A new study offers a rare window into the hidden effects of aggressive fire suppression that go beyond fuel accumulation. The practice may even change the course of forest evolution.
Ongoing rescue operation by firefighters burned residential buildings in Valencia, Spain - 23 February 2024.
Dina Mukhutdinova/Shutterstock
Following the tragic, devastating apartment block fire in Eastern Spain, questions are being asked about fire safety, and how it can keep pace with new technology and construction techniques.
The fire risk goes beyond rising temperatures and dry conditions.
Samuel Corum / AFP via Getty Images
There are physical, cultural and legal reasons why fire prevention measures didn’t avert the tragedy at the Grenfell Tower – and other buildings are still at risk.
For a firefighter, knowing when it’s time to evacuate can be the difference between life and death. But that can be a difficult call to make when you’re trying to protect life, property and resources while…
People living in the bush can’t rely too heavily on controlled burn-offs to protect their home.
AAP Image/Channel Ten
After the early onset of the 2013-14 bushfire season, it is worth reviewing which homes are more likely to be left standing when the fires inevitably return. One of the most important factors to note is…
Forest fires will become more severe with climate change, inevitably taking a greater toll of lives.
European Press Agency
The tragic events in Yarnell, Arizona, where 19 firefighters died battling a forest fire, brought to the forefront the dangers of forest fires. The changes in climate that have been observed during the…
Remains of a fertiliser plant and other buildings and vehicles after the plant exploded in West, Texas, USA, 17 April 2013.
EPA
At least 14 people – including a number of emergency services crew – died in an massive explosion on Wednesday night at a fertiliser plant in the small town of West near Waco, Texas. So what made the blaze…
Research shows that men are more likely to stay and fight bushfires than women.
AAP/Tony Phillips
“Record-breaking Heatwave”. “Australia Burns”. “Heroes of the Flames”. Headlines such as these will be familiar to anyone who has lived though a bad bushfire season in Australia. These past two weeks have…