Featured wildfires content

April 2023: Science First Responder and Incident Meteorologist (IMET) Robert Rickey takes a helicopter flight to observe terrain and fire activity in California. Sometimes fires burn in locations so remote, the best vantage point to assess the fire is from above.

Science First Responders: A day in the life of NOAA fire weather forecaster Robert Rickey

April 30, 2024

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disaster response

April 2023: Science First Responder and Incident Meteorologist (IMET) Robert Rickey takes a helicopter flight to observe terrain and fire activity in California. Sometimes fires burn in locations so remote, the best vantage point to assess the fire is from above.

On September 27, 2023, the VIIRS instrument onboard NOAA’s JPSS satellites captured this GeoColor imagery of Canadian wildfire smoke being pulled across the Atlantic Ocean by two areas of low pressure—one swirling system can be seen in the left of this image and the other, deemed Storm Agnes by the UK Met Office, is on the right near Ireland and the United Kingdom. GeoColor imagery provides a close approximation to what you would see with your naked eye from outer space.

All in a year’s work: ‘Zooming’ into hurricanes, a new underwater vehicle and a fish mystery solved

March 26, 2024

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marine heat waves

Billion-Dollar Disasters

On September 27, 2023, the VIIRS instrument onboard NOAA’s JPSS satellites captured this GeoColor imagery of Canadian wildfire smoke being pulled across the Atlantic Ocean by two areas of low pressure—one swirling system can be seen in the left of this image and the other, deemed Storm Agnes by the UK Met Office, is on the right near Ireland and the United Kingdom. GeoColor imagery provides a close approximation to what you would see with your naked eye from outer space.

Photo of IMETs learning how to set up an Incident Remote Automatic Weather Station (IRAWS). IRAWS gather observations useful for fire weather forecasting including wind speed and direction, air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation and fuel moisture.

NOAA Incident Meteorologists prepare for wildfire season

March 1, 2024

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Photo of IMETs learning how to set up an Incident Remote Automatic Weather Station (IRAWS). IRAWS gather observations useful for fire weather forecasting including wind speed and direction, air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation and fuel moisture.

An early photo of a huge smoke cloud from the Bootleg wildfire in Oregon. July 17, 2021.

Biden-Harris Administration invests $34 million for NOAA fire weather research through Investing in America agenda

January 10, 2024

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

An early photo of a huge smoke cloud from the Bootleg wildfire in Oregon. July 17, 2021.

Image showing artist’s rendering of the NOAA-21 satellite in Earth's orbit.

NOAA-21 satellite is now operational

November 8, 2023

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polar-orbiting satellite (POES)

extreme weather

Image showing artist’s rendering of the NOAA-21 satellite in Earth's orbit.

Image showing floodwater covers Highway 2 on March 23, 2019 near Sidney, Iowa. Midwest states are battling some of the worst flooding they have experienced in decades as rain and snow melt from the recent "bomb cyclone" has inundated rivers and streams. At least three deaths have been linked to the flooding.

Biden-Harris Administration invests $26 million to improve NOAA forecasts of droughts and floods through public-private partnership

October 11, 2023

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Image showing floodwater covers Highway 2 on March 23, 2019 near Sidney, Iowa. Midwest states are battling some of the worst flooding they have experienced in decades as rain and snow melt from the recent "bomb cyclone" has inundated rivers and streams. At least three deaths have been linked to the flooding.

This collage depicts floods and wildfires, which have been increasing in the United States and globally, fueled by climate warming. The Department of Commerce and NOAA have announced new funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help communities develop greater resilience and adaptation to address floods and wildfires.

Biden-Harris Administration invests $3.9 million for flood and wildfire resilience through Investing in America agenda

September 28, 2023

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

This collage depicts floods and wildfires, which have been increasing in the United States and globally, fueled by climate warming. The Department of Commerce and NOAA have announced new funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help communities develop greater resilience and adaptation to address floods and wildfires.

Climate change is contributing to more and longer heat waves in communities across the country, including western cities like Phoenix, pictured here.

Extremely dangerous heat to persist for roughly 100 million people in 22 states this week

July 19, 2023

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Climate change is contributing to more and longer heat waves in communities across the country, including western cities like Phoenix, pictured here.

IMET trainee Rebecca Muessle provides an update on weather conditions to fire crews at Six Rivers Lightning Fire in Northern California on August 23, 2022. Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service.

NOAA Incident Meteorologists prepare for wildfire season in Boise

March 8, 2023

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IMET trainee Rebecca Muessle provides an update on weather conditions to fire crews at Six Rivers Lightning Fire in Northern California on August 23, 2022. Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service.

Williams Fork Fire burns in Coloarado.

Towering wildfire clouds have big impacts on the stratosphere

February 24, 2023

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Williams Fork Fire burns in Coloarado.

The hole over Antarctica at its maximum extent on October 7, 2021. Scientists define the "ozone hole" as the area in which ozone levels are depleted below 220 Dobson Units (dark blue, marked with black triangle on color bar).

NOAA Research's top accomplishments of 2022

December 21, 2022

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ocean exploration

The hole over Antarctica at its maximum extent on October 7, 2021. Scientists define the "ozone hole" as the area in which ozone levels are depleted below 220 Dobson Units (dark blue, marked with black triangle on color bar).

Fire blazes at Rum Creek fire in Oregon: August, 2022.

Photo story: Fighting fire with forecasts

September 20, 2022

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Fire blazes at Rum Creek fire in Oregon: August, 2022.

A view of New Mexico’s Black Fire from an air attack on May 16, 2022.

NOAA satellites improve estimates of wildfire smoke, air quality predictions

June 9, 2022

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aircraft operations

A view of New Mexico’s Black Fire from an air attack on May 16, 2022.

Firefighters conduct firing operations during New Mexico's Hermits Peak fire on May 9, 2022. The Hermits Peak Fire is the largest in New Mexico's history.

May 2022 was warm and wet across the U.S.

June 8, 2022

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monthly climate report

Firefighters conduct firing operations during New Mexico's Hermits Peak fire on May 9, 2022. The Hermits Peak Fire is the largest in New Mexico's history.

Volunteers working along a living shoreline in Biloxi, Mississippi.

NOAA, NFWF grant $25.2 million for emergency coastal resilience

June 6, 2022

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Volunteers working along a living shoreline in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Wildfire activity associated with the New Mexico Hermits Peak Fire on the evening of April 29, 2022, off of Highway 518.

Wildfires, severe weather marked April 2022

May 9, 2022

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monthly climate report

Wildfire activity associated with the New Mexico Hermits Peak Fire on the evening of April 29, 2022, off of Highway 518.

Since 1914, NOAA meteorologists have worked closely with fire behavior experts from the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management; and other federal, state, and local fire control agencies that are responsible for suppressing fires. IMETs, such as NWS Boulder Meteorologist Lisa Kriederman (shown here at the East Fork, Utah, fire in September 2020), work alongside fire managers, providing weather forecasts and meteorological support to help them develop strategies for fighting and controlling wildfires.

NOAA Incident Meteorologists prepare for another busy fire year

March 7, 2022

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Since 1914, NOAA meteorologists have worked closely with fire behavior experts from the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management; and other federal, state, and local fire control agencies that are responsible for suppressing fires. IMETs, such as NWS Boulder Meteorologist Lisa Kriederman (shown here at the East Fork, Utah, fire in September 2020), work alongside fire managers, providing weather forecasts and meteorological support to help them develop strategies for fighting and controlling wildfires.

Night falls as the Marshall Fire continues to burn through Louisville ( left) and Superior (right).

Story map: NOAA's response to the historic Marshall Fire

February 16, 2022

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Night falls as the Marshall Fire continues to burn through Louisville ( left) and Superior (right).

Visualization from NOAA's FV-Chem model that simulates how winds distribute smoke from fires in Siberia and North America around the northern hemisphere.

Smoke from wildfires influences ozone pollution on a global scale

February 9, 2022

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Visualization from NOAA's FV-Chem model that simulates how winds distribute smoke from fires in Siberia and North America around the northern hemisphere.

Aerial view of smoldering ruins in Colorado fire.

What factors contributed to Colorado's deadly Marshall fire?

January 10, 2022

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Aerial view of smoldering ruins in Colorado fire.

NOAA GOES-East satellite image of continental U.S. from July 18, 2021.

Earth from orbit: Wildfire smoke blankets U.S.

July 20, 2021

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NOAA GOES-East satellite image of continental U.S. from July 18, 2021.

NOAA GOES-West satellite image of wildfire plumes

Earth from orbit: Record heat and drought are raising wildfire risk

July 2, 2021

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satellite imagery and visualizations

NOAA GOES-West satellite image of wildfire plumes

The Bobcat Fire started in and around Angeles National Forest in California on September 6, 2020. As of October 5, the fire has burned through more than 115,000 acres. In this Inciweb photo, a helicopter flies over a portion of the fire to help distinguish it. More information and photos available at Inciweb, www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Wildfire season and fire weather: A media resource guide

June 16, 2021

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The Bobcat Fire started in and around Angeles National Forest in California on September 6, 2020. As of October 5, the fire has burned through more than 115,000 acres. In this Inciweb photo, a helicopter flies over a portion of the fire to help distinguish it. More information and photos available at Inciweb, www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.

A firefighter surveys part of the area burned by the Isom Creek Fire in Alaska on Saturday, June 13, 2020.

Northern forests are becoming more prone to extreme fires

February 8, 2021

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A firefighter surveys part of the area burned by the Isom Creek Fire in Alaska on Saturday, June 13, 2020.

NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model can help warn fire managers and local communities where heavy smoke will collect when a fire "lays down" overnight, as the Four Mile Fire did in Boulder, Colorado, in 2010.

When smoke is in the air, all eyes turn to this NOAA weather model

August 26, 2020

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NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model can help warn fire managers and local communities where heavy smoke will collect when a fire "lays down" overnight, as the Four Mile Fire did in Boulder, Colorado, in 2010.

December 19, 2019: A lone fire appliance at the farm gate on the edge of the Gregory River fire near Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Up to 18 trucks and water-bombing helicopters were deployed to the biggest fires ever seen in the area.

NOAA meteorologists are helping Australia battle wildfires

January 10, 2020

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December 19, 2019: A lone fire appliance at the farm gate on the edge of the Gregory River fire near Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Up to 18 trucks and water-bombing helicopters were deployed to the biggest fires ever seen in the area.

NOAA monthly climate call scheduled for November 21

November 18, 2019

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climate analyses and statistics

A huge column of smoke rises from a 2017 “prescribed burn” in the Fishlake National Forest in Utah. Forest managers will intentionally and carefully set fires in some sections of forests to restore them to natural conditions.[Photo slightly cropped for size.]

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke — and secrets for science to uncover

July 22, 2019

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A huge column of smoke rises from a 2017 “prescribed burn” in the Fishlake National Forest in Utah. Forest managers will intentionally and carefully set fires in some sections of forests to restore them to natural conditions.[Photo slightly cropped for size.]

Wildfire in California.

Study examines centuries of data to understand links between climate and wildfires

March 4, 2019

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Wildfire in California.

Smoke from two large fires, the Camp Fire in northern California and the Woolsey Fire in southern California.

A hot, dry summer primed California for wildfire

November 16, 2018

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Smoke from two large fires, the Camp Fire in northern California and the Woolsey Fire in southern California.

Pioneer Fire in Boise National Forest, Idaho, 2016.

To help forecast air quality and issue warnings, NOAA aims to answer what fires emit

September 11, 2018

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Pioneer Fire in Boise National Forest, Idaho, 2016.

As of August 28, 2018, there were 89 U.S. wildfires currently burning on approximately 2 million acres of private, state, tribal, and federal land. Nearly 20,000 interagency fire personnel, including about 450 crews, 1,000-plus engines, 160 helicopters and 24 airtankers are deployed to wildfires.

Ask the scientist: How can the weather spark and spread wildfires?

September 4, 2018

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As of August 28, 2018, there were 89 U.S. wildfires currently burning on approximately 2 million acres of private, state, tribal, and federal land. Nearly 20,000 interagency fire personnel, including about 450 crews, 1,000-plus engines, 160 helicopters and 24 airtankers are deployed to wildfires.

Wildfire in California.

New smoke data from NOAA satellites keeps traveling public out of harm's way

August 22, 2018

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Wildfire in California.

First responders like this firefighter in Oklahoma are getting information about wildfires sooner from NOAA satellite notifications shared by NOAA National Weather Service forecasters.

Wildfire season in Southern Plains off to a strong start after a dry winter

March 16, 2018

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geostationary satellite (GOES)

First responders like this firefighter in Oklahoma are getting information about wildfires sooner from NOAA satellite notifications shared by NOAA National Weather Service forecasters.

A massive wildfire badly burned this property in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif. Photo captured on October 9, 2017.

Wildfires continue to ravage California; NOAA experts are on the scene

October 12, 2017

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A massive wildfire badly burned this property in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif. Photo captured on October 9, 2017.