Climate Impact Company has reported that NOAA has updated its wildland fire forecast for September and October 2025.
Inside Perimeter Solutions’ $150 million, five-year USDA wildfire deal
Perimeter Solutions has announced a five-year contract with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Lahaina residents rebuild – but are they breathing in poison?
Residents in Lahaina, Hawaii, are raising concerns about health risks as rebuilding continues in the wildfire burn zone.
Wildfire crew arrests spark legal and political dispute in Washington state
Two men working on the Bear Gulch wildfire in Washington state were arrested by US Border Patrol, according to The Guardian and CNN.
Wildfires end, but the fight for Los Angeles is only beginning
The US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has reported that science-led teams were deployed to reduce the risk of flooding and landslides following the 2025 wildfires in Southern California.
How San Diego County is coating its roads with PHOS-CHEK to prevent wildfires
County applies PHOS-CHEK to high-risk corridors
Perimeter Solutions has reported that San Diego County will apply PHOS-CHEK long-term fire retardant to high fire-risk roadways as part of its wildfire prevention strategy.
The company said the County maintains nearly 2,000 miles of roadway, with more than 200 miles designated as high fire-risk, including the Wildcat Canyon corridor.
According to Perimeter Solutions, Wildcat Canyon carries heavy traffic daily, and the steep terrain increases the likelihood of overheating vehicles creating sparks that could start wildfires.
The County explained that the area has historically experienced wildfire activity and also functions as an evacuation route for eastern parts of San Diego County.
County Fire will apply PHOS-CHEK throughout the fire season, including in underserved and vulnerable communities.
Technology and application process
Perimeter Solutions stated that the ground-based PHOS-CHEK uses the same technology as the aerial retardant applied by CAL FIRE aircraft.
It said the ground formulation is uncoloured and designed for application on flammable vegetation and cellulosic materials early in the fire season.
The organisation reported that the treatment provides ongoing protection until heavy rainfall occurs.
It explained that the retardant creates a barrier that slows or prevents ignition when sparks or heat come into contact with dry vegetation.
The company added that this approach gives firefighters more time to contain and extinguish fires.
County leadership perspective
San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson said: “My constituents have consistently said that fire safety and prevention is a top priority.
“This innovative and proactive approach we have taken helps keep everyone in our county safer.”
Perimeter Solutions comments
Perimeter Solutions Chief Operating Officer Shannon Horn said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the County of San Diego in their efforts to protect lives and property from wildfires.
“Their proactive strategy serves as a model for other communities facing similar wildfire risks.
“By leveraging advanced fire retardant technologies like PHOS-CHEK, San Diego County is leading the way in wildfire prevention and demonstrating a commitment to the safety and well-being of its residents.”
Funding support through federal programme
Perimeter Solutions explained that the County’s wildfire mitigation measures are partly funded through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant programme.
It stated that the programme was established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $1 billion over five years to support high-risk areas.
The company noted that the grant is available to local and tribal leaders working to lower wildfire risks.
It added that communities are encouraged to apply and integrate PHOS-CHEK into their fire prevention strategies.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The use of PHOS-CHEK in San Diego County highlights how long-term retardants are being integrated into ground-based wildfire mitigation.
Professionals can observe how application strategies are shifting from aerial-only use to preventative ground treatments in high-risk areas.
The County’s work shows how local governments are combining federal funding with private-sector partnerships to expand mitigation capacity.
These developments provide an example for fire services, emergency planners, and safety authorities in areas facing similar wildfire conditions.
San Diego County applies PHOS-CHEK to wildfire-prone roads: Summary
San Diego County is applying PHOS-CHEK to high fire-risk roads.
Perimeter Solutions reported that the County maintains nearly 2,000 miles of roads.
More than 200 miles are designated as high fire-risk.
Wildcat Canyon is among the areas treated with retardant.
County Fire will use PHOS-CHEK throughout the season.
The retardant is applied to vegetation and combustible material.
It remains effective until a heavy rain event.
PHOS-CHEK is also used by CAL FIRE aircraft during wildfires.
Supervisor Joel Anderson said fire prevention is a community priority.
Perimeter Solutions COO Shannon Horn said the partnership is a model for other regions.
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant partly funds the project.
The grant is supported through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The programme provides $1 billion over five years.
Tribal and community leaders can apply for funding.
Applicants are encouraged to integrate PHOS-CHEK into mitigation plans.
Vallfirest highlights wildfire response strategies in Mediterranean 2025 season
Mediterranean region faces severe wildfire season
According to Vallfirest, the Mediterranean arc has faced one of its most severe wildfire seasons since June 2025.
It reported that extreme heat, drought, very low humidity and persistent winds triggered fast-moving fires with fronts of up to 10 km, advancing at more than 20 km/h.
The company said the impact extended beyond forests, leading to evacuations from tourist areas, loss of homes and human lives.
It explained that 10 firefighters died on the Aegean coast of Turkey, and thousands of residents in Spain and Portugal were evacuated within hours.
Vallfirest added that this summer’s events show how wildfire behaviour increasingly affects wider society as well as natural landscapes.
Burned area and large fire incidents
Vallfirest reported that the Zamora wildfire in Spain burned 37,906 hectares, placing it among Europe’s largest in the past decade.
It noted that other incidents in Spain added more than 20,000 hectares burned in a few days.
The company stated that Portugal recorded 17,078 hectares lost within 48 hours.
It explained that since 2017, such large wildfires often exceed national capacity to respond and spread across several Mediterranean countries simultaneously.
Growing challenges in interface areas
According to Vallfirest, wildfires are increasingly spreading in wildland–urban interface zones, where vegetation meets homes and human activity.
It said the abandonment of traditional land management has raised vulnerability in these areas.
The company noted that emergency services now face the dual task of suppressing fires and safeguarding populations.
It explained that this trend complicates response strategies and heightens risks for both communities and firefighters.
International cooperation and resource deployment
Vallfirest stated that this year’s fires led to reinforcements across Europe.
It said Spain and Portugal received support from international brigades, large-capacity aircraft and helicopters.
The company explained that while this support was essential, the scale and simultaneity of major fires limited overall availability.
It added that relying solely on more resources is unsustainable, and that new approaches are needed to predict and manage wildfire behaviour.
Vallfirest focus on training and technology
Vallfirest explained that analysing perimeters and fire behaviour is key for anticipating scenarios and improving response.
It said international cooperation is effective only if teams share methodologies.
The company added that The Emergency Program (TEP) aims to strengthen global wildfire response by sharing lessons learned across regions in a common framework.
It stated that accessible training through TEP provides a global language adaptable to varying expertise levels.
According to Vallfirest, innovation also plays a central role.
It said examples include the Dronster tactical drone for perimeter work, Heliskid portable water tanks for remote areas, and Tactical Unit modular systems for large operations.
Protecting firefighters through PPE
Vallfirest reported that frontline safety is a priority in wildfire response.
It said its PPE line includes wildland firefighter jackets and trousers designed for extreme heat, along with Xtreme Boots for prolonged use.
The company explained that the Xtreme Mask provides emergency respiratory protection, while the Xtreme Shelter offers a fireproof refuge in entrapment.
It added that the Xtreme K chemical oxygen rebreather provides at least 30 minutes of autonomy during survival or entrapment scenarios.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The wildfire data presented by Vallfirest highlights a rapid escalation in fire intensity, speed and societal impact across the Mediterranean.
For fire and rescue professionals, the company’s call for expanded training platforms and interoperable international methods reflects operational challenges seen during 2025.
Its emphasis on technological tools and protective equipment illustrates current directions in wildfire management and frontline safety.
The report also underlines the increasing importance of anticipating fire behaviour as part of strategic planning for both local and cross-border response.
Vallfirest highlights wildfire response strategies in Mediterranean 2025 season: Summary
Vallfirest reported that the Mediterranean region has faced one of its most severe wildfire seasons since June 2025.
It said extreme weather has caused fast-moving fires with speeds above 20 km/h and fronts up to 10 km.
The company reported that 10 firefighters died in Turkey, and thousands of people were evacuated in Spain and Portugal.
It stated that the Zamora wildfire in Spain burned 37,906 hectares, among the largest in Europe in the past decade.
Vallfirest said other Spanish incidents burned more than 20,000 hectares and Portugal lost 17,078 hectares in 48 hours.
It explained that fires increasingly exceed national capacity and affect multiple Mediterranean countries.
The company said wildland–urban interface fires are a growing concern due to increased vulnerability.
It reported that Spain and Portugal received support from international brigades, aircraft and helicopters.
It stated that The Emergency Program provides a shared methodology for global training.
Vallfirest added that innovation tools such as tactical drones, portable tanks and modular units can enhance response.
It said PPE for wildland firefighters is designed for extreme heat and entrapment survival.
The company concluded that new approaches, training and technology are necessary to address wildfire evolution.
Wildfire emissions in EU hit record levels in 2025
Record wildfire emissions reported across the European Union
Climate Home News has reported that wildfire emissions across the European Union have reached their highest recorded level in 2025.
According to Climate Home News, data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed that wildfires have burned more than one million hectares of land this year, releasing 38.37 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The emissions released so far are more than double the average for the same period across the last two decades.
EFFIS data indicated that the emissions exceed Sweden’s annual carbon dioxide output.
Spain and Portugal recorded their worst fire season on record, with fatalities, mass displacement, and destruction of homes and crops.
Spain and Portugal face extreme fire conditions
Climate Home News reported that Spain and Portugal have faced their most severe wildfire season.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said: “The fires ravaging Spain and Portugal this month have caused extreme emissions.”
Parrington added: “In Spain alone, fire-related emissions this year are now four times higher than the average annual total.”
The Iberian Peninsula has experienced recurring heatwaves throughout August, worsening conditions for fire outbreaks.
Thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes, and at least seven people lost their lives in the blazes.
Scientists warn of climate feedback loop
Climate Home News stated that scientists are warning of a “feedback loop” between climate change and wildfire activity.
Paolo Laj, head of the Global Atmosphere Watch team at the World Meteorological Organization, said: “In fighting climate change, every effort counts – and of course, increasing emissions from forest fires is not good news.”
Researchers explained that greenhouse gas emissions create hotter, drier conditions, which enable fires to spread more quickly.
In turn, the fires release stored carbon from trees and soil, adding further emissions to the atmosphere.
The WMO said this cycle is worsening global warming while limiting the recovery capacity of forest ecosystems.
Global wildfire emissions trends
Climate Home News reported that wildfire emissions have been rising worldwide in recent years.
According to the World Resources Institute, fires in 2023 and 2024 released more greenhouse gases than India’s annual emissions.
The organisation explained that fire events spanned tropical forests in South America and boreal forests in Canada and Russia.
Laj said the share of global carbon dioxide emissions from forest fires is expected to continue rising.
Risks for national climate strategies
According to Climate Home News, growing wildfire emissions pose risks for national carbon-reduction strategies.
It said many countries are depending on forest carbon sinks to meet 2030 and 2035 targets.
The EU’s nationally determined contribution, last updated in 2023, raised reliance on land-based carbon removal to achieve its 2030 goal.
Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, said: “Will the EU get the sink that they planned for? I doubt it. Brussels might require more action from other sectors to compensate for the weakening of its forests.”
He added: “Governments need to adopt a more realistic view of how much the land sector, including forests, can contribute to their climate targets as rising fires threaten their carbon sequestration potential.”
Calls to include wildfire emissions in national inventories
Climate Home News explained that wildfire emissions are currently excluded from most national greenhouse gas inventories.
It reported that under Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines, wildfires are treated as natural disturbances unless they cause permanent land-use change.
Hare said: “Twenty-five years ago, you could say wildfires were random and forests would regrow. Unfortunately, what we see now is that fires are becoming more frequent, along with drought and heat, and forests are not recovering. This is not an act of God.”
Hare added that countries should begin incorporating wildfire emissions into their climate planning.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The Climate Home News report highlights the increasing impact of wildfires on emissions and climate policy.
For fire and safety professionals, the findings underline the operational importance of wildfire prevention and suppression strategies.
The data also shows how escalating wildfire emissions may influence national resilience planning, resource allocation, and risk assessments for future fire seasons.
Understanding these developments is necessary for preparing both local fire services and international coordination frameworks.
Wildfire emissions in EU hit record levels in 2025: Summary
Wildfire emissions in the EU reached a record high in 2025.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System showed over one million hectares burned.
The fires released 38.37 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Emissions are more than double the 20-year average.
Spain and Portugal recorded their worst fire season on record.
Seven people died and thousands were displaced.
Scientists warned of a feedback loop between climate change and wildfires.
The World Meteorological Organization said forests release stored carbon when burned.
Global wildfire emissions in 2023 and 2024 exceeded India’s annual emissions.
The EU raised its reliance on land sinks in its 2023 climate plan.
Bill Hare of Climate Analytics questioned if the EU could meet its targets.
Wildfire emissions are not currently included in national inventories.
IPCC guidelines treat them as natural disturbances unless land use changes.
Hare said fires are becoming more frequent and forests are not recovering.
He called for countries to account for wildfire emissions in climate planning.
Wildfire smoke in Europe linked to higher short-term mortality, study finds
Research highlights mortality risks from wildfire smoke
The Lancet – Planetary Health has published a study showing that wildfire smoke increases short-term mortality across Europe, with respiratory deaths most affected.
The study analysed daily mortality records from 654 regions across 32 countries between 2004 and 2022, covering a population of 541 million people.
Researchers found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke carried greater health risks than PM2.5 from other sources.
Relative risks for cardiovascular and respiratory deaths were higher when linked specifically to wildfire smoke, with respiratory mortality showing the strongest association.
The authors concluded that previous studies underestimated the health burden of wildfire smoke when treating it as equivalent to other types of particulate pollution.
Methodology and dataset explained
The study used the EARLY-ADAPT database to obtain mortality records alongside PM2.5 exposure estimates from the SILAM atmospheric model.
The dataset included more than 95 million daily all-cause deaths, nearly 20 million cardiovascular deaths, and almost 4 million respiratory deaths recorded during the study period.
Associations were calculated using quasi-Poisson regression, assessing the impact of incremental increases in wildfire-related PM2.5.
The researchers noted that fire-related PM2.5 exposure led to stronger mortality associations compared with non-fire sources of PM2.5.
The analysis indicated that using general PM2.5 measures underestimated deaths from wildfire smoke by as much as 93 per cent.
Findings on mortality associations
The study reported that pooled results showed a relative risk of 1.007 for all-cause mortality, 1.009 for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.013 for respiratory mortality per 1 μg/m³ increase in wildfire PM2.5.
The team found that respiratory mortality was particularly sensitive to wildfire-related particles compared with other causes.
Comparisons with previous studies showed similar patterns in France, Italy and Romania, where risk estimates aligned with global datasets.
The researchers suggested that higher toxicity, oxidative potential, and exposure intensity during wildfire events could explain the stronger associations.
Wildfire smoke exposure was described as distinct from background pollution, with periods of very high exposure followed by little to none, unlike continuous urban air pollution.
Climate change and wildfire exposure
The analysis explained that climate change is a key driver of wildfire frequency and intensity across Europe.
Estimates suggest burned areas in Europe could rise by 200 per cent this century if no adaptation measures are introduced.
Even moderate climate change scenarios predict major increases in catastrophic fire risk in southern Europe, with central and northern Europe also becoming more vulnerable during droughts.
Human activity was identified as the cause of 96 per cent of wildfire ignitions in Europe, but weather, vegetation and topography determined fire spread.
The researchers linked climate change, wildfire spread, and smoke exposure in a feedback loop, with each element amplifying the others.
Regional variations in effects
The study indicated that health impacts varied across European regions.
For Portugal and Spain, associations between wildfire smoke and mortality were weaker or imprecise, which researchers said might reflect fire management strategies or adaptation efforts.
Rural populations were reported to be more heavily exposed than urban populations because of their proximity to wildfire sources.
The analysis found that mortality risks were consistent even when accounting for additional pollutants such as ozone.
However, it noted that disentangling the independent effects of wildfire smoke and ozone remains an area requiring further research.
Strengths and limitations of the study
The researchers highlighted that the multicountry dataset provided comprehensive coverage across urban and rural populations.
The SILAM model allowed the team to distinguish wildfire-related PM2.5 from other sources, supporting direct comparison between exposure types.
Limitations included reduced statistical power in estimating risks by age or sex, as fire-related PM2.5 exposure was less variable than general pollution.
Mortality data availability differed by country, which limited subnational analysis in certain areas.
The study added that exposure misclassification could not be fully ruled out and may have led to underestimates of health effects.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The findings demonstrate the direct public health burden linked to wildfire smoke exposure across Europe.
Fire and safety professionals may need to factor air quality impacts into wildfire risk management and community protection strategies.
Emergency planning, firefighter safety, and post-fire recovery measures can benefit from understanding the mortality risks linked to smoke exposure.
The research also reinforces the importance of considering climate change as a driver of future wildfire hazards in Europe.
Wildfire smoke in Europe linked to higher short-term mortality, study finds: Summary
The Lancet – Planetary Health reported that wildfire smoke is linked to increased short-term mortality in Europe.
The study used data from 654 regions in 32 countries, covering 541 million people.
Researchers found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke had higher relative risks for mortality than PM2.5 from other sources.
Respiratory deaths showed the strongest association with wildfire smoke exposure.
All-cause mortality risk increased by 0.7 per cent per 1 μg/m³ increase in fire-related PM2.5.
Cardiovascular mortality risk increased by 0.9 per cent under the same conditions.
Respiratory mortality risk increased by 1.3 per cent for the same increment.
Using total PM2.5 underestimated wildfire-related deaths by 93 per cent.
The analysis covered daily mortality records from 2004 to 2022.
The SILAM atmospheric model was used to estimate PM2.5 sources and levels.
Rural populations were more heavily exposed than urban populations.
Regional variations were observed, with weaker associations in Portugal and Spain.
The researchers linked climate change to increased wildfire risk in Europe.
They said wildfires in Europe are 96 per cent human-caused in origin.
They noted climate change amplifies wildfire size, duration and spread.
The dataset included more than 95 million daily all-cause deaths.
It also recorded nearly 20 million cardiovascular and 4 million respiratory deaths.
The research indicated stronger effects for respiratory outcomes compared with other mortality causes.
The authors said estimates of wildfire smoke health burdens should be based on fire-specific data.
Good fire strategy under review after Arizona wildfire
A controlled fire turns into a large blaze
According to the Los Angeles Times, a lightning strike on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim in July sparked what officials initially regarded as a beneficial fire.
Park authorities managed the event under a “confine and contain” approach, consistent with modern fire science that supports allowing natural fires to reduce fuel loads.
Containment lines were established around populated areas and historic buildings, with officials stating that the blaze posed no threat to public safety.
On July 11, strong winds pushed the flames past those lines.
The fire expanded rapidly and by mid-August had burned more than 145,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire in the United States in 2025 to date.
Impact on historic sites and infrastructure
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Dragon Bravo fire destroyed around 70 buildings, including employee housing and administrative offices.
Among the structures lost was the Grand Canyon Lodge, a site with a long history of reconstruction following fire damage.
The lodge, first completed in 1928 and rebuilt in 1937, was again reduced to ruins by the flames.
Tourists and residents witnessed the fire generate pyrocumulus clouds, with images shared worldwide showing smoke filling the canyon.
Officials confirmed that protection measures were in place at other sites, including the North Rim visitor centre, which remained intact as of mid-August.
Political response and accountability
The Los Angeles Times reported that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs demanded a full investigation into the federal decision to let the fire burn during the state’s driest season.
She said on social media that Arizona residents “deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.”
Both of Arizona’s U.S. senators also called for inquiries, citing the need for transparency in fire management decisions.
The U.S. National Park Service did not respond to questions about the accuracy of forecasts used during the management phase of the fire.
Questions have focused on whether weather predictions underestimated the winds or whether federal resource cuts affected the ability to model fire behaviour.
Expert perspectives on fire management
Stephen Pyne, an environmental historian at Arizona State University, told the Los Angeles Times: “I hope one very bad fire won’t be used to destroy a good policy.”
Len Nielson of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection commented that mistakes must be identified but warned against abandoning the good fire approach.
He said: “Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Nielson noted that good fire advocates already face resistance from landowners concerned about smoke, property damage and crop contamination.
Other experts, including retired fire chief Riva Duncan, linked federal staff cuts to possible shortcomings in weather and fire prediction capabilities.
Historical and ecological context of good fire
The Los Angeles Times explained that controlled burns and allowing natural fires to continue have long been considered essential to maintaining ecological balance in the American West.
Before large-scale fire suppression policies, forests and grasslands typically burned every decade, reducing vegetation and limiting fuel for larger fires.
Indigenous practices also relied on intentional fire use for land management and hunting.
While the science behind good fire is widely supported, public and political tolerance remains fragile, particularly after visible losses such as those in Arizona.
The Los Angeles Times noted that even routine prescribed burns face long permitting processes and opposition from nearby residents.
Future investigations and questions
According to the Los Angeles Times, several investigations will review how the Dragon Bravo fire expanded beyond its containment.
Factors under review include weather forecasting, workforce reductions, site preparedness and the timing of allowing the fire to burn before monsoon rains.
Pyne, who worked on fire crews in the Grand Canyon for 15 years, said: “Was letting this fire burn within the range of acceptable risks? That seems like a very legitimate line of inquiry.”
The findings are expected to shape future fire management policies at both state and federal levels.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The Dragon Bravo fire highlights the operational challenges of balancing ecological fire management with public safety.
Fire and safety professionals must consider how containment strategies, weather prediction, and workforce capacity influence outcomes during managed fires.
The event also underscores the importance of communicating risk to the public and decision makers.
Future guidance from the investigations may alter protocols for prescribed burns and natural fire management in high-risk environments.
Good fire strategy under review after Arizona wildfire: Summary
A lightning strike in July 2025 started the Dragon Bravo fire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
The U.S. National Park Service managed it under a contain-and-confine strategy.
Strong winds on July 11 pushed the fire beyond containment lines.
By mid-August, more than 145,000 acres had burned.
Around 70 buildings were destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and both U.S. senators called for investigations.
Experts cited workforce cuts and weather forecasting as potential factors.
The fire reignited debate on the policy of allowing natural fires to burn.
Investigations will assess whether the strategy fell within acceptable risks.
The findings will influence future U.S. fire management policies.