Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA invest $15 million to help protect Western U.S. communities from wildfire
The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced today that approximately $15 million has been provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to construct and deploy a new suite of fire weather observing systems in high-risk locations in the Western United States to support wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring. The investments support four distinct but related components of a regional fire weather observing system that relies on different technologies and approaches with the goal of improving wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring from the regional to local scales. “Catastrophic wildfires threaten the lives and livelihoods of many communities across the country, which is
Satellite-Derived Shoreline Change Along Western Long Island, New York
The study found that the western ends of these beaches have been steadily growing, or accreting, at a rate of about 4 meters per year. This trend is attributed to net westward longshore drift, a process driven by ocean currents that move sediment along the coastline. Meanwhile, the central sections of the beaches, particularly areas with groin fields—structures designed to trap sand—showed slower rates of shoreline change, typically between 0.5 and 1.5 meters per year. One notable observation was the presence of so-called sediment waves, or patterns of erosion and accretion lasting several years, moving westward along the shoreline during the
FEMA Approves Assistance for the Line Fire in California and Three Other Active Wildfires in Western States, Urges People to Stay Safe and Listen to Local Officials
FEMA Approves Assistance for the Line Fire in California and Three Other Active Wildfires in Western States, Urges People to Stay Safe and Listen to Local Officials WASHINGTON – The Line Fire in Southern California has spread to more than 20,000 acres, forced the evacuation of thousands of homes in San Bernardino County and is threatening more than 36,000 structures. FEMA is urging residents and visitors to listen to instructions from local officials and to evacuate immediately if told to do so. The FEMA approved funds will help states mitigate, manage and control active wildfires in California, including the Line
Northwest U.S. and western Canadian natural gas prices trade at historic lows in 2024
Monthly average natural gas spot prices at northwestern U.S. and western Canada border pricing hubs reached historic lows in 2024 through October, according to data from Natural Gas Intelligence. Robust natural gas production in western Canada, where output has generally increased over the last two years, and high natural gas inventories in the region contributed to the low prices.