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Bulldozer lines create breaks in vegetation and are commonly used when fighting wildfires. This dozer line was created during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, California in January 2025.
Bulldozer lines create breaks in vegetation and are commonly used when fighting wildfires. This dozer line was created during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, California in January 2025.
Red flag warnings are issued when weather conditions become hot, dry, and windy. These conditions are ideal for wildfires to start or grow.
Red flag warnings are issued when weather conditions become hot, dry, and windy. These conditions are ideal for wildfires to start or grow.
There are three fire-related triangles used to explain fire growth and expansion. The smallest scale "Fire Triangle" factors in oxygen, heat, and fuel. The "Fire Behavior Triangle" factors in topography, fuel, and weather. While the large-scale "Fire Regime Triangle" factors in ignition source, vegetation, and climate.
There are three fire-related triangles used to explain fire growth and expansion. The smallest scale "Fire Triangle" factors in oxygen, heat, and fuel. The "Fire Behavior Triangle" factors in topography, fuel, and weather. While the large-scale "Fire Regime Triangle" factors in ignition source, vegetation, and climate.
Fire Danger Forecast Viewer
3 Fire-related Maps
Fire Danger Forecast Viewer
3 Fire-related Maps
MEET A FIRE SCIENTIST: Miguel Villarreal, Ph.D.
I study how wildfires affect landscapes and determine ways we can reduce community risk and help the environment recover after a fire.
MEET A FIRE SCIENTIST: Miguel Villarreal, Ph.D.
I study how wildfires affect landscapes and determine ways we can reduce community risk and help the environment recover after a fire.
USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage.
USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage.
Field technicians collect soil samples and monitor plants in an invasive grass dominated sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Colorado. The team measured carbon levels at two soil depths at undisturbed sites, sites that have been burned and invaded, areas that are unburned but invaded, and sites that were burned but not invaded.
Field technicians collect soil samples and monitor plants in an invasive grass dominated sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Colorado. The team measured carbon levels at two soil depths at undisturbed sites, sites that have been burned and invaded, areas that are unburned but invaded, and sites that were burned but not invaded.
La relación entre la gente y los incendios forestales siempre ha sido paradójica: el fuego es esencial como proceso ecológico y herramienta de gestión, pero también puede ser perjudicial para la vida y la propiedad.
La relación entre la gente y los incendios forestales siempre ha sido paradójica: el fuego es esencial como proceso ecológico y herramienta de gestión, pero también puede ser perjudicial para la vida y la propiedad.
The relationship between people and wildfire has always been paradoxical: fire is an essential ecological process and management tool but can also be detrimental to life and property. Consequently, fire regimes have been modified throughout history through both intentional burning to promote benefits and active suppression to reduce risks.
The relationship between people and wildfire has always been paradoxical: fire is an essential ecological process and management tool but can also be detrimental to life and property. Consequently, fire regimes have been modified throughout history through both intentional burning to promote benefits and active suppression to reduce risks.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
In 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
In 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
Southern California's fire ecology is unlike that of anywhere else in the United States. Fire control strategies developed for mountain forests don't have the same results here. So can science help uncover new answers to help Southern California communities manage and live with wildfires?
Southern California's fire ecology is unlike that of anywhere else in the United States. Fire control strategies developed for mountain forests don't have the same results here. So can science help uncover new answers to help Southern California communities manage and live with wildfires?