A late-season flurry of flames is sweeping Southern California, driven by high-speed winds surging down the mountains toward the coast. The Bond Fire, which ignited Thursday, has burned more than 7,000 acres and was 50% contained as of last night. Authorities warn that a combination of strong winds and warm, dry weather could increase the […]
After this year’s historic wildfires, California’s oldest state park — Big Basin Redwoods — looks more like a logging village than an iconic hiking and camping mecca. There’s a near constant buzz of chainsaws. Rumblings from trucks and logging skidders fill the air as crews busily cut charred, fallen trees and chop down “hazard trees” […]
At the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, researchers feel the urgency as they examine connections between West Coast precipitation and a devastating wildfire season, which has yet to conclude. The center, part of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif., has unlocked many secrets of atmospheric rivers — airborne jets of tropical moisture […]
Imagine that you had a bunch of Colorado River water. Water with some of the most senior rights in the state. The river would have to be virtually dry before your supply was cut. Now imagine that by fallowing some land and installing more efficient irrigation, you think you can free up a decent chunk […]
Water is joining gold, oil and other commodities traded on Wall Street, highlighting worries that the life-sustaining natural resource may become scarce across more of the world. Farmers, hedge funds and municipalities alike will be able to hedge against — or bet on — potential water scarcity starting this week, when CME Group Inc. launches […]
Yes, California will have another multi-year drought. California has immense hydrologic variability, with more droughts and floods per average year than any other part of the country. California’s water users, managers, and regulators should always be prepared for droughts (and floods). Eventually, California will have a multi-year drought worse than any we have ever seen.
Why Winter Wildfires May Get Worse
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Scientific Americanby Chelsea HarveyA late-season flurry of flames is sweeping Southern California, driven by high-speed winds surging down the mountains toward the coast. The Bond Fire, which ignited Thursday, has burned more than 7,000 acres and was 50% contained as of last night. Authorities warn that a combination of strong winds and warm, dry weather could increase the […]
California’s Ancient Redwoods Face New Challenge from Wildfires and Warming Climate
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /NPRby Eric WesterveltAfter this year’s historic wildfires, California’s oldest state park — Big Basin Redwoods — looks more like a logging village than an iconic hiking and camping mecca. There’s a near constant buzz of chainsaws. Rumblings from trucks and logging skidders fill the air as crews busily cut charred, fallen trees and chop down “hazard trees” […]
As Fires Rage, California Center Aims to Better Understand Their Remedy: Atmospheric Rivers
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Mike BranomAt the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, researchers feel the urgency as they examine connections between West Coast precipitation and a devastating wildfire season, which has yet to conclude. The center, part of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif., has unlocked many secrets of atmospheric rivers — airborne jets of tropical moisture […]
Opinion: What Happens if Some of the Most Secure Water in Arizona Comes Up For Grabs?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Arizona Republic by Joanna AllhandsImagine that you had a bunch of Colorado River water. Water with some of the most senior rights in the state. The river would have to be virtually dry before your supply was cut. Now imagine that by fallowing some land and installing more efficient irrigation, you think you can free up a decent chunk […]
Water Futures to Start Trading Amid Growing Fears of Scarcity
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /BNN Bloomberg by Kim ChipmanWater is joining gold, oil and other commodities traded on Wall Street, highlighting worries that the life-sustaining natural resource may become scarce across more of the world. Farmers, hedge funds and municipalities alike will be able to hedge against — or bet on — potential water scarcity starting this week, when CME Group Inc. launches […]
Is California Heading for a Multi-Year Drought?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /California WaterBlog (UC Davis)by Jay LundYes, California will have another multi-year drought. California has immense hydrologic variability, with more droughts and floods per average year than any other part of the country. California’s water users, managers, and regulators should always be prepared for droughts (and floods). Eventually, California will have a multi-year drought worse than any we have ever seen.