Smoke exposure from wildfires is an increasingly common public health hazard to communities throughout California. Knowing where to find accurate information and being prepared to act when smoke is in the air can help you protect yourself and your family. This factsheet from UCANR Fire Network provides background on the health impacts of smoke and an introduction to preparing yourself during smoke events.

#Ashfall is an initiative that asks community members to photograph wildfire ash, with the goal of learning to predict intense weather generated by wildfires. A collaboration of the Desert Research Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno, #Ashfall is a way for those who are not at risk from current fires to contribute to the scientific knowledge that aims to strengthen our communities’ defenses and protect our natural spaces.

This resource introduces Sustainable Defensible Space (SDS) as the area around the home extending 100 feet from the home itself. The condition of this space is critical not only to increasing resistance of structures to wildfire loss and safeguarding firefighters’ lives but also to improving conservation values and protecting California’s natural heritage.
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The California Forest Observatory is a data-driven forest monitoring system. The system maps the drivers of wildfire hazard across the state—including forest structure, weather, topography & infrastructure—from space.

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The Bay Area Prescribed Fire Council is a meeting point for Rx fire professionals, students, teachers, tribal members, researchers, land managers, fire fighters, regulators and the general public from throughout the greater Bay Area. At these intersections, we hope to facilitate dialogue and foster change, so that we might get more "good fire" on the ground. Visit this page for upcoming events and resources on prescribed fire in the area.

If you happen to live in a wildfire-prone state, it's especially important to learn the latest tips and tricks to stay safe when the flames erupt. This online guide walks you through the steps before a fire, during an evacuation, and what to do if you need to shelter in place. View resource at www.safehome.org/resources/wildfire-safety-guide/

There are multiple resources for teachers or educators who want to bring some fire science ideas to the classroom, here’s one for the Sierra Nevada and one for Southern California.

This Story Map tells the story of the 2017 fires, with a specific emphasis on how natural habitats fared during and after the fires, and the important role of science and data in enhancing watershed and community resiliency, land management, and education.

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