Wildfires : Discovery News

Wildfire Season Off to a Burning Start

Posted by Tim Wall Wed May 16, 2012 05:47 AM ET | 0

In Arizona, 200 firefighters and 11 aircraft are battling 4,600 acres of wildfire in the Mazatzal Wilderness. Read more

Billions Inhale Acid From Fires

Posted by Tim Wall Tue May 1, 2012 11:53 AM ET | 0

Cigarette smokers are inhaling so much isocyanic acid that it spikes off the record of sensitive atmospheric instruments. Billions more are inhaling the pollutant from wildfires and wood-burning stoves. Read more

Why We're Drawn to Fire

Posted Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:14 AM ET | 0

Fire may be mesmerizing only to those who have not yet learned to master it. Read more

A Perfect Firestorm Threatens West Coast

Posted by Sarah Simpson Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:44 AM ET | 0

Despite the massive wildfires that have swept the western U.S. in recent years, the region has barely begun paying down the huge fire deficit it has accumulated over the last 100 years. Read more

A Perfect Firestorm Threatens West Coast

Earth's Mugshot Explained

Posted Sat Feb 4, 2012 12:26 PM ET | 0

NASA's newest Earth-watching satellite is beaming back spectacular views of our home planet. Here's how it works. Read more

Flying Drones Fight Fires

Posted by Tim Wall Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:26 AM ET | 0

A recent test shows aerial drones can monitor fires from the sky and keep firefighters safe. Read more

Texas Wildfire Destroys Hundreds of Homes

Posted Mon Sep 5, 2011 03:34 PM ET | 0

Fanned by dry winds and fueled by severe drought, the Texan wildfires are now considered a "major natural disaster." Read more

Fires and Floods From Same Phenomenon

Posted by Tim Wall Fri Sep 2, 2011 12:23 PM ET | 0

A split in the jet stream resulted in northern fires and southern floods last year. But the original cause for the blockage that produced the split remains a mystery. Read more

How Riots Behave Like Forest Fires

Posted by Marianne English Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:50 AM ET | 0

Like wildfires, the London riots have moved past the point where authorities can easily contain the violence. Read more

When the Arctic Catches Fire

Posted by John D. Cox Fri Jul 29, 2011 05:16 AM ET | 0

Wildfires in the tundra of Alaska's North Slope pose a severe feedback threat to a warming climate. Read more

Climate Change To Spawn More Wildfires

Posted by Emily Sohn Mon Jul 25, 2011 03:00 PM ET | 0

More frequent large fires are predicted for the Rockies and Yellowstone with the potential to push the area over a tipping point. Read more

Los Alamos Fights to Keep Flames Away: Photos

Posted Wed Jun 29, 2011 07:35 PM ET | 0

About 750 firefighters are working to control the flames that have burned more than 90,000 acres just 12 miles southwest of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Read more

Fire and Flood Threaten Research Center and Nuclear Plant

Posted Mon Jun 27, 2011 02:36 PM ET | 0

In New Mexico, fire and smoke has shut down the Los Alamos National Lab, and in Nebraska, floodwaters are closing in on the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant. Read more

Honey Prairie Fire: Big Pic

Posted Thu Jun 23, 2011 02:03 PM ET | 0

The Honey Prairie Complex Fire in Georgia continued sending smoke eastward over the Atlantic Ocean this week. Read more

Arizona Wildfire Largest in State History : Big Pic

Posted Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:05 PM ET | 0

Arizona's Wallow Fire has consumed 487,016 acres or 761 square miles since igniting on May 29 making it the largest wildfire in the state's history. Read more