On September 8th, USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore released a statement announcing the completion of the National Prescribed Fire Program Review, which was developed during a 90-day pause on prescribed burning that began in May. The report details seven “tactical recommendations” with implications on prescribed burn plans and ignition authorizations. The review also describes common factors that contribute to escaped prescribed burns and recommendations to safely resume operations. 

The journal Forest Ecology and Management recently released a special edition Ecology and Restoration of High Elevation Five-Needle White Pines available for free promotional access until early January, 2023. This publication presents the articles behind the keynote speakers from the 2021 High Five Conference. 

Proceedings from the conference are also available: Research and Management of High-Elevation Five-Needle Pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the Second High-Five Conference.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is now accepting applications for grants through the Montana Forest Action Plan to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health on state, private, county and Tribal lands, and on federal lands through the Good Neighbor Authority Program. 

Up to $500,000 is available per project. 

Successful project proposals will involve multiple collaborating partners, engaged in cross-boundary management to address at least one of the following through forest management and conservation actions: forest health; wildfire risk; working forests and economies; biodiversity and habitat; human and community health; urban and community forests.  

The deadline to apply for a Montana FAP grant is November 6, 2022. Applications must be submitted electronically through https://grants.dnrc.mt.gov/submit. 

-- Adapted from MT DNRC press release

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is calling for planning proposals focused on catalyzing innovative and inclusive wildland fire science through collaboration among diverse stakeholders and rights holders. 

For more information about this opportunity, read the full Dear Colleague Letter released on September 19, 2022.

The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission met for the first time in mid-September to begin crafting federal policy recommendations and strategies on ways to better prevent, manage, suppress and recover from record wildfires across the West. Established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and announced in December 2021, the commission is composed of representatives from federal agencies, state, local and Tribal governments, and representatives from the private sector. The commission is tasked with preparing a report with policy recommendations and submitting them to Congress within a year of its first in-person meeting. 

--From a 9/14/22 Department of Interior Press Release

Vita Wright, who served as Principal Investigator for NRFSN for over a decade, recently began a new position as a Science Delivery Specialist with the Pacific Northwest Research Station's Communication and Application Program and has transitioned out of the NRFSN PI role. Vita led the NRFSN since its inception in 2010, responsible for both planning and implementation/development.

Vita's career with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) began in 1998, where she developed and led the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute's Research Application Program. Starting in 2009, she worked as a Fire Science Application Specialist with the Human Performance and Innovation & Organizational Learning RD&A, which is administered by the RMRS Fire Sciences Lab in Missoula, MT. Vita received her PhD studying individual and organizational influences on fire research use in the BLM, NPS, and USFS. Her research interests include the science of science delivery, organizational learning, and science communication. 

Charles Goebel, NRFSN Planning Team member since 2019, has assumed the role of NRFSN Principal Investigator. Charles is a professor of forest ecology, and serves as the Head of the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences at the University of Idaho. Prior to joining UI, he was a faculty member and administrator in the School of Environment and Natural Resources and College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Charles has also been involved with JFSP’s Fire Science Exchange Networks since their inception, serving as the PI and Director of the Lake States Fire Science Consortium from 2008-2017. In addition to an interest in science exchange, his research focuses broadly on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forests and rangelands (including wildland fire), and how we can use that information to design more effective restoration and management systems.

Interestingly, both Vita and Charles were present at the original JFSP Fire Science Exchange kick-off meeting in 2009, and NRFSN is fortunate to have Charles' leadership and experience moving forward.  

Vita's dedication to bringing researchers and managers together was exemplified in the success of NRFSN field trips and workshops, and the partnerships that were formed as a result of these events. Her interest in wilderness fire helped shape several events including the Wilderness Fire Workshops, and two acclaimed videos, The Benefits of Hard Decisions and The Evolution of Wilderness Fire in the Northern Rockies. Vita also worked to support knowledge sharing on important topics including traditional knowledge and fire, wildland firefighter health, and the human dimensions of fire management. Her energy and enthusiasm for fire science delivery will be missed, but Vita's efforts over the last decade will continue to serve managers and researchers for years to come.