The Southern Fire Exchange, along with the University of Florida IFAS, NC State University Extension, and Clemson University Extension recently launched a 4-5 hour online asynchronous introduction to prescribed fire course. The free course has modules that cover fire ecology, wildlife habitat, smoke management, prescribed burn associations, and more. While not a NWCG course, the course does provide a certificate of completion for those who complete all of the modules. The course was originally developed to support Cooperative Extension Agents in developing prescribed fire programing, but it is now open to anyone interested in learning about prescribed fire in the southeastern US. If you are interested in taking the course, registration will open on June 20th at 12:00 PM ET. Funding for this project was provided by a USDA Renewable Resources Extension Act Capacity Grant.
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NC State Leads Research on a New Fire Shelter
NC State University is leading the development of a suite of potential new fire shelters for wildland firefighters. Recent research published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire describes the results of their efforts to improve the thermal protection provided by fire shelters. For more information, check out this story on Wildfire Today and NC State News. Videos below by Dr. Joe Roise (NC State) show some of the prototype shelters being tested during prescribed fires. **SAVE THE DATE FOR AN UPCOMING SFE WEBINAR ON THIS RESEARCH: WED. AUG. 31ST 1:00-2:00 PM ET**
Continue ReadingAmerican Lung Association Report on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Smoke
The American Lung Association recently released a report that assessed the impacts of wildfire and prescribed fire smoke on the American public. In general, the report found that prescribed fire has an important role in mitigating wildfires and hazardous wildfire smoke. The report also clarified that prescribed fire smoke is a hazardous substance (although likely not as hazardous as wildfire smoke) and that steps are needed to minimize the impacts of prescribed fire smoke on vulnerable individuals and communities.
Download the report (pdf) and the shorter executive summary (pdf) for more information. You can also watch a presentation by the report authors on YouTube or embedded below.
Continue ReadingJFSP Fire Science Exchange Network Annual Report
Have you heard about the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Fire Science Exchange Network (FSEN) but never really knew what it was about? The Southern Fire Exchange is the southeastern branch of the FSEN and we’re part of the nationwide FSEN network dedicated to connecting fire managers with relevant and timely fire science information. The 2021 Fire Science Exchange Network Annual Summary (pdf) provides a glimpse into some of the recent activities and outcomes of the thirteen members of the FSEN.
Continue ReadingUpcoming Partner Virtual Workshop: From Flames to Forests – Past, Present, and Future Fires for Sustaining our Forests and Wildlife
Our Southern Fire Exchange co-PI Dr. Kevin Robertson (Tall Timbers Research Station) is presenting at an upcoming virtual workshop hosted by the Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, Southern Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Association, and NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife. Fire science, fire ecology, and wildlife management topics will be discussed.
“From Flames to Forests: Past, Present, and Future Fires for Sustaining Our Forests and Wildlife“
Date: Tuesday, June 7th from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Registration link: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/from-flames-to-forests
Continuing Education Credits (pending approval) Society of American Foresters, Wildlife Society, USDA-NRCS
Agenda
11:00 AM – 11:10 AM: Welcome and Introduction
Charlie Faires, Forester, Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society
11:10 AM – 11:35 AM: Fire History Paradigms: What’s “Natural”?
Dr. Kevin Robertson, Fire Ecology Research Scientist
Tall Timbers Research Station
11:35 AM – 12:00 PM: Forest and Fire Ecology: Understanding the Relationship Between Forests and Fire
Dr. Heather Alexander, Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology, Auburn University
12:00 PM – 12:05: Break
12:05 PM – 12:30 PM: Disturbance Dependent Wildlife: Fire as a Tool for Wildlife Management
Dr. Ben Jones, President and CEO, Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society
12:30 – 12:55 PM: Managing Forests with Fire: Fire as a Silvicultural Tool
Dr. Tara Keyser, Research Forest and Director of the Center for Forest Restoration and Management, United States Forest Service
12:55 PM: Break
1:00 PM – 1:25 PM: A Community of Practice: Implementing Prescribed Fire at Scale
Adam Warwick, Southern Blue Ridge and Fire Learning Network Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
1:25 PM: Panel Discussion with Lecturers
Continue ReadingNIFC 3-Month Wildland Fire Outlook
The National Interagency Fire Center Predictive Services group issues the national wildland fire outlook at the beginning of each month. The latest outlook (pdf) looks ahead from May through August, typically the peak of US wildfire season. The outlooks assess fuels, seasonal trends, climatology, and long-term weather forecasts to identify potential regional wildfire hotspots. Check out all of the Predictive Services Outlook products.
Continue ReadingWhere There’s Fire, There’s Smoke: Air Quality and Prescribed Burning in Florida
SFE staff recently rewrote a University of Florida / IFAS EDIS fact sheet titled “Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Air quality and prescribed burning in Florida.” The fact sheet provides research-based information on the composition, movement, and impacts of prescribed fire smoke. For prescribed burners, the fact sheet also provides tips and resources for managing smoke responsibly.
Continue ReadingUSFS-RMRS Explainer on SW US Fires: We saw this coming
Matt Reeves with the USFS-RMRS just released a timely video “Reading the Tea Leaves: A Special edition – Fires in the SW: We saw this coming” that explores the mechanisms driving the current uptick in early-season wildfires in the southwestern US. The video explainer links regional rangeland fuel production with past and present weather trends to understand wildfire potential.
Continue ReadingSFE and JFSP in the News: “Scientists Help Re-introduce Healthy Fire in Florida Forests”
In a guest post on the US Department of the Interior Office of Wildland Fire Blog, SFE team member David Godwin shared SFE programs and JFSP supported research related to duff fire science and management. Read the post.
Continue ReadingNew SE US Fire Ecology Video for Kids: “Take a walk with Burner Bob”
“Take a walk with Burner Bob®, prescribed burner Shan Cammack, and their spunky fire ecologist friends as they visit The Fire Forest. Along the way, they meet many of Burner Bob®’s other friends who thrive when their longleaf home is burned regularly. With videography and custom animation, this video will engage viewers of all ages. Please share with the your networks.”
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