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International Journal of Wildland Fire

International Journal of Wildland Fire

International Journal of Wildland Fire publishes articles on basic and applied aspects of wildland fire science including, but not confined to, ecological impact, modelling fire and its effects, and management of fire. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Stefan Doerr and Martin Girardin

Publishing Model: Open Access

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. International Journal of Wildland Fire is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 03 July 2025

WF24225Predicting potential postfire debris-flow hazards across California prior to wildfire

Rebecca K. Rossi 0000-0003-4482-8451, Paul W. Richardson, David B. Cavagnaro, Stefani G. Lukashov, Mary Ellen Miller and Donald N. Lindsay
 

Map of California showing the annual probability of fire followed by rainfall which exceeds the modeled postfire debris-flow threshold.

Destructive postfire debris flows triggered by short-duration bursts of high-intensity rainfall and excessive runoff within 3 years following fire continue to impact California. Using a simplified wildfire scenario, we predicted potential postfire debris-flow hazards statewide. We suggest the maps are useful for identifying areas that pose the greatest postfire geohazards.

This article belongs to the collection: Establishing Directions in Postfire Debris-Flow Science.

WF24225 Abstract  |  WF24225 Full Text  | WF24225PDF (7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 02 July 2025

WF25034Contemporary fire regimes and elephant impacts in Baikiaea-dominated woodlands of the Chobe region, northern Botswana

Othusitse Lekoko, Jeremy Russell-Smith, Andrew Edwards and Cameron Yates
 

Uncontrolled fire and high elephant densities may cause loss of biodiversity in African savannas. We assessed the status of fire regimes in Botswana’s tourism region, which has an elephant population, to determine whether incentivised fire management could enhance broader ecological management and employment outcomes, while supporting climate change initiatives.

This article belongs to the collection: Savanna burning.

WF25034 Abstract  |  WF25034 Full Text  | WF25034PDF (2.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 June 2025

WF24126Investigating the dynamic behaviour of merging fire fronts

Alexander I. Filkov 0000-0001-5927-9083, Brendan Holyland, Brett Cirulis, Khalid Moinuddin, Duncan Sutherland, Jason Sharples 0000-0002-7816-6989, James Hilton 0000-0003-3676-0880, Craig B. Clements and Trent D. Penman 0000-0002-5203-9818
 

This experimental study investigates the behaviour of merging fire fronts during controlled burns in Australia. Results showed that forward junction fires spread significantly faster than linear fires and can lead to more dynamic fire behaviours, highlighting the need for further research to improve fire behaviour models and safety measures.

WF24126 Abstract  |  WF24126 Full Text  | WF24126PDF (6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 June 2025

WF25039Interactions of fire and forest structure in a relict mesic forest of north Africa

Peter Z. Fulé 0000-0002-8469-0621, Lahcen Taiqui 0000-0002-2553-8611 and Derak Mchich
 

We dated fire events and measured forest structure in the highly biodiverse Talassemtane National Park in Morocco. Surface fires tended to recur at <25-year intervals in Pinus–Abies–Quercus forests. Fire regime was associated with old trees and open forest structure.

WF25039 Abstract  |  WF25039 Full Text  | WF25039PDF (2.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 June 2025

WF24222Fuelling future fires: predicting variation in fuel hazard and availability across an environmental gradient

Sarah C. McColl-Gausden 0000-0001-7807-8367, Lauren T. Bennett, Hamish Clarke and Trent D. Penman 0000-0002-5203-9818
 

Fuel is a key driver of wildfire patterns but the impacts of changing climate on fuel hazard and availability to burn is often poorly understood. This study uses six future climate models to predict the shifts in landscape fuel patterns across an environmental gradient.

This article belongs to the collection: Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference.

WF24222 Abstract  |  WF24222 Full Text  | WF24222PDF (2.4 MB)  | WF24222Supplementary Material (3.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 June 2025

WF24210Comparing biomass consumption estimated from point cloud data versus long-wave infrared imagery during prescribed growing season burns in pine woodlands of the southeastern United States

Benjamin C. Bright 0000-0002-8363-0803, Andrew T. Hudak, Nuria Sánchez-López, E. Louise Loudermilk, Christie M. Hawley, Eric Rowell, Joseph J. O’Brien, Steven A. Flanagan 0000-0001-5172-3530, Kevin Robertson, Akira Kato, Chad Hoffman, David R. Weise 0000-0002-9671-7203 and J. Kevin Hiers
 

We demonstrate a new method for combining terrestrial and airborne laser scanning data to estimate fuel consumed by fire and compare how lasers and long-wave infrared imagery estimate consumption. We find that these remote sensing techniques provide comparable consumption estimates and that most fuel consumption occurs on the forest floor.

This article belongs to the collection: Multi-scale measurements in support of improved fire, fuel, and smoke models of landscape-level wildland fires.

WF24210 Abstract  |  WF24210 Full Text  | WF24210PDF (2.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

WF24221Canopy and surface fuels measurement using terrestrial lidar single-scan approach in the Mogollon Highlands of Arizona

Johnathan T. Tenny 0009-0001-3402-3038, Temuulen Tsagaan Sankey, Seth M. Munson, Andrew J. Sánchez Meador and Scott J. Goetz
 

Novel techniques were developed to quickly measure canopy fuel and surface fuel across a range of environmental conditions using a ground-based remote sensing technology. These techniques provide precise, repeatable fuel estimates while minimizing model training requirements.

WF24221 Abstract  |  WF24221 Full Text  | WF24221PDF (6.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

WF24184Between a rock and a hot place: do surface shelters facilitate survivable conditions for small vertebrates during prescribed fire?

Shawn Scott, Brett A Goodman, Joan Gibbs and Sophie Petit
 

Prescribed burning in eucalypt woodlands exposes skinks to lethal temperatures, which are partially remediated by rock and log shelters. Ambient and maximum temperatures were positively associated, and high ambient temperatures increased duration of lethal temperatures. Assessing shelter availability for small vertebrates before prescribed burning should be a conservation priority.

WF24184 Abstract  |  WF24184 Full Text  | WF24184PDF (1.5 MB)  | WF24184Supplementary Material (715 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

WF25022Linking human activities to wildfires in Tsavo Conservation Area: a social-ecological study

Naftal G. Kariuki, David O. Chiawo 0000-0001-7118-6285, Eunice W. Kairu, Jemimah A. Simbauni and Amos C. Muthiuru 0000-0002-3367-2562
 

This study explores the association between human activities and wildfire occurrences in the Tsavo Conservation Area. Statistical methods (ANOVA, chi-square and Kendall’s tests), were applied for data analysis. Chyulu Hill National Park experienced the highest frequency of wildfires, and eleven human activities were pinpointed as contributing factors.

WF25022 Abstract  |  WF25022 Full Text  | WF25022PDF (881 KB)  | WF25022Supplementary Material (454 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 June 2025

WF25038The price of doing business: severe injuries in wildland firefighters in the United States by activity performed and hazard encountered

Erin J. Belval 0000-0001-5895-5393, Bradley M. Pietruszka 0000-0001-8612-4132 and Alex Viktora
 

This research provides a deeper understanding of the activities and hazards associated with severe injuries to wildland firefighters in the United States. Injuries associated with aviation activities result in particularly severe outcomes. Fire complexity was not associated with differences in severity outcomes.

WF25038 Abstract  |  WF25038 Full Text  | WF25038PDF (1.7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 June 2025

WF24174Decadal scale fire dynamics in savannas and forests of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Pradyumna Rajashekar, Aparna Krishnan, Varun Varma 0000-0002-0289-6125, Jayashree Ratnam 0000-0002-6568-8374, Mahesh Sankaran 0000-0002-1661-6542 and Caroline E. R. Lehmann 0000-0002-6825-124X
 

Climate, vegetation type and human activity collectively shape fire regimes in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Across this landscape, savannas burn more frequently and over larger areas than forests. Overall, fire activity is largely determined by rainfall in dry periods, but by human activity in wet periods.

This article belongs to the collection: Savanna burning.

WF24174 Abstract  |  WF24174 Full Text  | WF24174PDF (2 MB)  | WF24174Supplementary Material (517 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 June 2025

WF24133Experimental study on the ignition of fuel beds by two firebrands in tandem arrangement under wind conditions

Daicai Tian and Jiao Lei
 

The findings show that two nearby firebrands in tandem arrangement under wind conditions can have a significant cooperative ignition effect on the fuel bed. A semi-empirical correlation for the ignition delay time of the fuel bed based on the energy balance concept is in good agreement with the experimental data.

WF24133 Abstract  |  WF24133 Full Text  | WF24133PDF (7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 30 May 2025

WF24079Remotely sensed vegetation phenology drives large fire spread in northwestern Europe

Tomás Quiñones 0009-0006-8821-1364, Cathelijne Stoof 0000-0002-0198-9215, Fiona Newman-Thacker, Adrián Jiménez, Fernando Bezares, Joaquín Ramírez and Adrián Cardil
 

High greenness is related to low spread rates, and fires spreading in the growing season showed a drastic reduction in spread. High risk related to common fire weather ratings was associated with low ROS.

WF24079 Abstract  |  WF24079 Full Text  | WF24079PDF (1.7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 30 May 2025

WF25013Unpacking the pluralism paradox: collaborative governance outcomes in jurisdictionally complex environments

Toddi Steelman 0000-0001-7492-8635 and Branda Nowell
 

Collaboration is often needed in complex emergencies like wildfires, but diverse interests can also cause conflict. This study examines how differences tied to organizational roles affected collaboration during 15 US wildfires. Findings highlight when these differences matter most and offer ideas for improving cooperation in complex disaster settings.

WF25013 Abstract  |  WF25013 Full Text  | WF25013PDF (644 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

  4. The impacts of fire use in the Brazilian Amazon: a bibliometric analysis

    International Journal of Wildland Fire 34 (4)
    Amanda Kesley Cardozo Cancio, Mayerly Alexandra Guerrero-Moreno 0000-0002-6767-2966, Everton Cruz da Silva, Fernando Abreu Oliveira, Karina Dias-Silva, James Ferreira Moura Jr, Thiago Almeida Vieira, Lenize Batista Calvão, Leandro Juen, José Max Barbosa Oliveira-Junior

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Savanna Burning

As demonstrated in Australian savannas, reducing carbon emissions through active fire management can generate tradable carbon credits providing income and employment opportunities for Indigenous and remote communities, and support biodiversity conservation. The success of this management approach has led to suggestions that it can be extended to other continents, for notable example in southern Africa and South America. This special issue of the International Journal of Wildland Fire aims to explore the status of technical challenges, opportunities and potential livelihood and ecological benefits, associated with applying market-based fire management approaches in severely fire-impacted tropical savanna systems.

Last Updated: 28 Feb 2025

Fire and Climate

This Special Collection on “Fire and Climate” showcases papers from and inspired by the eponymous conferences hosted by the International Association of Wildland Fire. The collection explores the way that climate change is affecting wildfire around the world – and the ways that changes in societal, legal, and political climate changes interact with these geophysical processes.

Guest Editor
Eric B. Kenedy (York University, Canada)

Last Updated: 15 Oct 2024

Australian Fire Danger Rating System

This Collection in International Journal of Wildland Fire presents a series of papers that describe the development of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). This new system was conceived following a review of existing Australian fire danger rating systems and associated danger categories in 2014. It was implemented in 2022 and has since been modified to improve performance, accuracy, and public-facing requirements.

Guest Editor
Paulo Fernandez (Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal)

Last Updated: 04 Jul 2024

Celebrating 30 Years of Wildland Fire Science Publication

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of International Journal of Wildland Fire (IJWF), the official journal of the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF), we have put together this Collection that includes a selection of review papers published in IJWF over the past 12 years, a compilation that highlights the wide range of disciplines in wildland fire research. In line with our commitment to diversity, authors and co-authors come from at least seven countries, and the corresponding authors on six of the 15 papers are female. We invite you to explore the full breadth of topics included in this Collection.

Collection Editors
Susan G. Conard, Stefan Doerr, and Jenny Foster

Last Updated: 27 May 2021

25 Years of International Journal of Wildland Fire

To celebrate 25 years of publication of International Journal of Wildland Fire, we present this Collection that includes some of the most-cited Research Papers we have published over the years. This Collection includes two papers from each five-year period, starting in 1991. One of these is the paper from each period that has received the most citations to date. To highlight the geographic scope of IJWF publications, the second paper is the most-cited paper where the lead author is from a different country than the highest-cited one.

Last Updated: 05 Dec 2016

Atmospheric Research

This Collection of International Journal of Wildland Fire covers the theme of Atmospheric Research, and was launched to coincide with the 2016 International Smoke Symposium (Long Beach, California) and the AGU Fall Meeting (San Francisco, California). This collection showcases a diverse array of topics from a variety of geographical areas, including methods for tracking, modelling and inventory, social implications, climate implications, current and future research needs, and practical field management techniques for smoke.

Last Updated: 27 Oct 2016

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IJWF Content Free to IAWF Members

All non-OA journal content published prior to 2024 can be accessed by IAWF members through the IAWF Members-Only site.

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