One of the best predictors of western wildfires could be how hot it’s been, according to a new geography study by the University of Cincinnati.
One of the best predictors of western wildfires could be how hot it’s been, according to a new geography study by the University of Cincinnati.
Geography professor Susanna Tong and her students studied a variety of weather, microclimate and ground conditions in historic fires around Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, to determine which might be the most important in predicting the risk of wildfire.
They found that temperature was a better predictor than humidity, rainfall, moisture content of the vegetation and soil and other factors. They presented their findings this month at the American Association of Geographers conference in Washington, D.C.
Read more at University of Cincinnati
Photo: A fire helicopter drops flame retardant on a wildfire. Photo/Kari Greer/U.S. Forest Service
