As Wildfires Escalate, UC San Diego Researchers Turn to Science for Solutions

Video Description

Increased temperatures, weather extremes and hot and dry conditions have intensified the threat of wildfires in California and around the world. Wildfire is an extremely complex problem and research and mitigation have never been more important.

UC San Diego researchers across disciplines work to combat wildfires and the problems that stem from them through novel research, new technologies and critical state and federal partnerships.

The university’s public safety program, ALERTCalifornia, harnesses the power of AI to aid in the early detection of wildfire and is used by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the WIFIRE Lab at the San Diego Supercomputer at UC San Diego leverages machine learning and data science to inform wildfire response and ensure safe prescribed burns. In addition, UC San Diego environmental economist Judson Boomhower examines housing policy, electrical grid and insurance issues, and economic impact in high-risk, wildfire-prone areas. And several UC San Diego researchers look at the health impacts of wildfires, including psychiatry professor Jyoti Mishra, who studies the cognitive and mental health impacts on affected communities.