Predictions & Analysis of Wildfire Spread

Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center

Welcome to San José State University's Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC). We are a National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) and an official Campus Center and Institute within the California State University system.

Our core mission is to conduct high-impact interdisciplinary wildfire research to help California and the world manage a growing crisis of increasing wildfire frequency and intensity. Our faculty pursue fundamental and applied research on both the physical and social aspects of wildfire science. Together with our industry and university partners, WIRC develops new prediction and observational tools to better understand extreme fire behavior in a changing climate.

WIRC Research Thrusts

  • Two people holding weather equipment while watching a wildfire

    Fire Weather

  • Image of field on fire with visible phone lines in the background

    Fire Behavior

  • Image of helicopter spraying materials below them

    Wildfire Management & Policy

  • Aerial view of a wildfire

    Climate Change & Wildfire Risk

  • Ground level view of a wildfire with smoke

    WUI Fire Spread and Impact

  • Fire Fighter Saftey

Research Thrust Descriptions