On November 28-December 2, 2017, SREF Extension Associates Leslie Boby and Holly Campbell attended the 7th Association for Fire Ecology International Fire Congress in Orlando, FL. While the event was internationally-focused, the southern location this year offered participants an opportunity to highlight the southern United States. Forestry Extension personnel from across the country, including Holly Campbell, who presented on novel ways to engage landowners and communities in wildfire/prescribed fire education.

Jenn Fawcett of NCSU leads a fire circle on
prescribed burn associations

“Welcome to the Silicon Valley of Fire,” was the opening line of the 7th Association for Fire Ecology International Fire Congress in Orlando, FL November 28-December 2. Although a national/international conference, the event's southern location this year provided an opportunity to showcase southern ecosystems. Numerous plenary/scientific presentations highlighted how much of the south is at risk from wildfires and how the region burns the most acres in prescribed fire. This bi-annual conference was jam-packed with presentations on prescribed fire and wildland fire science as well as opportunities to engage in “fire circles," break out sessions in which participants discussed specific topics. 

Forestry Extension personnel from across the country presented on novel ways to engage landowners and communities in wildfire/prescribed fire outreach. 

Sharon Gamble,
Extension Agent

UF- IFAS Agent Sharon Gamble organized a special session on Extension fire education, which included the successful Extension response to the devastating 1998 Florida wildfires and the Extension train-the-trainer toolkit that was developed from that experience, presentations on landowner and homeowner education resources, field days, online Agent training resources, and innovative volunteer education programs like Oregon’s Citizen Fire Academy and the soon-to-be-available Master Gardener fire resistant landscaping module (being developed by SREF). The special session also addressed the next great role of Extension in fire education and the need for Extension to be at the table with emergency management before, during and after wildfire disasters. All special session presentations were recorded so they could be used in Extension training. Stay tuned for their availability.

Extension Associate
Holly Campbell

Also at the conference, SREF Extension Associate Holly Campbell led a Fire Circle discussion focused on fire education. Participants from across the country brainstormed ways Extension can play a greater role in wildfire disasters, helping provide communities the resources they need while supporting emergency management with their education and outreach expertise. Discussions also included successful youth and public fire education examples. Holly also organizes monthly calls on wildland/prescribed fire outreach for the southeastern Extension community. Please email her if you’d like to join in. Please email her if you’d like to join in. Video of conference presentations will be available in January for viewing.