Fire Communication & Education
Webinar recording.
Fire suppression is the primary management response to wildfires in many areas globally. By removing less-extreme wildfires, this approach ensures that remaining wildfires burn under more extreme conditions. This is termed the “suppression bias”, and it fundamentally impacts wildfire activity, independent of fuel accumulation and climate change. Attempting to suppress all wildfires necessarily means that fires will burn with more severe and less diverse ecological impacts, with burned area increasing at faster rates than expected from fuel accumulation or climate change. Over a human lifespan, the modeled impacts of the suppression bias exceed those from fuel accumulation or climate change alone, suggesting that suppression may exert a significant and underappreciated influence on patterns of fire globally. Managing wildfires to safely burn under low and moderate conditions is thus a critical tool to address the growing wildfire crisis. Presented by Mark Kreider, TNC
Event webpage.
The ANREP National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative or “NEWFI” is pleased to announce that NEWFI and its partners will be hosting a peer-learning exchange on wildland fire this spring 2025 in Wawona, CA, Yosemite’s Historic Town.
This peer-learning exchange was initially piloted in 2023 through NEWFI’s collaboration with NC State Extension Forestry, alongside other partners. It featured a multi-day, hands-on workshop that showcased effective strategies and activities for education and engagement in prescribed fire and fire science.
Back by popular demand, NEWFI along with the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network and the California Fire Science Consortium will host another peer-learning workshop on prescribed fire, cultural burning, home hardening, defensible space, and post-fire topics.
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Strategic development and implementation of burn boss training may increase the likelihood that burn bosses can safely and effectively implement prescribed burns. This article presents a case study for applying key adult learning methods to improve training effectiveness that can be applied to other training topics in and outside wildland fire management.
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More than half of wildfires burn in rangelands.
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Study design, interview discussions, and field observations from both case studies reveal the importance of nuanced and responsive approaches for the use of 3D visualizations, with an emphasis on the implementation of protocols that ensure the risk of harm to the intended audience is minimal. We share five considerations for use of visualizations as communication tools with public and professional audiences, expanding existing research into post-fire spaces: (1) determine whether the use of visualizations will truly benefit users; (2) connect users to visualizations by incorporating local values; (3) provide context around model uncertainty; (4) design and share visualizations in ways that meet the needs of the user; (5) be cognizant of the emotional impacts that sharing wildfire visualizations can have.
Webinar recording (50:31).
Led by Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization (www.hawaiiwildfire.org), this webinar equips you with essential strategies to prepare, respond, and stay safe in the face of wildfires. From creating defensible spaces to crafting evacuation plans, we’ll cover it all. Don’t wait until it’s too late – arm yourself with knowledge and confidence. Register now and take the first step toward wildfire readiness!
Webinar recording (1:04:22).
Webinar recording.
From large-scale wildfires to smaller incidents connected to complex social issues; crises take many forms and present unique communications challenges. Panelists will discuss how conservation organizations and fire practitioners can prepare for hard times and provide suggestions for how to proceed if and when they happen.
Following a moderated panel discussion, there will be time for audience Q/A.
Panelists:
Brigette Coleman-Williams is the director of marketing and communications for The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas and previously worked in communications for the American Red Cross.
Jenifer Bunty is a public affairs specialist for the National Forests in North Carolina Service Disaster Assistance Recovery Team.
Katie Sauerbrey is the fire program director for The Nature Conservancy in Oregon
Parker Titus is the fire program manager for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado.
Webinar recording.
Communication professionals and fire practitioners with significant media experience discuss challenges and success in communicating about fire through media outlets. Panelists share their experiences and provide suggestions for those looking to begin or improve communication through various forms of media. Following a moderated panel discussion, there will be time for audience Q/A.
Panelists:
Lorena Williams is a Public Affairs Specialist and Public Information Officer for the San Juan National Forest in Colorado.
Bob Crimian is a program manager for COMPASS, a science communication organization that champions, connects, and supports diverse scientist leaders to improve the well-being of people and nature.
Eytan Krasilovsky is the deputy director for the Forest Stewards Guild based out of the Southwest office
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Helping landowners and agencies engage in collaborative planning. Instructor: Katie Wollstein.