Wildfires 101: How NASA Studies Fires in a Changing World

A convergence of fuel and ignition – a lightning strike, a stray volt, human error – and their ferocious power sparks to life. These are wildfires. And they are an essential force that shapes and rejuvenates landscapes worldwide. But fueled by changes in the climate, each year they are burning longer and larger, devastating ecosystems and communities.

From forest floor to space, NASA scientists and collaborators are advancing tools and methods to predict, remotely detect, and ultimately mitigate wildfires. That process starts with understanding fire behavior, tracking them with satellites, and getting that data in the hands of land managers and communities facing record-breaking fire seasons.