forest fires

Wildfire smoke from the Kaiser Canyon and Modrite fires on the Colville Reservation drifts across the sky over Lake Roosevelt, casting an orange glow on the water as eastern Washington wildfires burn over 250,000 acres across the region

One month of wildfires has cost Washington state over $200 million

Washington’s fire season lasts through October.

August 20, 2026 - Washington State Standard

Wildfire

Wildfires Prompt Forestry Debate on Climate Change

While forests sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, wildfires release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases as they increase in frequency and intensity from climate change.

November 29, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Cemetery

Fake Cemeteries May Help Curb Sprawl in Spain

In order to stop new development in areas previously consumed by forest fires, Spanish firefighters are using a little known law that prohibits new building's within a 500 meter (0.3 miles) radius of a cemetery.

February 14, 2017 - The Independent (UK)

Erskine Fire

Study: Forest Fires Have Doubled in the Western United States

Wildfires ravaged the western United States again this year, reflecting the new normal of climate change.

October 11, 2016 - The San Jose Mercury News

Fort McMurray Fire

Thank Climate Change and Sprawl for Worsening Wildfires

Along with climate conditions, urban sprawl is intensifying wildfires and increasing the damage they do.

July 8, 2016 - Undark

Fighting Wildfires with Big Data

WIFIRE, a real-time and data-driven simulation, prediction, and visualization technology, combines satellite and remote sensor data to forecast the potential spread of wildfires.

August 13, 2014 - Information Week

The Incredible, Rising Cost of Forest Fires

The kicker in a recent article about the current realities of forest fires—and the cost of fighting them—in the United States: The federal government spends 624 percent more on fires than it did 20 years ago.

July 29, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Fire

The Least Popular Posts of 2014

Through the first six months of 2014, some Planetizen posts proved less than enticing to our readers. Instead of dwelling on that distinction as ignominious, let's consider how these neglected few might provide insight into the planning discussion.

July 7, 2014 - James Brasuell

How to Prevent National Forests Becoming 'National Ashtrays'

An editorial calls for innovative policy in post-fire recovery and reforestation. The recent release of the Environmental Impact Statement for the recovery of the Rim Fire should serve as a barometer for a "new public forestry."

June 7, 2014 - Sacramento Bee

High-End Real Estate Makes Wildfires Worse

In Colorado and the West, the most desirable real estate is also the most likely to burn, writes Michael Kodas.

August 8, 2012 - OnEarth

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.