Severe Wildfires Raise the Chance for Future Monstrous Blazes

November 24, 2020

Severe Wildfires Raise the Chance for Future Monstrous Blazes

View all Scientific American publications.

November 24, 2020

Dear Reader,

This is Sophie, tech editor, filling in for Sunya. During a year when severe wildfires tore through parts of the west coast, it's tempting to hope that the burnt-out areas will be safe from future blazes, since their flammable fuel has already been consumed. Unfortunately, a new study suggests that, after a devastating wildfire, an area is more likely to experience another such disaster.

In COVID news, there are concrete steps we can take to avoid a complete lockdown, as well as ways to alleviate learning loss for disadvantaged students. Finally, get a buzz from our video about how bumblebees navigate their way past obstacles.

Sophie Bushwick, Associate Editor, Technology
@sophiebushwick

Natural Disasters

Severe Wildfires Raise the Chance for Future Monstrous Blazes

The complete torching of trees allows dense, low vegetation to sprout, creating a new hotbed for more extreme fire

By Ula Chrobak

Behavior & Society

Scale Up Tutoring to Combat COVID Learning Loss for Disadvantaged Students

Studies show impressive gains after even online tutoring

By Philip Oreopoulos

Public Health

COVID Models Show How to Avoid Future Lockdowns

The models could help inform policy on everything from mask mandates to social distancing

By Stacey McKenna

Policy & Ethics

The Scientific Benefits of Social Distancing

Avoiding too much direct contact with colleagues can lead to more independent thinking

By Avi Loeb

Environment

Methane Hits Record High in Atmosphere as Fossil Fuel Companies Diverge

Oil and gas producers in Europe commit to reporting emissions but major U.S. firms do not

By Carlos Anchondo,E&E News

Bumblebees' Self-Image Gets Them through Tight Spots

As the bees made their way from flower to flower, they skillfully flew between obstacles, dodging branches and shrubs. These actions seemed to require a complex awareness of one's physical body in relation to one's environment that had only been proven to exist in animals with large brains

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