Wildland management

Fire is changing because we are changing the conditions in which it occurs. Not all fires are harmful, and not all fires need to be extinguished as they serve important ecological purpose.

United Nations report "Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires", 2022.

Wildfires are growing in intensity and frequency, devastating communities and ecosystems in their path. Recent years have witnessed record-breaking wildfire seasons worldwide, and with global temperatures steadily rising, the urgency to mitigate this risk is greater than ever. However, history demonstrates that effective fire management must be integrated into a broader ecological context. Over-reliance on short-term fire suppression can lead to unintended long-term consequences, such as fuel buildup and ecological imbalances. Shifting the perspective to see fire as a tool rather than a threat can revolutionize land management practices, protecting both people and the environment while supporting healthy, resilient ecosystems.

To contribute to this paradigm shift, we develop new tools to model the complex realities of natural habitats and design optimized interventions to reduce fire risks in vulnerable communities. Additionally, we apply machine-learning techniques to predict how climate change will influence wildfire patterns in the coming decades, offering actionable insights for future wildfire management strategies.