Extreme fire weather in Chile driven by climate change and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Abstract A string of fierce fires broke out in Chile the austral summer 2023, just six years after record-breaking 2017 fire season. Favored by extreme weather conditions, activity has dramatically risen recent this Andean country. total 1.7 million ha. burned during last decade, tripling figures prior decade. Six seven most destructive seasons on record occurred since 2014. Here, we analyze progression two decades conditions associated with increased risk Central (30°–39° S). Fire (including high temperatures, low humidity, dryness, and strong winds) increase potential for wildfires, once ignited, to rapidly spread. We show that concurrence El Niño climate-fueled droughts heatwaves boost local have decisively contributed intense recently seen Chile. Our results also suggest tropical eastern Pacific Ocean variability modulates seasonal country, driving turn interannual activity. The signature warm anomalies 1 + 2 region (0°–10° S, 90° W–80° W) is apparent area records 2023.

Language: Английский

---

Fuel treatment effectiveness at the landscape scale: a systematic review of simulation studies comparing treatment scenarios in North America

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Feb. 20, 2023

Abstract Background The risk of destructive wildfire on fire-prone landscapes with excessive fuel buildup has prompted the use reduction treatments to protect valued resources from damage. question how maximize effectiveness at landscape scales is important because treating an entire may be undesirable or unfeasible. We reviewed 86 simulation studies that examined landscape-scale treatment for USA Canada. Each these tested effects through comparisons scenarios differing by design other attributes. Results were summarized assess what they reveal about factors determining scales. Qualifying focused primarily but not exclusively forested western and ranged in size 200 3,400,000 ha. Most showed had lower levels compared untreated scenarios. Damaging types decreased while beneficial increased as a result most cases where differentiated. Wildfire outcomes influenced five dimensions (extent, placement, size, prescription, timing) beyond (weather, climate, fire/fuel attributes, management inputs). Studies testing factorial combinations relative importance varied across contexts. Conclusions Simulation have highlighted general principles effective scales, including desirability extensive areas appropriate prescriptions sufficient frequency reduce impacts even under extreme conditions more prevalent future. More specific, context-dependent strategies also been provided, such variety placement schemes prioritizing protection different resources. Optimization algorithms shown helpful timing achieve desired objectives given constraints. Additional work needed expand geographical scope studies, further examine interactions driving factors, longer-term projected climate change.

Language: Английский

---

Downslope Wind‐Driven Fires in the Western United States

Earth s Future, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(5)

Published: May 1, 2023

Abstract Downslope wind‐driven fires have resulted in many of the wildfire disasters western United States and represent a unique hazard to infrastructure human life. We analyze co‐occurrence wildfires downslope winds across (US) during 1992–2020. accounted for 13.4% 11.9% burned area US yet majority local portions southern California, central Washington, front range Rockies. These were predominantly ignited by humans, occurred closer population centers, outsized impacts on lives infrastructure. Since 1999, 60.1% structures 52.4% lost US. under anomalously dry fuels exhibited seasonality distinct from other fires—occurring primarily spring fall. Over 1992–2020, we document 25% increase annual number 140% their respective area, which partially reflects trends toward drier fuels. results advance our understanding importance driving disastrous that threaten populated regions adjacent mountain ranges The characteristics require increased fire prevention adaptation strategies minimize losses incorporation changing human‐ignitions, fuel availability dryness, wind occurrence elucidate future risk.

Language: Английский

---

Simulated Future Shifts in Wildfire Regimes in Moist Forests of Pacific Northwest, USA

Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 129(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Fire is an integral natural disturbance in the moist temperate forests of Pacific Northwest United States, but future changes remain uncertain. regimes this climatically and biophysically diverse region are complex, typically climate limited. One challenge for interpreting potential conveying projection uncertainty. Using projections Energy Release Component (ERC) derived from 12 global models (GCM) that vary performance relative to region's contemporary climate, we simulated thousands plausible fire seasons with stochastic spatial spread model FSim mid‐21st century (2035–2064) under RCP8.5 emissions scenario five northwestern pyromes. The magnitude projected burn probability, size, number fires varied among pyromes GCMs. We largest increases probability size cooler wetter northern parts (North Cascades, Olympics & Puget Lowlands) Oregon West more moderate Washington Cascades Coast Range. provide new insights into changing characterized by possibility shifts toward frequent large (especially >40,000 ha), as well seasonality, including burning at beginning fall when extreme synoptic weather events have increase spread. Our work highlights geographic variability change effects some most productive world points a rapid acceleration coming decades.

Language: Английский

---

A Review of Speleothems as Archives for Paleofire Proxies, With Australian Case Studies

Reviews of Geophysics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 61(2)

Published: March 22, 2023

Abstract Wildfires affect 40% of the earth's terrestrial biome, but much our knowledge wildfire activity is limited to satellite era. Improved understanding past fires necessary better forecast how fire regimes might change with future climate change, understand ecosystem resilience fire, and improve data‐model comparisons. Environmental proxy archives can extend activity. Speleothems, naturally occurring cave formations, are widely used in paleoenvironmental research as they absolutely dateable, occur on every ice‐free continent, include multiple proxies. Recently, speleothems have been shown record events (Argiriadis et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00767 ; McDonough 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2022.03.020 Homann https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34950-x ). Here we present a review this emerging application speleothem science. We give concise overview common paleofire proxies, describe attempts use stalagmites investigate paleofire, physical basis through which fires. then ideal sample for offer summary applicable laboratory statistical methods. Finally, four case studies from southwest Australia which: (a) explore geochemistry ash leachates, (b) detail sulfate isotopes may be post ecological recovery, (c) demonstrate catastrophic was linked changes land management, (d) whether deep caves events. conclude paper by outlining directions applications.

Language: Английский

---

South America is becoming warmer, drier, and more flammable

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Sept. 26, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Optimizing alkaline solvent regeneration through bipolar membrane electrodialysis for carbon capture

Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 488, P. 150870 - 150870

Published: March 31, 2024

This work demonstrates and characterizes the use of a bipolar membrane electrodialysis for pH-driven CO2 capture solvent regeneration using potassium hydroxide solutions. The impact concentration, current density load ratio on desorption efficiency was analyzed substantiated with an equilibrium model. system tested partially saturated solutions that mimic expected carbon content alkaline solvents have been in contact flue gas (carbon loading 0.6 K+ concentration from 0.5 M to 2 M). Among densities, 1000 A/m2 demonstrated highest but also energy consumption, whereas 250 exhibited lowest consumption (8.8 GJ/ton CO2) lower desorption. Efficiency losses were associated H+ transport across membranes at high ratios decrease water dissociation low densities. establishes key performance indicators describes fundamental characteristics continuous systems used post-combustion capture.

Language: Английский

---

The meteorology and impacts of the September 2020 western United States extreme weather event

Weather and Climate Extremes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43, P. 100647 - 100647

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

In September 2020, Western North America was impacted by a highly anomalous meteorological event. Over the Pacific Northwest, strong and dry easterly winds exceeded historically observed values for time of year contributed to rapid spread several large wildfires. Nine lives were lost over 5000 homes businesses destroyed in Oregon. The smoke from fires enveloped region nearly two weeks after Concurrently, same weather system brought record-breaking cold, dramatic 24-hour temperature falls, early-season snowfall parts Rocky Mountains. Here we use synoptic analysis air parcel backward trajectories build process-based understanding this extreme event put it climatological context. primary atmospheric driver development amplified 500 hPa tropospheric wave pattern that persisted days. A ridge high pressure characterized western side with trough low east. notable anticyclonic Rossby breaking occurred as train amplified. Air show which exacerbated fire danger, originated mid-troposphere descended through subsidence surface. At time, falls recorded along east Mountains, driven transport high-latitude near

Language: Английский

---

Coupling fire and energy in the Anthropocene: Deploying scale to analyze social vulnerability to forced electricity outages in California

Energy Research & Social Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112, P. 103519 - 103519

Published: March 30, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Sixth Oregon climate assessment

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Consistent with its charge under Oregon House Bill 3543, the Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI) conducts a biennial assessment of state climate change science, including biological, physical, and social as it relates to likely effects on Oregon. This sixth Assessment builds previous assessments by continuing evaluate past projected future changes in Oregon’s water supply. Like fifth assessment, is structured goal supporting state’s mitigation planning for natural hazards implementation 2021 Adaptation Framework.

Language: Английский

---