Friday's Findings - April 23 2021

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Background: Wildfires in the United States can be devastating, with 2017, 2018, and 2020 being particularly damaging and costly. To help minimize the detrimental impacts of wildfires while allowing for fire’s beneficial aspects to unfold, the U.S. Geological Survey has developed a new five-year science strategy that defines critical science needs and directions for its wildland fire research.  The strategy was developed by scientists and communication specialists at USGS and informed from interviews with 40 different stakeholder organizations. It prioritizes the production of innovative science, tools and resources that inform land management and provide an understanding of fire’s role in ecosystems and in human communities, before, during and after wildfires. Working with stakeholders is emphasized to identify, develop and share essential information that supports critical decision-making by fire, resource and emergency managers. These include threat characterization and management planning before a fire and providing real-time satellite and field data to incident commanders and others during a fire. It also includes assessing fire’s impacts on infrastructure, terrain, water supply, ecosystems, species and other vital resources after the smoke clears.  The new USGS fire science strategic plan prioritizes the production of state-of-the-art, actionable fire science. We seek to collaborate in this effort with federal, Tribal, state and other stakeholders, to ensure that data and tools are timely, relevant and widely disseminated. Finally, the plan sets up an organizational structure that helps ensure these outcomes. 

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details