The Missoula Fire Laboratory has released a storymap covering wildland fuel science that integrates fire behavior and fire ecology.
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Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2018
An update to a USFS data publication contains a spatial database of wildfires that occurred in the United States from 1992 to 2018. It is the fourth update of a publication originally generated to support the national Fire Program Analysis (FPA) system.
View full information and the dataset here.
Continue ReadingJuly 2021 USFS R&D Newsletter Focuses on Fire Research
The most recent issue of the USFS Research and Development newsletter is focused on fire research, and highlights recent studies, new tools, and relevant news.
Continue ReadingFire Tools and Tech in the News
As the Western wildfire season intensifies, a number of news stories have recently covered how innovative tools and technologies are assisting efforts/
How drones are fighting fire with fire in the American West (The Hill)
New technology propels efforts to fight Western wildfires (Raleigh News & Observer)
This flying fire sensor could help track wildfires from a satellite in space (Space)
Continue ReadingSFE Reddit AMA with Dr. Rae Crandall
On July 29th, Southern Fire Exchange’s Dr. Rae Crandall will be live on Reddit’s “I Am A” page answering questions about wildland fire. She has experience as a wildland firefighter in the West, a fire ecology researcher at the University Florida, and a prescribed fire practitioner across the US, so be sure to ask her anything about wildland fire!
More about Dr. Crandall:
“I am a forestry professor at the University of Florida who studies the effects of wildland fire on plants. Some people call me a pyromaniac, because I love to light prescribed fires as much as I love to measure and study plants. As an undergraduate student, I volunteered on a prescribed fire, “caught the fire bug”, and have been passionate about teaching others about the benefits of prescribed fire ever since. I have worked as a wildland firefighter in the West, and as a fire lighter across many states of the U.S. Ask me anything about wildland fire!
I am also the mother of two young boys, who enjoy going hiking and learning about the positive effects of using prescribed fire for management of our natural areas.”
You can learn more about Dr. Crandall’s research here.
Continue ReadingRegistration Open for the AFE Fire Ecology and Management Congress
Registration is now open for in-person and virtual attendance at the 9th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress in Miramar Beach, Florida from November 30th – December 4th, 2021. Opportunities for sponsorship, exhibit booths, and presentations are still available. The workshop will feature a selection of optional fire science field tours co-sponsored by the Southern Fire Exchange to fire managed lands in Northwest Florida.
Continue ReadingiFireNet Seeks to Build International Collaboration
A National Science Foundation funded project led by researchers from the University of California-Irvine seeks to build an international network of wildland fire researchers. iFireNet includes affiliate researchers at Tall Timbers Research Station and the US Forest Service Southern Research Station, both of which are key partners on the Joint Fire Science Program funded Southern Fire Exchange. iFireNet looks to connect existing wildland fire research programs across five continents to accelerate the pace of innovation.
Continue ReadingNOAA HRRR Interactive System Maps Predicted Smoke Movement
The NOAA-HRRR-Smoke and Fire Mapping System provides an interactive web-based tool to track and observe current and predicted smoke concentrations across the US lower-48 states. More information about the NOAA-HRRR model. A recent article about wildfire smoke in the New York Times featured the NOAA-HRR Smoke Mapping System as well a general discussion of some potential health impacts from reduced air quality.
Continue ReadingForecast Report on Longleaf Pine Cone Crop for 2021 and 2022
Dr. John Willis and Dr. Dale Brockway of the US Forest Service Southern Research Station in Auburn, Alabama have released their 2021-2022 regional longleaf pine forecast report. This report includes current cone counts and conelet observations from 11 sites ranging from Louisiana to Florida and up to North Carolina. Fire and land managers can use these data to inform plans to maximize natural regeneration opportunities in mature longleaf stands. Download the full report here. For questions about the report contact Dr. John Willis ([email protected]).
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.
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