World Wood Day Foundation and International Wood Culture Society (IWCS) are honored to work with Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), to present a series of videos: Fire in the West.
 
In the last few decades, wildfires in the west have become an increasing problem for the USA. Through presentations and discussions with experienced researchers, we would like to open a conversation to the public about how and why wildfires occur and hope to bring more awareness and understanding about them. 

In this video, we have invited Dr. Charles H. Luce, Research Hydrologist with Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) and Jessica Brewen, Science Delivery specialist with RMRS. Hosted by Steve Ambrose, retired Forest Service employee and now volunteer for IWCS, this presentation and discussion focuses on how climate change have and will affect wildfires in the western US and more. 

Outlines:

Presentation by RMRS Research Hydrologist: Dr. Charles H. Luce - 
Wildfire and Climate Relationships in Western US  
# Why wildfire in the west has been increasing in recent times. 
# Potential climate drivers of increased wildfire.
# How reduced snowpack, warmer temperature, and reduced summer wetting impact fire.
# How change of consecutive dry days affects wildfire spreading.
# Warming enabled upslope advance in western US forest fires.
# Declining precipitation and increasing evaporation have increased wildfire. 
 
Group discussion: Q&A 
# Low fire? High fire? How forests are affected by different kind of fires.
# Climate change and fire severity. 
# How climate change research help land management. 
# Could we foresee the impact climate change will bring to forest resources?
# How plants and animals adjust themselves to climate change.
# Are there any areas that could escape from the severity of climate change?
# Dendrochronology as a tool for climate change study.
# Does climate change bring more impact to western US than other areas?
# Definition of extreme fire. 
# Why we need fire.
# Wildfire vs prescribed fire.
# Disturbance is part of the story. 
# Serotinous cones.
# Pine tree in the North Pole? 
# Mesic forest.
# Is climate change going to change our landscape?

More information about Wildland Fire Management Strategy:
https://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/strategy/thestrategy.shtml

More information about RMRS and Air, Water, & Aquatic Environments Program:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/
https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise/awae_home.shtmlS

More questions? Contact our presenters!
https://www.fs.fed.us/research/people/profile.php?alias=cluce