Woolsey Fire – Fusion Nepal

Animals Mountain Lion Science Woolsey Fire

Beloved freeway-crossing mountain lion found dead following California fire

sudshr47 December 8, 2018

It’s hard out there for a smart cat in a dumb world.

The National Park Service confirmed on Dec. 7 that a mountain lion, widely known for his ability to safely navigate the treacherous freeways of Southern California, was found dead following the Woolsey Fire. The “Culvert Cat,” as he was affectionately referred to, was discovered by a National Park Service biologist on Dec. 3 — after the fire had been contained — with burnt paws.

While the exact cause of death remains unknown, the possible effects of it are not. P-64, as the four-year old cat was officially designated, had previously given researchers hope that his travels might help end a human environment-abetted problem of inbreeding among mountain lions in the region. As it stands, reports KPCC, researchers fear that the mountain lions could go extinct in the area within 50 years. Read more…

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California’s Woolsey Fire has left a burn scar so big you can see it from space

sudshr47 November 21, 2018

While the Woolsey Fire burning in Southern California has been 98 percent contained as of Tuesday night, it’s left a huge mark on the landscape.

According to the state’s fire services, the wildfire has burned almost 97,000 acres, an area so vast you can see it from space.

NASA shared an image of the “burn scar” taken on Nov. 18 using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) that sits on on the space agency’s Terra satellite.

Burned vegetation in the area appears brown, while green indicates unburned vegetation. Buildings and roads are light gray and white. According to NASA, the colors have been altered to look more natural. Read more…

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California Wildfires Climate Environment Rescue Science Woolsey Fire

Harrowing video shows helicopter rescue of several people and their dogs from California wildfire

sudshr47 November 20, 2018

While the Woolsey Fire in southern California, is largely contained (96% as of Monday night) some of the terrifying images from the last several weeks are continuing to trickle out, including the above video of an absolutely incredible rescue.

The footage is harrowing, taken from a helmet cam, as rescuers navigate a helicopter among the wind, smoke, and fire to land safely and rescue three people — and two dogs — on Castro Peak near Malibu.

It also offers up a rare perspective of what it takes to make these rescues, how complicated and dangerous they are and the risks taken by first responders in dire situations — in this case LAFD Air Operations pilots David Nordquist and Joel Smith. Read more…

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