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Study: Wildfires produced up to half of pollution in US West

Researchers say smoke from wildfires accounted for up to half of all small particle air pollution in parts of the western U.S. in recent years (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)BILLINGS, Mont. – Wildfire smoke accounted for up to half of all health-damaging small particle air pollution in the western U.S. in recent years as warming temperatures fueled more destructive blazes, according to a study released Monday. Nationwide, wildfires were the source of up to 25% of small particle pollution in some years, the researchers said. But it’s difficult to separate how much of the increase in smoke pollution is driven by climate change versus the forest fuel buildup, she added. The new study matches up with previous research documenting the increasing proportion of pollution that comes from wildfire smoke, said Dan Jaffe, a wildfire pollution expert at the University of Washington.

'Get out there and help’: Locals fighting wildfires on West Coast call on younger people to volunteer

SAN ANTONIO – Two locals are sharing their experience fighting wildfires on the West Coast and hoping to inspire others to go out and help. Hanna Randle, a St. Mary’s University student, is one of several people who traveled to Arizona and Idaho to fight wildfires over the summer. “Seeing the properties get destroyed -- all of that is very sad.”Randle stressed the need for help is there because wildfires are getting more frequent. “Get out there and help,” Randle said. You need to go out, and you need to something.”Johnson said there are several ways to help if you are interested:

Battle on to save Brazil's tropical wetlands from flames

An recently burned area at the Encontro das Aguas park at the Pantanal wetlands near Pocone, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Wildfire has infiltrated the park as the number of fires at the world's biggest tropical wetlands has more than doubled in the first half of 2020, according to data released by a state institute. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)BRASILIA – A vast swath of a vital wetlands is burning in Brazil, sweeping across several national parks and obscuring the sun behind dense smoke. From January through August, the number of fires more than tripled, topping 10,000. On Friday, Brazil's navy used a helicopter to rescue a burned jaguar cub and take it to a veterinary hospital.

San Antonio Zoo sending veterinary staff to Australia to help animals affected by wildfires

SAN ANTONIO – Bush fires have been ravaging Australia in recent months with an estimated 1.25 billion animals killed thus far, according to World Wildlife Fund. Donations and volunteers have been flooding into Australia in the wake of the deadly fires and San Antonio Zoo officials are lending a helping hand as well. We are now preparing to send veterinary staff to Australia to assist with the efforts of Taronga Zoo, helping animals affected by wildfires," said San Antonio Zoo spokesperson Jennifer Pue. San Antonio Zoo is collecting donations to help with relief and rescue efforts to help a hurting Australia. Anyone wishing to donate to San Antonio Zoo’s Australia Wildlife Fund can do so at SAZoo.org.