Western wildfires start and spread because of a whole host of factors — wind, temperature, drought, forest health. But scientists are finding that the most important indicator of where the next big fire might ignite isn’t held in the trees themselves, but in the soil their roots are buried in. Recent studies demonstrate how soil moisture data can help wildfire experts predict a potential fire’s location and severity. Those studies could eventually aid in developing more precise forecasts for fires across the country. This link, between how moist the ground is under a forest or grassland and fire risk, is gaining more traction among scientists due to an increasingly expansive network of monitoring equipment. 

Other water and wildfire news:

• Pasadena Now (Calif.): Insurance pays off as Altadena Water Company rebuilds fire-damaged reservoir