A fire tornado is just like a tornado but made of fire instead of air.

Fires can start in forests, deserts or just about anywhere.

In this episode, Emily, Matt, and Nick take a look at how the pros fight wildfires with everything from large water-carrying airtankers and helicopters to daring smokejumpers who parachute into the blaze equipped with axes, shovels, and chainsaws. 

In this episode we look at whether or not there’s anything we can do about wildfires in the West—and the likelihood that we’ll take action on potential solutions.

In this episode, our friends at Outside/In take a close look at the ecology of prescribed burns.

While forest fires can happen almost anywhere, some parts of the world are more prone to them than others, because of weather conditions and landscape.

Wildfire researcher and lightning scientist Chris Giesige answers questions about thunderclaps and lightning flashes in a laid back way that will put him at the top of your Fulminologist list.

There have been many climate-related disasters this year, and along with those events come a heavy emotional and financial toll for residents. But what NPR climate reporters Rebecca Hersher and Lauren Sommer have found is that most people don’t realize their wildfire or flood risk — and that’s putting millions in harm’s way.

NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer explains how tribal leaders are trying to restore the practice by partnering up with state officials who are starting to see cultural burns as a way to help bring extreme wildfires under control.

So what actually is smoke? Jessica Gilman, an atmospheric chemist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, explains what it’s made of, how it behaves in the atmosphere, and smoke’s role in climate change.

Climate change and this year’s weather patterns are behind the record-breaking heat in Siberia.

NPR science reporter Rebecca Hersher and photographer Meredith Rizzo traveled to Australia to learn how they’re doing it.