Wildfires are increasingly threatening communities in the US that were previously considered safe. Recent research indicates that 115 million Americans, over a third of the population, now reside in areas susceptible to catastrophic fires. The intensification of climate change contributes to these threats, as exemplified by disasters like the 2023 Lahaina fire and the 2021 Marshall fire in Boulder. Experts emphasize that traditional wildfire models are outdated and need revising, as homes can act as fuel in these flames, prompting increased urgency among stakeholders to adapt and improve fire risk management strategies.
The understanding that many more Americans are at risk of losing their homes to wildfires comes as the climate crisis turns up the dial on extreme weather.
The risks are more extensive than people think, said Joe H. Scott, the chief fire scientist at Pyrologix, indicating a deepening understanding of wildfire threats.
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