RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State University faculty have joined the Eastern Fire Network, a federally backed partnership aimed at studying rising wildfire threats across the eastern United States.
Established in January 2026, EFNet convenes experts from six institutions to develop a coordinated, forward-looking research agenda for eastern wildfires. It is led by Pennsylvania State University and is funded by a $1.74 million, three-year grant.
An NC State forestry professor serves as a co-principal investigator with colleagues in parks and tourism management and public affairs. The campus team uses simulation and modeling to show how fire management policies, climate scenarios and development patterns could change wildfire risk.
Wildfires are increasing in frequency, intensity and destructiveness across the eastern United States, the university said. Organizers said fire conditions are changing more quickly in eastern states than many expected, including more numerous and extreme autumn droughts.
Federal fire center tallies show the Eastern Area saw 56% more acres burned versus an average year in 2023. Penn State was awarded a $1.74 million, three-year grant to stand up the network with partner campuses including NC State.
One eastern challenge is the large amount of land in the wildland-urban interface, where homes sit near unmanaged vegetation. NC State researchers said that even though eastern fires may not grow as large as western blazes, the potential for loss of life and property can be greater because so much more land is in that interface.
