Wildfire Crisis Science Resources

Changing the amount and arrangement of fuels across landscapes influences how fires burn. Long-term research across many ecosystems is yielding important insights about the effectiveness and longevity of fuels treatments, as well as the combination of fuels treatments most likely to reduce wildfire risk.

For many decades, Forest Service scientists have been studying fundamental fire behavior and arming fire managers with fire forecasting and simulation models. These fire models are critical for predicting wildfire and prescribed fire conditions and keeping fire responders safe on the fireline.

Prescribed fires are an important tool for reducing wildfire risks and restoring fire as an ecosystem process in fire-dependent systems. Across the US, Forest Service scientists are working with land managers to refire planning and implementation of prescribed fires.

Following wildfires, restoration and repair of landscapes is a critical management activity. Our research sheds light on effective techniques for stabilizing slopes, growing and preparing tree seedlings for planting after fire, climate-adapted seed mixes and more.

Understanding how people and communities interact with fire is a critical component of how we manage fire. Our social scientists, economists and other researchers are partnering with practitioners to understand how to motivate homeowners, components of community wildfire adaptation and environmental justice and wildfire.

Smoke from fires is a major concern for air quality and human health. Active research by Forest Service scientists is shedding light on what is in smoke and how it will move and change over time. We have also developed widely used platforms to inform citizens of current and expected smoke conditions.

Many Forest Service scientists and industry partners are developing new wood-based materials. These wood innovations, such as biochar and new construction materials, turn low-value and waste materials from forest management projects into valuable goods for society. In many cases, these products made from wood avoid carbon emissions from materials that would otherwise be burned.