The causes and effects of large wildland fires are the subjects of great debate among fire researchers, managers, and policymakers. Are large wildfires unnatural events, causing great ecological harm that should be suppressed at all costs? Or could they provide opportunities to reduce fuel loads, restore altered ecosystems, and improve resiliency in the face of climate change? What are the latest research findings, management treatments, and policy initiatives addressing large wildfires? Join us for this unique event co-hosted by the Association for Fire Ecology and the International Association of Wildland Fire with support by the Joint Fire Science Program, where we will explore these questions and related issues.

Now Open: Call for Workshops & Special Sessions

Themes include: Large Fires, Fire Management, Climate Change, Fire Ecology, Wildland Fuels, Smoke & Fire Behavior, Social Issues, Political Realities

Workshops will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014 at the University of Montana in Missoula. Workshop are half- or fullday (4 or 8 hour) training sessions on new and revised software, sampling techniques, and professional improvement. The purpose of the workshops is to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners in wildland fire to discuss and exchange interests on a defined topic. We view these workshops as an opportunity for Technology Transfer; the process to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users who can then further develop and exploit them. Everyone is invited to submit a proposal for a workshop. Please submit workshop proposals to Bob Keane (rkeane@fs.fed.us) by Aug. 15, 2013. Further details and template example available on the workshop page of our website.

Special sessions may be 3-4, 5-6, or 10-12 presentations on a common topic or theme. Each presentation within the session will be 20 minutes in length with time allotted for Q&A and discussion. Proposals should consist of the title of the special session and a preliminary list of speakers and draft titles for individual talks. The number of special sessions is limited, so organizers are encouraged to submit their proposals early. Please submit special session proposals to Louisa Evers (levers@blm.gov) by Dec. 1, 2013.

Location: Missoula, MT
Deadline: Workshop deadline August 15, 2013, Special Sessions deadline December 1, 2013
Contact Name: Workshop: Bob Keane, Special Sessions: Louisa Evers
Contact E-mail: rkeane@fs.fed.us, levers@blm.gov
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: December 2, 2013
Region(s): National, Northern Rockies
Topic(s): Climate, Communication, Fire Ecology, Fire Behavior, Fuels, Hazard & Risk, Intelligence, Outreach, Planning, Regulation & Legislation, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://largefireconference.org/docs/Large%20Fires%20Conference%20-%20Save%20The%20Date.pdf

Over the past 10 years, USFS Southern Research Station’s InterfaceSouth and the University of Florida have jointly produced several publications on fire in the wildland-urban interface—all are available on the InterfaceSouth website. We also have boxes of printed copies of the publications listed below. If you can use a full or partial box, email Annie Oxarart to request copies.

Fire in the Interface Fact Sheets

Preparing a Firewise Plant List for WUI Residents (250/box)
Reducing Wildfire Risk While Achieving Other Landscaping Goals (450/box)
Selecting and Maintaining Firewise Plants for Landscaping (450/box)
Understanding Fire Behavior (450/box)

Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind (in brochure format - 1,200/box)

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Annie Oxarart
Contact E-mail: osarart@ufl.edu
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Southern
Topic(s): Communication, Emissions & Smoke, Fire Behavior, Fuels, Hazard & Risk, Intelligence, Outreach, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.interfacesouth.org/products/fact_sheets

We are excited to announce a new program: The Southern Fire Exchange Spotlight Series!

Every two months we will focus on a specific fire science topic relevant to southeastern practitioners and researchers. During this time, SFE activities, such as webinars, publica-tions, field tours, and workshops, will center on different aspects of the Spotlight topic. Here is a look at the Spotlight Series topics we have planned for the coming year:

May-June 2013: Fire in Wetlands

July-August 2013: Fire and Wildlife

September-October 2013: Prescribed Fire Techniques

 November-December 2013: Smoke and Fog

 January-February 2014: GIS / Mapping

 March-April 2014: Fuel Treatments

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Southern Fire Exchange
Contact E-mail: sfe@ifas.ufl.edu
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Southern
Topic(s): Communication, Emissions & Smoke, Fire Ecology, Fuels, Intelligence, Mapping, Outreach, Prescribed Fire
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.southernfireexchange.org/newsletters/v3-3.pdf

Duties and Essential Functions:

• Set-up, coordinate, and evaluate public forestry education programs in a five-county area in partnership with Extension faculty.
• Arranging program logistics, including booking speakers and facilities, preparing materials, and registering participants.
• Collect, analyze, and report on program evaluation data.
• Develop budgets for workshops and trainings.
• Develop and maintain partnerships, collaborations and networks that support the successful delivery of Coached Planning and other Forest Stewardship workshops and future programming in the region.
• Develop and implement youth programs in partnership with Extension faculty.
• Develop project reports, newsletter, public presentations, training modules, educational materials, marketing materials, grant applications, public workshops, news releases, web pages and other communication pieces as needed. Be accessible for questions from the public and news media.
• Maintain working knowledge of forest stewardship topics and general natural resource management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural resource, environmental science, or related field, which could include education or communication, AND one (1) year of related program experience, OR Associates degree AND three (3) years of related program experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis which provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to Mary Ann Rozance, WSU Snohomish County Extension, 600 128th St. SE, Everett WA 98208, fax (425) 338-3994 or m.rozance@wsu.edu. This position closes on May 24, 2013 at 5 p.m. Interviews will be scheduled first week of June. Direct inquiries to m.rozance@wsu.edu or (425) 357-6023.

Location: Everett, WA
Deadline: May 24, 2013
Contact Name: Mary Ann Rozance
Contact E-mail: m.rozance@wsu.edu
Contact Phone: (425) 357-6023
Expiration: May 25, 2013
Region(s): Northwest
Topic(s): Communication, Outreach, Planning
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/coenv/careers-blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/WSU-Extension-Forestry-Program-Assistant.pdf?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=temporary-forestry-program-assistant-washington-state-university-snohomish-county-extension-everett-wa

The Bureau of Reclamation is funding applied science grants through the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The funding opportunity is available at www.grants.gov by searching for funding opportunity number R13AS80010. Proposed projects are expected to meet the science needs identified by the Southern Rockies LCC steering committee and must be able to be used by resource managers to address natural and cultural resource issues that have a connection to water resource management in a changing climate.

Funding for each project is limited to $150,000 and the requesting entity must provide at least a 50-percent cost-share. Entities eligible to receive funding include: states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, universities, nonprofit research institutions, organizations with water or power delivery authority and nonprofit organizations. Federal agencies interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to do so through the Statement of Interest.

Location: National
Deadline: June 11, 2013
Contact Name: Barb Satink Wolfson
Contact E-mail: swfireconsortium@gmail.com
Contact Phone: 928.523.1148
Expiration: June 12, 2013
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Climate, Fire Ecology, Intelligence, Outreach, Planning
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7573a464a40cdca7860a4eed6&id=1d64069aa3&e=e72bdf8da4

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The Symposium will

Create an international forum to discuss complex smoke issues associated with both wildland and agricultural fire.
Identify research gaps and priorities for smoke science and air quality communities to address to meet contemporary challenges.
Increase awareness of ongoing smoke science research for professionals engaged in fire activities, air quality management, resource stewardship, military land-use activities, and emergency services.
Create innovative training opportunities for managers and operational professionals through a virtual platform.
Showcase contemporary science and technologies to promote pioneering management and policy strategies.
Raise awareness of the global diversity of approaches, issues, ideas and mitigation strategies in smoke management as they pertain to ecological concerns, social perceptions, and economic issues.

SESSION FORMATS EXPLAINED

Plenary Session: A keynote address to all conference attendees. (These are programmed by the conference steering committee.)
Oral Presentation: Shorter sessions (generally 20 minutes) which are scheduled to take place at the same time (i.e., concurrent). Each session normally focuses on a different topics so an attendee can choose the session that most interests them. (Note: most individual paper submissions are programmed into Concurrent Sessions after they are accepted.)
Poster Presentations: A Poster Session showcases your research/project. It combines text and graphics to make a visually pleasing presentation. There will be a formal poster session where you will show your work to numerous participants at a conference. As viewers walk by, your poster should quickly and efficiently communicate your research/project. Unlike the fast pace of a slide show or verbal presentation, a Poster Session allows viewers to study and restudy your information and discuss it with you one on one. You may also be required to give short presentations on your research every ten or fifteen minutes.
Special Session: A session consisting of multiple presentations with one common topic or theme. Typically, the person who proposes the special session includes a list for all of the papers on the Special Session at the time of the original submission.
Submission Guidelines for Special Sessions: 1st - The session organizer should submit a short abstract for the session as a whole which includes a list of each session and presenter. 2nd - each individual presenter within the Special Session will submit their individual abstracts. When doing this they should select Special Session as the Presentation Type and include a statement at the beginning of their abstract noting which special session they are associated with.

PAPERS SUBMISSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS TOPICS:

This conference welcomes oral, poster and special session submissions from fire, smoke, and air quality applications and examples; including current and recent programs and case studies, lessons learned, data sets, and scientific results, data, and models. The following set of topics represents a comprehensive guideline for potential presenters but submissions are not limited only to these categories; papers outside these areas are welcome and desired.

WILDLAND and AGRICULTURAL FIRE ACTIVITY, SMOKE EMISSIONS and INVENTORY

Emissions factors from wildland and agricultural fire
Smoke emissions as they relate to fire activity, fuels and consumption
Atmospheric chemistry pertinent to smoke management including fine particulate matter and precursor pollutants emitted by fire that contribute to ozone and secondary aerosols Greenhouse gases, brown and black carbon
Carbon monoxide and air toxic, firefighter and public exposure
Using remote sensing to gain information on smoke emissions
Unmanned aerial instrument platforms for obtaining smoke information
Smoke emissions tracking databases and comparison of methods, with a focus on fire activity

SMOKE AND AIR QUALITY MODELING

Fire behavior modeling for smoke
Uncertainty in smoke modeling
Improving smoke model data sources
Smoke model evaluation and needs
Modeling smoke for regulatory purposes and management programs
Smoke plume rise modeling and transport
Smoke plume chemistry modeling, Measurements of trace gases and aerosols in smoke plumes; near-source and far downwind
Communicating smoke model results and uncertainties
Minimizing smoke impacts through fire weather and meteorology modeling
Application of smoke and air quality modeling for public health, transportation safety and fire personnel exposure

SMOKE AND POPULATIONS

Health impacts of short and long term exposure to smoke in the public and firefighters, knowledge gaps, science, and management implications
Personal and ambient air quality monitoring of smoke
Public communication with respect to smoke episodes (warnings, air quality indices, risk, health effects)
Public education and outreach about smoke impacts as they relate to fire ecology and ecosystem management
Direct and indirect local and regional social, economic, medical and political costs of smoke from fire
Assessing risk from smoke on human communities, public health, transportation and fire personnel
Social tolerance of smoke and influencing factors
Effects of smoke on transportation (Superfog), response and communication
Effects of smoke on suppression operations
Public communication strategies – needs, methods, preferences, impacts, and effectiveness
Public reaction to smoke warning systems
Public safety and risk from smoke – evacuation, shelter in place, public mitigation approaches

SMOKE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Smoke and fire modeling for understanding impacts on climate
What climate change means for smoke and impacting population centers – agricultural dynamics and impacts; wildfire dynamics; vegetation and fuel dynamics; land management strategies and practices; consequences, mitigation and implications
Smoke and climate system feedbacks
Fire emissions contributions to a changed composition of planetary gases
Short-lived climate forcers and the Arctic -contribution of wildfires, prescribed fires and agricultural burning

SMOKE MANAGEMENT and MITIGATION– POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES

Basic Smoke Management Practices, Smoke Management Programs and Emission Reduction Techniques
Smoke management and mitigation approaches - policies and regulations for nuisance, air quality standards and climate change (Domestic and International)
International smoke management: policy for sensitive receptors outside the country and mitigating sources outside the country
Science and technology support for fire and air quality decision making and management application
Public safety guidelines and implementation
Responding to wildfire smoke – strategies, roles, coordination and planning
Training programs – needs, opportunities, capabilities
Exceptional Events and smoke impacts

Location: Adelphi, MD
Deadline: July 1, 2013
Contact Name: International Association of Wildland Fire
Contact E-mail: execdir@iawfonline.org
Contact Phone: (888) 440-IAWF
Expiration: July 2, 2013
Region(s): Eastern, National
Topic(s): Climate, Communication, Emissions & Smoke, Fire Behavior, Fire Ecology, Hazards & Risk, Models, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Regulations & Legislation, Safety, Social Science 
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.iawfonline.org/2013SmokeSymposium/Call_for_Papers.php

The NWCG guide has a new version (April 2013) and a new name—the Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide. The new guide replaces PMS 410-1, Fireline Handbook, NWCG Handbook 3, March 2004.

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: NWCG
Contact E-mail: BLM_FA_NWCG_Products@blm.gov
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Aviation, Fire Behavior, Fuels, Intelligence, Logistics, Safety
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/pms210.pdf

Location: National
Deadline: May 31, 2013
Contact Name: Lorie Sicafuse
Contact E-mail: lsicafuse@unr.edu
Contact Phone: (775) 784-6637
Expiration: June 1, 2013 
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Communication, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fuels, Intelligence, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation, Social Science
Partner Site(s): AFSC, SRFSN
Website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FVWQFJD

The Great Plains Fire Science Exchange is pleased to announce the production of a video series aimed at private landowners. The videos present comprehensive, clear information about the benefits of putting fire on the land, and include details of planning, timing, training, staffing, and how to get all the support and guidance needed to burn safely and effectively. 

The four titles include interviews with many different range professionals and fire practitioners. 

· Why Burn?
· Getting Started
· Challenges to Using Fire
· A Community Approach to Fire 

Location: Great Plains
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Sherry Leis
Contact E-mail: GPFireScience@missouristate.edu
Contact Phone: (417) 836-8919
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Northern Rockies, Rocky Mountain, Southern
Topic(s): Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fuels, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvRbwK7YQbg&list=PLkVJry3C6s2cgkVkA_KYwAbuQi_Pyeas7&utm_source=Joint+Fire+Science+Program+List&utm_campaign=c733a9881b-Videos+from+Great+Plains+Fire+Science&utm_medium=email

The Wildland Fire Executive Committee today announced the release of Regional Action Plans for wildland fire management in the Northeast, Southeast and West. The plans respond to requirements of the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement (FLAME) Act of 2009. Regional Action Plans, recently accepted by the WFEC, are the latest of a three-phase effort focusing on the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy:  Restoring and Maintaining Resilient Landscapes, Creating Fire Adapted Communities, and Responding to Wildfire. 

· Phase I developed a national strategy document and a report to Congress.

· In Phase II, regional assessments addressed the national goals and the challenges found at regional and local levels. Regional Strategy Committees examined how wildland fire, or its absence, threatens wildlife habitats, watershed quality, and local economies.

· Phase III took this qualitative information and created regional risk analysis reports that in turn have helped develop management actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of wildland fire management programs and activities on the ground. Each of the three geographic regions produced an RAP which will help create a National Action Plan due in the fall of 2013.

Location: Northeast, Southeast, West
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Maureen Brooks
Contact E-mail: mtbrooks@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Administration, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fuels, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: Wildland Fire Executive Council (WFEC)
Cataloged Records: Northeast Regional Action Plan, Southeast Regional Action Plan, Western Regional Action Plan

This conference is designed for anyone with an interest in wildland fire in the Appalachian Region. It promises to be unique in its approach to sharing information. First, it is a conference about wildland fire in the Appalachians that is held in the Appalachians. Second, and equally unique, is that the conference is not a research symposium and it is not a managers meeting; it is both. The objective of the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists and the Association for Fire Ecology is for fire managers and researchers to learn from each other so they can better understand problems specific to the highly diverse Appalachian Mountains and to work together to solve those problems.

The conference includes three concurrent mini-conferences. Over 40 invited speakers will discuss research updates and management experiences. Researchers will discuss plant and wildlife ecology, fire history, invasives, season of burning, and other topics. Managers will share experiences on how to apply fire to the landscape, how to work with media and the general public, and updates to fire management tools such as smoke prediction models, LANDFIRE, FRCC, and IFT-DSS. A highlight will be success stories for programs such as the Fire Learning Network, state Prescribed Fire Councils, and interagency cooperation. A field trip on the third day will share manager’s experiences and applying research results on the ground.

Register early for a discounted fee. We anticipate a capacity audience at the Roanoke Conference Center and look forward to seeing you there.

May 1-July 9 Early Bird Registration

July 10-Aug. 30 Regular Registration

Sept. 1 to Onsite Late Registration

Location: Roanoke, VA
Deadline: September 30, 2013
Contact Name: N/A
Contact E-mail: N/A
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: October 1, 2013
Region(s): Eastern, Southern
Topic(s): Emission & Smoke, Fire Ecology, Fuels, Models, Mapping, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://appfireconference.org/

The Stewardship Network is now accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations at the 2014 Science, Practice & Art of Restoring Native Ecosystems Conference. Prospective presenters should carefully review the information below and then submit their abstract via the online submission form provided.

The deadline for oral abstract submission is Friday, May 31st 2013. The deadline for poster submission is Friday, June 14th 2013.

Make sure that all abstract submissions match the guidelines below. Abstracts that do not follow this layout will be returned for correction. The Stewardship Network is not responsible for including all contributors if they are not included in your abstract submission.

Location: East Lansing, MI
Deadline: May 31, 2013 for abstracts, June 14th 2013 for posters
Contact Name: Erin Mittendorf
Contact E-mail: emittendorf@stewardshipnetwork.org
Contact Phone: (734) 996-3190
Expiration: June 15, 2013
Region(s): Eastern
Topic(s): Fire Ecology, Fuels, Mapping, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.stewardshipnetworkconference.org/site/c.biKRJ8NPInI4F/b.8586015/k.C2BA/Submit_an_Abstract.htm

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center playlist features six videos that focus on how to build a Prescribed Fire Learning Organization.

All are a very watchable five to nine minutes long, with beautiful animations and effects that do a great job of communicating the important information presented on each topic:

Building a Prescribed Fire Learning Organization at the Local Unit Level
Establishing a Robust Learning Culture
Creating, Sharing and Using Prescribed Fire Lessons
Using Dialogue to Improve Learning from Prescribed Fire Operations
Tips and Techniques to Deepen Prescribed Fire Organizational Learning
Tips for Line Officers: Leading Organizational Learning in Prescribed Fire Operations

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Brenna MacDowell
Contact E-mail: bmacdowell@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: (520) 289-9199
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Logistics, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5f6de7b069a57255f980944b4&id=8df0fe1e51&e=05bcceed25

The FEIS team has been busy! They are developing a collection of syntheses on fire regimes of the United States by integrating information from the literature and other data with results from LANDFIRE modeling of BioPhysical Settings. Two are now completed—one covering all of Hawaii and one covering Alaskan tundra; others are underway. Each synthesis links to relevant FEIS species reviews; by fall, the new FEIS user interface will be able to go the opposite direction as well, connecting individual FEIS reviews to relevant fire regime syntheses. View fire regimes of the United States

FEIS's spatially searchable system is now online. The content is identical to that on the original system, but they are testing the new user interface. View FEIS beta

As always, the FEIS team welcomes your input on products.

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Jane Kapler Smith
Contact E-mail: jsmith09@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: 406 329-4805
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Ecology, Fire Effects, Models, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.feis-crs.org/beta/

Fore more information: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/86ca80b729f35593df087eace/files/FEIS_handout.pdf

Fire Speaks the Land, an interactive performance that simultaneously teaches dance, fire science, ecology and traditional uses of fire, recently toured schools and theaters in western Montana. The stunning 50-minute performance both educates and entertains, serving as an innovative example of fire education for K-8 students. Children adore it and teachers have called it “the best science lesson I’ve ever seen!” The CoMotion Dance Project is currently developing its 2013-14 performance schedule. If you know teachers or schools that would like to get involved, contact Karen Kaufman.

- Watch a three-minute video
- Watch a full show

Location: western Montana
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Karen Kaufmann
Contact E-mail: karen.kaufmann@umontana.edu
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Northern Rockies
Topic(s): Communication, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Outreach, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.comotiondanceproject.com

The Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University offers an annual contest called The Flame Challenge — Explaining science to an 11-year-old. In 2012, scientists submitted answers to the question, "What is a flame?" Entries were judged by 20,000 students from around the world. Grab your kids and enjoy!

Location: YouTube
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Stony Brook University, Center for Communicating Science
Contact E-mail: communicatingscience@stonybrook.edu
Contact Phone: (631) 632-2130
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Communication, Fire Behavior, Outreach, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ymAXKXhvHI

The International Journal of Wildland Fire special issue describing advances in fire research based on the first 10 years of the Joint Fire Science Program includes the following articles:

Advances in understanding and managing wildland fire: communicating wildland fire research to land-management practitioners
A review of recent advances in risk analysis for wildfire management
Social science research related to wildfire management: an overview of recent findings and future research needs
On the need for a theory of wildland fire spread
Research and development supporting risk-based wildfire effects prediction for fuels and fire management: status and needs
Describing wildland surface fuel loading for fire management: a review of approaches, methods and systems
Ecological effects of alternative fuel-reduction treatments: highlights of the National Fire and Fire Surrogate study (FFS)
Modelling smoke transport from wildland fires: a review
Tools to aid post-wildfire assessment and erosion-mitigation treatment decisions

Location: International Journal of Wildland Fire
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: N/A
Contact E-mail: N/A
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): International, National
Topic(s): Climate, Communication, Emissions & Smoke, Fire Behavior, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fire History, Fuels, Hazards & Risk, Models, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach, Planning, Restoration & Rehabilitation, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/115/issue/6565.htm

A decade of collecting tens-of-thousands of tree ring samples from throughout the western United States is providing USDA Forest Service and Utah State University researchers with new data and a promising new way to reconstruct Utah’s past climate change patterns.

This study, recently published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology (February 2013, Vol. 14, No. 1, 375-381) and presented by lead author and US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station researcher Justin DeRose at the 2012 Forest Inventory and Analysis Symposium in Baltimore, MD, involved more than 3,500 tree ring samples in Utah alone.  The large number of samples and close spacing between sites provides a much finer resolution than any known conventional tree ring records.

“As a tree grows, it produces a ring for each year that it ages,” says DeRose.  “The thickness of each ring normally reflects fluctuations in climate conditions.  For example, a harsh climate produces narrower rings because trees grow slowly, while a favorable climate produces wider rings as trees grow faster.  Because of this, dendrochronologists (tree ring scientists) have traditionally selected trees from sites that are most sensitive to climate fluctuations.  As a result, these sensitive sites are relatively far and few between.  One important finding of the current study is that forest-grown trees record the same signals that are found on highly-sensitive sites, meaning that climate signals can be found almost everywhere,” he said.

Climatologist and co-author Simon Wang, of USU’s Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate, said that the new tree ring dataset “essentially provides a telescope for us to look into Utah’s past climate with great detail.  For example, we know that 150 years ago the phenomenon of El Niño affected the entire state of Utah, rather than the weak opposite effect divided between northern and southern Utah we see today.”  The team hopes that by extending the dataset to the rest of the Interior West, and eventually to the West Coast, that it will be possible to produce map climate drivers such as El Niño over progressively larger areas and longer time scales.

The new dataset not only contributes to building climate records, it also benefits ecological and forestry research and management.  “This information will help answer questions about our forests’ past at a level of detail never before attempted,” said John Shaw, Biological Scientist at the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station.  Shaw, who is stationed in Ogden, Utah, says this data set is far from finished, as many thousands of samples from across the Interior West await being processed and analyzed.  Upon completion, a very high-resolution climate data set will be reported and made available to the research community.

Location: western United States
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Shih-Yu (Simon) Wang
Contact E-mail: simon.wang@usu.edu
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): California, Great Basin, Northern Rockies, Northwest, National, Rocky Mountain, Southwest
Topic(s): Climate, Fire Ecology, Fire History, Fuels, Intelligence, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs/docs/news/releases/13-01-tree-rings.pdf

The LLC is a cutting-edge knowledge resource center for the entire wildland fire community. The LLC provides innovative strategies, processes and tools to assist the entire wildland fire community in performing more safely and effectively-using both past and present lessons.

The LLC helps the entire wildland fire community use lessons from the past and present to improve for the future.
The LLC works to improve safe work practices, advance organizational learning, and share lessons learned and knowledge within the entire wildland fire community.
The LLC promotes organizational change toward safer, more effective practices.
The LLC provides a centralized resource where agencies and organizations in the wildland fire community can learn from experience and systematically problemsolve.
The LLC serves all members of the wildland fire community-federal, state, tribal and local firefighters, as well as third party organizations.
The LLC provides a broad and in-depth perspective that crosses all geographical areas and transfers knowledge throughout the entire wildland fire community.

The LLC facilitates networking among members of the wildland fire community and shares knowledge through Web-based tools, educational seminars, newsletters and publications, workshops, presentations, videos, interviews, stories and case studies. The LLC has become a knowledge resource center by:

Cultivating and supporting communities of practice-networks of people who share an expertise or passion and work toward a common goal-to support professional collaboration and share experiences
Collecting intelligence about the environment as it relates to wildland fire
Learning from other organizations' effective practices
Learning from experiences and past history of wildland firefighting-both domestically and internationally, Experimenting with new approaches
Encouraging systematic problem solving
Transferring knowledge throughout the wildland fire community

Location: online
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Brenna MacDowell
Contact E-mail: bmacdowell@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Communication, Emission & Smoke, Fire Behavior, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fuels, Intelligence, Mapping, Models, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation, Safety, Social Science
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.youtube.com/user/WildlandFireLLC/videos?view=0&utm_source=Joint+Fire+Science+Program+List&utm_campaign=88eb43ab19-News+45+video+sources&utm_medium=email

This self-paced math course refreshers firefighters' knowledge of basic math concepts and tools necessary for making math calculations in the field. Topics include calculating tank volumes and flow rates, determining pump pressure and friction loss, understanding maps and location coordinates, and estimating slope. Additionally, the course presents information on calculating flame length, flame height, midflame windspeed, and other variables related to wildland firefighting efforts.

Location: online
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Dan Jimenez
Contact E-mail: djimenez@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Fire Behavior, Intelligence, Logistics, Mapping
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.firefightermath.org/

We need your input!  During 2013, the NW Fire Science Consortium will sponsor the development of a Synthesis Report on a topic identified as a priority by those we serve.  Please take a few minutes to add your voice to the decision by clicking on the following survey monkey link.  We are dedicated to providing fire science and information that is driven by you, the user.  Please let us know what you need!

Location: Northwest
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Janean H. Creighton
Contact E-mail: nw.fireconsortium@oregonstate.edu
Contact Phone: 541-750-7316
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Northwest
Topic(s): Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Intelligence, Models, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach, Planning, Prescribed Fire, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QNVWW35

The National Forests in North Carolina will be advertising for a project management specialist to be based in Nebo, North Carolina. A primary focus of the job will be to lead the Grandfather Ranger District Grandfather Ranger District’s Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Project.

Location: Nebo, NC
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Lee Thornhill Contact
E-mail: lwthornhill@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: 828-257-4251
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Southern
Topic(s): Fire Ecology, Outreach, Planning, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.southernfireexchange.org/etc/NC_CFLRP.pdf

The 4th Annual Alaska Fire Science Workshop was held on October 11-12, 2012 at the BLM - Alaska Fire Service. All of the presentations, handouts, and recordings from the 2012 Alaska Fire Science Workshop are available for viewing/download here: www.frames.gov/afsc/2012workshop.

Location: Alaska
Deadline N/A
Contact Name: Alison York
Contact E-mail: ayork@alaska.edu
Contact Phone: 907-474-6964
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): Alaska, National
Topic(s): Climate, Emissions & Smoke, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Fuels, Hazard & Risk, Models, Outreach, Planning
Partner Site(s): AFSC
Website: www.frames.gov/afsc/2012workshop

Positions at the GS-5 level have been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF), and is subject to meeting the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.

These are full-time excepted service temporary seasonal positions; Not to Exceed 6 months. - The length and actual dates of employment may vary depending on the position.

If you like remote and rugged conditions, extended travel and overnight camping, then becoming a wildland firefighter may be for you. The National Park Service at Crater Lake National Park is looking for temporary employees to work on Engine Crews.

Positions at the GS-5 level have been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF), and is subject to meeting the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at the IFPM website by clicking here.

Selecting Officials will begin to consider applicants prior to the closing date of the announcement. You must apply on or before the date indicated below to receive first consideration. Thereafter, applications may be considered as needed by during the open period of the announcement.

02/12/2013 For the GS-5 level only - Crater Lake, OR (Crater Lake NP)

02/26/2013 For the GS-4 level only - Crater Lake, OR (Crater Lake NP)

Location: Crater Lake National Park, OR
Deadline 5/31/2013
Contact Name: FIRES Help Desk
Contact E-mail: blm_fa_fires@blm.gov
Contact Phone: 888-364-6432
Expiration: 6/1/2013
Region(s): National, Northwest
Topic(s): Fire Ecology, Fire Behavior, Fire Prevention, Fire Occurrence, Outreach, Prescribed Fire
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/334630300

The Forest Service has contracted with the National Forest Foundation to coordinate and host a series of peer learning sessions about Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration issues. The purpose of the peer learning sessions is to provide an opportunity for cross-learning, informal discussion, and sharing of information amongst collaborators and the Forest Service. The recordings are provided so those unable to participate in the session directly can hear the discussion. For official guidance and direction for Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration, please refer to the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program FAQs.

Location: Online
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: N/A
Contact E-mail: N/A
Contact Phone: N/A
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Economics, Fire Ecology, Monitoring & Inventory, Outreach, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/restoration/CFLRP/training.shtml

Warmer and drier conditions in coming decades will likely cause the burned area from wildfires in the U.S. to double in size by 2050, according to new research based on satellite observations and computer modeling experiments. The research, which was first presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco on Dec. 4, provides insight into both recent wildfire trends and the sharp increase in dryness — and therefore wildfire susceptibility — in certain regions of the country.

The 2012 U.S. wildfire season was one of the worst on record, with massive fires affecting Colorado and New Mexico, in particular. The new research suggests that high wildfire years, such as 2012, would likely occur 2-to-4 times per decade by 2050, rather than once per decade as they do now. Please click on the link below to read the entire article.

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Andrew Freedman
Contact E-mail: afreedman@climatecentral.org
Contact Phone: N/A 
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Climate, Fire Ecology, Fire Prevention, Outreach
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/area-burned-by-u.s.-wildfires-expected-to-double-by-2050-15355

This project examined the local economic impacts of large wildland fires in the western U.S. Generally, local employment and wages in a county increase during large wildfires; labor market disruptions from large wildfires are outweighed by the employment that the suppression effort creates in the short term. Large wildfires lead to instability in local labor markets by amplifying seasonal variation in employment over the subsequent year. Local capture of suppression spending is important because it helps mediate labor market impacts. For every $1 million spent in the county, local employment increased 1 percent during the quarter of the fire. On average, the Forest Service spent 9 percent of wildfire suppression funding in the county where the fires occurred. Amounts of local spending varied from zero to 39 percent. Contracts for suppression and support services are a central avenue for local capture. However, local business capacity appears to limit the ability of rural and resource-dependent counties to capture suppression contracts. Counties with more federal vendors prior to a fire tend to capture more contract spending locally during a fire. Capture of fire suppression contracts is concentrated in a few areas in the west.

Location: Western United States
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: University of Oregon, Ecosystem Workforce Program
Contact E-mail: ewp@uoregon.edu
Contact Phone: 541-346-4545
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): California, Great Basin, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Rocky Mountain, Southwest
Topic(s): Economics, Fire Behavior, Fire Effects, Fire Occurrence, Fire Prevention, Fuels, Planning, Social Sciences
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://ewp.uoregon.edu/largefires/context?utm_source=California+Fire+Science+Consortium+List&utm_campaign=787ad0ced1-October+2012+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

A tree is more than just a landscape design feature. Planting trees on your property can lower energy costs and increase carbon storage, reducing your carbon footprint. A new online tool developed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and EcoLayers can help residential property owners estimate these tangible benefits. Using a Google Maps interface, ecoSmart Landscapes (www.ecosmartlandscapes.org) allows homeowners to identify existing trees on their property or select where to place new planned trees; estimate and adjust tree growth based on current size or planting date; and calculate present and future carbon and energy impacts of existing and planned trees. After registration and login, Google Maps will zoom in to your property’s location based on your street address. Use the tool’s easy-to-use point and click functions to identify your parcel and building boundaries on the map. Next, input the size and type of trees on your property. The tool will then calculate the energy effects and carbon storage that those trees provide now and into the future. Such information can help guide you on the selection and placement of new trees on your property.

Location: National
Deadline: N/A
Contact Name: Sheri Eng
Contact E-mail: sleng@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: 510-559-6327
Expiration: N/A
Region(s): California, National
Topic(s): Climate, Fuels, Mapping, Planning, Social Sciences
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/news/2012/20121217_TreeCarbonCalculator.shtml?utm_source=California+Fire+Science+Consortium+List&utm_campaign=787ad0ced1-October+2012+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Serves as the District/Zone Fire Management Officer (DZFMO) in an unit that is categorized as High Complexity. Coordinates and directs fire prevention, detection, and suppression operations. Develops fire control plans and documents, including pre-suppression, prevention, detection, and suppression tactics and strategies. Contributes to the compilation, review, and/or distribution of fire hazard and risk data. Collaborates in the planning of wildland fire suppression and prescribed burning operations. Assists in the determination of resources required for pre-suppression and suppression activities. Provides technical advice and support to districts to ensure integration of fire ecology and effects into all documents, plans, and projects. Supports long-range fire behavior prediction science and climatology. Assists in the establishment and operation of training programs.

Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.

Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned. Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Location: multiple locations, Alabama
Deadline: September 30, 2013
Contact Name: HRM Contact Center
Contact E-mail: fsjobs@fs.fed.us
Contact Phone: 877-372-7248 Option 2
Expiration: October 1, 2013
Region(s): National
Topic(s): Fire Behavior, Fire Ecology, Fire Prevention, Fuels, Outreach, Planning
Partner Site(s): N/A
Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/331152400?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UwCollegeOfTheEnvironmentCareersBlog+%28UW+College+of+the+Environment+Careers+Blog%29