Wildfires Content

Long-Term Study on Health Impacts of Los Angeles Wildfires Launched

Katherine E Kerlin — January 31, 2025 - 12:10pm

In an unprecedented collective scientific effort to understand the short- and long-term health impacts of wildfires, researchers from four universities have launched a 10-year study of the Los Angeles fires. The wildfires that began in early January 2025 killed 29 people, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and exposed millions to toxic smoke.

The research aims to evaluate which pollutants are present, at what levels, and where, and to assess the respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, reproductive, and immune system impacts of the wildfires.

Agricultural Workers Reduce Hours or Move Locations to Avoid Wildfire Smoke

Amy M Quinton — December 12, 2024 - 11:02am

Wildfires forced farmworkers to move locations or reduce hours on smoky days when elevated levels of particulate matter were in the air.

UPDATED: Fire Crew Returns From Park Fire

Cody Kitaura — August 19, 2024 - 1:00pm

Updated 1 p.m. Aug. 19, corrected 2:30 p.m. Aug. 21: Brush Truck 34 and its four UC Davis firefighters returned to campus Thursday (Aug. 15), leaving one staffer still contributing to the fight against the Park Fire until he returned Saturday (Aug. 17).

The firefighters aboard Brush Truck 34 were Capt. Kyle Dubs and Firefighters Gerrit Dykzeul, Emmet King and Shawna Mayo; they left campus Aug. 8.

Capt. Steve Dunn returned separately, and had been serving as a strike team leader since Aug. 9.

UPDATED: Firefighters Head to Park Fire

Cody Kitaura — July 27, 2024 - 10:30pm

Updated July 27: Personnel from the UC Davis Fire Department were reassigned Friday from the Gold Complex Fire to the Park Fire, which currently spans Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties.

The Park Fire began near Chico and is more than 350,000 acres with 10% containment as of today, according to Cal Fire. That agency said the cause of the fire was arson.

At least 20 structures have been destroyed, Cal Fire said.

Campus Fire Crews Assist on Front Lines of Wildfires

Cody Kitaura — June 18, 2024 - 3:38pm

Updated June 25: The UC Davis Fire Department crew assigned to the Sites Fire returned to campus Sunday (June 23). The Sites Fire was 19,000 acres and 86% contained as of last night, according to Cal Fire.

Crews from the UC Davis Fire Department have been on the front lines of three wildfires this week, starting with the 900-acre Jackson Fire near Rancho Cordova on Sunday (June 16).

7 Inspiring Climate Change Solutions

Katherine E Kerlin — April 22, 2024 - 9:06am

Plastic made from cheese whey? Growing food with pistachio shells? Wildfire-proof housing? Seven inspiring UC Davis research projects seek climate solutions for California and beyond.

New Drone Research Advances Wildfire Monitoring

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 28, 2023 - 9:35pm

UC Davis’ new fire research utilizes drones and ground sensors for early wildfire detection, enhancing firefighter safety and promoting sustainability.

California Veterinary Emergency Team Ready to Help Animals in Wildfires

Amy M Quinton — June 28, 2023 - 10:00am

Learn how UC Davis-administered California Veterinary Emergency Team, or CVET, is ready to lead effort to provide veterinary care when wildfires strike.

Campus Team Heads to Mosquito Fire

Cody Kitaura — September 09, 2022 - 3:37pm

A UC Davis fire crew was assigned today (Sept. 9) to the front lines of the rapidly growing Mosquito Fire near Foresthill.

Keith Bein: Chasing Wildfire

Katherine E Kerlin — August 08, 2022 - 10:00am

Air quality researcher Keith Bein uses a mobile lab to take air quality samples amid some of California's worst wildfire smoke. He's highlighted as part of a UC Davis series about how scientists deal with climate anxiety in their work.