The 1st Wildfire Ignition Causes International Conference, WIC25, is an international initiative recognizing that wildfire suppression alone cannot address the global challenge of wildfires. Effective prevention requires a solid understanding of where, when, and why fires ignite, ensuring that interventions are both targeted and efficient. By advancing the study of ignition causes through cutting-edge research and technology, WIC25 seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps and tackle present and future wildfire challenges.

The failure of suppression to solve the problem of wildfires around the globe has led to the recognition of the important role of prevention. However, as prevention is a complex process, it is necessary to plan and execute it in the best possible way from the start, aiming at both effectiveness and efficiency.

Without an in-depth understanding of where and when fires start, prevention efforts may be inadequately focused or completely mis-targeted. A comprehensive analysis of wildfire statistics can offer the necessary guidance: without accurate information about how, why, who, where, and when fires start, fire prevention efforts remain “blind”.

This represents a critical gap, which can only be addressed by a well-organized effort on wildfire cause investigation.

WIC25 focuses on the most advanced knowledge and technology to expand the investigation of wildfire ignition causes and identify knowledge gaps to face current and future challenges.