# Collaborative Research: FIRE-WUI: Improved understanding and models of fire spread, including small-scale to large-scale interactions

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of California-Irvine (CA) · $390,000

## Abstract

Wildfire is happening more often near cities and towns, putting people, homes, and communities at greater risk. Since wildfires are growing larger and more intense it is even more important to take steps to protect these communities. One helpful way to prepare and respond to wildfires is by using computer modeling and simulation. This powerful tool helps predict how fires might spread in areas where forests and natural areas meet cities and towns. These areas are called the wildland-urban interface (WUI). However, creating accurate models is challenging because how a fire spreads in an urban area is affected by many complex processes that occur in both small areas (like a building) and large areas (like a whole neighborhood). This project aims to understand these processes better and build more reliable models that can predict how fires will act in WUI areas, whether at small or large scales. The team also plans to create an easy-to-use computer program that will help emergency planners and local leaders use these tools to make better decisions about evacuations, managing fires, and keeping communities safer.

The technical aspects of the proposed research are organized around four primary objectives identified as: (i) to develop a fundamental physical understanding of how fire interacts with individual structures and materials in urban environments at the local scale; (ii) to investigate how these localized interactions influence fire dynamics at intermediate scales—such a

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2536815
- **Awardee organization:** University of California-Irvine (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MJC5FCYQTPE6
- **PI:** Tirtha Banerjee
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** FIRE-Wildland Fire, INTERDISCIPLINARY PROPOSALS
- **Estimated total:** $390,000
- **Funds obligated:** $390,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2536815

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2536815, Collaborative Research: FIRE-WUI: Improved understanding and models of fire spread, including small-scale to large-scale interactions. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2536815. Licensed CC0.

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