Fires

Cars lined up on a street with fire burning in background

Fire Evacuation Planning at the Community Level

Wildfire planning often focuses on individual buildings, but little guidance exists for effective citywide evacuation planning.

August 10, 2022 - The Atlantic

Sandbags in a flood with flooded buildings in background

Infrastructure Must Catch Up With Climate Change

The worsening effects of extreme weather events are accelerating the deterioration of critical infrastructure, leaving communities more vulnerable.

August 4, 2022 - Axios

Fire damanged home in Paradise, California

Fire-Ravaged Paradise Plans for a Resilient Rebirth

A new urban design plan calls for a robust buffer zone to protect the town from fast-spreading fires, among other mitigation measures.

May 4, 2022 - Fast Company

California Wildfire

Housing Affordability and Worsening Wildfires: Twin Crises

As wildfires grow more destructive, how far should states go to protect homes located in high-risk areas?

March 17, 2022 - The Atlantic

Durango, Colorado.

More Colorado Suburbs at Risk for Wildfires

Experts warn that more intense fires fueled by a warming climate are threatening an increasing number of Colorado's suburban communities.

January 17, 2022 - The Denver Post

Wildfire

Wildfires in the West Are Climate Change Lessons for Everyone

The wildfires burning throughout the West, with terrible but photogenic consequences, come with a reminder that it's only going to get worse unless massive changes are made right here in the United States.

September 13, 2020 - James Brasuell

Northern California Wilidfires

Wildfire Smoke Affecting Communities Across the Country

Wildfires in California and Colorado are spewing out smoke that is traveling to other parts of the country. The health effects of the dirty air are substantial, and they could last long after the fires are out.

August 31, 2020 - Inside Climate News

Paradise, California

In Paradise, Using Greenbelts to Manage Wildfires

The Camp Fire in California devasted the town of Paradise. As rebuilding progresses, local leaders are looking to protect the town using nature-based fire resilience strategies.

August 27, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Fuel Break Wildfire

California Communities Embrace Fuel Breaks as Effective Wildfire Strategy

Fuel breaks involve clearing vegetation that feeds fires in order to prevent the catastrophic and fast-spreading wildfires that have plagued the state.

February 1, 2019 - The Mercury News

Fort McMurray Fire

Wildfire Damage Could Quadruple in Canada by 2100

Several years of catastrophic wildfires in Canada doesn't mean the risk has lessened. Experts predict much worse in the future.

June 22, 2018 - The Star Vancouver

Fire

Climate Change Lesson Number One from the California Fires

Whether climate change 'caused' the California fires is a red herring, argues disaster resiliency expert Dave Hampton, in this first part in a series on lessons from the California fires about climate change.

December 28, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Wildfire

Wildfires Becoming More Common in Southern States

This year has seen a significant uptick in wildfires across much of the South, spurred by drought and heat waves. The region's pattern of development increases the potential danger.

December 16, 2016 - FiveThirtyEight

Death Toll at 36 in Friday Night's Fire at Oakland Warehouse

Lax code enforcement is one of the concerns being raised by the devastating fire that occurred during a rave-style party, Artists had taken up residence in the building, which was not permitted for either general assembly events or residences.

December 6, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

New Year's Eve Fire in Dubai Hotel Casts Doubt on Safety of Mideast High-Rises

The Address Downtown hotel, a 63-story, mixed-use high-rise very close to the world's tallest building, went up in flames on Dec. 31, raising questions about other high-rises that use the same heavy cladding material building on the exterior.

January 4, 2016 - Reuters

Disaster-Insurance Premiums Provide a Guide to Smarter Living

Disaster insurance isn’t just a pain in the neck. It could help us live better within a changing climate.

September 17, 2013 - The Conversation

Pencil Pushers the Culprit in New York Fires

A new nonfiction book called "The Fires" reveals how The RAND Corporation suggested money-saving cuts for New York City that resulted in a season of deadly fires in the city's poorest neighborhoods.

May 15, 2010 - BLDBLOG

Australia a Model of Changing Climate

With years of drought, recent deadly fires, outbreaks of pests and a multitude of other problems, Australia is becoming the poster child for what effects global climate change will have.

April 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

The Fire Next Time?

If climate change is behind the horrific brush fires in Australia, then North Americans should be concerned about climatic changes killing off their own forests.

February 10, 2009 - Daily Kos

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.