The Northwest Fire Science Consortium has created a new story map covering topics including wildland fire behavior, fuels management, and humans and fire.
Continue ReadingFuel and Fire Tools Modifier Available
For many years, people have used the FEPS 1.0 outputs as inputs to the PC versions of VSMOKE, VSMOKE-GIS, and PC HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion models. Many prescribed burners have found these tools helpful to examine possible downwind smoke impacts when planning and implementing prescribed fires.
Recently, Bill Jackson completed a new version of the software interface (it is now 64 bit compatible) so that a person can modify Fuel & Fire Tools (FFT) input files, complete a new FFT analysis, and the FEPS output from FFT still serves as input to the three atmospheric dispersion models. The attached User’s Guide will provide you with a full description of how the new software interface, called SmokeTools, works.
If you are interested in trying SmokeTools then please email Bill at [email protected] and you will receive an invite from DropBox to download two zip files that need to be unzipped to your PC. Once unzipped, then you will be able to install the software (see Appendix A in the attached manual for all of the software that needs to be installed).
Continue ReadingHouse of Representatives Committee Holds Hearing on Wildland Fire Science
In a hearing Tuesday before the House of Representatives Science, Space, and Technology Committee the topic was “The state of federal wildland fire science: examining opportunities for further research and coordination.”
Read a summary from Wildfire Today here.
Continue ReadingSouthern Forest Research Centennial
With the impending centennial of formal Forest Service R&D approaching, the Southern Research Station would like to document as much of its history as possible.
Therefore, SRS is looking for people to contribute articles and images related to the history of the South’s forest experiment stations over the decades. They hope to assemble several collections of historical photographs, maps, blueprints, line drawings, and other documents that will be made permanently available through the Forest Service Research Data Archive as well as some other outputs.
Those interested in helping out—and these can include current and former SRS employees, National Forest System staff, university partners, outside collaborators, or any other knowledgeable persons—are asked to contact Dr. Don C. Bragg with their thoughts and suggestions.
Continue ReadingPress Release: The Biden-Harris Administration Acts to Address the Growing Wildfire Threat
The The Biden-Harris Administration has released a fact sheet outlining their response to the upcoming Western fire season and increasing threat of wildfires year-round. The response includes changes to the firefighting workforce, including boosting firefighter pay.
Continue ReadingJob: Land Management Specialist, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, Florida
Conservation Management duties include, but are not limited to:
• Works independently and jointly with other OSBS staff on conservation projects that will primarily involve habitat restoration, groundcover harvesting, fire management, exotic invasive species control, and monitoring.
• Serves as a fire crew member in the Station’s wildland fire management program on controlled fires and wildfires for the purpose of natural resource enhancement, restoration, fuel reduction, research, and training.
• Participates in fire suppression activities that may require working non-normal work schedule (infrequent)
• Participates in off-site controlled burns with cooperators (ex, Fl Park Service, SJRWMD, etc.).
• Prepares management units for burning as directed by Land Manager.
• Attends to pre and post fire operational needs, including preparing fire breaks, burn unit fuel treatments.
• Maintains fire equipment and fire cache in ready status; maintain, clean and organize trucks, UTVs, ATVs and work areas.
• Participates in fire effects monitoring projects.
• Works alongside cooperators and contractors of OSBS when needed
• Works with other Conservation program staff in scouting, documenting, and controlling of exotic-invasive species on OSBS.
• Collects data on identified conservation projects and serves as a backup data collector on selected projects. Monitors natural communities for management needs and effects of management activities.
• Ensures proper implementation of restoration projects, forestry operations, and other activities through field supervision of contractors, volunteers, interns and direct participation.
Job: Fire Management Program Assistant, Florida Park Service
The Florida Park Service is accepting applications for a Fire Management Program Assistant based out of Tallahassee’s central office at the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources. The majority of the work will be detail oriented administrative work, but there will be opportunities for participating in the fire program with boots on the ground. Duties will include, but are not limited to: tracking and purchasing for the fabrication, building and outfitting Type 5 Fire Engines, logistics for statewide trainings including Southern Area Engine Academy, and help in development and implementation of Collector/Survey 1,2,3 Apps for fire management.
Continue ReadingNew USFS Report: Research Improves Climate-Smart Management of America’s Forests and Grasslands
In response to the new administration’s focus on climate change, Forest Service R&D produced Research Improves Climate-smart Management of America’s Forests and Grasslands, a special report that highlights the agency’s contributions to climate science and land management.
Continue ReadingNWCG Week of Remembrance
Today is the eighth anniversary of a single shift on the Yarnell Hill Fire that took the lives of 19 firefighters. NWCG uses this solemn day to remember that instance and begin a week of reflection to honor all our sisters and brothers who have perished in the line of duty. Each day of the Week of Remembrance builds upon the previous day.
Continue ReadingAldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute Research Scientist Position
The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute will soon be advertising for a research scientist position focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in relation to stewardship of Federally designated wilderness.
With the holiday weekend approaching, and the desire to recruit broadly for this position, those interested are advised that the positions will likely to be open for applications on, or about, July 5th, 2021. The posting will be open for applications on USA Jobs for 10 days or until we receive 50 applications, whichever happens first.
About the Position:
The scientist is expected to develop meaningful and impactful lines of research, partnerships, and outreach related to investigating and improving the relevance of Federally designated wilderness to communities who have been historically underrepresented and/or under resourced.
Although there is flexibility in research topics (due to funding opportunities, the Institute’s broad and evolving wilderness science agenda, and an incumbent’s expertise), example areas where the scientist will provide leadership include: 1) understanding recreation experiences, preferences, barriers, and incentives for communities who have historically been underrepresented and/or under resourced with respect to Federally designated wilderness; 2) improving the delivery of government benefits and services, related to management of wilderness, to ensure that families of all backgrounds can access opportunity; 3) improving information on how the demographics of society are changing and how those changes will impact the way people value and use wilderness; (4) explorations of the “relevancy” of wilderness, which is either related to long-standing relevancy that has not been emphasized or new relevancy emerging due to a changing society; and 5) studying new methods to assess whether proposed and existing wilderness management laws and policies advance equity and inclusion.
To be clear, applicants DO NOT need a wilderness background. Applicants must have experience with scholarship, tools, and/or methods, which can be from a broad range of academic backgrounds, but this experience must be applicable to research about the engagement of underrepresented or under-resourced communities in relation to Federally designated wilderness. Once a member of the Institute, most of the scientist’s work, most of the time must support stewardship of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). But, the discipline of public lands management, and specifically wilderness stewardship, can be learned as part of on-the-job training.
About the Institute:
The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, part of U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), is an interagency, national research facility located on campus at the University of Montana. The Leopold Institute is the only federal research group in the United States dedicated to development and dissemination of knowledge needed to steward the 111-million acre, U.S. National Wilderness Preservation System. We have a long a long history of conducting and sharing science in support of the NWPS, as well as collaborating with academic, NGO, tribal, community, and other partners within the U.S. and internationally. In addition to being administered by the RMRS, the Institute’s work is responsive to an Interagency Wilderness Policy Council. This collaboration, defined by an interagency agreement among the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, and facilitated through an Interagency Wilderness Steering Committee, helps to ensure the Institute’s work is relevant to wilderness managers.
It’s a great time to join the team. Wilderness and wilderness conservation remain important, at home and globally; and in many ways, are more important than ever. Wilderness is essential to climate change mitigation, fresh water supplies, habitat connectivity, food and economic security, and spiritual and physical health, to name only a few benefits. We have significant stewardship challenges in front of us and endless opportunities to conduct science and develop partnerships that make a difference to all people. We are in the process of building our next, ten-year, science strategic plan…and, you can help to shape this plan. We are a passionate and collegial group dedicated to stewarding wilderness in the U.S. and internationally, and we welcome you to join our team.
More information about the Leopold Institute can be found here: https://leopold.wilderness.net/
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