Wildfires
Impacts of wildfires in the United States have increased rapidly in recent years due to climate change, land management practices, and residential development in fire hazard areas. RFF researchers are working to understand how communities, land managers, and policymakers can take steps to prevent wildland fires from becoming wildfire disasters.
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Explainer — Aug 18, 2021
Wildfires in the United States 102: Policy and Solutions
Wildfires in the United States 102: Policy and Solutions
Working Paper — Dec 12, 2024
From Catastrophe to Caution: The Effect of Wildfires on Community Hazard Mitigation Investments
In this working paper, the authors examine the impact of wildfires on community-level hazard mitigation efforts, specifically focusing on participation in the Firewise USA program.
Media Highlight — Dec 5, 2024
E&E News: “Report Finds Southeast Forest Fire Risks Could Top Western Threats”
This article details the findings of a new paper coauthored by RFF Senior Fellow Dave Wear; as climate change worsens and populations grow, the Southeast is increasingly at risk of wildfire damage.
Working Paper — Dec 3, 2024
Changing Hazards, Exposure, and Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States, 2020–2070
In this working paper, the authors analyze how climate change reshapes natural resource hazards in the United States and assess the interplay of hazard exposure, social vulnerability, and drivers like climate and population changes over the next 50 years.
Working Paper — Dec 12, 2024
From Catastrophe to Caution: The Effect of Wildfires on Community Hazard Mitigation Investments
In this working paper, the authors examine the impact of wildfires on community-level hazard mitigation efforts, specifically focusing on participation in the Firewise USA program.
Working Paper — Dec 3, 2024
Changing Hazards, Exposure, and Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States, 2020–2070
In this working paper, the authors analyze how climate change reshapes natural resource hazards in the United States and assess the interplay of hazard exposure, social vulnerability, and drivers like climate and population changes over the next 50 years.
Report — Aug 8, 2024
Can Market Incentives for Wood Products Help Scale Wildfire Risk Reductions in the West?
Can Market Incentives for Wood Products Help Scale Wildfire Risk Reductions in the West?
Report — Jul 18, 2024
Facing Wildfire Insurance Challenges: Five Lessons from the National Flood Insurance Program
What can the United States' long history of insuring flooding losses teach us about the insurability of wildfires?
RFF Live — Nov 30, 2022
Sparking Solutions: Wildfire Risk and Insurance
The third RFF Live event in the "Sparking Solutions" event series examining the role of insurance in mitigating the risks of wildfire.
RFF Live — Oct 12, 2022
Sparking Solutions: Reducing Risk at the Wildland-Urban Interface
On Wednesday, October 12, Resources for the Future (RFF) hosted the second RFF Live event in the “Sparking Solutions” webinar series, where we discussed the benefits and challenges of addressing the WUI problem.
RFF Live — Sep 7, 2022
Sparking Solutions: The Fuels Management Challenge and Opportunity
Examining the role of fuels management in mitigating the impacts and intensity of wildfires
Speech/Presentation — Jan 5, 2021
Wildfires, Smoke, and Outdoor Recreation in the Western United States
Wildfires, Smoke, and Outdoor Recreation in the Western United States
Resources Magazine — Oct 7, 2024
Elections Matter. So Does Policy Research.
As the presidential election nears, and regardless of outcome, researchers at Resources for the Future continue to pursue work that will inspire interest, bipartisan coalitions, and progress on policy issues, given the political resilience of the topics.
Common Resources — Mar 12, 2024
Living with Wildfire: Adapting to the New Normal
A report from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission confirms an increasingly acknowledged phenomenon: that intense, destructive wildfires are the new normal.
Resources Radio — Oct 17, 2023
The US Wildfire Workforce, with Emily Browne
Emily Browne discusses her experience fighting and preventing wildfires in Alaska with the US National Park Service.
In Focus — Aug 30, 2023
In Focus: Carbon Emissions from Wildfire
This video shares insights about the record-breaking emissions from Canada’s wildfires and the implications for Canadian, US, and global emissions-reduction efforts, with RFF Fellow Matthew Wibbenmeyer.
Media Highlight — Dec 5, 2024
E&E News: “Report Finds Southeast Forest Fire Risks Could Top Western Threats”
This article details the findings of a new paper coauthored by RFF Senior Fellow Dave Wear; as climate change worsens and populations grow, the Southeast is increasingly at risk of wildfire damage.
Media Highlight — Feb 5, 2024
Smithsonian Magazine: “Six Big Ways Climate Change Could Impact the United States by 2100”
RFF Fellow Matthew Wibbenmeyer comments on the threat of climate-driven wildfire.
Press Release — Aug 14, 2023
Western US Wildfire Smoke Costs $2.3 Billion per Year in Health Impacts and Lost Enjoyment
A new working paper, published by scholars at RFF and the University of Alaska Anchorage, finds that camping trips to public lands are worth $107 less on average if they are affected by wildfire smoke.
Media Highlight — Jun 15, 2023
Barron's: "Far-Reaching Smoke Is Raising the Costs of Wildfire Damages"
An op-ed by RFF Fellow Matthew Wibbenmeyer discusses the oft-overlooked damages associated with wildfire smoke.
