WESTFIRE
The Western Forest Fire Research Center at Colorado State University
Advancing interdisciplinary science and technology to improve wildland fire and smoke management across the full fire and smoke lifecycle.
WESTFIRE is a Colorado State University research center focused on proactive fire management, smoke emissions and transport, and the health impacts of wildfire.
WESTFIRE brings together researchers across fire science, atmospheric science, public health, and related disciplines to address the complex challenges of wildland fire in a changing climate. The Center advances discovery, application, and collaboration to support resilient ecosystems, communities, and decision-making.
WESTFIRE (Western Fire Research Center) is an interdisciplinary research center at CSU dedicated to advancing the production, dissemination, and adoption of wildland fire science and technology to improve wildland fire and smoke management across the fire and smoke lifecycle (pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire) in the context of a changing climate. The center seeks to advance research and technology in three primary pillars: 1) proactive fuel and fire management, 2) smoke emissions and atmospheric redistribution, and 3) public and occupational health impacts of wildland fire.
Led by Chad Hoffman, this pillar focuses on proactive fuels and fire management, including fire behavior and landscape-scale fire science.
Led by Emily Fischer, this pillar focuses on smoke emissions, transport, atmospheric chemistry, and redistribution.
Led by Luke Montrose, this pillar focuses on the public and occupational health effects of wildfire smoke exposure.
WESTFIRE aims to establish Colorado State University as a national and international leader in fire behavior and fuels modeling, and in the health, economic, and environmental impacts of wildfire smoke. Through interdisciplinary teams and collaborative research networks, the Center supports innovation across disciplinary, institutional, and geographic boundaries.