Fellow Project: Shifting Impacts of Wildland Fire Smoke and Land Management Practices in the Southeast Under Climate Change Active
Learn about the research of Megan Johnson, a 2021 Science to Action Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Megan Johnson, North Carolina State University
- Fellowship: 2021 Science to Action Fellow
- Mentor: Jeremy Littell, Alaska CASC
Project Summary
Fire is historically important in Southeastern landscapes. In this region, prescribed fire (or controlled burning) is often used to reduce wildfire risk, maintain wildlife habitat, and support fire-dependent species. However, smoke from prescribed fire is a significant source of particulate air pollution in the region, so managers who use it are required to minimize smoke impacts to protect public health. This requirement is often seen as a barrier to using the technique, and climate change is expected to pose further barriers as days with acceptable burning conditions are expected to decrease. With expected increases in wildfire risk and human populations who are particularly vulnerable to health impacts from smoke, balancing the social impacts with the ecological benefits of prescribed fire in the Southeast will become increasingly difficult. This project will describe Southeastern managers’ concerns and needs regarding the future of prescribed fire use, while also comparing future wildfire and prescribed fire smoke contributions to air pollution in the Southeast based on projected changes in fire activity. Sharing managers’ concerns and needs with science and policymaking communities, alongside estimates of possible future smoke impacts, will be essential to effectively addressing the future of prescribed fire in the Southeast.
Learn about the research of Megan Johnson, a 2021 Science to Action Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Megan Johnson, North Carolina State University
- Fellowship: 2021 Science to Action Fellow
- Mentor: Jeremy Littell, Alaska CASC
Project Summary
Fire is historically important in Southeastern landscapes. In this region, prescribed fire (or controlled burning) is often used to reduce wildfire risk, maintain wildlife habitat, and support fire-dependent species. However, smoke from prescribed fire is a significant source of particulate air pollution in the region, so managers who use it are required to minimize smoke impacts to protect public health. This requirement is often seen as a barrier to using the technique, and climate change is expected to pose further barriers as days with acceptable burning conditions are expected to decrease. With expected increases in wildfire risk and human populations who are particularly vulnerable to health impacts from smoke, balancing the social impacts with the ecological benefits of prescribed fire in the Southeast will become increasingly difficult. This project will describe Southeastern managers’ concerns and needs regarding the future of prescribed fire use, while also comparing future wildfire and prescribed fire smoke contributions to air pollution in the Southeast based on projected changes in fire activity. Sharing managers’ concerns and needs with science and policymaking communities, alongside estimates of possible future smoke impacts, will be essential to effectively addressing the future of prescribed fire in the Southeast.