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Red flag warnings are issued when weather conditions become hot, dry, and windy. These conditions are ideal for wildfires to start or grow.

Fire Danger Forecast Viewer

3 Fire-related Maps

• Wildfire Potential
• Probability of Large Fire
• Probability of Fire Spread

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.

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.

Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California.

USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage. 

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.

How hot do wildfires get? 

• 570 F degrees - TEMPERATURE AT WHICH WOOD WILL BURST INTO FLAMES
• 2,200 F degrees - TEMPERATURE WILDFIRES COULD REACH IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

MEET A FIRE SCIENTIST: Rachel A Loehman, Ph.D.

I study the complexities between people and nature, particularly the impacts of wildfires on landscapes, habitats, and natural resources

How Streamgages are Used in Postfire Flood Forecasting

Stream data is recorded in real time and posted online.

Stream data include water level, velocity, and turbidity.

During storms, rainfall data is compared to the stream data.

The National Weather Service uses the data to issue flood warnings.

Workflow for integrating fire behavior modeling into post-fire hazard risk models. QUIC-Fire is a fast, 3-D simulation tool for prescribed fire planning. It can help managers understand the complex and dynamic behavior of wildland fires.

Example of a three-dimensional QUIC-Fire simulation. The example site is located in the Dixie Fire, CA. QUIC-Fire is a fast, 3-D simulation tool for prescribed fire planning. It can help managers understand the complex and dynamic behavior of wildland fires.

Screen shot visualization of wind direction and velocity from a coupled/fire atmosphere model run of a wildfire (Dude Fire).

Screenshot of the USGS Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse provides a description and information about the spatial extent, resolution, fire modeling approach, values considered (assets and resources), and vintage of LANDFIRE and fire dat

USGS crew measuring forest conditions following the Dixie Fire in 2021. Lassen Volcanic National Park. California. 

Using terrestrial LiDAR to characterize fuels within an archaeological site at Sequoia National Park site to understand potential future fire behavior and its effects on artifacts. Copyright: Photo by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

A precontact rockshelter and associated artifacts impacted by the combustion of heavy fuels during the KNP Complex Fire, California. Copyright: photo by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

Historic cans from a refuse pile that were scorched by the combustion of nearby fuels during the Caldor Fire, California. Copyright: photo taken by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

$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

This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A Fire Ecologist - Coloring Page

Rim Fire in Yosemite National Park.