All Images
News Release 18-061
Future impacts of El Niño, La Niña likely to intensify, increasing wildfire, drought risk
Changes to precipitation, temperature, wildfire risk
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
During the July 2011 La Niña, a boat sits on dry land in a branch of Lake Travis in Texas.
Credit: Erik A. Ellison, Wikimedia Commons
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (16.8 MB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
A result of projected changes in the El Niño-La Niña pattern, wildfire risk may increase.
Credit: USGS
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (111.3 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
El Niño and La Niña "alternate," but both have effects on extreme events such as flooding and fires.
Credit: USGCRP
Download the high-resolution PNG version of the image. (167.2 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
High surf during an El Niño storm batters coastlines and structures built there.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (316.8 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
Rains fuel the growth of grasses and other vegetation, increasing fire risk once the land dries out.
Credit: USDA
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (111.6 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
Increased wildfire danger in the Southwest United States is associated with La Niña events.
Credit: NASA
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (71.4 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.