Fields Notes 18.1 | Page 18

Workshop on Wildland Fire Appropriate
Response: Generating and Using Science
(Continued)
overview of the US Wildland Fire Decision Support
System, an internet-based tool that supports and
documents operational fire management decisions
for wildland fires across the US. The workshop
ended on a high note, with a captivating panel
discussion where panelists gave their perspectives
on fire science and fire management. Al Tithecott
(retired Director AFFES-MNRF) discussed the need
to understand the system and stratify the analysis
to suit conditions of the system, as well as the
importance of a science network, partnerships, and
leading change.
©Kevin Carden - stock.adobe.com
spoke about who they were, what they do, and what
keeps them up at night. Through these presentations
scientific researchers working in the area of
wildland fire science and management furthered
their understanding of the pressing questions and
challenges that fire management agencies face, the
types of decisions they make, and the information
they use to make them. Topics ranged widely from
a response from the coordinators' perspective,
challenges in aerial fire operations, firefighter safety,
resource needs and planning, to the evolution of
fire management strategies from full suppression to
appropriate response.
Researchers from academia and fire management
agencies gave examples of high-impact research
to date, like advances in satellite and unmanned
aerial vehicles for high resolution, high frequency
remote sensing and image processing, and discussed
the importance of knowledge transfer between
researchers and fire man