After the smoke clears, a wildfire’s legacy can haunt rivers for years, putting drinking water at risk

Scientists analyzed water quality in 145 watersheds after wildfires and found dramatic spikes in contaminants.

Ben Livneh, Associate Professor of Hydrology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
June 23, 2025 ~8 min

California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability

Hedges and trees may actually reduce home exposure to radiant heat and flying embers, but they must be well maintained. Two scientists who study how plants burn explain.

Luca Carmignani, Assistant Professor of Engineering, San Diego State University • conversation
June 2, 2025 ~8 min


Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios

Park and forest managers can’t rely on the past any longer to understand future risks. Fires, pests and climate change are changing the game.

Imtiaz Rangwala, Research Scientist in Climate, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
May 27, 2025 ~10 min

Controlled burns reduce wildfire risk, but they require trained staff and funding − this could be a rough year

Uncertainty from Washington along with staff and budget cuts have created turmoil for the US Forest Service’s fire management efforts.

Laura Dee, Associate Professor of Ecology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
April 23, 2025 ~8 min

How California can rebuild safer, more resilient cities after wildfires without pricing out workers

It starts with better building policies that recognize future risks, but there are many other important steps.

Nichole Wissman, Assistant Professor of Management, University of San Diego • conversation
Feb. 18, 2025 ~10 min

If FEMA didn’t exist, could states handle the disaster response alone?

FEMA pools national resources to help states quickly manage disasters. Without that federal support, each state would be left to build its own expensive response capabilities.

Ming Xie, Assistant Professor of Emergency Management and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Feb. 10, 2025 ~8 min

How satellites and AI help fight wildfires today

Fire spotters used to watch with binoculars from forest towers. Now, technology can help forecast fire behavior, but human experience is still essential.

John W. Daily, Research Professor in Thermo Fluid Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 30, 2025 ~6 min

LA gets rain, but also risk of flooding and debris flows from wildfire burn scars – a geologist explains the threat

Rain on land burned by a series of devastating fires in the Los Angeles area has the potential to contribute to flooding and debris flows.

Jen Pierce, Professor of Geosciences, Boise State University • conversation
Jan. 23, 2025 ~8 min


After the fire: Rain on wildfire burn scars can trigger deadly debris flows – a geologist explains how

In the Los Angeles area, the potential for rain on land burned by a series of devastating fires has people on edge.

Jen Pierce, Professor of Geosciences, Boise State University • conversation
Jan. 23, 2025 ~7 min

Human use of fire has produced an era of uncontrolled burning: Welcome to the Pyrocene

Humans have become a geologic force by cooking the planet – using fire on a scale that is altering land, water, air and ecosystems.

Stephen Pyne, Emeritus Professor of Life Sciences, Arizona State University • conversation
Jan. 22, 2025 ~10 min

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