We are in a 'fire crisis.' Many regions of the world are experiencing larger, more frequent, and more severe fires that threaten people's lives, livelihoods, and properties, and the health of ecosystems. Regardless of the causes of this crisis - a common threat that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries - societies need informed and knowledge-based approaches to living with fire that lead to agreed upon success stories in sustainable fire management. Success will be characterized, in part, by the mutual support of people with diverse interests working through an adaptive and collaborative process.