Rapidly Accelerating Wildfires Threaten US West

New research reveals that fast-moving wildfires are increasingly responsible for destruction, highlighting critical gaps in preparedness.

Fast-growing wildfires caused nearly 90% of fire-related damages in the US from 2001 to 2020, despite being rare.
California has seen a nearly fourfold increase in wildfire growth rates over the past two decades, outpacing other Western states.
The study emphasizes that wildfire speed, rather than size, is a key factor in the destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Researchers used satellite data to track over 60,000 fires, finding a 250% increase in the average growth rate of the fastest fires.
Current wildfire risk models do not account for fire speed, underscoring the need for updated strategies to protect communities.