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Sam's News — climate-resilience — 2026-07-31

TL;DR

Climate & Ecological Resilience

Fire Eclipses Drought as Western Forests' Primary Biomass Loss Driver

Research presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (July 26–31, 2026) in Salt Lake City found that fire has become the dominant driver of aboveground forest biomass loss in the western United States for 2013–2024, surpassing drought, insect damage, and timber harvest combined. This shift has major implications for carbon accounting in forests previously viewed as reliable carbon sinks.

  • UCLA researchers Qian He and Park Williams presented the finding at ESA 2026
  • Analysis covers 2013–2024 period across all western US forest types
  • Fire now surpasses drought, insects, and timber harvest as primary biomass loss driver
  • High-severity fire cycles reshape forests on 10-year timescales, unlike drought-stressed trees that can recover

Sources: Science Friday Web Search

Cottonwood Fire in Utah Continues Containment Efforts Amid Climate Challenges

Utah's Cottonwood Fire, which ignited on June 22 and charred over 97,000 acres, remained only 95% contained as of late July 31, 2026. Officials and lawmakers toured the burn scar, but researchers warn that traditional fire prevention methods like forest thinning and controlled burns may no longer be effective as climate change drives increasingly extreme heat and drought conditions.

  • Cottonwood Fire charred more than 97,000 acres and started June 22, 2026
  • Fire was 95% contained as of late Thursday (July 31)
  • Research shows weather and climate now override fuel-based management in determining wildfire outcomes
  • Snow drought in Utah was 14 times more likely than in pre-industrial times

Sources: Grist Web Search