Air pollution
Satellite technology has improved significantly over the years, allowing for better tracking of wildfire smoke plumes. The University of Iowa's Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Jun Wang, and his team have been working on a new method that uses data from NASA's TEMPO satellite to
Natural resources
Elaine F. Leslie, a retired chief of biological resources in the National Park Service, and four other scientists have proposed a "wild idea" to rewild the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the aftermath of the Dragon Bravo wildfire. Instead of rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure, they
Air pollution
The Pajaro Valley in California is home to many farmworkers who are exposed to air pollutants from pesticides and wildfires, leading to long-lasting health effects. To address this issue, researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz, have launched a project to improve air quality monitoring in the region. Led
Air pollution
Wildfires in southwest Canada and the western United States have created hazardous air quality in New York City over the weekend, with the National Weather Service (NWS) predicting the situation to persist through the week as a heatwave sets in. According to NWS meteorologist David Stark, wind patterns have transported
Natural resources
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources has made significant progress in addressing forest management and wildfire prevention by marking up 14 bills, including legislation aimed at actively suppressing wildfires and advancing President Trump's Executive Orders on the matter. The bills focus on improving forest
Natural resources
Washington's top public lands official, Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove, and others have warned that the state's funding rollback for forest health and wildfire prevention could hinder efforts to prevent severe fires in the coming years. House Bill 1168, approved by the state Legislature in 2021, committed
Natural resources
Reno, Nevada, is gearing up for its peak wildfire season, with hundreds of acres of land already at high risk of burning. To mitigate this threat, the Reno Fire Department is introducing 250 goats that will mow down dead vegetation across hilly terrain over the next 45 days. This innovative
Natural resources
Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Jared Huffman is calling for an independent investigation into the administration's handling of the Dragon Bravo Fire in Northern Arizona, which has destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other irreplaceable park infrastructure. In a letter to President Trump, Huffman
Natural resources
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's relentless push has finally yielded results, as the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the Spend Plan for the over $280 million in overdue FY 2025 U.S. Forest Service State, Private and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) funding. This critical funding will
Climate change
As the five-year anniversary of the Jasper wildfire approaches, climate activists continue to conflate climate change and wildfires to sway public opinion, according to the Friends of Science Society. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on climate change has been criticized for its flawed methodology and
Climate change
The Indian Forest Service Association made history by electing an all-female executive committee, marking a significant milestone for gender representation within India's esteemed All India Services. This transition in leadership highlights the role of women in addressing the pressing need for governance that is responsive to climate issues
Climate change
National Park Service employees are bracing for deeper cuts, just as the agency faces unprecedented threats from wildfires, floods, and rising temperatures. Despite the agency's efforts to prepare for a warming world, funding for initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting park ecosystems remains frozen. The
