Wildland Fire Center

Addressing the complexity of wildfire management

The Wildland Fire Center (WFC) at University of Idaho advances science-driven research, outreach and workforce development to help people better “coexist” with wildfire across Idaho and other Western landscapes. The WFC coordinates expertise across jurisdictions and institutions to build robust knowledge in community adaptation, landscape restoration and fire resiliency. These efforts are essential to addressing the many challenges facing Western forests, rangelands and human communities who depend on them. The WFC also engages landowners, agency professionals and residents across varied landscapes to document emerging science, policy or outreach needs across the region. 

Building a “science of practice” for collective action

Fire is a natural part of western forests and rangelands, but the size and intensity of wildfires is increasing. The pace and scale of treatments to reduce wildfire risk in much of the U.S. West lags behind what is needed for healthy, fire-adapted landscapes. More people, plants and animals are being negatively impacted by wildfire. Wildfire smoke, including pathogens it transports, is impacting much of North America, affecting crops, livestock and human health. The long-term ecological and economic impacts on these systems threaten the resilience of communities.

Research on wildland fire and its impacts is extensive, but access to information is often siloed across institutions and agencies, making it difficult to share knowledge and coordinate action. The University of Idaho Wildland Fire Center helps assemble the best available science and translates it into practice to provide managers and landowners with consistent, proven ways to address their needs. This “science of practice” includes the techniques used to develop and communicate knowledge when and where it is needed, helping people and agencies take collective action across ownerships.