Wildfire Archives

Preparing Communities for the Future of Wildfire

By Elyse DeFranco | Oct 28, 2025 | Featured projects

Last year saw DRI’s inaugural global initiative aimed at advancing community resilience and adaptability in the face of rapid global change – AWE+, for an Adaptable World Environment. The event brought together hundreds of scientific experts, policymakers, resource managers, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen our communities against the growing threat of wildfires. To maintain momentum on the topic and continue building relationships that advance resilience, DRI’s 2025 AWE+ event sought to build on these conversations, again focusing on wildfire and bringing experts together from across the nation.

Scientists Successfully Recreate Wildfire-Induced Thunderstorms in Earth System Models for the First Time

By Elyse DeFranco | Sep 29, 2025 | Research findings

The breakthrough enhances scientific understanding of the dangerous storms and their long-term impacts on the climate. The research, published September 25th in Geophysical Research Letters, represents the first successful simulation of these wildfire-induced storms, known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds, within an Earth system model. Led by DRI scientist Ziming Ke, the study successfully reproduced the observed timing, height, and strength of the Creek Fire’s thunderhead – one of the largest known pyrocumulonimbus clouds seen in the U.S., according to NASA.

Dr. Vera Samburova walking through wildfire rubble.

NSF Grant Awarded to Research the Chemistry of Post-fire Soil Water Repellency

By Detra Page | Sep 25, 2025 | Announcements

The research will investigate how the chemical composition of post-fire soils is linked with soil water repellency and reflectance. A significant knowledge gap exists in understanding the post-fire soil chemical processes that lead to soil water repellency and, consequently, increase the risk of post-fire hazards such as floods and landslides.

A smoky haze overs the city of Sparks, NV obscuring the buildings and mountains in the distance.

New Study Analyzes Air Quality Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

By Elyse DeFranco | May 27, 2025 | Research findings

The comprehensive research examined air quality in Reno, Nevada during 106 wildfires to illuminate the atmospheric and public health impacts of smoke. The research, published in April's issue of Environmental Science: Atmospheres, measured air quality in Reno, Nevada over a 19 month period between 2017 and 2020 to capture both smoky and clear days.

A worker in yellow vest wanders the rubble left of a home after the Eaton fire.

What’s in the Burnt Remains of the LA Wildfires?

By Elyse DeFranco | Apr 21, 2025 | Featured projects

DRI scientists deployed to Los Angeles to collect ash, soil, and dust samples from burn zones in the hopes of illuminating the unique risks of wildland-urban fires. These urban fires presented a unique opportunity to understand how materials like plastics, metals, and even lithium batteries from electric cars can transform into environmental contaminants when they burn.

A city landscape shrouded in a red haze.

Floods, Droughts, Then Fires: Hydroclimate Whiplash is Speeding up Globally

By Elyse DeFranco | Feb 6, 2025 | Research findings

DRI’s Christine Albano co-authored a new study that examines how a warming climate is creating an atmosphere more prone to extreme weather. This “hydroclimate whiplash” is evident in California’s recent weather, with winters filled with repeated atmospheric river storms driving the plant growth that the dry summers then parched, providing plentiful fuel for explosive wildfires.

Wildfire in a forest of pine trees with billowing smoke rising into the sky.

What We Know About Wildfire Risk and Prevention

By Elyse DeFranco | Jan 30, 2025 | Featured projects

DRI scientists conduct a wide range of research on wildfire related topics to help policymakers, fire managers, and community members navigate challenges to public safety and health. In this Q&A, a selection of our scientists answer some of the most pressing questions about the environmental conditions that lead to the most devastating blazes and offer previews into some of their most relevant research.

Darkened conference room with panelists on stage sitting in chairs. The audience is seated at round tables.

DRI’s AWE+ Summit Tackles Wildfire Resilience and Recovery

By DRI Communications | Aug 23, 2024 | Announcements

DRI, one of our nation’s leading applied environmental research institutes, together with the DRI Foundation, this week held its inaugural AWE+ Summit -Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions. The summit is a call-to-action for communities to implement measures that support resilience and human adaptability to devastating wildfire events. Nationally recognized scientific leaders discussed challenges, progress, and hope through actions that will lead to solutions.

Researcher walking through Illilouette Basin with bare tree stumps left from wildfire

Tracking the Restorative Effects of Good Fire

By Elyse DeFranco | Aug 6, 2024 | Featured projects

A few miles south of Yosemite’s famed Glacier Point, ringed by striking granite domes, lies the Illilouette Basin. This small stretch of the Sierra Nevada Mountains has become a sort of fire laboratory, a place where natural wildfires have been allowed to burn since 1972. In contrast with the long-supported program of fire suppression that has dominated American forests since the late 19th century, resulting in dense and unhealthy forests, the Illilouette Basin’s story is about the benefits that natural fire can bring to the landscape.

AWE+ A DRI Global Initiative: Adaptable World Environment

DRI to Host AWE+ Wildfire Summit

By DRI Communications | May 21, 2024 | AWE+

The AWE+ initiative will promote an Adaptable World Environment of strong, resilient communities in a climate shifting world. AWE+ 2024 - Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions - is a global call-to-action for communities to implement measures that support resilience and human adaptability to devastating wildfire events. The event will be held at Encore Las Vegas from August 21-23, 2024.