Fire Research at a Glance
Research Spotlight
Fire management professionals balance the need to control wildfires to protect lives and property, while also starting prescribed fires to maintain fire-dependent ecosystems and to reduce the size of, and occurrence of, wildfires. Yet, despite good intentions and billions of dollars invested, large wildfires are becoming common. Current fire management techniques are no match for the challenges requested of fire managers, and new innovations are needed. Fire management teams across the world are beginning to explore the potential of unmanned aerial systems (drones) and other technologies for monitoring fires as one avenue of technological innovation.
Hot off the Press! Great Balls of Fire! Hot off the Press! Great Balls of Fire!
Where can I find wildfire perimeter data? Where can I find wildfire perimeter data?
The USGS operated the Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC) website from 2000-2020. GeoMAC was the public face of all wildland fire perimeters. That site was shut down on April 30, 2020 and responsibility for wildfire information was transferred to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Data previously at "rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/outgoing/GeoMAC/" is now at National Interagency Fire Center...
What is the "Ring of Fire"? What is the "Ring of Fire"?
Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions do not strike randomly but occur in specific areas, such as along plate boundaries. One such area is the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate meets many surrounding tectonic plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world. Learn more: USGS Volcano Hazards Program
What should I know about wildfires and debris flows? What should I know about wildfires and debris flows?
Wildland fires are inevitable in the western United States. Expansion of human development into forested areas has created a situation where wildfires can adversely affect lives and property, as can the flooding and landslides that occur in the aftermath of the fires. There is a need to develop tools and methods to identify and quantify the potential hazards posed by landslides produced from...
Hot off the Press! Great Balls of Fire! Hot off the Press! Great Balls of Fire!
Where can I find wildfire perimeter data? Where can I find wildfire perimeter data?
The USGS operated the Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC) website from 2000-2020. GeoMAC was the public face of all wildland fire perimeters. That site was shut down on April 30, 2020 and responsibility for wildfire information was transferred to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Data previously at "rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/outgoing/GeoMAC/" is now at National Interagency Fire Center...
What is the "Ring of Fire"? What is the "Ring of Fire"?
Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions do not strike randomly but occur in specific areas, such as along plate boundaries. One such area is the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate meets many surrounding tectonic plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world. Learn more: USGS Volcano Hazards Program
What should I know about wildfires and debris flows? What should I know about wildfires and debris flows?
Wildland fires are inevitable in the western United States. Expansion of human development into forested areas has created a situation where wildfires can adversely affect lives and property, as can the flooding and landslides that occur in the aftermath of the fires. There is a need to develop tools and methods to identify and quantify the potential hazards posed by landslides produced from...