In the News

WPI’s wildfire research was featured on Channel 3 in a story about tests conducted in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel at the university’s Fire Protection Engineering lab. Professor Albert Simeoni, fire protection engineering interim department head, says the work will help researchers better understand and predict flame spread during wildfires. 

The publication includes an article by Albert Simeoni, fire protection engineering professor and interim department head. Simeoni addresses the question, "Why We Need More Support for Wildland Fire Research" explaining how this is a growing problem, not just in the United States but countries around the world. 

Newsweek interviewed professor Albert Simeoni, fire protection engineering, for this article. “You can start a wildfire with a spark that can grow out of control in less than 30 seconds,” Simeoni said, adding that while you can start a wildfire in other ways, such as with a simple cigarette or match, “here you have matches or a lighter on steroids.”

An op-ed focused on the recent wildfires in California and the importance of fire science, written by Albert Simeoni, professor, fire protection engineering.

In light of the devastating California wildfires that have killed 17 people, Newsweek interviewed Fire Protection Engineering Professor Albert Simeoni, asking him if these types of fires always must be devastating to human life and property. Simeoni, who studies wildfires and is a former firefighter, said damage can be minimized through science and consideration of fire behavior. “If you look at the photos, you see the houses are very close to each other and basically there’s a domino effect where if one house is burning it spreads to another.”

WCVB-TV Boston featured Albert Simeoni, professor, fire protection engineering, discussing WPI’s latest wildfire/wind tunnel technology, designed to help fire scientists to learn more about how wildfires burn in different environments, a blaze’s intensity, and what firefighters and urban housing developments face.