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Project ID:

25-3-1-3

Year:

2025

Date Started:

10/01/2025

Date Completed:

Title:

Northern Rockies Fire Science Network, FY26-FY28

Project Proposal Abstract:

Problem Statement - The Northern Rockies is one of the most fire-prone regions in the United States, and the forest and grassland ecosystems that dominate the region are diverse ecologically, spanning complex environmental gradients. Managing for resilience across this diversity of landscapes and cultural values is challenging, and fire management decisions have profound and long-lasting ecological, economic, and social consequences on communities. With today’s longer and more severe fire seasons, it is urgent that fire managers and communities have access to the latest scientific information and tools to manage fire and fuels. It is also imperative that fire scientists understand the needs of fire managers and the public to provide science-based solutions to challenging problems. Improving scientist-manager communication is critical to effective, science- informed decision-making and the success of fire management in the complex and changing environment of the Northern Rockies. The Northern Rockies Fire Science Network (NRFSN) has been a recognized leader in providing inclusive, cross-boundary learning opportunities for nearly 15 years and has developed strong relationships throughout the fire research and management communities.

Objectives - The primary objective of NRFSN is to facilitate knowledge exchange among managers and scientists in the Northern Rockies by synthesizing science and enhancing science application to critical fire and fuels management issues. Ultimately, the NRFSN brings people together to strengthen collaborations that improve ecosystem resilience and support fire-adapted communities. As a result, fire managers will be aware of, understand, and integrate relevant scientific information and tools into fire management and identify remaining science needs. The NRFSN also will provide services for scientists and managers that help the public and policy-makers access and understand science relevant to fire management. Program success is measured through surveys of participants, event evaluations, webpage and social media metrics, and consultations with federal, state and tribal agency leaders, practitioners, and scientists. Numerous themes have emerged as current and future topics for network activities in the coming years, some of which are longstanding in the region and others that have recently emerged and have led to collaboration with other JFSP Fire Science Network Exchanges. These include: 1) fire and traditional knowledge, 2) climate change effects on fire and fuels, 3) wilderness fire management, 4) firefighter health and safety, 5) risk management, and 6) education and tool development

Benefits - The NRFSN serves both science producers and users, including scientists, managers, policymakers, and public stakeholders of fire-dependent ecosystems. Increased awareness, understanding, and communication among these groups is critical to developing science-based solutions that improve the management and resilience of fire-adapted ecosystems and communities across the region. The co-production of fire science helps ensure that scientists, natural resource managers, and policymakers communicate more frequently and effectively about current and emerging challenges, as well as the science that supports solutions. The NRFSN also helps build capacity in the wildland fire workforce as NRFSN activities and resources help fire managers and wildland firefighters work in a culture that is better prepared to rapidly assimilate the latest science into action. Through these strategic actions, the NRFSN supports the integration of relevant scientific information and tools into fire and fuels management, leading to better management and policy outcomes.

Principal Investigator:

Patrick C. Goebel

Agency/Organization:

University of Idaho

Branch or Dept:

Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Agreements Contact	Sarah S. Martonick	University of Idaho	Office of Sponsored Programs
Budget Contact	Chelsea Franklin	University of Idaho	Office of Sponsored Programs