News & Updates
Data Updates!
Fall 2020: New Features and Data
Wildfire Risk to Communities has several new features, including:
- Limit maps to show only populated areas.
- View new resources and community tools.
- Download more data, including new raster GIS layers and printable national maps. Eight new data layers (available soon) include:
- Housing unit density
- Population density
- Building cover
- Housing unit wildfire exposure
- Housing unit wildfire impact
- Housing unit risk
- Building exposure type
Additional updates are planned for the spring of 2021. Sign up to receive email newsletters.
Webinars and Trainings
New Features and Data
Watch this webinar hosted by LANDFIRE to see information and a demonstration of new features and data in the Wildfire Risk to Communities website. Presented October 14, 2020.
Using the Wildfire Risk to Communities website
Watch this webinar hosted by LANDFIRE to see a demonstration of the Wildfire Risk to Communities website, including use of the interactive maps, charts, and resources available for every community, county, and state in the U.S. Learn how the website and downloadable resources can help community leaders such as elected officials, community planners, and fire managers prioritize actions to mitigate risk. Presented May 21, 2020. Download slides (PDF).
Data, science, and methods behind the Wildfire Risk to Communities website
This webinar, hosted by LANDFIRE, presents the science and data used to calculate and map wildfire risk nationwide in the Wildfire Risk to Communities website. Hear from the project’s technical lead about the use of LANDFIRE and other input datasets, the methods for modeling and mapping wildfire risk, and the data products available through the website. See a demonstration of the website and how to download geospatial and tabular data. Presented May 28, 2020. Download slides (PDF).
Media Featuring Wildfire Risk to Communities
NPR: Is Your Home At Risk of Wildfire In A Changing Climate? 6 Questions To Ask
What’s the risk of this neighborhood burning in a wildfire? This searchable U.S. Forest Service map shows wildfire risk across the country.
October 18, 2020
NPR: Undisclosed: Most Homebuyers and Renters Aren’t Warned About Flood or Wildfire Risk
Like millions of people every year who move, the families had access to a wide variety of information about everything from schools to public transit to lead paint. What they never learned, until it was too late, was that their homes all were in areas that are increasingly prone to flooding or wildfires.
October 18, 2020
NFPA Journal: Giant Step: The view from the NFPA’s Wildfire Division
A government-led effort results in a powerful new online tool to help communities evaluate—and act on—their wildfire risk.
September 1, 2020
Science Spotlight: Wildfire Risk to Communities
As wildfires increase in frequency and severity across the country, Wildfire Risk to Communities is designed to inform the public about wildfire risk and to connect communities with resources to mitigate risk.
September 11, 2020
Eyes on Earth Podcast
In this episode, we hear from Frank Fay of the USDA Forest Service, who describes a new website that represents the first national tool on wildfire risk designed with communities and the general public in mind.
May 4, 2020
USDA Radio: A new online tool in community wildfire risk mitigation
A new U.S. Forest Service website contains data and technology assisting communities in wildfire prevention and protection efforts.
April 4, 2020
News Release: USDA Forest Service releases community wildfire risk website
For the first time, community wildfire risk has been mapped nationwide to help community leaders mitigate risk. The USDA Forest Service today announced the free, interactive, easy-to-use website, Wildfire Risk to Communities. This website is designed to help community leaders nationwide understand how wildfire risk varies across a state, region, or county and allow them to prioritize actions to protect their communities.
April 9, 2020