Skip to section navigation
Skip to page content

RAND > Topics >

Wildfires

Commentary

Wildfires Getting More Destructive

The potential for smoke to harm air quality and cause health problems was especially acute in 2015 because a record number of wildfires broke out in the United States. Pre-wildfire season preparedness could go a long way toward protecting public health.

Dec 28, 2015
Commentary

Fighting Fires From Above

A newly deployed airborne firefighting resource is helping the United States Forest Service (USFS) battle wildfires, while at the same time providing valuable lessons on the utility and cost effectiveness of water-dropping scooper aircraft.

May 15, 2014
Commentary

Investing in Firefighting

While the U.S. Forest Service has not completely agreed with RAND's proposal to transition to a fleet dominated by water-dropping scooper aircraft for fighting fires, they have leased one CL-415 scooper aircraft. It might be more cost-effective for the USFS to simply purchase it outright.

Dec 30, 2013
Commentary

The Desirability of 'Free' C-27s for the U.S. Forest Service

Although we believe that a scooper-centric firefighting aircraft portfolio for initial attack would still be preferred, Air Force-provided 1,850-gallon C-27Js could be a cost-effective component of the retardant-bearing portion of the Forest Service's airborne firefighting arsenal, write Edward G. Keating and Daniel M. Norton.

Sep 6, 2013
Commentary

Firefighting Aircraft: Is Bigger Better?

An aircraft's capacity and speed largely determine the rate at which water or retardant can be applied to a fire. Very large air tankers (VLATs) certainly have the capacity to apply large amounts of fluids to a fire, but because of the distances travelled they may not be able to get a second load very quickly.

May 20, 2013
Commentary

Planning for Superstorms, Wildfires, and Deep Uncertainty

The path to climate change preparedness should start at the intersection of resilience and robustness — that is, building resilient communities with the individuals and organizations within those communities making robust decisions, ones designed to work well over a wide range of ever-changing conditions.

Apr 18, 2013
News Release

News Release

U.S. Forest Service Should Consider a Different Mix of Aircraft to Fight Wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service should upgrade its large airborne firefighting fleet to include more amphibious scooper aircraft, with air tankers and helicopters in a supporting role during the initial attack of fires before they become large.

Jul 30, 2012
Report

U.S. Forest Service Should Consider a Different Mix of Aircraft to Fight Wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service should upgrade its large airborne firefighting fleet to include more amphibious scooper aircraft, with air tankers and helicopters in a supporting role during the initial attack of fires before they become large.

Jul 30, 2012
Research Brief

Research Brief

Identifying a Cost-Effective Aviation Fleet for the U.S. Forest Service

This brief provides an overview of a RAND study to support the U.S. Forest Service in determining the composition of a fleet of airtankers, scoopers, and helicopters that would minimize the total social costs of wildfires.

Jul 30, 2012
Journal Article

Journal Article

Mental Health Risks for Residents Displaced by Wildfires

Residents who have been displaced by the wildfires may experience serious mental health problems. Up to one-third of the residents displaced by the San Diego area fires in 2003 showed symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and major depression three months later.

Jan 1, 2007
Report

Report

Natural Disaster Research Could Help Reduce Economic Losses

The nation may be able to reduce losses from disasters such as wildfires and floods if more research focused on how to protect people, buildings and infrastructure.

Jan 1, 2003
Report

Report

Forest Fires, Air Pollution, and Mortality in Southeast Asia

Forest Fires, Air Pollution, and Mortality in Southeast Asia

Jan 1, 2002
Research Brief

Research Brief

The Dangers of Smoke Haze: Mortality in Malaysia from Indonesian Forest Fires

No abstract is available for this document.

Jan 1, 2002
Report

Report

Forest Monitoring and Remote Sensing: A Survey of Accomplishments and Opportunities for the Future

Forest Monitoring and Remote Sensing: A Survey of Accomplishments and Opportunities for the Future

Jan 1, 1999
Report

Report

Physical Models of Fires and Their Associated Environment

Derives a general, flexible, mathematical model describing the progress of a fire, and presents graphical output of a computer simulation employing the model.

Jan 1, 1973

RAND Topic:
Wildfires

Topic Synonyms:
Blaze;
Conflagration;
Forest Fire