In January 2011, a planning grant was awarded to the Pacific Region from the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP). Currently, HWMO is collaborating with multiple partners in applying to become part of the JFSP Knowledge Exchange Consortia.
The collaborators on the planning grant used the award to establish the Pacific Fire Science Consortium (PFSC), which has supported diverse planning activities. Following meetings and the release of the PFSC’s 1st newsletter in April 2011, the PFSC created and released across the region through existing agency networks a comprehensive needs assessment in the form of a web-based survey . The assessment team included USFS research scientists, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) social scientists and fire managers, and program managers with the Pacific Disaster Center and the DOD. The survey targeted potential end-users to better understand how to address four specific “major challenges” which had been identified by fire managers and scientists across the region.
Joint Fire Science Program
Consortium Activities and Outputs
Need for a Consortium in The Pacific
Between May and July 2011, the PFSC conducted focus groups, regional meetings, and a gap analysis survey to identify needs and priorities of a diversity of stakeholder groups dealing with wildfire issues in Hawaii and the U.S. affiliated Pacific region. Collectively, these activities have provided the PFSC with the breadth of expertise and jurisdictions needed to bridge the diverse geographic, cultural, political, and scientific needs of the Pacific Region, and to address the four major challenges. As of September 2011, a full application will be submitted to JFSP for implementation of the full proposal.
The Pacific region is currently underrepresented in current, organized, and regionally- specific fire science information. There is a tremendous need for enhanced collaboration and communication within the Pacific’s scientific and resource management communities to bridge the differences between geographic locations (insular states, territories, and nations) as well as in ecology, culture, and language.
The Pacific Fire Science Consortium (PFSC) was formed to meet the needs of scientists and managers for a collaborative and regionally relevant approach toward effective fire prevention and management, and to stimulate and utilize “best available” research to reduce fire management costs and enhance our ability to effectively protect natural, social, and cultural resources from wildfire devastation.
In Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific, developed areas often abut wildland and agricultural areas, which increase the probability of wildfire impacts on communities (poor air quality, power/phone line damage, post-burn erosion/ land slides/ dust, and fire spread along wildland-urban interface [WUI] boundaries and through adjacent neighborhoods).
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Consortium Documents, Brochures, and Newsletters
The consortium will focus on increasing communication, coordination & collection of information, and technology transfer by creating a central repository for storing and disseminating information. We anticipate the following types of information to be made available:
• Research results
• Presentations
• Publications
• Upcoming events and conferences
• Printed materials
• Opportunities for wildfire suppression and mitigation training
• A forum for managers and scientists to engage in discussion
The four primary challenges are:
• Easier Access to information Sources
• Better and More Comprehensive Information
• Improved Technical Assistance
• More Collaborative Information Transfer Environment
Fire Science Workshop 2011
Workshop Presentations
The 2011 Fire Science Workshop was held at the U.S. Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, in HIlo, HI.
The experts and technologies present at this workshop are on the forefront of global fire sciences. Presentations on fire risk modeling, prediction, imaging and mapping led the way through the workshop's proceedings.
The Pacific Fire Science Consortium offically announced it's first round of funding and held meetings on plans for future direction and development.
Joint Fire Science: News and Events
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Kamuela, HI
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Joint Fire Science: News Letters
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Joint Fire Science: "Flash"
Joint Fire Science Digest
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Partners
Within the Consortium
The PFSC will provide information, training, and tools for region-specific wildfire mitigation activities that can take place along WUI boundaries, and will focus on addressing the following issues and end-users:
• Fire Suppression
(Local, State, County, Federal, Private)
• Air Quality
• Water Quality
• Utilities
• Emergency Response
• Planning/ Development
• Political Leadership/ Legislation
Elizabeth Pickett
elizabeth@hawaiiwildfire.org
808-885-0900
OR
Christian Giardina
cgiardina@fs.fed.us
808-854-2619
For More Information About the Pacific Fire Consortium Please Contact:
