
Most of the fires are scattered across the coastal plain to the east, though there are also numerous fires along the west coast. Several of the smokiest blazes appear at the edges of densely forested areas. Some may be naturally occurring forest fires, but they are more likely intentional land-clearing or accidental human-caused fires.In a country with nearly 10 million cattle, pasture management is one of the primary uses of fire. Burning grasslands prevents the encroachment of woody plants that are unpalatable to cattle. According to one estimate, about one quarter to one half of the island’s grasslands are burned each year. Fire is also widely used to clear brush or forest for farm fields.Although agricultural fires are not immediately hazardous, they can have a significant impact on climate, air quality, and plants and animals, particularly when they grow out of control.
Category Archives: environment
Up to 1,000 Buffalo will be Slaughtered at Yellowstone National Park This Winter

“Through the legal agreement the National Park Service has to do this,” said Yellowstone spokeswoman Sandy Snell-Dobert. “If there was more tolerance north of the park in Montana for wildlife, particularly bison as well as other wildlife, to travel outside the park boundaries, it wouldn’t be an issue.”The Yellowstone buffalo are America’s last wild, migratory herds and the most important bison population that exists. They are the last to identify as a wildlife species and ecologically extinct throughout their native range. They’ve been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List for being “threatened with near extinction,” and even Montana designates the species “in greatest conservation need” with conditions “making [bison] vulnerable to global extinction.”Fighting back is the Buffalo Field Campaign that is in full operation and has a strong need for volunteers. New and experienced volunteers are needed in the field and are always welcome Those interested in assisting may contact the Buffalo Field Campaign.
Source: Up to 1,000 Buffalo will be Slaughtered at Yellowstone National Park This Winter
Avian Flu Diary: CDC Updated Travel Notices: Chikungunya In Mexico & Central America
Local transmission of chikungunya is now being reported in other countries in Central America. See map. As of November 24, 2014, the following Central American countries have reported cases of chikungunya:BelizeCosta RicaEl SalvadorGuatemalaHondurasNicaraguaPanama
Source: Avian Flu Diary: CDC Updated Travel Notices: Chikungunya In Mexico & Central America
Genetic Analysis Indicates Likely Person-to-Person Transmission of Avian Flu | GenomeWeb – Oops!
Human infections of H7N9 influenza emerged in February 2013, with three epidemic waves affecting 17 provinces and cities in China. As of earlier this year, the researchers noted there have been 672 laboratory-confirmed cases with 271 deaths reported.The index patient in their study became ill with a fever, cough, and sore throat last February. After visiting two village clinics, he was admitted to a district hospital for treatment. He was then transferred to a provincial hospital where he was diagnosed with H7N9 through an RT-PCR test. After confirmation, he was moved to a specialist hospital.Meanwhile, the second patient was admitted to the same district hospital for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There, he and a third patient with diabetes shared a room with the index patient. The second patient was discharged following an improvement in his COPD, but he soon became ill and was admitted to the negative pressure ward of a fourth hospital, as he’d been exposed to H7N9.
Source: Genetic Analysis Indicates Likely Person-to-Person Transmission of Avian Flu | GenomeWeb
Roadless – Colorado Roadless Rule – Forest Service working for us or Mr. Coal!?!
On April 7, 2015, the Forest Service published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to reinstate the North Fork Coal Mining Area exception of the Colorado Roadless Rule. On November 20, 2015 the Forest Service published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register explaining that the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) , and Civil Rights Impact Analysis (CRIA) are now available for review and public comment.
Scientists discover new antibiotic-resistant gene MCR-1 in China | News | DW.COM | 19.11.2015
A new gene rendering bacteria immune to an antibiotic has been found in China by a Lancet research team. Doctors worry that it could roll back decades of medical progress, as bacteria adapt to resist antibiotics.
Source: Scientists discover new antibiotic-resistant gene MCR-1 in China | News | DW.COM | 19.11.2015
Avian Flu Diary: Oklahoma Rattled By Biggest Quake Since 2011
Prior to 2009, earthquakes in Oklahoma were rare events, averaging 2 to 5 small >3.0 quakes per year. In 2009, there were 10 such quakes, followed by 40 in 2010, and then 60 in 2011. The number broke 100 in 2013, and has been climbing substantially every year since. Now, Oklahoma residents can easily see 100+ quakes a month. In the past 24 hours, there have been 8 quakes >2.5 reported by the USGS, and of those 1 was 4.0 and another 4.7 – the largest in Oklahoma since the 5.6 quake of 2011. Although not strong enough to cause any serious damage, last night’s 4.7 quake near Crescent, OK was enough of a jolt to send a flock of radar-detectable birds into flight. And no doubt more than a few residents into flight from their beds.
Source: Avian Flu Diary: Oklahoma Rattled By Biggest Quake Since 2011
Early Winter Weather Across North America : Image of the Day
Parts of Canada and the western United States were doused with wintery weather in mid-November 2015. Some of the precipitation fell as snow and some as cold rain. Whether it is the beginning of a wet El Niño winter or a break in persistent drought remains to be seen.
Source: Early Winter Weather Across North America : Image of the Day
Hey There, Extremely Rare Sea Turtle! What Are You Doing In A NorCal River?: SFist
In his post to YouTube, Maloon asks “any ideas what kinda of turtle this was?” Last night, Marin County’s Turtle Island Restoration Network had an answer, as spokesman Todd Steiner told CBS Sacramento that “There is no doubt in my mind that this is the Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle.”Steiner tells CBS5 that the endangered turtles “primarily live in the warmer, more tropical waters off of central and southern Mexico.”“This animal clearly came from the Pacific Ocean, there’s no question about that,” Steiner says.So what was the beast doing in Lathrop, a small town in San Joaquin County? This year’s unusual weather could be to blame, Steiner says.“It may be associated with an El Nino event, but even with an El Nino event, it’s highly unusual.”The turtle “Apparently went north into San Francisco Bay,” Steiner says, “and now it seems to be heading directly east.”Wherever you’re going, turtle, I hope you find what you’re looking for.
Source: Hey There, Extremely Rare Sea Turtle! What Are You Doing In A NorCal River?: SFist
Tribes Unanimously Reject Feds “Sham” Consultation Webinar on Sacred Grizzly Delisting and Stand with GOAL on Boycott Call
Tribal nations opposed to the delisting and trophy hunting of the Yellowstone grizzly bear today rejected the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) latest attempt to present itself as proactive on consulting with tribes on the issue. The approximately fifty tribal nations that have issued resolutions and declarations against removing federal protections from the grizzly and placing its future in the hands of states that intend to open trophy hunts on the bear, unanimously boycotted FWS’s webinar.






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