October 7, 2019: Wildfires affect watersheds in myriad ways, from reducing evapotranspiration to changing soil repellencies, but new research suggests impacts on snowpack and runoff are the most significant. <<read more>>
Watersheds Dynamics Following Wildfires: Nonlinear Feedbacks and Implications on Hydrologic Responses
August 14, 2019: With the onset of climate change, prolonged periods of droughts and increased temperatures have lead to conditions amenable to forest insect infestation, vegetation mortality, and more frequent and large‐scale wildfires. <<read more>>
Research Becomes Reality in Study of Fire Impact on Sonoma Water Resources
November 20, 2017: Berkeley Lab analyzes how Sonoma County Water Agency’s riverbank filtration system is responding to wildfire. <<read more>>
How California Wildfires Can Impact Water Availability
September 4, 2019: A new study uses a numerical model of an important watershed in California to shed light on how wildfires can affect large-scale hydrological processes, such as stream flow, groundwater levels, and snowpack and snowmelt. <<read more>>
Governor Newsom Signs Bills to Enhance Wildfire Mitigation, Preparedness and Response Efforts
October 25, 2019:
New laws reflect key recommendations made by Governor’s Strike Force Report on Wildfires & build on $1 billion wildfire and emergency investment in the budget.
<<read more>>
Wildfires Could Permanently Alter Alaska’s Forest Composition
August 26, 2019:
Berkeley Lab study finds evergreen conifer trees will decline and deciduous broadleaf trees dominate in a warmer climate with more wildfires.
<<read more>>
Save the Date: October 2019 Prescribed Fire on Private Lands Workshops
August 14, 2019:
Save the Date for two upcoming workshops on using prescribed fire on private lands:
October 8th, 2019: Ambulance, Fire and EOC Facility, 18440 Striker Court, Sonora, CA; October 10th, 2019: American Legion Ambulance, 11350 American Legion Drive, Sutter Creek, CA.
View the FLYER.
Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley Hold Berkeley Fire Research Workshop (May 9, 2019)
May 10, 2019:
Environmental scientists and engineers came together at a workshop to share research taking place across Berkeley relevant to “Fire in the Environment.” The workshop covered a range of key topics, including the expected impact of climate change on future fires; wildfire as a natural part of California’s environment; and cutting-edge technologies that can assist with detecting, modeling, and mapping fires, and enhancing our ability to co-exist with future fires. Event was held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 (Berkeley Fire Research Workshop Webpage and Agenda).
There could be an app for detecting wildfires
April 4, 2019:
(Capital Public Radio Online, By Ezra David Romero, April 26, 2019): Geography professor Jeffrey Chambers has modeled a computer program to help California quickly detect wildfires, inspired by real-time data (including satellite photographs taken of the state every five minutes) during the devastating Camp Fire last November, and decided it was just a matter of developing an app that could use the tools available to quickly spot fires and alert emergency responders.
See also Berkeley News/Press Release (Robert Sanders, April 15, 2019).
ACWA Special Webinar Briefing (April 23, 2019)
April 4, 2019:
This is a Special Webinar Briefing: Regions 1 & 2 Present, Fire Preparedness: Wish I Knew Then, What I Know Now
Webinar briefing will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.