Wildfires

Pollution Caused by Summer Wildfires Significantly Higher Than Previously Thought

Wildfires released pollutants at a rate three times as high as levels the EPA recorded.

Climate Change, Wildfire Events Could Decrease Carbon-Storing Ability of Sierra Nevada Mountains

The changing climate and higher rates of wildfire events could negatively affect the ability of Sierra Nevada Mountain to take up and store carbon

Over 80 Percent of All Wildfires in the Past 20 Years Were Caused by Humans, Study Shows

A new study revealed that humans are responsible for starting 84 percent of all wildfires in the continental United States from 1992 to 2012.

LOOK: Raging Southeast Wildfires Could Be Seen From Space

Wildfires continue to ravage some parts of the United States and create massive plumes of smoke that could even be seen by NASA’s orbiting satellites.

Is Human-Caused Climate Change Contributing to Wildfires?

Arizona is second of 11 Western states in the United States that has seen an increase in the number and size of huge wildfires since the '70s, says a report by non-profit research organization Climate Central. But the question is, is it linked to human-caused climate change?

Humans Put Amazon to More Danger, Fires

Threats to the Amazon rainforest are more wide-ranging than people realize, and small-scale human activities are making the forest much more flammable, leading to wildfires and the loss of biodiversity.

Fires Take Day of Rest on Sundays, Study Says

A recent study found that between 2001 and 2013, fires occurred far less frequently on Sundays than mid-week. The researchers say this has to do with the days of activity associated with human culture and religion. Therefore, never on Sunday. Or at least, not very often.

Wildfires Increase Rate Of Permafrost Thaw In Arctic Tundra, Researchers Say

Years after the infamous Anaktuvuk River fire – the largest recorded Arctic tundra fire – researchers have found a link between wildfires in the Arctic tundra and widespread permafrost thaw.

Record For World's Tiniest Snail Is Broken In Just Weeks, Researchers Say

The discovery of a new speies of Malaysian snail has set the world record for tiniest land snail species. The previous record was set early this year by a species discovered in China.

Arctic Ice Not Darkening Because of Soot or Carbon, New Study Says

While much anecdotal information has been collected since 2001 saying otherwise, a new study looking at Greenland ice sheet at higher elevations says that the ice is not darkening due to soot or carbon.

Herbivores 'Landscape' Foliage Overgrowth That Can Otherwise Ignite, Researchers Say

"Large herbivores are not merely victims of the circumstances they live in, but actively engineer their environment," said Liesbeth Bakker, lead author of the study from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology.

Conservationists Build New Home For Endangered And Extremely Rare Geometric Tortoise [PHOTOS]

Conservationists recently created a new nature reserve known as the Geometric Tortoise Preserve to house the largest and last viable population of geometric tortoises.

Spruce Beetles Outbreak is Unrelated To Colorado Fires, Researchers Say

Spruce beetles have often been blamed for increasing the severity of raging wildfires throughout Colorado becuase they kill the trees they call home. But a University of Colorado Boulder study has determined that the insects are innocent of the charge.

Orangutans Suffer as Oil Palm Plantations Take Over

Orangutans and other rare species on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo are endanagered, in large part due to commercial plam oil cultivation. In the last decade alone, orangutan populations have declined by 50 percent as the result of habitat loss and smoke-related deaths.

Sonoran Desert Tortoises Rebound, Researchers Say

Thanks to conservation efforts, endangered Sonoran desert tortoise populations have rebounded, and will be removed from the list of federally protected species.