SUMMERS OF SMOKE
CSU is leading the way in wildfire research
a source special report produced by University Marketing and Communications
published July 31, 2023
A crimson haze lingers over New York City’s skyline. An air quality alert is issued for Chicago. A heatwave matched with smoky skies shatters high-temperature records across the country.
Summers of smoke are no longer confined to the West.
At Colorado State University, researchers have been at the forefront of fire science for decades, with the Fort Collins-based institution regarded as one of the top universities studying wildfires. Recently, they have created a model that predicts which buildings will survive wildfires and have shared important information about the wildfire smoke that you’re breathing.
This special report from SOURCE explores the importance of wildland fire research and what the rest of the country needs to know.
Wildfire research critical in protecting health and environment
Why is wildfire research important? CSU researchers have the answers as they are setting the standard in furthering knowledge about what’s now a national and global phenomenon, be it through developing models that predict which homes are more likely to burn to studying how burn scars can impact the weather. read more
Cameron Peak Fire yields collaboration, new discoveries and more questions
As the largest wildfire in Colorado history was burning west of Fort Collins in 2020, CSU researchers were making plans to study its effects on the local watershed. As soon as they were permitted in the burn area – before the Cameron Peak Fire was completely extinguished – they were collecting data and making discoveries. read more
Likelihood of another fire season as bad as 2020 up to 10 times higher than it was 50 years ago
The 2020 wildfire season may have been the worst in Colorado’s history, but if recent climate trends hold true, years like this could become more and more common, according to CSU research. read more
What are the costs of wildfire? CSU resource economics expert answers
The research of Jude Bayham, associate professor of agricultural and resource economics, focuses on the economics of wildfire management, including estimating the impact of threatened homes, how resources are allocated across the country, understanding the factors that influence communities’ willingness to adopt wildfire mitigation, and the health and social consequences of wildfire smoke. read more
When it comes to wildfires, history isn’t as useful as it used to be
With every year showing increasingly dramatic and record-breaking climate shifts, it’s becoming more difficult to use the past to gauge the future, according to CSU Professor Jason Sibold. read more
CSU Extension partners with Colorado communities to be resource when they need it most
Extension plays an important role in emergency preparedness, response and recovery throughout Colorado, but the role varies from county to county based on resources and subsequent needs. In Pueblo County, Extension staff are on call at the request of the county emergency manager and work alongside first-responder agencies such as local fire departments. read more
9 things to know about trauma from losing a home to fire
“In my conversations with families who have been impacted by wildfires and first responders, interestingly much of the impact is similar,” said Shawn Whitney, assistant director at CSU’s Center for Family and Couple Therapy. “With a natural disaster like wildfires, there tends to be this sudden exposure to the trauma. That often increases the impact that trauma has on those that endure it, experience it and ultimately survive it.” read more
Journalism faculty produce Rocky Mountain PBS doc on wildfires
The documentary — “CO-Existing with Wildfire” — was produced by Jesse Grace and Steven Weiss, faculty members in CSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Communication. The 30-minute documentary is now available to watch at rmpbs.org. read more
What should businesses do when a natural disaster strikes?
“As natural disasters become more prevalent due to climate change, marketing to the victims of trauma has evolved to be more compassionate and solution-oriented,” Jonathan Zhang, an associate professor of marketing at CSU, said. “Companies have had to shift their marketing thinking and communication to align with the physical and emotional needs of those individuals.” read more
Artists, scientists and Smokey Bear share science of post-fire recovery through art
To share some of CSU’s wildfire research with the public, the Geospatial Centroid and Radical Open Science Syndicate (ROSS) will host From Burn to Bloom: The Art + Science of Wildfire Recovery on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Odell Brewing Company. Burn to Bloom attendees will have the opportunity to make art while learning about post-fire science. read more
Media tip sheet: Dozens of CSU experts available to discuss issues related to wildfires
Numerous CSU researchers are available to share their expertise about multiple story angles related to wildfires, from the health impacts of smoke to forest management to how an algorithm could help determine which homes are most likely to burn. see experts