The Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils and the National Association of State Foresters just published the 2020 National Prescribed Fire Use Report. This latest report provides an annual snapshot of forestry and rangeland prescribed fire use by U.S. state and region. Starting with 2020, the report will be updated annually to capture the annual variations in prescribed fire use that come from weather and other factors. The 2012, 2015, and 2018 reports can be found here.
New Duff Fire Science Success Story Fact Sheet

The three page duff fire science success story tells how JFSP and SFE efforts supported regional collaborations to address duff fire problems.
We have a new fact sheet that highlights the impacts of Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) and Southern Fire Exchange efforts to address problems related to duff fires. Check it out (pdf) to see how land managers and scientists are collaborating to save old trees and reduce the occurrence of hazardous duff fires. Curious to learn more about JFSP and SFE duff fire science programs? Check out our video here:
Continue ReadingUSFS Webinar this Week: “Know Your Smoke”
USFS Webinar “Know Your Smoke”
Wednesday, November 18 @10 – 11am MT
Presented by Shawn Urbanski, Research Physical Scientist and Duncan Lutes, RMRS Fire Ecologist
In this short webinar, RMRS Research Physical Scientist Shawn Urbanski and Fire Ecologist Duncan Lutes will discuss the current state of the science on wildland fire smoke emissions, including pollutants present in smoke, methods for quantifying emission flux, existing datasets, tools, and models, and deficiencies in current scientific understanding. For more information on this project, see this USFS-RMRS “Science You Can Use” bulletin.
Meeting ID: 161 0453 0612
Password: USFS1905!
Or connect with your phone: 1-669-254-5252 US (San Jose)
1-646-828-7666 US (New York)
Continue ReadingSFE Webinar: The Importance of Management for Stabilizing Long-term Carbon in a Southeastern Forest Matrix Under Extreme Fire Weather
Host: US Forest Service Southern Research Station, the Southern Fire Exchange and the University of Florida.
Presenter: Louise Loudermilk, Ph.D., US Forest Service Southern Research Station
Abstract:
Hardwood-cypress swamps, or ephemeral wetlands, that typically burned less frequently form a spatial matrix with their more frequently burned neighbors, pine flatwoods, causing unique patterns of low to high intensity fires, variation in smoke emissions and overall ecosystem carbon stores in these southeastern forests. At the Osceola National Forest in Florida, our group examined the effects of different long-term management practices (prescribed fire, harvest, no fire) during extreme fire weather across these two vastly different, yet intertwined ecosystems using a simulation model. This presentation will discuss how future extreme fire weather may alter future fire conditions, and how we can spatially optimize prescribed fire and timber harvest to manage wildfire risk.
Registration Required: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v2N_twSBRBS4-d8xAxx9hg
Continue ReadingSFE Webinar: Fire-Ties that Bind. The Natural and Cultural Heritage of Controlled Burning in the Southland
Join the SFE Webinar tomorrow (September 22nd): “Fire-Ties that Bind. The Natural and Cultural Heritage of Controlled Burning in the Southland” with IAWF Board Member Johnny Stowe. Register here.
Job: Eglin AFB Wildland Firefighter
Continue Reading“We are seeking applicants for a permanent, full-time Wildland Firefighter position stationed at Eglin AFB through Colorado State University. Duties will include prescribed fire preparation and implementation, wildfire response, equipment operation/repair/maintenance, and fire effects monitoring to meet WFMP objectives at Eglin AFB, Tyndall AFB, Moody AFB, and Hurlburt Field. Advertisement can be at https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/79389. Applications due by August 31st.”
Contact person: Brett Williams, brett.williams.4@us.af.mil
New CDC Resource: Public Health Strategies to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The CDC has released a new resource with guidance on public health strategies for minimizing wildfire smoke impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include creating safe spaces indoors, considerations for face masks, and planning for wildfire and extreme heat. The new guide “Public Health Strategies to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic” should also be used with the CDC “Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Air Resource Advisors and Other Environmental Health Professionals” guide.
Job: USFWS Fire Forestry Technician (2 Positions)
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VSmoke-Web is Back!
More great news for smoke modeling: VSmoke-Web is back online! After going offline in early June, the VSmoke-Web application has returned to the Georgia Forestry Commission website.
Continue ReadingNew IFTDSS Risk Assessment Tool
The Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS) has launched their new Quantitative Wildfire Risk Assessment feature. For more information on the capabilities of this new mapping and assessment tool register for their Introductory Webinar scheduled for July 21st at 3:00 PM ET. You can also read more about the new Risk Assessment feature on this flier (.pdf).
