Downslope Wind‐Driven Fires in the Western United States

Downslope wind-driven fires have resulted in many of the wildfire disasters western United States and represent a unique hazard to infrastructure human life. We analyze co-occurrence wildfires downslope winds across (US) during 1992–2020. accounted for 13.4% 11.9% burned area US yet majority local portions southern California, central Washington, front range Rockies. These were predominantly ignited by humans, occurred closer population centers, outsized impacts on lives infrastructure. Since 1999, 60.1% structures 52.4% lost US. under anomalously dry fuels exhibited seasonality distinct from other fires—occurring primarily spring fall. Over 1992–2020, we document 25% increase annual number 140% their respective area, which partially reflects trends toward drier fuels. results advance our understanding importance driving disastrous that threaten populated regions adjacent mountain ranges The characteristics require increased fire prevention adaptation strategies minimize losses incorporation changing human-ignitions, fuel availability dryness, wind occurrence elucidate future risk.