California’s famous moniker – the Golden State – is becoming all too accurate as the state enters the fifth year of drought and the summer heat begins to dry out its rolling hillsides. A lackluster El Niño failed to deliver a promised deluge of rain and ultimately brought only an average amount of precipitation – […]
Relief may be coming soon for many Mountain Area homeowners left with dead trees in their yards after they were cut down by companies contracted with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The trees, killed by bark beetle infestations, were cut down for safety reasons and to protect power lines, but disposing of the trees, in […]
A new map created with measurements from an airborne instrument developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, reveals the devastating effect of California’s ongoing drought on Sierra Nevada conifer forests. After several years of extreme drought, the highly stressed conifers (trees that produce cones and are usually green year-round) of the Sierra Nevada are […]
Heading back up the hill from the airport, the large digital billboard on Interstate 80 — usually warning us all to be ready to “chain up” due to unsettled weather — seemed like a mixed message from the state of California Sunday night. “Severe drought … Limit outdoor watering,” the sign displayed. It seemed liked solid […]
California’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]
A report by the nonpartisan Climate Central says that 11 million people in California are at risk of wildfire and that climate change is lengthening the wildfire season. Previous reports by researchers have said wildfires in the western U.S. would become more intense, larger, and start earlier than usual as a result of climate change. […]
Water Markets May Help California Better Manage Its Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Fox & Houndsby Sally PipesCalifornia’s famous moniker – the Golden State – is becoming all too accurate as the state enters the fifth year of drought and the summer heat begins to dry out its rolling hillsides. A lackluster El Niño failed to deliver a promised deluge of rain and ultimately brought only an average amount of precipitation – […]
Relief for Fallen Trees on the Way
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sierra Star (Oakhurst)by Brian WilkinsonRelief may be coming soon for many Mountain Area homeowners left with dead trees in their yards after they were cut down by companies contracted with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The trees, killed by bark beetle infestations, were cut down for safety reasons and to protect power lines, but disposing of the trees, in […]
NASA Maps California Drought Effects on Sierra trees
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Phys.orgby Alan BuisA new map created with measurements from an airborne instrument developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, reveals the devastating effect of California’s ongoing drought on Sierra Nevada conifer forests. After several years of extreme drought, the highly stressed conifers (trees that produce cones and are usually green year-round) of the Sierra Nevada are […]
OPINION: Mixed Messages on the Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Union of Grass Valleyby Brian HamiltonHeading back up the hill from the airport, the large digital billboard on Interstate 80 — usually warning us all to be ready to “chain up” due to unsettled weather — seemed like a mixed message from the state of California Sunday night. “Severe drought … Limit outdoor watering,” the sign displayed. It seemed liked solid […]
Perfect Storm Brewing for California Fire Season
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /UPI (Washington, D.C.)by Tara LohanCalifornia’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]
More Wildfires, Starting Sooner, Burning More Acres
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Ed JoyceA report by the nonpartisan Climate Central says that 11 million people in California are at risk of wildfire and that climate change is lengthening the wildfire season. Previous reports by researchers have said wildfires in the western U.S. would become more intense, larger, and start earlier than usual as a result of climate change. […]