An article from the Pew Charitable Trusts addresses how COVID-19 has impacted wildland firefighters worse in 2021 as compared to 2020.
Continue ReadingCOVID19
SFE Webinar: Moving to Hybrid Events – A Discussion with Natural Resource Professionals
SFE Webinar: Moving to Hybrid Events – A Discussion with Natural Resource Professionals
September 23, 2021 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Hosted by NC State University Forestry Extension and the Southern Fire Exchange
We’ll hear from presenters from around the country who will share their personal experiences and lessons learned in moving their natural resource programs to a hybrid platform. They will cover various types of hybrid events, including meetings, trainings, workshops and large-scale conferences, and how to ensure accessibility. This event is open to everyone, but is targeted for natural resources professionals who are considering organizing hybrid events in the future.
Presenters
SFE Webinar Recording Available: COVID-19 Impacts on Southeast Prescribed Fire and Strategies for Keeping Fire on the Ground
The recording of the Southern Fire Exchange webinar from Thursday, February 11th “COVID-19 Impacts on Southeast Prescribed Fire and Strategies for Keeping Fire on the Ground” is now live on the SFE YouTube webinar archive. This webinar featured a research presentation on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Southeastern prescribed fire as well as a fire manager panel discussion that covered strategies for managing prescribed fire programs in 2020 and 2021. Webinar presenters included: Benjamin Poulter, Ph.D., NASA Earth Sciences Division and Morgan Varner, Ph.D., Tall Timbers Research Station. The webinar fire manager panelists included: Greg Titus, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Brett Williams, US Air Force Wildland Fire Branch, and Sasha Ernst, Florida Park Service
Click here to view the archived webinar
Click here to download the webinar slides
SFE Webinar: COVID-19 Impacts on Southeast Prescribed Fire & Strategies for Keeping Fire on the Ground
Hosts: NASA, Tall Timbers Research Station, Southern Fire Exchange, Joint Fire Science Program, and the University of Florida
Presenters: Benjamin Poulter, Ph.D., NASA Earth Sciences Division
Morgan Varner, Ph.D., Tall Timbers Research Station
Greg Titus, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Brett Williams, US Air Force Wildland Fire Branch
Sasha Ernst, Florida Park Service
Webinar Description: The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has altered the use of prescribed fire on hundreds of thousands of acres of public and private lands across the Southeastern United States. In this special two-part webinar, scientists and fire management program leaders will discuss both the measurable impacts of the pandemic on prescribed fire use, as well as successful strategies for managing fire during the time of COVID-19. In the first presentation, NASA research scientist Ben Poulter, Ph.D., will discuss the results of a project with Tall Timbers Research Station that identified changes in the pattern and frequency of fire across the region in 2020. In the second half of the webinar, a panel of prescribed fire managers from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Eglin Air Force Base, and the Florida Park Service, will discuss their experiences, lessons, and strategies for managing prescribed fire programs in 2020 and 2021. Following the research presentation and panel discussion, there will be time for audience Q/A.
Registration is required. Register here.
Continue ReadingNew 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.
Continue ReadingNew NWCG COVID-19 Briefing Checklist
Make sure that your briefings are now including important health and safety considerations for working wildland fire during the time of COVID-19. The new “Fire and COVID-19 Briefing Checklist Decal” from the NWCG can be printed at home / work or ordered from NWCG in mid-July. Visit the NWCG download page to choose a color and download the decal pdf to stick on your IRPG.
Continue ReadingNew CDC FAQ for Wildland Firefighters
The CDC has recently (May 11th) released a new list of Wildland Firefighters COVID19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to provide information for wildland firefighters and natural resource management program leaders. Click. Read. Share and discuss with your team.
Continue Reading