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Protecting Old Trees from Prescribed Burning
Fact Sheet: Methods for Estimating Surface Live Fuel Loading
| | What is the Southwest Fire Science Consortium? The consortium is a way for managers, scientists, and policy makers to interact and share science in ways that can effectively move new information to management practices. The Southwest is one of the most fire-dominated regions of the US, but limited in terms of regional organizations focused on fire research and information dissemination. In the Southwest there are many localized efforts to develop scientific information and to disseminate that to practitioners on the ground, but these initiatives are often not well coordinated or aware of all the information and resources that are available. The real need for a consortium is to help bring these parallel efforts together to be more efficient and inclusive. We also seek to link the academic community and the management community in educating future fire professionals with up-to-date science as well as practical experience. Why Have Fire Science Consortiums Nationwide? “We get a fire hose of information, and it’s often delivered with the fog-nozzle on” (Seth White PNW-GTR-599, 2004). Another often-heard phrase is “use the best available science”. But managers often don’t know what information is already available nor the quality and applicability of that research to their management plans and projects. Another problem is the research may not be integrated in a context meaningful to management. And while the research may be of the highest quality and peer-reviewed, demonstration of science findings in the field is often lacking. To help scientists and managers communicate and learn together, the Joint Fire Science Program is sponsoring Regional Fire Science Delivery consortia. Our regional Southwest Fire Science Consortium is built around three key questions:
1. What do people need to know? Information needs can be assessed through workshops, organization of a community of practice of wildland fire professionals and surveys.
2. What information is already known (synthesis of existing science) and how should it be communicated (web, publications, workshops, courses)?
3. What are the key information gaps between what we need to know and what is already known? This question leads to the identification of critical areas for new research and adaptive management experiments. Who are the Southwest Consortium partners? The first stage of development includes Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, The Forest Guild, and many others. All organizations and individuals interested in the science and management of wildland fire in the Southwest are invited.
Contact Us
Consortium Coordinator: Barb Satink Wolfson, Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry, 928-523-1148,
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Consortium Principal Investigator: Dr. Andi Thode, Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry |
