Friends of Fire is a podcast produced by the Southern Fire Exchange that reviews a variety of fire science topics relevant to southeastern US ecosystems. Each episode features an interview with a fire practitioner, researcher, or both! We discuss current research, the practicality of implementing research recommendations, best management practices, and future research needs.
Listen to Friends of Fire on: Spotify – Apple Podcasts – Google Podcasts – Anchor – Pocket Casts – Radio Public
Episode 1: Reintroducing Fire into Long Unburned Pine Ecosystems (35:58)
with Shan Cammack (Wildlife Biologist III and Fire Management Officer with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Conservation Section) and Dr. Ajay Sharma (Assistant Professor of Applied Forest Ecology at the West Florida Research and Education Center of the University of Florida)
We discuss what happens when fire is removed from a fire adapted ecosystem, best management practices of reintroducing fire into long unburned pine ecosystems, the challenges and risks of the process, the “duff problem,” and more.
Episode 2: Wild Turkeys and Prescribed Fire – Part 1 (35:20)
with Jay Cantrell (Wildlife Biologist and Assistant Big Game Program Coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) and Dr. Michael Chamberlain (Terrell Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia)
This is part 1 of a 2-part discussion on relationship between Eastern Wild Turkeys and prescribed fire. In this episode, we cover population history, recent population declines and the potential causes, how to best manage for wild turkeys, and more.
Episode 3: Wild Turkeys and Prescribed Fire – Part 2 (35:58)
with Jay Cantrell (Wildlife Biologist and Assistant Big Game Program Coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) and Dr. Michael Chamberlain (Terrell Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia)
In this episode, we discuss challenges of managing for wild turkeys, public perception of prescribed fire’s effect on turkeys, the effect of growing season / nesting season fires on turkey habitat and survival, potential effects of climate change on the bird, and the benefits and challenges of managers and researchers working together.
Episode 4: Call-When-Needed Fire Crew Model – Part 1 (36:01)
with Adam Warwick (Stewardship Manager with The Nature Conservancy)
This episode is part one of two discussing a call-when-needed fire crew model. Adam is the creator and director of The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Blue Ridge: Call-When-Needed Fire Crew. We discuss the general design of the crew, what makes this crew unique, how to support crew cohesion, supporting diversity, and how this type of crew is helping promote acceptance and understanding of prescribed fire.
For more information, check out “So You Want an As Needed Fire Crew?“
Episode 5: Call-When-Needed Fire Crew Model – Part 2 (53:56)
with Adam Warwick (Stewardship Manager with The Nature Conservancy)
This episode continues the discussion on the call-when-needed fire crew model. In this episode, we discuss crew recruiting, costs and funding, partnerships, equipment needs, benefits and challenges, how to overcome challenges, accomplishments, and hopes for the future.
For more information, check out “So You Want an As Needed Fire Crew?“
Episode 6: Developing an effective communication plan that helps drive a successful burn program (58:33)
with Ludie Bond (PIO/Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Forest Service)
As fire managers, we have a duty to consider everyone who is going to be impacted by our actions. In this episode, Ludie imparts that “communications is key to being able to have that successful prescribed burn program.” As a trusted messenger to many communities through building relationships and adaptive messaging, Ludie describes key factors to a successful communications plan that benefits the community, your work, and ecosystem restoration as a whole.
If you have an idea for a future episode or would like to be interviewed on our show, please email us. Our goal is to disseminate information in a way that best serves the fire community, so we are always happy to hear from you!