Wildland Fire News

A selection of news releases and stories related to wildland fire management. For details about ongoing wildfires, visit the National Interagency Fire Center.

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Web Reads: Balance is Personal (wildfirelessons.blog)
Wildland firefighter with a Santa hat on the Thomas Creek Fire. Photo by Stuart Palley, FS.
12/16/2021
How do we navigate the delicate balance between being the best employee while also being the best partner, parent, child, friend, or any other important role that we occupy while still saving a few precious moments to focus on our own self?
Research is Helping Address Changing Ecosystems that Propel Wildfires in the Southwest
The fire at Agua Fria National Monument was driven by invasive grasses. By Katie Laushman, USGS.
12/15/2021
As climate change and invasive plants drive more destructive wildfires across the southwest, researchers are exploring ways to address invasive species, reduce wildfire risk, and promote recovery.
Ecology, Wildfire Science, and Advancing Gender Equity
Rachel Loehman, Ph.D., research landscape ecologist with the USGS Alaska Science Center.
12/13/2021
Meet Dr. Rachel Loehman, a research landscape ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey whose work is focused on wildfire science and landscape ecology.
In the News: From Siberia to the U.S, wildfires broke emissions records this year (www.reuters.com)
Smoke rising from the Tamarack Fire. Photo by the Forest Service.
12/9/2021
Wildfires produced a record amount of carbon emissions this year as climate change fanned unusually intense blazes, the European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service said.
dotGov Notes: Submit Nominations for the 2021 Wildfire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards by December 31 (mailchi.mp)
A team practices transporting an injured wildland firefighter off the fire land.
12/8/2021
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group's Wildfire EMS Awards recognize individuals and groups that have excelled in emergency medical service for wildland firefighters. Nominations for 2021 are due by December 31.
Improving Wildland Fire Management Across Tribal and Federal Lands
United States map representing the interconnectedness of Interior Department and Tribal lands.
11/29/2021
With more than 6.5 million acres of land managed by the Interior Department in proximity to Tribal lands, collaboration is essential to address the increasingly large wildfires confronting the U.S. As we continue to recognize Native American Heritage Month throughout November, learn about a new agreement that will facilitate improved wildland fire management across departmental and Tribal lands.
Director’s Report: A New Norm Demands We Adapt
The Summit Trail Fire.
11/16/2021
We are prioritizing the need to modernize our firefighting workforce, support science and research into the effects of climate change on wildfires, and expanding our wildfire mitigation efforts.
dotGov Notes: The Office of Wildland Fire Quarterly Bulletin (content.govdelivery.com)
Newsletter subscribe screen on a laptop and cell phone on a desk with a cup of coffee.
11/16/2021
The fall 2021 edition of the Office of Wildland Fire's quarterly newsletter reflects on a record-setting fire season, increased funding for wildland fire management, firefighting workforce reforms, Tribal contributions to firefighting as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November, and more.
From the Front Lines to the Fire Line
The Folsom Lake Veterans’ Crew. Photo by Joe Bradshaw, BLM.
11/10/2021
Meet the Folsom Lake Veterans’ Crew with the Bureau of Land Management in California. The crew gives veterans an opportunity to put their military skillsets to use fighting wildfires. Learn about the opportunities available for more veterans to get started in wildland firefighting.
Wildfire Open Data is Driving Innovation and Improving Public Safety
Featured maps on the wildland fire open data site.
11/10/2021
The wildland fire open data site is changing how people stay informed about wildfires in their area and across the country. This publicly-available data is driving the creation of innovative tools by private-sector companies like Google and the New York Times while also making information widely available for individuals. The need for this information is apparent. Over a two-month period during the height of this summer’s record-setting fire season, a single dataset from the site was accessed 1.2 billion times.
Embracing Indigenous Knowledge to Address the Wildfire Crisis
The Salish Kootenai College Living Landscapes video, Episode 8: Wildfire
11/9/2021
During the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland underscored the importance of using Indigenous knowledge and showcased a Salish Kootenai College video that explores how Indigenous fire practices can help address the current wildfire crisis. We take a deeper dive as we continue to recognize Native American Heritage Month throughout November.
Bringing Diverse Perspectives to Wildland Fire Management
Jacqueline Martin is the Assistant Director for the BIA's Branch of Wildland Fire Management.
11/2/2021
November is Native American Heritage Month. This year, we’re highlighting some of the people and initiatives that are improving wildland fire management in Indian Country. Meet the Bureau of Indian Affair’s Assistant Director for Wildland Fire Management and member of the Gros Ventre of Fort Belknap Indian Community.
In the News: Recipients of the 2020 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards Announced (www.nwcg.gov)
A team practices transporting an injured wildland firefighter off the fire land.
10/12/2021
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) announced the recipients of the 2020 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Services Awards. This annual award program, sponsored by the NWCG's Emergency Medical Committee, recognizes individuals and groups that have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments above and beyond the expectation of their normal mission or job duties.
In the News: EPA Releases Report Comparing Air Quality and Public Health Impacts from Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Smoke (www.epa.gov)
Comparative Assessment of Impacts of Prescribed Fire vs Wildfire: A Case Study in the Western U.S.
9/30/2021
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Interior, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, released a report comparing the air quality and health impacts of smoke from prescribed fire and wildfire.
In the News: New Ways Maps and AI Keep Communities Safe and Informed (blog.google)
Road bordering burned forest, from above
9/29/2021
Google today announced the launch of a new wildfire layer in Google Maps that will provide up-to-date details on wildfire activity, helping people make quick, informed decisions during times of emergency. The new feature uses information from the National Interagency Fire Center's open data site. 

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