Wildfires

Climate disasters have become increasingly commonplace and increasingly destructive. The worst year was 2017 where a combination of devastating hurricane and wildfires resulted in $300 billion in damages. But 2025 has been one of the costliest years as well with economic losses of $120 billion spanning four continents.

Changes to the atmosphere and to the climate are interrelated and understanding what effects such changes have is a complicated matter. Wildfires are increasingly commonplace and many of their effects are obvious. Air quality in places hundreds or even thousands of miles from wildfires can become degraded and even hazardous to human health. Ecosystems are disrupted by killing wildlife and destroying habitats. A new study by Harvard University looked at the effects of wildfires on the upper atmosphere.

Hotter and drier conditions driven by climate change are leading to an increasing number of wildfires in North America and around the world. These fires are growing larger and burning longer, spreading into biodiversity-rich regions once considered too wet and humid to sustain them.

As dangerous wildfires continue to sweep across Los Angeles, many families are caught unprepared as they race to evacuate their homes. In just over a week since the fires started, nearly 60 square miles has burned up and at least 27 people have died. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection, the Eaton fire is 81 percent contained and the Palisades fire is 52 percent contained. I spoke with Samantha Penta, an associate professor in the University at Albany’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, about how you can prepare yourself for disaster.

After 25 years of stumping scientists, a mysterious mollusk found drifting in the ocean off the coast of California, has been identified. We’ll learn more about this unusual animal.And we’ll learn about how human practices can both contribute to and help prevent wildfires.

Much of Massachusetts remains under a Level 3 Critical Drought — one step lower than the most dire rating. The entire state besides the Cape and Islands Region is experiencing extremely dry conditions.

Precipitation over the last few days helped slow and contain the Butternut Fire on East Mountain in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Some much-needed rain came to drought-stricken Massachusetts Thursday, but the battle against a wildfire in southern Berkshire County has no end in sight.

Crews are continuing to battle a wildfire in the southwest corner of Massachusetts.

After weeks of warnings about the threat of wildfires during the fall drought, officials in and around Great Barrington, Massachusetts are scrambling to contain flames near East Mountain.