Professor James Urban conducts research focused on the physical processes controlling whether or not flammable material ignites and then understanding how it burns. Much of this research has focused on small, hot objects such as firebrands (burning debris from an existing fire). 

He assisted media during coverage of the 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires. He spoke with and was cited in the New York Times about the phenomenon of long-smoldering and often-undetected holdover fires, also known as zombie fires, which contributed to the 2025 Palisades Fire. Urban also shared his expertise in Associated Press articles that explain how firebrands, or flying embers, contribute to the spread of wildfires and how phenomena known as fire whirls, or fire tornadoes, can develop during large wildfires. Urban also hosted Associated Press reporters for a laboratory demonstration of fire whirls, which was featured in an Associated Press video.

Professor Urban received a grant to use the International Space Station for research that could help predict the spread of wildfires back here on Earth. That study has been featured in multiple media outlets including the space exploration podcast Are We There Yet? and Spaceflight Now.

Urban also provided analysis and interviews to media, including The Boston Globe regarding an increase in wildfires in the northeast United States in the fall of 2024. He spoke about how drought conditions led to elevated fire risk, the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, and research ongoing at WPI about how wildfires can damage solar farm electrical infrastructure. That research is aimed at strengthening and protecting the energy supply from the risk of wildfires and brush fires.