AI image of the Sonoran Desert

Protecting the Sonoran Desert from wildfire: Providing critical fire science to address a growing threat

The Southwest Fire Science Consortium has recognized the growing need for science on how to protect the sensitive ecology of the Sonoran Desert from the dual, and related, threats of invasive grass spread and wildfire. We have worked diligently on collaborative efforts aimed at meeting the need of land managers in the Desert. Read the …

Smoke from Freeman Fire in Webinar: Fire in the Southwest: Fire Season 2024 Overview and 2025 Outlook

Fire in the Southwest: Fire season 2024 overview and 2025 outlook

In a nutshell: Learn about commonalities and unique events within the 10 largest Southwestern fires of 2024 and hear a meteorologist explore the fire season outlook and expectations for fire weather behavior in 2025. Date and Time: Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM Mountain / 12:00 PM Arizona Description: Most frequent-fire forests throughout the …

2023 SW Wildfire Research Review

“Fire is an integral component of many Southwest ecosystems; however, fire regimes across the region have been affected by climate change, creating conditions to which these ecosystems have not adapted. Since 1980, fire frequency, size and severity have increased in many ecosystems in the western US due to changes in climate combined with a history …

As a key piece of infrastructure, mangers focused on protecting the TriState Transmission Lines through low-intensity fire in order to prevent future high-intensity fire in the area. Photo credit: Lorena Williams, San Juan NF.

An Evolution in Thinking About Fire: A Panel Discussion

In a nutshell: This panel discussion reflects on fire management decisions made – and opportunities missed – during the San Juan National Forest’s 2023 fire season, and how those decisions represent an organizational evolution toward more nuanced and strategic thinking about fire response. Photo description: As a key piece of infrastructure, mangers focused on protecting …

A group of people stands at a lookout point gazing into the fire footprint. They see many burned trees and the vegetation greening up.

Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon Fire: One Year Later

The Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon Fire was a devastating event for New Mexico. Many communities were affected, and while this fire was unique, it will not be for long. Climate change and the effects of a century of fire exclusion mean that fires like this one are increasingly likely. We must understand what happened in …

2022 SW Wildfire Season Overview

This report is the tenth in a series of annual Southwest wildfire season overviews available from the Southwest Fire Science Consortium and the Ecological Restoration Institute. The goal of this overview is to provide a concise summary of the fire season and to facilitate comparisons with past fires and fire seasons. It follows the format …

Pine covered hill half drenched in smoke.

Fire in the Southwest, Past and Present – Fire Season 2022 Overview and 2023 Outlook

Description: Join the SWFSC for a webinar reviewing last year’s fires and looking ahead toward fire conditions for this year. Dr. Zander Evans will present an overview of the 10 largest fires in the Southwest during 2022. He will share summaries of forest types and burn severities for each of the 10 fires. Rich Naden, …

A firefighter stands near a low severity fire that is being managed for resource benefit.

Managed Wildfire: A Research Synthesis & Overview

All wildfires in the United States are managed, but the strategies used to manage them vary by region and season. “Managed wildfire” is a response strategy to naturally ignited wildfires; it does not prioritize full suppression and allows the fire to fulfill its natural role on the landscape, meeting objectives such as firefighter safety, resource …