USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)

$71-$246 BILLION
Net annual economic impact of wildland fire across the U.S.¹

650 MILLION
Acres of public lands that are managed for wildland fire.²

16.1 FATALITIES
Average annual fatalities from wildland fire.³

64,000 WILDFIRES
Average number of wildfires per year.⁴

6.8 MILLION
Average acres burned per year by wildfires.⁴

3.7 MILLION
Average acres burned per year in prescribed fires.⁵

USGS Fire Science Informs Land, Water, and Emergency Management Decisions
The USGS first Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan defines critical science needs and directions for its wildland fire research. It was developed by scientists at the USGS and informed by interviewing 40 stakeholder organizations. The strategy prioritizes the production of innovative science, tools and resources that inform policy and management and provide an understanding of fire’s role in ecosystems and in human communities, before, during and after wildfires. Working with stakeholders is emphasized to identify, develop and share essential information supporting critical decision-making by fire, resource and emergency managers. These include: threat characterization and risk reduction before a fire; providing real-time satellite and field data to incident commanders and others during a fire; and assessing fire’s impact to and recovery of infrastructure, terrain, water supply, ecosystems, species and other vital resources after the smoke clears.

Check out USGS Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan

https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/cir1471

Sources:

1. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.1215.pdf
2. https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/datasets/
3. https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics
4. https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_stats_totalFires.html
5. https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics