Rapidly changing climate and fire conditions are posing numerous challenges regarding the persistence and recovery of plants and animals. Threatened and endangered species are of particular concern and often complicate management solutions. Our team has extensive experience examining species responses to fire and fuels treatments.
Innovative and interdisciplinary research that is tailored to specific landowner objectives and locations is needed to provide sound and effective solutions to the diverse range of wildfire-related challenges in the region. The Humboldt Fire Resilience Institute will focus on the co-production model of research, developing the thrust of research and acquisition of knowledge through a collaborative process between practitioners and researchers to best attend to stakeholder needs. We will also encourage manager participation with the science delivery process.
Resilience & Recovery
Fire Behavior & Effects
The advancement of knowledge regarding fire behavior and effects has been insufficient to keep pace with rapidly changing conditions. Our team will focus on providing better linkages between fire behavior and fire effects across a wide range of scenarios, with an emphasis on better understanding wildfire and prescribed fire conditions, that can promote positive outcomes.
Human Communities
Numerous human communities are directly and indirectly affected by wildfires. As the incidence of destructive wildfires increases, creative approaches are needed to promote fire resilient human communities adjacent to wildlands. Our team has a well-established record of incorporating novel perspectives to address natural resource problems affecting human communities.
Fuels Management
Past and current fire exclusion practices have contributed to elevated fuel levels that can lead to negative impacts from wildfires. Effective solutions are available but the current pace and scale of treatments to meaningfully reduce fuels is insufficient. Our team is uniquely suited to conduct research on multi-faceted solutions to increase treatment efficacy and longevity.