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Does the USGS conduct studies on wildfire?

Yes. The USGS Wildland Fire Science Program produces information to identify the causes of wildfires, understand the impacts and benefits of both wildfires and prescribed fires, and help prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events. Our fire scientists provide data, tools and information that are used by fire and land managers to make decisions before, during, and after wildfires in ecosystems across the U.S. 

Studied topics include: 

  • Dynamics and risks 

  • Geological and hydrological process effects 

  • Geospatial and remote sensing applications 

  • The human dimension 

  • Management tools 

  • Plant, animal, and ecosystem effects 

  • Restoration and recovery 

  

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Filter Total Items: 24
A New Framework to Improve Communication and Collaboration in U.S. Fire Management

A New Framework to Improve Communication and Collaboration in U.S. Fire Management

A new fire-use decision framework, by the CASC’s “Future of Fire” Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows Program, can help facilitate conversations...

Read Article
Analyzing the Relationship Between Fire Size and Burn Severity in the Northwest

Analyzing the Relationship Between Fire Size and Burn Severity in the Northwest

Larger wildfires have the capacity to burn hotter and longer, but what does that mean for forested ecosystems in the Northwest? A new study by...

Read Article
Landsat Archive Fills in Tundra Fire Gaps

Landsat Archive Fills in Tundra Fire Gaps

Curiosity can be a strong motivator. It certainly was for Eric Miller of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service.

Read Article
Remote Sensing Characterization of Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery

Remote Sensing Characterization of Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery

Remote sensing is a powerful tool to measure fire's effects on plant life. How severe was the damage to vegetation? How quickly can a landscape...

Read Article
Assessing giant sequoia mortality and regeneration following high severity wildfire

Assessing giant sequoia mortality and regeneration following high severity wildfire

In the wake of prolonged drought and massive fires in the western U.S., the fate and future of the iconic giant sequoia has been a top concern for...

Read Article
From Ashes to Alerts: Science Helps Protect Colorado Travelers

From Ashes to Alerts: Science Helps Protect Colorado Travelers

In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive mounds of mud and rocks buried highways and...

Read Article
USGS research brings new focus to strategic monitoring of wildfire impacts on water supplies

USGS research brings new focus to strategic monitoring of wildfire impacts on water supplies

Wildfires are a natural process in many ecosystems, but they are increasing in size, severity and frequency in many areas across the United States.

Read Article
Fire, Ecosystems, Climate: It’s Complicated

Fire, Ecosystems, Climate: It’s Complicated

USGS is disentangling the interwoven fire-ecosystem-climate relationship to better understand and predict how it will change into the future.

Read Article
Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management

Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management

Culturally prescribed burning is a sustainable method for managing land and enhancing the resilience of streams and watersheds. USGS and Yurok Tribe...

Read Article
Approaches for Managing Post-Fire Vegetation Shifts

Approaches for Managing Post-Fire Vegetation Shifts

Northwest CASC researchers and partners identify key needs to consider when managing vegetation shifts after wildfires.

Read Article
New USGS Strategy Harnesses State-of-the-Art Science to Tackle Wildfires Before, During and After the Flames

New USGS Strategy Harnesses State-of-the-Art Science to Tackle Wildfires Before, During and After the Flames

To help address growing wildfire-related challenges in America, the U.S. Geological Survey is rolling out a new Wildland Fire Science Strategy that...

Read Article
Fire Science Critical for Combating Wildfires Out West

Fire Science Critical for Combating Wildfires Out West

Visit our USGS Wildland Fire Science webpage to learn how USGS science is making a difference.

Read Article

Related

No results found.
Filter Total Items: 24
A New Framework to Improve Communication and Collaboration in U.S. Fire Management

A New Framework to Improve Communication and Collaboration in U.S. Fire Management

A new fire-use decision framework, by the CASC’s “Future of Fire” Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows Program, can help facilitate conversations...

Read Article
Analyzing the Relationship Between Fire Size and Burn Severity in the Northwest

Analyzing the Relationship Between Fire Size and Burn Severity in the Northwest

Larger wildfires have the capacity to burn hotter and longer, but what does that mean for forested ecosystems in the Northwest? A new study by...

Read Article
Landsat Archive Fills in Tundra Fire Gaps

Landsat Archive Fills in Tundra Fire Gaps

Curiosity can be a strong motivator. It certainly was for Eric Miller of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service.

Read Article
Remote Sensing Characterization of Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery

Remote Sensing Characterization of Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery

Remote sensing is a powerful tool to measure fire's effects on plant life. How severe was the damage to vegetation? How quickly can a landscape...

Read Article
Assessing giant sequoia mortality and regeneration following high severity wildfire

Assessing giant sequoia mortality and regeneration following high severity wildfire

In the wake of prolonged drought and massive fires in the western U.S., the fate and future of the iconic giant sequoia has been a top concern for...

Read Article
From Ashes to Alerts: Science Helps Protect Colorado Travelers

From Ashes to Alerts: Science Helps Protect Colorado Travelers

In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive mounds of mud and rocks buried highways and...

Read Article
USGS research brings new focus to strategic monitoring of wildfire impacts on water supplies

USGS research brings new focus to strategic monitoring of wildfire impacts on water supplies

Wildfires are a natural process in many ecosystems, but they are increasing in size, severity and frequency in many areas across the United States.

Read Article
Fire, Ecosystems, Climate: It’s Complicated

Fire, Ecosystems, Climate: It’s Complicated

USGS is disentangling the interwoven fire-ecosystem-climate relationship to better understand and predict how it will change into the future.

Read Article
Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management

Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management

Culturally prescribed burning is a sustainable method for managing land and enhancing the resilience of streams and watersheds. USGS and Yurok Tribe...

Read Article
Approaches for Managing Post-Fire Vegetation Shifts

Approaches for Managing Post-Fire Vegetation Shifts

Northwest CASC researchers and partners identify key needs to consider when managing vegetation shifts after wildfires.

Read Article
New USGS Strategy Harnesses State-of-the-Art Science to Tackle Wildfires Before, During and After the Flames

New USGS Strategy Harnesses State-of-the-Art Science to Tackle Wildfires Before, During and After the Flames

To help address growing wildfire-related challenges in America, the U.S. Geological Survey is rolling out a new Wildland Fire Science Strategy that...

Read Article
Fire Science Critical for Combating Wildfires Out West

Fire Science Critical for Combating Wildfires Out West

Visit our USGS Wildland Fire Science webpage to learn how USGS science is making a difference.

Read Article
Updated Date: September 4, 2025
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