The March 2022 Chipola Complex wildfires have burned over 33,000 acres in North Florida. In response, Southern Fire Exchange director David Godwin recently contributed to an article published in the online site The Conversation about the impacts of Hurricane Michael on fires and fuels in the Florida Panhandle region. “How a hurricane fueled wildfires in the Florida Panhandle – The Conversation”
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Stephen Pyne Presentation “Between Three Fires”
Wildland fire author and historian Dr. Stephen Pyne recently gave a presentation for the Spring Creek Project with Oregon State University on the past, present, and future of wildland fire management and policy. As a prolific commentator on US wildland fire policy and management, Dr. Pyne’s presentation has relevance for audiences in the Southeast as well as the Pacific Northwest. You can watch a similar presentation hosted by SFE during the 2020 All Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting.
Continue ReadingNew SFE Fact Sheet: Using Fire to Manage for Oak Regeneration in Eastern and Southeastern U.S. Oak-Hardwood Ecosystems
A new Southern Fire Exchange fact sheet developed by Jennifer Fill, Ph.D., Raelene Crandall, Ph.D., and Arti Chequer explains the relationships between Eastern and Southeastern-U.S. oaks and fire. With original color illustrations, this new fact sheet explores the concept of mesophication and how how frequent fire impacts oak-hardwood regeneration. Check out the full fact sheet here (pdf).
Continue ReadingNew SFE Fact Sheet on Accessing Wildland Fire Research
A new collaborative fire science fact sheet produced by the Southern Fire Exchange, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, and the University of Florida / IFAS, provides fire practitioners with timely resources for efficiently discovering and tracking new wildland fire science information. The six-page fact sheet includes a table of research databases and search engines for quickly finding publications. Download the full fact sheet.
Continue ReadingSave the Date for the 2022 North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting
Save the date for the North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting: Thursday, June 9th, 2022. The meeting will be held at the Chattahoochee Technical College in Jasper, Georgia. More information and registration info will be found on the Georgia Prescribed Fire Council website.
Continue Reading2022 Southern Area Engine Academy
Shared training opportunity from the US Forest Service Southern Area Training Coordinator:
The Southern Area is hosting a nationally accredited Geographic Area Engine Academy in May 2022. Engine Academies provide a standardized platform for all engine operators to be instructed to consistent and professional standards. Academies provide opportunities for students to develop their pumping, driving, and maintenance skills while applying the risk management process in a variety of environments.
Course Objectives
Provide students with opportunities to develop their working knowledge and skills of fire apparatus operations including driving, maintenance, and pumping. Curriculum will provide the foundation to build leadership skills and improve real-time risk management for the students. Upon successful completion Academy students may earn Certificates for PMS-491 (Engine Operator), EVOC, Winch Safety/Operations, and the National Standard for GAENAC, as appropriate.
Target Group
This intense 80-hour course is designed for firefighters looking to gain an in-depth working knowledge of wildland fire engines, specifically engine operators. It is not recommended for first year firefighters.
Prerequisite Qualifications and Training
Qualified as Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2); S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
Requirements
A Wildland Fire Learning Portal account is required for all selected students and will be used to administer course prework and learning materials.
Nominations
Click here 2022 Nomination and Student Info Form (google.com) to submit a nomination. Note: Students selected for the cancelled 2020 academy will be given priority selection, however you MUST submit a new nomination form.
Course Dates: May 4-13, 2022
Course Location: National Responder Preparedness Center, Greenville, KY
Nominations Due: February 28, 2022
Tuition: None
Lodging: Students will be required to stay onsite in provided accommodations.
Prework: Opens March 16, 2022 – Due April 15, 2022
Academy Incident Commander
Trent Girard
423-715-1099
Continue ReadingTall Timbers News: Fire Modeling, Shortleaf Pine-Oak Study, Staff on NPR
The latest Tall Timbers Research Station newsletter has a number of stories related to fire and fire science:
Fire Modeling Leaps Forward with California Partners
Shortleaf pine-oak-hickory long-term study begins
Tall Timbers’ Dr. Morgan Varner on National Public Radio
Continue ReadingNPR Story: Why the South is Decades Ahead of the West in Wildfire Prevention
Our colleagues Dr. Morgan Varner (Tall Timbers Research Station) and Lenya Quinn-Davidson (University of California and WTREX) were featured in an NPR story comparing prescribed fire use in the Southern and Western US. The National Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report (pdf) shows that many Western US states are making progress towards increasing the use of prescribed fire. Looking for more information on how prescribed fire impacts wildfire in the South? Check out our fact sheets that summarize recent research here (pdf) and here (pdf).
Continue ReadingFire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE)
The Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE) is a large collaborative, multifaceted fire research project that involves scientists from across the US, including many from the South. Our partners at the Tall Timbers Research Station Wildland Fire Science Program are heavily involved in FASMEE, with research on fire behavior, smoke dynamics, and fire effects. Be sure to read more about the FASMEE stand-replacement prescribed burns that were held at the Fishlake National Forest and Dixie National Forest over the past couple of years. Want to learn more? Check out the FASMEE media coverage, including the videos posted below and a story from Vice News. Check out this amazing view from inside one of the FASMEE prescribed stand-replacement burns!
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Wildland Fire Entrapment Database and Map
A new database and map provides a visual and spatial representation of wildland fire entrapments across the United States going back decades. Points on the map provide information about the date of the entrapment, the number of people involved, the type of entrapment, the equipment involved, and the number of fatalities (if any). The map points also provide links to accident reports with additional information. This sobering resource is an important reminder and opportunity to discuss the real hazards of wildland fire and strategies for promoting a culture of safety and learning.
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