Deadly Wildfires Permanently Changing Arizona’s Desert Forest
Wildlife Habitats?  from Wildlife Promise    America’s worst
wildfire-fighting tragedy in generations struck on Sunday as 19
firefighters were killed near Yarnell, Arizona. The impacts of
the firestorm on wildlife and ecosystems will take much longer
to add up, but scientists say there’s evidence the intense
flames could permanently alter a landscape already being changed
by global warming.  It’s unclear exactly what happened in the
firefighters’ final moments. But with temperatures well above
100 degrees, low humidity and winds gusting to 24 miles an hour,
authorities say neither planned escape routes nor emergency
shelters could save the elite “hotshot” firefighters from
disaster:     The fire has already destroyed 50 homes and
threatens 250 others. Our hearts go out to all of the victims
and their families as we try to understand this terrible
tragedy.  Climate Connection  As Dr. Amanda Staudt, National
Wildlife Federation climate scientist, has