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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Journal Article — Nov 19, 2024
Enhancing the Economic Feasibility of Fuel Treatment: Market and Policy Pathways for US Federal Lands
Selling biomass collected from wildfire fuel treatment could not cover treatment costs in regions of Idaho and Montana unless prices of small-diameter material were to rise significantly.
Working Paper — Feb 11, 2025
The Costs of Achieving Forest Resilience in California
This working paper offers valuable insights into the main factors that drive the cost of forest fuel treatments.
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.
In Focus — Jun 18, 2025
In Focus: Wildfire Risks and Jobs
In this video, RFF Senior Fellow Margaret Walls discusses job growth in wildfire-prone regions of the western United States.
Report — May 6, 2025
Shaping Land Use Patterns in the Wildland-Urban Interface: The Role of State and Local Governments in Reducing Exposure to Wildfire Risks
This report reviews the policies, funding mechanisms, and planning efforts that influence land use in wildfire-prone wildland-urban interface areas, arguing that current approaches inadequately address wildfire exposure.
Report — Apr 14, 2025
Job Exposure to Wildfire Risk in the American West
This report assesses job growth and wages in the West across five wildfire hazard categories.
Explainer — Apr 9, 2025
Wildfires at a Glance
Wildfires at a Glance
Working Paper — Feb 11, 2025
The Costs of Achieving Forest Resilience in California
This working paper offers valuable insights into the main factors that drive the cost of forest fuel treatments.
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
In Focus — Aug 19, 2024
In Focus: Trends in Extreme Weather in the United States
This video shares insights about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the United States due to climate change, with RFF Senior Fellow Margaret Walls.
Common Resources — Jun 1, 2023
Disclosing Wildfire Risks in Home Sales
New research finds that disclosing wildfire risks to potential homebuyers in California reduces sale prices.
In Focus — Jun 18, 2025
In Focus: Wildfire Risks and Jobs
In this video, RFF Senior Fellow Margaret Walls discusses job growth in wildfire-prone regions of the western United States.
On the Issues — Mar 7, 2025
On the Issues: Fires in the Southern US, Avoiding Storm Damages, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Fires in the Southern US, avoiding storm damages, and more.
Media Highlight — Mar 5, 2025
Heatmap: “Why the South Is America’s Newest Tinderbox”
Dave Wear is the subject of this Q&A about the recent wildfire outbreak in the Carolinas and his research on Southeastern climate risk.
Media Highlight — May 6, 2025
“Carbon Pulse: Spark Notes”
A new paper on ways to reduce wildfire exposure in the wildland-urban interface is mentioned in Carbon Pulse‘s daily newsletter.
Media Highlight — Apr 22, 2025
Mountain West News Bureau: “Job Growth Fastest in the West Where Wildfire Risk is the Highest”
Emily Joiner is quoted in this piece about a new RFF report on the threat wildfire poses to western US businesses.
Media Highlight — Apr 17, 2025
Science Magazine: “Trump Wants to Log More Forests. Will it Really Help Prevent Wildfires?”
Senior Fellow David Wear comments on a new executive order calling for more logging
