Nepalese communit...