The U.S. Geological Survey announced on November 30 that it has created a new Wildland Fire Science webpage that consolidates core studies being conducted by the agency and provides links to key partners, recent publications, and more. The information is intended to support efforts to fight wildland fires, but also to understand the natural fire cycles on ecological communities.

“Because USGS is positioned at the crossroads of academia and the federal emergency response agencies, we are able to quickly bring cutting-edge fire science to help firefighters, land-use and crisis managers, and others address real-world fire scenarios. Not only do we have experienced fire scientists at USGS,” said Paul Steblein, USGS fire science coordinator, “but we also have other researchers who bring their expertise to bear on complex issues surrounding wildfires, such as impaired water and air quality, debris-flow risks and how to manage and lessen the risk of wildfires in urban and wildland areas.”

Data and tools developed by the USGS are used before, during, and after wildfires by the agencies that are actively engaged in fire management. The areas of emphasis include: the effects of wildfire and prescribed fire on plants, wildlife, and ecosystems; wildland fire history and management, especially on lands managed by the Department of the Interior; evaluating risk of post-fire flooding, sedimentation, and debris flow; and remote sensing and geospatial data to support decision making. The webpage provides links to all the core fire science research as well as recent publications and links to federal agency fire and land management programs.