When Nature Strikes: Wildfires

In this episode, you will learn about a common natural hazard - wildfires, and how technology can help us model and predict the behavior of wildfires for those who are fighting them. As fires burn they draw in surrounding air creating updrafts and changeable winds. This aspect of wildfires poses a challenge for our first responders. In this video you will learn about the interaction of fire and weather, and how scientists like Janice Coen from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, uses this information to make predictions about the movements of wildfires.

Click on the video to watch the NBC Learn video - When Nature Strikes: Wildfires.

Scientists like Janice Coen are studying the mechanisms that control fires to help warn against future catastrophes caused by wildfires. "When Nature Strikes" is produced by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation.

When Nature Strikes: Wildfires - Why are they a challenge to stop?Classroom Activity

Last modified April 28, 2016 by Jennifer Bergman.

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