Wildfires

Wildfires are often talked about in terms of the acres they burn, or the number of structures they destroy. New research is bringing attention to their speed – and evidence that they’re accelerating.

When a natural disaster forces people to evacuate, not everyone gets the message – or is physically or financially able to get out of harm’s way. On today's In The NoCo, we talk with a researcher who studies how communication during emergencies works... and how it can be improved to help keep people safe.

For 10 straight days this month, the country was at a preparedness level of 5 (PL5), the highest on the scale used to measure wildfire activity and resource availability. Since 1990, there is only a single past instance of a PL5 day in October, which came in 2020.

Recent research from Colorado State University shows that plants will pause photosynthesis in smoky and polluted environments.

Wildfires in Colorado can devastate communities. But there’s research that shows wildfires and other natural disasters can also make communities stronger. Today on In The NoCo, a CU Boulder researcher looks at surprising ways that catastrophes can strengthen bonds between neighbors.

Hundreds of workers for state and federal forests in the Southeast have pivoted to helping with hurricane response.

The U.S. is struggling to replant forests destroyed by increasingly destructive wildfires, with some areas unlikely to recover. Researchers are studying which species are likely to survive — and where — as climate change makes it difficult or impossible for many forests to regrow.

Without action, the government could shut down after September 30. Along with that, federal wildland firefighters would see the end of temporary raises as large as $20,000.

The sensors take 30 measurements every 18 seconds, gathering data on air particulates, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The information is analyzed using AI, and if a fire is detected, the sensors will alert emergency managers.

Some Mountain West states are seeing a big boost in federal funding to reduce the risk of wildfire around communities. And one state is putting that chopped wood to good use.