White House Wildland Fire Science and Technology Task Force calls for increased communication about wildfire mitigation research

The Wildland Fire Science and Technology Task Force, chartered under the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction, released a report in conjunction with the Fire Chiefs’ White House Roundtable recommending better communication between federal agencies that gather research on wildfire mitigation and response and the people that use the research to inform policy makers.

Informing the public of the science behind natural hazards

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences, NBC Learn, and the Weather Channel released a 10-part video series that delves into the science behind natural disasters.

Congress reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program

On September 16, Congress passed the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015 (H.R. 23), which now awaits President Obama’s signature.

Critical Needs: Natural Hazards

To minimize the potential impact of natural hazards:

Encourage basic and applied research to strengthen community resilience. Geoscientists study the links between natural hazards and Earth processes and the ways natural hazards impact society. They identify hazard-prone areas through geologic mapping, seismic monitoring, and other investigations.

EARTH: Vital Seconds - The Journey Toward Earthquake Early Warning for All

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is exactly what it says: It is an early warning that shaking is coming and it can typically give a few seconds to a few minutes, at most, of warning. The warnings can be sent off just after an earthquake occurs on a fault, but before the damaging secondary waves are felt. In the October cover story, EARTH Magazine explores the development of EEW systems in California, Oregon and Washington. Learn about how EEW systems work, who gets to beta test them, and how the scientists and engineers are navigating the waters of the public policy-science interface.

House passes California drought relief bill despite Administration veto threat

On July 16, the House passed the Western Waters and American Food Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 2898), largely along party lines. The bill addresses drought by laying the groundwork for new water storage projects in California and loosens environmental restrictions in the state.

Hazards Caucus Alliance

About the Congressional Hazards Caucus

The caucus provides Members with information and education on preparing for, mitigating against and responding to natural disasters and man-made hazards. The caucus provides Members with an opportunity to demonstrate their concern and commitment to reducing hazard losses. The caucus is led by Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) in the Senate and by Representative Suzan DelBene (WA) in the House.

House passes Weather and Forecasting Innovation Act

Mammatus clouds that are usually associated with thunderstorms.

On May 20, the House passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act (H.R.1561) which would fund the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) research on storm forecasting and early warning systems.

USGS to incorporate induced seismicity in earthquake prediction modeling

The U.S. Geological Survey released a report on preliminary models of earthquakes triggered by human activity, or induced seismicity, to be added into U.S. hazard modeling.

EARTH: Fire-driven Clouds and Swirling Winds Whipped Up Record-Setting New Mexico Blaze

he massive 2011 Las Conchas Fire near Los Alamos, N.M., defied conventional fire science wisdom by racing downhill instead of uphill, and increasing intensity overnight. Now, EARTH Magazine brings you recent scientific analysis of the fire from a research team at Los Alamos National Lab.

American Geosciences Institute

natural hazards