Faster disaster: Climate change fuels ‘flash droughts’, intense downpours and storms

After the northern summer of extreme heat and disastrous fires, we’ve seen more exceptional autumn weather over Europe with record-breaking heat in the UK. Meanwhile, record-breaking rain and intense…Continue readingFaster disaster: Climate change fuels ‘flash droughts’, intense downpours and storms

Fire too fast for containment lines near Australian NT town of Tennant Creek

A mega blaze that has been burning for more than a week is racing towards a remote Northern Territory town, tearing through fire breaks. The Barkly Complex fire broke…Continue readingFire too fast for containment lines near Australian NT town of Tennant Creek

Fire climate regimes around Australia shifted abruptly 20 years ago, and falling humidity may explain why

Our research shows almost everywhere in Australia is now in a different fire climate than it was just 20 years ago, with falling relative humidity a key factor. Previous…Continue readingFire climate regimes around Australia shifted abruptly 20 years ago, and falling humidity may explain why

US hit by record number of billion-dollar disasters so far this year

Between January and August, the United States was struck by a record-breaking 23 weather and climate disasters where losses exceeded $1 billion in each case. The tally for 2023…Continue readingUS hit by record number of billion-dollar disasters so far this year

Mediterranean’s devastating Storm Daniel may be harbinger of storms to come

Storm Daniel, which wrought devastation across the Mediterranean in the past week, killed 15 people in central Greece where it dumped more rain than previously recorded before sweeping across…Continue readingMediterranean’s devastating Storm Daniel may be harbinger of storms to come

After slew of disasters, Greeks wonder what is happening to their democracy

Floods, wildfires and a deadly train collision this year have raised questions about the competence of state authorities and central government.Continue readingAfter slew of disasters, Greeks wonder what is happening to their democracy

Death toll rises to four in Greece after floods, more than 800 rescued

The death toll from floods in central Greece has risen to four after severe rainstorms turned streets into raging torrents, hurled cars into the sea, and washed away roads…Continue readingDeath toll rises to four in Greece after floods, more than 800 rescued

Greek summer wildfires will burn over 150,000 hectares

Devastating wildfires in Greece will ravage more than 150,000 hectares (370,600 acres) by the end of the summer, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis estimated Thursday, blaming the climate crisis for…Continue readingGreek summer wildfires will burn over 150,000 hectares

Louisiana sees ‘unprecedented’ wildfires amid record heat, drought

More than 450 fires have scorched parts of Louisiana amid weeks of record-breaking heat and severe drought conditions. The Tiger Island Fire, the largest wildfire in the state’s history,…Continue readingLouisiana sees ‘unprecedented’ wildfires amid record heat, drought

Dramatic climate action needed to curtail ‘crazy’ extreme weather

The “crazy” extreme weather rampaging around the globe in 2023 will become the norm within a decade without dramatic climate action, the world’s leading climate scientists have said. The…Continue readingDramatic climate action needed to curtail ‘crazy’ extreme weather

Tenerife: thousands more flee their homes as ‘out of ‘control’ wildfires rage

The regional government for the Canary Islands said that 4,000 more people were ordered to evacuate on Saturday. Those were in addition to the 4,500 people who on Friday…Continue readingTenerife: thousands more flee their homes as ‘out of ‘control’ wildfires rage

Huge wildfire forces evacuation of Canada’s Northwest Territories capital

A huge wildfire in northern Canada is moving closer the city of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, and authorities have ordered the city’s 20,000 residents to evacuate.…Continue readingHuge wildfire forces evacuation of Canada’s Northwest Territories capital

Non-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires

Scientists and academics say they have been warning for several years that invasive grasses covering a quarter of the Hawaii islands are a major fire risk. Untamed grassland helped…Continue readingNon-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires

Military joins wildfire fight in Canada’s far north

Canada’s military deployed to far north Sunday in the fight against hundreds of out-of-control wildfires as residents of several remote communities fled the advancing blazes. This season, megafires have…Continue readingMilitary joins wildfire fight in Canada’s far north

Portugal, Spain battle wildfires amid heat wave alerts

Hundreds of firefighters were on Tuesday battling a wildfire that has burned for four days in Portugal, which, like neighboring Spain, is sweltering in a heat wave that has…Continue readingPortugal, Spain battle wildfires amid heat wave alerts

Climatologist warns of Italy’s vulnerability to climate crisis

The collapse of a glacier in the Dolomites and a landslide on the island of Ischia. Devastating floods, wildfires and record-breaking heatwaves. The worst drought of the Po, Italy’s…Continue readingClimatologist warns of Italy’s vulnerability to climate crisis

Huge wildfire explodes in southern California and spreads into Nevada

A massive fire burning through the desert in California and southern Nevada has scorched tens of thousands of acres in a biodiverse national preserve and torched its iconic Joshua…Continue readingHuge wildfire explodes in southern California and spreads into Nevada

Mediterranean on fire as blazes spread across nine countries

Algeria: At least 34 people were killed, where 8,000 firefighters battled blazes across the tinder-dry north. Fires burned in a total of 15 provinces, leading to the evacuation of…Continue readingMediterranean on fire as blazes spread across nine countries

‘We are damned fools’: scientist who sounded climate alarm in 80s warns of worse to come

The world is shifting towards a superheated climate not seen in the past 1m years, prior to human existence, because “we are damned fools” for not acting upon warnings…Continue reading‘We are damned fools’: scientist who sounded climate alarm in 80s warns of worse to come

Heatwaves set more records across Europe, Asia and US

China Tourists flocked to a giant thermometer in China showing surface temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius (176 degress Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, the latest extreme weather sparking havoc and curiosity…Continue readingHeatwaves set more records across Europe, Asia and US

From Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Algeria In Algeria, five states were listed as places with the highest temperatures in the world in recent days, according to El Dorado Weather, which keeps a log of…Continue readingFrom Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Amazon in the firetrap: Deforestation and warming lock rainforest in dry and damaged grassland state

Global warming and drastic deforestation could dry out the Amazon rainforest faster and enforce the risk of keeping it downright fire-trapped. A new study published in Communications Earth &…Continue readingAmazon in the firetrap: Deforestation and warming lock rainforest in dry and damaged grassland state

Last week the hottest worldwide on record: UN

“The world just had the hottest week on record, according to preliminary data,” the WMO said in a statement, after climate change and the early stages of the El…Continue readingLast week the hottest worldwide on record: UN

Wildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

With nine million hectares (22.2 million acres) already gone up in smoke—11 times the average for the last decade—the absolute annual record set in 1989 has been surpassed. Authorities…Continue readingWildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

Study shows number of people in US exposed to wildfires over past 20 years has doubled

A team of civil engineers, climate scientists and bioresource engineers has found that the number of people in the U.S. exposed to wildfires has doubled over the past 20…Continue readingStudy shows number of people in US exposed to wildfires over past 20 years has doubled

Canada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

As of Wednesday, more than eight million hectares (20 million acres) of forests and grasslands had burned across Canada, breaking an annual record of 7.3 million hectares set in…Continue readingCanada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

Canada’s fires are getting fiercer – and rebuilding is becoming a challenge

This year’s spring wildfire season has been the worst on record in Canada, with more than 5m hectares of land burned – a figure higher than the entire 2016,…Continue readingCanada’s fires are getting fiercer – and rebuilding is becoming a challenge

Canada’s wildfires are part of our new climate reality, experts and officials say

The country has already seen 1,400% of the normal amount of land burned for this time of year. More than 400 blazes were burning across Canada on Wednesday, following…Continue readingCanada’s wildfires are part of our new climate reality, experts and officials say

Canada wildfires spread to new areas, prompting more evacuations

Approximately 10,000 people have been ordered to leave a coastal city in the Canadian province of Quebec, marking the latest evacuation amid weeks of wildfires across the country. Bill…Continue readingCanada wildfires spread to new areas, prompting more evacuations

Wildfires in forests of Canada and Russia put climate scientists on alert

Earlier this year, researchers found that summertime fires in boreal forests had expanded since 2000, and contributed close to a quarter of total carbon emissions from wildfires in 2021,…Continue readingWildfires in forests of Canada and Russia put climate scientists on alert

‘Perfect storm’ of heat, dryness fuel western Canada’s extreme wildfires

Diana Stralberg, a researcher in Edmonton for the Canadian Forest Service, explained that human-caused climate change is making the fire season longer and causing “extreme fire weather conditions” to…Continue reading‘Perfect storm’ of heat, dryness fuel western Canada’s extreme wildfires

Canada’s Alberta announces state of emergency over wildfires

Continue readingCanada’s Alberta announces state of emergency over wildfires

Fire danger in the high mountains is intensifying, shows study of four decades of data

We analyzed fire danger trends in different elevation bands of the Western U.S. mountains from 1979 to 2020. Fire danger describes conditions that reflect the potential for a fire…Continue readingFire danger in the high mountains is intensifying, shows study of four decades of data

“Buckle up. More extreme events are expected,” says head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The United States is Earth’s punching bag for nasty weather. Blame geography for the U.S. getting hit by stronger, costlier, more varied and frequent extreme weather than anywhere on…Continue reading“Buckle up. More extreme events are expected,” says head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Environmental ‘tragedy’ as fires burn through one-fifth of Northern Territory national park in Australia

More than 100,000 hectares burned in MacDonnell Ranges area, which has been declared a federal priority for threatened species conservation.Continue readingEnvironmental ‘tragedy’ as fires burn through one-fifth of Northern Territory national park in Australia

To help dry-forests, fire needs to be just the right intensity, and happen more than once

One blaze can’t restore species composition to its historical norm in a forest that evolved amid frequent, low-severity fires, the scientists found. “Landscapes have likely passed thresholds that preclude…Continue readingTo help dry-forests, fire needs to be just the right intensity, and happen more than once

Extreme wildfires are turning the world’s largest forest ecosystem from carbon sink into net-emitter

The new study showed a significant increase in emissions from boreal fires over the past two decades. Things were particularly dramatic in 2021, when they comprised a record 23%…Continue readingExtreme wildfires are turning the world’s largest forest ecosystem from carbon sink into net-emitter

Western US wildfires destroyed 246% more homes and buildings over the past decade

Continue readingWestern US wildfires destroyed 246% more homes and buildings over the past decade

Why scientists are using the word scary over the climate crisis

More and more scientists are now admitting publicly that they are scared by the recent climate extremes, such as the floods in Pakistan and west Africa, the droughts and…Continue readingWhy scientists are using the word scary over the climate crisis

Arctic fires could release catastrophic amounts of carbon dioxide

Global warming is responsible for bigger and bigger fires in Siberia, and in the decades ahead they could release huge amounts of carbon now trapped in the soil. Researchers…Continue readingArctic fires could release catastrophic amounts of carbon dioxide

Megadrought in the American south-west: a climate disaster unseen in 1,200 years

Caption for figure above: Grid-cell specific rankings of 22-yr negative soil moisture anomalies (drought rank) in 2000–2021 compared to the driest 22-yr period in each previous drought event back…Continue readingMegadrought in the American south-west: a climate disaster unseen in 1,200 years

World heading into ‘uncharted territory of destruction’

The world’s chances of avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown are diminishing rapidly, as we enter “uncharted territory of destruction” through our failure to cut greenhouse gas emissions…Continue readingWorld heading into ‘uncharted territory of destruction’

‘Nothing left to burn’: Wildfires blaze through the Arctic

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires has darkened skies over the Alaskan interior this summer with the state experiencing its fastest start to the fire season on record amid hot…Continue reading‘Nothing left to burn’: Wildfires blaze through the Arctic

Warming of up to 5°C in this century projected for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Unprecedented and societally disruptive extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, dust storms and torrential rains, will soon become a reality unless immediate, ambitious, and transboundary climate action is…Continue readingWarming of up to 5°C in this century projected for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Brazil records worst day for Amazon fires in 15 years

The number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon hit a nearly 15-year high this week, according to official figures that provided the latest warning on the advancing destruction…Continue readingBrazil records worst day for Amazon fires in 15 years

Forest fires burn twice as many trees as two decades ago

Researchers found that a typical forest fire season now burns 3 million more hectares (7.4 million more acres) than in 2001. Forest fires accounted for a quarter of global…Continue readingForest fires burn twice as many trees as two decades ago

Climate change driving unprecedented forest fire loss

Forest fires supercharged by climate change are burning twice as much global tree cover as 20 years ago. The equivalent of 16 football pitches are now lost every minute.…Continue readingClimate change driving unprecedented forest fire loss

2022 sets record fire activity in southwest Europe

Blazes that have torched tens of thousands of hectares of forest in France, Spain and Portugal have made 2022 a record year for wildfire activity in southwestern Europe. France…Continue reading2022 sets record fire activity in southwest Europe

Wildfires destroy almost all forest carbon offsets in 100-year reserve

Wildfires have depleted almost all of the carbon credits set aside in reserve by forestry projects in the US to protect against the risk of trees being damaged over…Continue readingWildfires destroy almost all forest carbon offsets in 100-year reserve

Extreme weather caused $65 billion in losses in first half of 2022

Extreme weather events linked to climate change caused about $65 billion in total losses in the first half of 2022, roughly half of which hit uninsured assets, according to…Continue readingExtreme weather caused $65 billion in losses in first half of 2022

Italy heatwave peaks with 16 cities on red alert as Tuscany burns

Italy faced the hottest day of the current heatwave Friday with red extreme heat warnings issued for 16 cities across the country, as firefighters battled blazes up and down…Continue readingItaly heatwave peaks with 16 cities on red alert as Tuscany burns

Humanity faces ‘collective suicide’

Wildfires and heatwaves wreaking havoc across swathes of the globe show humanity facing “collective suicide”, the UN secretary general has warned. António Guterres told ministers from 40 countries meeting…Continue readingHumanity faces ‘collective suicide’

Firefighters tackle southern Europe wildfires as heatwave passes 45˚C

France, Portugal and Spain are among the European countries particularly affected, with temperatures of more than 45˚C (113˚F) recorded during a heatwave that is also sweeping the UK. France:…Continue readingFirefighters tackle southern Europe wildfires as heatwave passes 45˚C

Burning planet

Scientists have been able quickly to prove that record-breaking temperatures are no natural occurrence. A study published last month showed that the south Asian heatwave was made 30 times…Continue readingBurning planet

Forest Service says it failed to account for climate change in New Mexico blaze

When the U.S. Forest Service started an intentional fire in the Santa Fe National Forest in early April, the aim was to reduce the risk of a destructive blaze.…Continue readingForest Service says it failed to account for climate change in New Mexico blaze

Spain, Germany battle wildfires amid unusual heatwave in Europe

Firefighters in Spain and Germany are struggling to contain wildfires amid a heatwave in Western Europe, unusual for this time of year. The worst damage in Spain has been…Continue readingSpain, Germany battle wildfires amid unusual heatwave in Europe

Europe’s five hottest summers since 1500

In just more than two decades, the continent has experienced its five hottest summers since 1500. 2021: Hottest ever Last year was Europe’s hottest summer on record. Greece endured…Continue readingEurope’s five hottest summers since 1500

A ‘Perfect Recipe for Extreme Wildfire’:
New Mexico’s Record-Breaking, Early Fire Season

Fueled by abnormally dry, warm conditions and spread by strong winds, wildfires have burned more than 600,000 acres across New Mexico this spring — making it one of the…Continue readingA ‘Perfect Recipe for Extreme Wildfire’:
New Mexico’s Record-Breaking, Early Fire Season

US fires have become 4 times larger, 3 times more frequent since 2000

Work published in Science Advances shows that large fires have not only become more common, they are also spreading into new areas, impacting land that previously did not burn.…Continue readingUS fires have become 4 times larger, 3 times more frequent since 2000

Increasing frequency of El Niño events expected by 2040

The study examined four possible scenarios for future carbon emissions, and found increased risk of El Niño events in all four. This means El Niño events and associated climate…Continue readingIncreasing frequency of El Niño events expected by 2040