We are very pleased to announce that USGS’ first Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) has been published and is now available. Links are provided below to access the Strategic Plan, Fact Sheet and other information about the program.

Wildfires in the United States can be devastating, with 2017, 2018, and 2020 being particularly damaging and costly. To help minimize the detrimental impacts of wildfires while allowing for fire’s beneficial aspects to unfold, the U.S. Geological Survey has developed a new five-year science strategy that defines critical science needs and directions for its wildland fire research. The strategy was developed by scientists and communication specialists at USGS and informed from interviews with 40 different stakeholder organizations.

The new strategy guides USGS research in the 21st century. It prioritizes the production of innovative science, tools and resources that inform land management and provide an understanding of fire’s role in ecosystems and in human communities, before, during and after wildfires.

The USGS wildland fire strategy emphasizes working with stakeholders to identify, develop and share essential information that supports critical decision-making by fire, resource and emergency managers. These include threat characterization and management planning before a fire and providing real-time satellite and field data to incident commanders and others during a fire. It also includes assessing fire’s impacts on infrastructure, terrain, water supply, ecosystems, species and other vital resources after the smoke clears.

The new USGS fire science strategic plan prioritizes the production of state-of-the-art, actionable fire science. We seek to collaborate in this effort with federal, Tribal, state and other stakeholders, to ensure that data and tools are timely, relevant and widely disseminated. Finally, the plan sets up an organizational structure that helps ensure these outcomes.

Review the plan and other wildland fire science resources at USGS at the following links:

* U.S. Geological Survey Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan: 2021-26

* Fact Sheet on Wildland Fire Science at the USGS

* 12-year compendium of wildland fire science at the USGS

* USGS Wildland Fire Science web page