Stories at the intersection of wildfire, people, and places across the Southwest.
Fuel Breaks for the Sonoran Desert
In February 2024, the Southwest Fire Science Consortium led a field trip in central Arizona to learn more about the dynamics between wildfire and invasive species in the Sonoran Desert. The field trip was focused on improving our collective understanding of how invasive grasses and forbs have altered the fire conditions in the Sonoran Desert … Read more “Fuel Breaks…
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 … Read more “Hermit’s Peak…
Post-fire Flooding: The Museum Fire
The Museum Fire in 2019 burned 1,961 acres and a record monsoon season in 2021 caused post-fire flooding from the burn scar, which affected many homes and businesses. The Story Map aims to outline the full timeline of the fire, the aftermath and flooding, and considerations for the future. Topics include the Flagstaff Watershed Protection … Read more “Post-fire Flooding:…
Fighting for Firefighter Safety
Research to Implementation: A JFSP Success Story Wildfires are getting larger and more frequent across the Western U.S., which means more and more firefighters are being mobilized into action. Firefighters are constantly exposed to hazardous conditions while performing their jobs and safety is critical in such volatile and dynamic environments. The Joint Fire Science Program … Read more “Fighting for…
Working Together: Fire Managers and Archaeologists
The Southwest contains both some of the greatest of archaeological sites and landscapes in which fire plays a major role in the ecosystem. Due to the widespread prevalence of both fire and cultural resources, archaeologists and fire managers must work together to locate and manage significant sites. However, different perspectives and approaches between fire managers … Read more “Working Together:…