Wildfire Management

The need to effectively manage wildfires is obvious. California’s 2018 wildfire season resulted in the deaths of 104 people and $24 billion dollars in damage alone. The numerous wildfires that have ravaged Australia during the country’s 2019-20 wildfire season continue to show that effective wildfire management is a principal issue for governments, companies and the public at large. 

Since 1970, wildfires have increased in frequency by 400% in the United States. Weather events such as drought are becoming longer and more frequent as a result of climate change and other human factors. When combined with the build-up of extremely dry forest brush and other materials that serve as potential fuel loads, wildfires can grow to immense and unmanageable sizes with the smallest spark and the right wind and temperature conditions. Numerous US states, the US federal government and fire agencies around the world are adjusting budgets and practices to better respond to the growing risk of wildfires.

The Wildfire Management Online Summit, taking place digitally this December 9 - 11, 2020 aims to promote collaboration, coordination and communication across the varied agencies involved in wildfire management throughout the US and the world. Our speakers, events and programs will address the use of innovative strategies and emerging technologies for more efficient wildfire prediction, prevention, detection and suppression.