Wildfires

Fire creates a mosaic of different habitat types, each at a different stage of succession. We humans continue to have a profound influence on these fire regimes.

Snowpack is often described as the West's largest natural reservoir — and the way forests are managed can affect how much of that snow becomes part of the water supply, according to new research.

A new report found those disasters were also closely connected, with drought and low snowpack creating ideal conditions for large wildfires.

The team at Boise State University looked at hundreds of attributes about the fires — not just weather variables like wind speed or temperature, but human factors like density of development.

With wildfires a growing problem across the West, the new tool could allow lawmakers to learn from each other's successes and failures.

The new agency will be composed of the multiple fire programs within the Department of the Interior. Congress funded other wildland firefighting efforts, but not the agency itself.

Savannahs are characterized by their shifting dominance of grass and trees. Though fire is believed to give grass a boost over slower growing plants, it turns out we know little about their roots.

While experts expected a much more active fire season, a meteorologist at the National Interagency Fire Center explains that there's still a possibility of increased fire activity this season.

In other news, the University of Utah may soon cut over 80 programs as part of budget cuts from the state legislature. And, a fast-moving fire in Summit County has forced camping evacuations.

A lot of strategy goes into preventing a wildfire from spreading. The Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands' Kayli Guild explains the process.