Wednesday March 12, 2025
PhysOrg —
When the Palisades fire raged and winds whipped ash and debris into the Pacific Ocean, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—already out in boats doing water-quality surveys—quickly gathered tainted saltwater samples, knowing the data would be vital to understanding the impacts the wildfires would have on the ocean.
When word spreads on the water that a whale or sea creature is entangled in heavy fishing gear and in danger of dying, NOAA response teams quickly assemble in a race to save its life.
And, as catastrophic storms and wild weather bring threats from snow, rain, big swells, mudslides, hurricanes and fire, National Weather Service meteorologists give early warnings so people can stay clear of harm’s way.
A tidal wave of concerns has been raised in recent days as word of large-scale layoffs at NOAA—and its sister weather service branch—have environmentalists and communities worried about impacts locally and across the country.