Green Blog

Sunlight shining through grove of cottonwoods

The Green Blog shares news and information related to forestry/wildfire, sustainability, climate, environmental stewardship and other green topics.

A prescribed burn at the UC ANR Hopland Research and Extension Center (2024)

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UC researchers study smoke risk to vineyards from prescribed grassland fires

March 27, 2025

In the winegrape vineyards of northern California, fire and its associated smoke pose a unique threat in the form of smoke-taint damage to the fruit. A preliminary study looks at whether prescribed burning as a fire prevention method poses a risk to winegrape crops.

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UC ANR fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes from LA fires

March 4, 2025

By Yana S Valachovic

Yana Valachovic, a member of UC ANR's Fire Network with a specialty in community resilience and the built environment, visited the sites of the L.A. fires to look for examples where surviving homes withstood the ferocity of the fire and for signs of defensible space and home hardening in action.

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Rob Bennaton grabs a handful of top soil from a mound.

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Urban wildfire impacts water, soil and wildlife

January 30, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

As residents start to clean up after the Los Angeles County wildfires, the aftermath will continue to impact water and natural resources in and beyond the fire areas, according to water experts at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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Swain to discuss rain in fire zone 3pm Friday, Jan. 24

January 24, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Light rain is expected to dampen Southern California this weekend, easing fire conditions but also raising landslide risks in burn areas. It won't end local fire risk. The drizzle is enough to tamp down but not end fire season, says Daniel Swain, UC ANR climate scientist.

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Water diverted onto a crop field. Photo by Khaled Bali

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UCCE offers water measurement training Jan. 30 in Davis

January 14, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

California water-rights holders are required by state law to measure and report the water they divert from surface streams.

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