Wildfires across the contiguous United States are becoming larger, more complex, and increasingly difficult to manage. A new study examines the rise of “fires of unusual size” and explores how climate change, changing fuel conditions, and human influences may contribute to more frequent extreme wildfire events in the future. Rather than focusing solely on total area burned, the research highlights how shifts in fire behavior, landscape conditions, and societal exposure are reshaping wildfire risk and challenging traditional approaches to preparedness and management. Understanding these emerging fire patterns can help inform planning, strengthen resilience, and support adaptation strategies for communities and ecosystems facing a changing climate.

This work was supported by NC CASC through Jilmarie Stephen’s Future of Fire Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellowship project. Read the paper here.