Aerial view of a Spokane, WA, neighborhood leveled by 2026 wildfires.

Facing Wildfire Challenges

Wildfire is an increasingly complex challenge across Washington and the Pacific Northwest, affecting far more than the forests and neighborhoods directly in its path.

Fire and smoke threaten public health, disrupt electrical systems, damage ecosystems, affect agriculture and water resources, and more. Addressing these challenges requires partnerships between experts in ecology, engineering, public health, technology, community resilience, and more.  

900,000+ acres

have burned in Washington in 2026 wildfires, including 200,000 acres on the Colville Reservation, among 2.5 million acres across the PNW and 8.5 million across the United States

40,000+ deaths

annually in the US are associated with wildfire smoke, with $10 billion in annual economic impact

10-20 years

for a forest to recover its carbon uptake capacity after a severe wildfire

Experts + Collaborators for Wildfire Solutions

WSU brings together researchers, Tribal nations, community stakeholders, and industry partners to better understand wildfire risks and develop practical solutions. Our research includes electrical grid resilience; wildfire ecology and post-fire recovery; impacts on watersheds and water systems; wildfire smoke and human health; early detection and risk modeling; evacuation and infrastructure planning; and AI-enabled decision-support tools.  

$17+ million

in wildfire-related research awards to WSU since 2021

130+ papers

related to wildfire in peer-reviewed research publications since 2021

WSU is partnering with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to explore a broader collaborative model to find solutions for the effects of wildfire. This initiative builds on WSU’s strengths in wildfire science, grid resilience, public health, community and tribal engagement, and statewide extension network with SEL’s global expertise in power systems, automation, analytics, and deployment.  

With multidisciplinary wildfire expertise and partnerships with industry leaders, WSU researchers are helping protect communities and industries across Washington and the Pacific Northwest. 

Continue exploring examples of WSU research:

The Sustainable Future of Flight

The race to decarbonize aviation is reshaping transportation, energy, and aerospace. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a crucial solution. Through research, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, WSU is leading the transformation of SAF from innovation to impact.

Learn more.

Resilient Livestock Program

WSU’s Resilient Livestock Program advances precision gene-editing technologies to improve livestock health, productivity, and resilience while supporting food security and agricultural sustainability.  

Learn more.

Healthy Farming, Healthy Food

Through interdisciplinary research connecting soil health, agricultural resilience, food system sustainability, and human health, WSU researchers are improving access to nutritious, affordable whole-grain foods, while evaluating their impacts from the farm to the consumer.

Learn more.

Honey Bee + Pollinators Program

The Bee Program at WSU studies solutions to the most pressing issues facing honey bees and other bee pollinators today, supporting sustainable agriculture, the beekeeping industry, and conservation. 

Learn more.

Resilient Agriculture

WSU is helping agriculture thrive in a changing energy landscape by integrating renewable energy production with food production, sustainable waste management, and rural economic development.

Learn more.

The Future of Salmon

Salmon are among Washington’s most important natural resources — a keystone species with a vital role in ecosystems throughout the Pacific Northwest. WSU research strengthens sustainable aquaculture and develops innovative solutions to emerging environmental challenges facing salmon. 

Learn more.