Fire Friday #188: Not Every Wildfire Starts with Lightning

Happy Friday Greater Santa Fe Fireshed friends ,

This summer, lightning-caused wildfires have already burned more than 23,000 acres across New Mexico. As the early monsoon season arrives, increased lightning activity, combined with dry fuels and erratic, gusty winds, creates ideal conditions for wildfire ignitions and rapid fire growth. Although monsoon rains can eventually help reduce fire danger, the first storms of the season often produce abundant lightning with little rainfall reaching the ground. These "dry thunderstorms" can ignite forest fuels, while strong, shifting winds make fires more difficult for firefighters to contain. While these naturally occurring ignitions are an expected part of New Mexico's fire-adapted landscapes and cannot be prevented, many wildfire ignitions are caused by human activities and unlike lightning, these fires are largely avoidable.

Since 2020, human-caused wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres across Arizona and New Mexico. Every year, preventable ignitions, from equipment use to unattended campfires, power lines, and target shooting spark fires that threaten communities and landscapes. Because these ignitions are avoidable, education and awareness are some of the most effective tools for reducing the number and size of destructive wildfires.

In this week's Wildfire Wednesday, we highlight research conducted here in New Mexico on human-caused wildfire ignitions and take a closer look at one preventable source in particular: target shooting.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

Wishing you all the best,
Megan

Human-Caused Ignitions in the Southwest

Statistics

People start wildfires in a wide variety of ways. Vehicle exhaust pipes, cigarette butts, and poorly extinguished campfires are all common causes for wildfires. On average across the US, human-caused wildfires are responsible for over half of the total acres burned in a given year. Some years the percentage of acres burned by human-caused wildfires is much greater; for example, 82 percent in 2020. Specifically in New Mexico, humans have ignited nearly half (48%) of the wildfires since 1990, and these fires accounted for half (51%) of the acres burned by wildfire in the state during this period (SWCC 2026).

Source: Southwest Coordination Center

Human-caused wildfire ignitions often align with key access points to public lands including trails, campsites and roads that are typically embedded in fire prone vegetation and terrain, with many of these ignitions introduced by people engaged in recreational activities (Devenport and Edgeley 2025). Recreation-related ignitions can be caused by an array of accidental, intentional, or negligent human actions ranging from abandoned campfires and cigarettes to improper vehicle or firearm use. On average since 2001, abandoned campfires have started 44% of the human-ignited wildfires in the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas). In this region, abandoned campfires are the most common single source of human ignitions, and 80 percent of wildfires started by campfires are within a quarter mile of a road (Evans 2018). Unattended campfires are a problem too. According to a report published in 2018, over Memorial Day weekend in 2017, Santa Fe National Forest staff found 41 unattended campfires.

Campfire and road ignitions often drive larger fires because of their locations. In contrast to lightning, which may be more likely on a ridge (and then burn down slope), human ignitions are often linked to roads and recreation sites in valleys. Fires that start in valleys or lower slopes can burn up slope easily and hence grow faster. Additionally, some the country’s most devastating and costly wildfires have been started by campfires. For example, the 2016 Soberanes Fire in California was started by an illegal campfire and cost at least $229 million dollars to suppress, and the 2011 Wallow Fire in Arizona burned more than half a million acres after it was ignited by an abandoned campfire. The acres burned in that single fire alone were more than the average number of acres burned by human-ignited wildfires across the early 2000s.

Campfires and other recreation-related activities are well-known sources of human-caused wildfires, but in New Mexico, agricultural and debris burning is the leading causes of unintentional wildfire ignitions. During periods of elevated fire danger, counties and municipalities often implement burn bans to reduce the risk of escaped fires. However, when people choose to burn despite dry, windy conditions and highly flammable vegetation, a single escaped fire can quickly grow into a large wildfire.

Shooting Range Accidental Ignitions

Photograph showing smoldering ignition from a hot bullet fragment as first detected in peat. Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Research Station

Target shooting is an often-overlooked source of human-caused wildfire ignitions, yet accidental fires caused by firearms occur across the western United States every year. In fact, the frequency of target shooting-related wildfires has increased substantially over the past 15 to 20 years. Fires can start when a bullet strikes a rock or metal object, producing sparks or hot metal fragments that land in dry vegetation. Under hot, dry, and windy conditions, those fragments can provide enough heat to ignite fine fuels, allowing a small ignition to quickly grow into a wildfire.

Research has confirmed that this risk is real. A 2013 study by the Rocky Mountain Research Station found that bullets can reliably ignite dry fuels, particularly ammunition containing steel components (such as a steel core or jacket) and solid copper bullets. In the study, researchers fired bullets at a steel target, directing the resulting fragments into oven-dried peat moss to evaluate ignition potential. While all types of ammunition have the potential to start fires under the right conditions, steel- and copper-based bullets fragmented more frequently, increasing the likelihood of ignition. Although these fragments cool rapidly, they can still ignite very dry, fine organic material when it is close to the impact site.

Accidental target shooting ignitions occur throughout the West, and although comprehensive historical records are limited, land managers recognize the growing need to reduce this source of ignition risk. One promising approach is the development of managed shooting areas that are designed to minimize ignition risk. A case study featured by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium highlights how the Bureau of Land Management's Phoenix District has reduced wildfire risk by constructing and maintaining developed shooting ranges in the Sonoran Desert. By providing safer locations for recreational shooting, these facilities help reduce accidental ignitions, protect surrounding landscapes, and improve safety for both the public and firefighters. This example demonstrates how proactive prevention strategies can reduce human-caused wildfires while still supporting recreational opportunities.

Prevention

Fire prevention focuses on stopping unwanted wildfires before they start, in essence, addressing the cause rather than the consequences. Because humans are responsible for the vast majority of wildfire ignitions in the United States, prevention efforts target the most common sources of accidental fire starts. While no single strategy can eliminate all human-caused wildfires, small, targeted actions can make a meaningful difference. Research has shown that prevention education can reduce wildfires caused by escaped campfires, smoking, equipment use, and other preventable human activities. Many people are already familiar with common fire prevention practices, such as avoiding spark-producing equipment on high fire danger days, securing tow chains, never driving or parking on dry grass, keeping burn piles attended, and remembering to "drown, stir, and feel" before leaving a campfire.

While these messages are widely shared through signs, public service announcements, and educational materials, they are often delivered in a one-way format. To make wildfire prevention education more engaging and interactive, the Columbus College of Art & Design partnered with Smokey Bear to develop Smokey's Scouts, a mobile matching game for kids, teens, and adults. Players join Smokey Bear and a team of animal scouts on a hike, identifying and removing fire hazards along the trail to prevent unwanted wildfires. As they play, users learn about Smokey Bear's history, practice recognizing wildfire risks, and earn badges and bear tokens as they progress through scout training. By turning prevention lessons into an interactive experience, the game helps reinforce fire-safe behaviors in a fun way.

Interactive tools are just one way to expand wildfire prevention outreach. Another opportunity is to incorporate prevention messaging into existing programs such as Firewise USA® and Fire Adapted Communities, which already engage homeowners and neighborhoods in reducing wildfire risk. By connecting human-caused ignitions to the risks faced by communities in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), these programs can help residents better understand how everyday decisions influence wildfire outcomes. Integrating prevention education into community wildfire preparedness efforts can also strengthen local advocates for fire-safe practices and reduce preventable ignitions. Since people cause many wildfires, we also have the power to prevent them.

Additional Resources and Upcoming Opportunities

NM Wildland Urban Fire Summit Call for Presentations

Interested in sharing during a flash round of project presentations at this year's New Mexico Wildland Urban Fire Summit (NM WUFS)? See the call below and come share a project from the WUI that showcases one or more of the three pillars of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy: Fire Adapted Communities, Resilient Landscapes, and Safe & Effective Wildfire Response.

Otherwise, please save the date for our 2026 conference in Silver City, NM October 14 – 16.

NEW RESOURCE:
After Wildfire New Mexico StoryMap

After Wildfire New Mexico is a resource created to help New Mexico communities, homeowners, landowners, and local governments navigate the critical period following a wildfire. Whether you are returning home, seeking recovery assistance, or organizing a community response, the After Wildfire Guide provides clear steps and reliable resources to help you stay safe and begin recovery with confidence.

The Guide was updated in Spring 2026 by a large group of partners from across the state, and New Mexico Forestry Division subsequently developed an interactive StoryMap version of After Wildfire. The StoryMap features easy-to-navigate sections, clickable links, and embedded resources, making it easier to quickly find the information and tools you need. Click this link for full-screen viewing of the StoryMap: https://arcg.is/1zXGPC4 or visit After Wildfire Guide — Fire Adapted NM. Sections of the Guide included in the StoryMap are:

A PDF version of After Wildfire New Mexico will be available for download later this summer.

FUNDING:
FACNM Fall Microgrant Application Now Open

FACNM Leaders and Members are eligible to apply for grants awards of up to $2,000 to provide financial assistance for:

  • convening wildfire preparedness events,

  • enabling on-the-ground community fire risk mitigation work, or

  • developing grant proposals for the sustainable longevity of their Fire Adapted Community endeavor.

Applications with be accepted through August 3, 2026.
*Select applications with strong justification may be considered for awards over $2,000. Fall 2026 projects will have a reporting deadline of January 15, 2027.

Apply Now

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:
Forest Stewards Youth Corps’ Fire and Fuels Program Now Hiring

The Forest Stewards Youth Corps’ Fall Program is now hiring Crew Members and Crew Leaders ages 18-25 with Mountainair and Espanola/Santa Fe US Forest Service Districts, and Jemez Pueblo Natural Resource Department! Crews gain natural resource management experience, CPR and First Aid certifications, wildland firefighting and chainsaw certifications, and participate in prescribed burns when possible. The 13-week program will run from August 19th through November 13th. Crew Leads will begin the program a week earlier on August 13th.

Complete an online application through the flyer’s QR codes and find out more at Forest Stewards Youth Corps - Fall Fire and Fuels

Email apearson@forestguild.org or call (505) 795-2551 with any questions.

click here to view the full position description

PRESS RELEASE:
U.S. Forest Service adds long-sought protections to limit health risks for wildland firefighters

On June 24, 2026, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior announced new measures to better protect federal wildland firefighters from smoke and hazardous particulate exposure during the 2026 fire season. Federal wildland firefighters were authorized to use N95 respirators on the fireline after receiving formal training on their safe use in the wildland fire environment and standardized decontamination practices are being implemented such as gear cleaning, showers, and clean-air recovery. While no respirator currently meets OSHA standards for wildland firefighting, these interim measures aim to reduce immediate and long-term health risks caused by smoke and poor air quality. The announcement reinforces a commitment to improving firefighter health and safety, both now and for the long-term.

See the NIFC Health and Wellbeing program “Tools to Minimize Occupational Hazards” page for a link to the training, as well as discussion of how and when respirators should be used—or not used.

WEBINAR:
Accelerating losses: Multi-scale simulations primarily project bird population losses with climate change

Join the Southwest Fire Science Consortium tomorrow July 9 at 12PM MDT to learn about a new multi-scale bird population modeling framework based on climate signals through vegetation which indicates that avian species across the Kaibab National Forest are expected to experience population decline across climate scenarios.

To register, click this link: Accelerating Losses -Meeting Registration

Fire Friday #187: Honoring, Celebrating, and Remembering Wildland Firefighters

June 26, 2026

Fire Friday #187: Honoring, Celebrating, and Remembering Wildland Firefighters

Happy Friday FACNM community,

Next Thursday, July 2nd, marks National Wildland Firefighter Day which takes place during the annual Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance. This day is “an opportunity to honor wildland firefighters and fire support personnel, whose contributions to public safety and the safeguarding of natural resources are often unseen by the public” (National Interagency Fire Center). In the somber context of Week of Remembrance, when wildland firefighters remember lives lost and review lessons learned from fatality fires, National Wildland Firefighter Day reminds us to appreciate those who risk their lives to protect our landscapes and communities. This Wildfire Wednesday is not only an opportunity to thank dedicated wildland firefighters and support staff, but also a chance to share ways that your community can celebrate their service protecting the people and places we love and remember those who are no longer with us.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

Wishing you a happy solstice and official start of summer!

Week of Remembrance - June 30 through July 6

Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance, observed annually from June 30 to July 6, is a time for the wildland fire community and the public to honor wildland firefighters who have lost their lives protecting our communities from wildfire. It is also a time to acknowledge the risks they face in the line of duty, including extreme heat, rapidly changing fire conditions, dangerous terrain, smoke inhalation, and more that contribute to both short- and long-term impacts. Longer term mental health and stress impacts are also increasingly being recognized as a risk faced by those on the fire line.

Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance begins on June 30, the anniversary of the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, where 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives when extreme fire behavior cut off their escape route. The week concludes on July 6, the anniversary of the 1994 Storm King Mountain Fire in Colorado, which claimed the lives of 14 firefighters. Week of Remembrance provides agencies across the nation with an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from past fatality fires, honor the sacrifices of fallen firefighters, and recommit to the safety practices that help protect those who serve. It is also a time for all of us to remember those individuals who never returned home to their families and thank those who continue to answer the call to protect.

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Observance of Week of Remembrance honors the fallen through learning and reinforces the importance of safety, training, and preparedness in wildfire response. The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is a reflection of the wildland fire community’s commitment to this “honor through learning” principle. The Center operates as a national, interagency, federally-funded organization to promote learning in wildland fire by providing useful products and services that help reveal the complexity and risk in the wildland fire environment.

The Center provides an annual incident review that summarizes incidents from the past year and provides a comprehensive look at resulting wildland fire-based lessons. Their Data Points publication summarizes events that have similar circumstances and provides a specific call to action, empowering fire leaders at all levels to take proactive measures based on the experience of others. The Center also runs a podcast and quarterly publication, Two More Chains, dedicated to sharing relevant lessons, unique perspectives, and features from the wildland fire community.

Listen to the podcast on apple podcasts
Listen to the podcast on spotify

Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots

If you have spent any time in in the wildfire community of the Southwest, you have likely heard of “the 19,” which references the tragedy of the 19 men lost during the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire. The Yarnell Hill Fire was a wildfire near Yarnell, Arizona, ignited by lightning on June 28, 2013. On June 30, it overran and killed 19 of the 20 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters within the Prescott Fire Department. The Yarnell Hill Fire forced vital discussions about wildland firefighting strategies and tactics, ultimately resulting in a comprehensive report after the State of Arizona convened an investigation team to review the conditions and events leading to the circumstances of the entrapment and deaths of the members of Granite Mountain Hotshots.

download the yarnell hill serious accident investigation report

Following memorial services, the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park was dedicated in 2016 as a place to remember the 19 fallen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. The park includes a 7-mile roundtrip hike - an opportunity to pay respects to the 19 firefighters and better understand the experience and landscape in which they lost their lives. The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Learning and Tribute Center opened in 2018; the center is described as a “one-of-a kind wildland fire learning center that honors the legacy of the Granite Mountain Hotshots by educating, inspiring and motivating visitors to adopt behaviors that prevent wildland fires, resulting in fewer fire-related fatalities.”

The tragedy of the Yarnell Hill Fire has also been the subject of extensive reflection and storytelling in the years since the incident. Several books have chronicled the experiences of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and the events surrounding the fire, helping to preserve the lessons learned and honor those who were lost. In 2017, the feature film Only the Brave brought their story to a wider audience, providing an opportunity for the public to reflect on the sacrifices of wildland firefighters and gain a deeper understanding of the risks they face in the line of duty.

  • McDonough authored the 2017 book “Granite Mountain: The Firsthand Account of a Tragic Wildfire, Its Lone Survivor, and the Firefighters Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice.”

  • Fernanda Santos, who covers Arizona and New Mexico as the Phoenix bureau chief for The New York Times, penned the 2017 book “The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.”

  • Kyle Dickman wrote “On the Burning Edge: A Fateful Fire and the Men Who Fought It,” in 2015.

National Wildland Firefighter Day - July 2

In 2022, National Wildland Firefighter Day was founded to recognize all federal, state, and local wildland firefighters and support staff who coordinate their efforts to protect the nation's wildlands.

The individuals who work to save lives, property, infrastructure, and precious natural and cultural resources every year deserve incredible gratitude for their professional skills and efforts. Past National Wildland Firefighter Day events have included in-person and virtual Fireline 5Ks, representation at professional sporting events, proclamations by state officials, and more. If you are looking for ways to celebrate National Wildland Firefighter Day in your community, the National Interagency Fire Center has provided many tools and templates to support and share.

  • National Wildland Firefighter Day Toolkit

    • NWFFD Toolkit PowerPoint has campaign instructions, ready-made and customizable graphics for social media, and downloadable virtual meeting backgrounds. National Wildland Firefighter Day | National Interagency Fire Center also has short video clips that highlight wildland firefighters and support personnel from federal, state, and local agencies across the country to share on social media.

    • Use #NationalWildlandFirefighterDay, #NWFFD, and #ThankAFirefighter when posting on social media.

  • NWFFD Activity Book

  • Enhance Firefighter Safety Through Prevention Best Practices

    • Wildfires require three key elements to burn: heat, oxygen, and fuel. Firefighters work to suppress fires by removing or limiting these elements, particularly available fuel. You can help reduce wildfire risk and support firefighter safety by taking proactive steps to protect your home and community. Create and maintain defensible space around your home by removing excess vegetation and other combustible materials. Consider hardening your home with fire-resistant materials. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to take similar precautions.

    • Always fully extinguish campfires, fire pits, and outdoor fires before leaving the area, and never leave a fire unattended. If you observe an unattended fire, report it immediately by calling 911.

    • Never throw lit cigarettes or smoking materials from a vehicle. Even a small ember can ignite dry grass or vegetation and quickly start a wildfire.

    • Follow all local burn bans, fire restrictions, and public safety warnings. During periods of hot, dry, or windy weather, extra caution is essential to prevent accidental ignitions.

    • When traveling in areas affected by wildfire or smoke, stay informed by monitoring local alerts, road conditions, and emergency announcements. If you operate a drone or other aircraft, never fly near a wildfire. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can force firefighting aircraft to be grounded, delaying critical suppression efforts and putting firefighters and communities at greater risk.

Remember to thank a wildland firefighter, support staff member, or contractor for their dedication to protecting lives, property, and our natural and cultural resources. While their service deserves recognition every day, July 2 provides a dedicated opportunity to express your gratitude, especially during one of the busiest and most demanding periods of the fire year.

Additional Resources and Upcoming Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Project Forester with the NM Forestry Division - Chama District

New Mexico Forestry Division is hiring a Forester for the Chama District (San Juan County, Rio Arriba County and western half of Taos County) to develop and coordinate collaborative, cross-boundary forest restoration projects. This position is responsible for programs such as the Commercial Timber Harvest Program and assists the District Forester with Wildland - Urban Interface (WUI) projects. Duties include:

  • writing stewardship plans,

  • drafting and releasing requests for proposal (RFP),

  • issuing commercial timber harvest permits, and

  • reviewing commercial timber harvest applications.

Apply by June 30. To learn more about the position and apply, visit Careers.

Volunteer Fire Assistance Coordinator with the NM Forestry Division

New Mexico Forestry Division is hiring a volunteer fire assistance coordinator to provide assistance to local departments and increase their wildland fire suppression capabilities. This position will manage the Federal Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program and assist the Resource Protection Bureau and Assistant State and State Fire Management Officer by providing current information about fires within the state, including coordination and mobilization of both Division and local fire department resources in-state and out-of-state for wildland fire suppression activity.

Apply by June 30. To learn more about the position and apply, visit Careers.

 

Continuing Education: The Fire Department Exchange (FDX) Program

The Fire Department Exchange (FDX) Program facilitates in-person exchanges for fire departments facing wildland-urban interface (WUI) challenges. The 3-day, in‑person information exchange will focus on real-world wildfire mitigation, preparedness, and response in the WUI. Led by experienced wildfire subject matter experts, the exchange emphasizes candid dialogue, shared experience, and practical application rather than traditional lectures.

Apply by June 25th to send two fire service personnel to the next Fire Department Exchange in Red Lodge, Montana, September 21 – 25, 2026!

Reforestation Resources: Conservation Seedling Program Distribution Opening Soon

New Mexico Forestry Division provides low‑cost seedlings for planting projects that support forest and watershed health in New Mexico. Ordering for the Conservation Seedling Program's fall distribution will open on July 6th, 2026 through the online ordering platform. Seedlings ordered during this window will be distributed in October, 2026. Seedlings may be used for ecological restoration, wind protection, erosion control, wood products, tree farms, and planting or up-potting for urban or community forestry needs.

Note: Forestry Division does not anticipate offering seedlings for the Spring 2027 distribution but are accepting order requests for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 distribution.

  • Early requests help Forestry Division source the species and quantities needed to support your conservation goals.

  • Share your needs using the advance request form: Seedling Request Form

To learn more about seedling selection and ordering, visit Conservation Seedling Program - Forestry.

Article: Rising Wildfire Costs Are Straining State Finances

In recent years, states across the West have experienced wildfire seasons that far exceeded budgets originally allocated for firefighting efforts. This growing financial strain is concerning to many, especially as ongoing drought conditions and reduced snowpack will contribute to increasingly severe fire seasons that may require at least twice the available funding. Read this article to learn how states across the West are seeking to address these challenges, including funding for wildfire-specific accounts and identifying new sources of revenue to support firefighting and prevention efforts, with examples from Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.

Webinar: Accelerating Losses - Multi-Scale Simulations Primarily Project Bird Population Losses with Climate Change

Join the Southwest Fire Science Consortium to learn about a new multi-scale modelling framework that produces future projections for bird populations based on climate signals through vegetation for five climate scenarios. Attendees will learn that of 18 focal species present on the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona, USA, 11 are projected to decline by mid-century. Population simulations which only looked at fire as a disturbance factor produced markedly smaller bird population effects, demonstrating that climate-driven vegetation type shifts, not altered fire regimes alone, are the dominant driver of projected losses.

Register Now

Fire Friday #186: Beaver Benefits for Wildfire Resilience

Hello Santa Fe,

Today’s Fire Friday is inspired by the revitalization of Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) programming here in New Mexico. Last month, a group of women landowners, conservationists, and land management professionals gathered in El Rito, New Mexico, to tour a beaver dam complex along El Rito Creek. During the field visit, participants learned not only about the many ecological benefits beavers provide, including improved water storage and enhanced fish habitat, but also beaver’s ability to enhance wildfire resilience. At the same time, attendees discussed sources of human–beaver conflict and their desire for opportunities to promote better coexistence. In today’s blog, we highlight the benefits of beaver activity and examine the growing evidence that beavers are increasingly being considered allies in wildfire adaptation.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

Stay safe and be vigilant,
the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition

Beaver Restoration as Climate Adaption

Benefits of Beaver on the Landscape

Beavers are often described as ecosystem engineers because of their ability to reshape landscapes. Using wood, stones, and mud, beavers construct dams that transform narrow stream channels into ponds, wetlands, and complex riparian habitats. In addition to building dams, beavers dig networks of channels that extend from their ponds into the surrounding floodplain. These channels help distribute water across the landscape, increasing soil moisture and creating conditions that support a wide variety of plants and wildlife.

By slowing the flow of water, beaver dams allow more water to infiltrate into the ground, helping to recharge shallow groundwater supplies. This stored water is gradually released back into the surrounding environment, providing a more consistent source of moisture for riparian vegetation, particularly during dry periods. As a result, plants growing near beaver ponds often experience less water stress during drought than vegetation in streams without beaver activity. A study conducted in Nevada found that riparian areas influenced by beaver dams were better able to maintain vegetation productivity during both short-term and prolonged droughts compared to similar areas without beaver activity.

Watch this video for a brief history on why beavers were eradicated from the landscape, their ability to lessen the effects of drought, and how humans are helping reintroduce beaver into stream systems.

Beaver dams not only help reduce the impacts of drought, but wetlands created by beaver also provide important climate benefits. Wetlands are highly efficient at capturing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in waterlogged soils, where decomposition occurs more slowly. As a result, wetlands can accumulate and retain large amounts of carbon over long periods, making them a valuable tool for mitigating climate change.

Beaver-created wetlands are also especially important for aquatic ecosystems. The ponds, side channels, and slow-moving waters associated with beaver complexes provide critical habitat for many fish species, particularly salmon and trout. Fallen trees, branches, and other woody material incorporated into beaver structures create shelter from predators and strong currents, offering refuge for juvenile fish as they grow. The deeper pools formed by beaver dams can also provide cooler water temperatures during hot summer months, helping fish survive periods of heat and low streamflow.

Beavers Reduce Wildfire Impacts

Beaver activity not only creates landscapes that are more resilient to drought-related stress, but ponds and wetland systems created by beaver reduce the impacts of wildfire. The wetlands and riparian corridors sustained by beaver dams maintain higher soil moisture, support greener vegetation, and create natural breaks in the continuity of flammable fuels across the landscape. As a result, these areas are often more resistant to burning than surrounding upland habitats.

Evidence for this effect comes from a 2020 study by Fairfax and Whittle, which examined the impacts of five large wildfires. The researchers found that riparian corridors with beaver damming were significantly less affected by wildfire than comparable stream corridors without beaver activity. Using satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data—a measure of vegetation greenness and productivity, with higher NDVI values indicating greener vegetation—they determined that beaver-influenced areas consistently maintained significantly higher NDVI values.

“The scaled NDVI differences in sections of creek that did not have beaver were on average more than three times as affected by fire as areas that had beaver.

— Fairfax, E., and A. Whittle. 2020.

Figure from Fairfax, E. and Whittle, A. (2020), Smokey the Beaver: beaver‐dammed riparian corridors stay green during wildfire throughout the western USA.

Figure from Fairfax, E. and Whittle, A. (2020), Smokey the Beaver: beaver‐dammed riparian corridors stay green during wildfire throughout the western USA.

Fairfax and Whittle’s results indicated that beaver damming played a significant role in protecting riparian vegetation during wildfires. However, they also found that the ability for a burned riparian area to recover after fire was not dependent on beaver activity. Overall, the findings suggest that water stored within beaver-dammed systems creates conditions that are less conducive to burning. In essence, these wet landscapes are energetically unfavorable to ignite and sustain fire, much like trying to start a campfire with damp wood.

Photograph of vegetation response to wildfire in adjacent creeks with and without beaver damming during the Manter Fire in California.

Case Study: 2018 Sharps Fire

In 2018, the Sharps Fire burned about 65,000 acres, including large portions of the Baugh Creek watershed, which originates in the Pioneer Mountains of south-central Idaho. Baugh Creek was established as a relocation site for beavers that were considered a nuisance in populated areas of Idaho. Beavers began to pond water in the creek by building dams, resulting in wide patches of green vegetation surrounding creek banks. After the fire in 2018, areas where beaver had created wetland complexes remained vibrant green amid a sea of brown, burned land leading the area to be called an “emerald refuge” because of its resilience to fire

Aerial view of the wetlands around Baugh Creek after the fire.

These ribbons of fire-resistant riparian habitat created by beaver activity can serve as important refuges for wildlife during and after wildfire events. For species that cannot easily escape advancing flames, beaver-influenced wetlands can provide shelter and access to water. Fish, amphibians, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates may use these areas as temporary refugia while surrounding upland habitats burn. Following a wildfire, these wet corridors can also act as sources for recolonization, supporting the recovery of wildlife populations. By creating and maintaining patches of moist, resilient habitat across the landscape, beavers help enhance both wildfire resilience and biodiversity in fire-prone ecosystems.

Landowner Support to Co-exist with Beaver

Protecting Trees

Beavers chop down trees for food and to build dams, and yet, protecting trees from beaver chewing is a very common concern for homeowners. While beaver trapping is a legal option, there are ways to protect selected trees without destroying the beavers and their wetland ecosystem. The Beaver Institute recommends a few techniques that are inexpensive, reliable, and relatively easy to implement almost immediately, including:

  • Fencing - Individual trees can be spared from beaver gnawing by placing wire cylinders around the base of their trunks.

  • Sand-Paint - Mixing exterior latex paint with mason or playground sand and applying it to the bottom three to four feet of tree trunk will dissuade beaver from chewing trees.

  • Taste Aversive Materials - Infuse vegetable or mineral oil with cayenne pepper and then paint on the tree trunks as a means of preventing beaver chewing.

Beaver Dam Flooding

As beavers build dams to create ponds for their own safety and habitat, serious flooding problems can occur for people. Fortunately, most beaver ponds can be safely controlled without having to trap or relocate the beaver using what’s known as a flow device. A flow device, typically made with fencing, pipes, or both, controls beaver damming to prevent flooding issues with humans.

A Flexible Pond Leveler pipe system can be a one effective solution. This flow device will create a permanent leak through the beaver dam that the beavers cannot stop, eliminating the need for repeated trapping

Download this self-help pond leveler installation guide

Beavers are also attracted to road culverts and other drainage structures because with a little work, they can create a large pond. There are multiple cost-effective flow devices that can protect culverts, sluiceways and drains from beaver damming. Learn more about three flow devices that protect drainage devices from beaver damming based on the specific site characteristics: Blocked Road Culverts and Drains.

Landowner Cost-Share Grants

With funding from the Animal Welfare Institute and others, Beaver Institute has created a grant program to financially incentivize landowners to avoid beaver removal, and/or encourage beaver occupancy at a site. The grant allows landowners to hire BeaverCorps professionals to nonlethally resolve beaver issues and restore wetlands. Any individual, town, business, or organization in North America interested in hiring a BeaverCorps Professional to nonlethally resolve conflicts or restore wetlands can apply.

Learn more and find a BeaverCorps Professional

Learn more and find a BeaverCorps Professional

Additional Resources about Wildlife and Wildfire

The Intersection of Pollinators and Bird Habitat with Forest Treatment and Prescribed Burns

The Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition published two briefing papers produced by the Forest Stewards Guild based on research from Coalition partners that detail 1) the importance of insect pollinators in a fire-adapted ecosystem and 2) detail the intersection of bird habitat and forest restoration in the Southwest. Read these short, two-page briefing papers to learn more about how birds fared after thinning treatments and prescribed fire, as well as the pros and cons of differing fire severity on pollinator communities and hummingbirds.

Integrating wildlife goals and wildland fire management in southwestern forests

The Southwest Fire Science Consortium developed a fact sheet, based on the experience of more than 250 fire and wildlife professionals, that lists nine of the most persistent challenges and provides 36+ practical approaches to help align wildlife conservation and fire management. The fact sheet describes each challenge and presents at least three approaches per challenge that are working to combat the disconnect between wildlife and fire management. Some of the challenges include:

  • Wildlife and Fire Speak Different Languages

  • Fire Planning doesn’t always fit Wildlife Needs

  • Public Misunderstanding can be Limiting

  • Compliance Anxiety and Bureaucracy can Slow Action

Wildlife and fire perspectives and effects

In the first webinar of a series hosted by Rocky Mountain Research Station, a panel of experts discuss and share their experiences with fire effects on wildlife, managing for habitat in controlled burning, and different mindsets in the fire and wildlife discussion. Hear from Jonathan Grassmick, the Director of Ranch Properties for the Pueblo of Sandia, about what can be learned from comparing game camera pictures in a fuel break project in a wildlife corridor.

Forestry for the Birds

Forestry for the Birds uses the best available science on avian ecology and sustainable forest management to offer strategies for creating bird habitat in contemporary forests. This approach, on public and private forest lands, underscores the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems and the importance of managing them for multiple values, including biodiversity conservation. Although no programs are active in New Mexico, guides created for Minnesota, Central Appalachian Forests, and Western Oregon can serve as a starting point to adapt the framework to the distinct needs and opportunities of the Southwest.

Learn how the Forestry for the Birds program encourages a partnership between wildlife biologists and foresters that helps promote thoughtful silviculture to enhance forest bird habitat and bring value back to the landowner.

Fire Friday #185: the Science of Resilience

Happy Fire Friday, readers!

“Best available science”, a term you may have heard tossed around by land managers or fire practitioners, refers to the most reliable, valid, up-to-date, and relevant empirical knowledge in any given field. In the field of Wildfire Preparedness (or Wildfire Resilience), staying up to date on the latest science may feel like it requires a lot of time and attention. However, with a changing climate and continuously evolving vegetation patterns, outdated assumptions or science can render traditional mitigation strategies ineffective. Continuously updating our understanding of the science of fire resilience not only helps us be better prepared - it is crucial for shifting from reactive firefighting to a proactive sustainable coexistence with fire. Today’s newsletter highlights some recent research on Wildfire Resilience and dives into a trove of additional resources.

This Fire Friday features:

Warm regards,

The Science of Resilience: new publications on the topic

Wildfire Resilience Index

“Wildfire resilience is a goal everyone agrees on, but there’s been no shared, quantitative way to measure it.” In the Fire Networks blog post “You Can Now Look Up Your Community’s Wildfire Resilience Score," the authors introduce a new tool for communities to measure wildfire resilience at a landscape scale, with an accompanying dashboard at wildfireindex.org. The creators of the Wildfire Resilience Index (WRI) discuss how the tool looks at both resistance and recovery across eight socio-ecological domains. Explore the dashboard to see how your community compares.

…………………………………….

Building Codes & Resilience

In the article "2026’s Fire Season Is a Warning Light: Building Wildfire Resilience Beyond ‘Fire Season’” from the Building Safety Journal, the authors discuss how considering wildfire a seasonal concern is a) becoming less accurate and b) results in the ideas that it is something to merely respond to seasonally, rather than to build in resilience for. "Wildfire risk has always been seasonal in the sense that fuels dry and ignition patterns change through the year. But the idea of a predictable, bounded “season” is less useful when national outlooks describe meaningful fire potential outside traditional windows" (as is often the case in our current climate). "If 'fire season' is treated as a temporary disruption, the default posture becomes reactive—extra staffing, restrictions, public messaging—then a return to baseline. Resilience, by contrast, is built into the community’s DNA through land use decisions, construction requirements and defensible space practices that persist beyond any one summer."

The key components of the IWUIC include: 1. Ignition-Resistant Construction; 2. Defensible Space; 3. Emergency Vehicle Access; 4. Water Supply; 5. Fire Sprinklers; 6. Chimneys with Spark Arrestors

"Wildfire becomes catastrophic for communities when it transitions from a vegetation fire to a structure ignition and neighborhood-to-neighborhood spread problem. That transition happens under extreme weather and fuel conditions, but it is mediated by the vulnerabilities of buildings, parcels and neighborhood layouts… Embers exploit openings and weak points: vents, eaves, under-deck areas, roof edges and combustible materials within the immediate perimeter of structures. Neighborhood-scale factors, such as housing density, attached fences and continuity of combustible landscaping, can turn isolated ignitions into rapid structure-to-structure spread.

"When communities recognize wildfire as a built environment problem, they naturally begin asking different questions - both related to building codes, and related to operational community function." So, in moving from “forecast” to “foundation”, what can communities do now?

  1. Define and map the WUI—then align policy to it 

  2. Reduce the dominant ignition pathways 

  3. Treat defensible space as a life-safety buffer, not landscaping advice 

  4. Build resilience that compounds 

Read the article to learn more

…………………………………….

Each dollar invested in fuel treatments yields results

A new peer-reviewed study analyzed 285 wildfires between 2017 and 2023 that intersected with at least one fuel treatment completed between 2007 and 2023. The study integrated data on wildfires, fuel treatments, suppression efforts, and damages across the Western United States, finding that fuel treatments reduced wildfire spread and severity, avoiding an estimated $2.8 billion in damages. This study estimates that each dollar invested in fuel treatments yields $3.73 in expected benefits, underscoring the importance of investing more in preventive forest management. These results differ slightly in the estimated return on investment but otherwise align with the 2024 meta-analysis findings that each dollar invested yields a 600% return. The difference likely owes to the fact that the new research “only captur[es] a specific subset of benefits”, while the 2024 research was more robust in its analysis.

The research also found that larger treatments—those covering more than 2,400 acres—were the most cost effective. Read a summary of the study’s findings here: Every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves $3.75 in wildfire damages, study finds.

 

Additional Resources and Upcoming Opportunities

Resources for Community Members and Leaders

Aesthetics meets Fire Resistance: a guide for landscaping

Fire Safe Marin has produced “Fire Smart Yards: A Visual Guide for Landscapers / Una Guía Visual Para Paisajistas,” a bilingual resource that covers the why and how of landscaping in Zone 0 and beyond. It succintly and accurately describes important topics and areas of the house, with recommendations for Zone 0 (0-5' from structures), Plant Spacing, Mulching, Tree Care, Privacy Screening, and Plant Choice. Most of the recommendations are relevant across geographies and provide an excellent resource for homeowners or landscapers who are cautious about defensible space or don't know where to start.

 …………………………………….

Smoke Info

The Southwest Fire Science Consortium has created a new social media kit about wildland and prescribed fire smoke. The kit includes nine messages with versions for both short-form social media (e.g. X, Bluesky) and long-form (Facebook, Instagram, LinkeIn), plus additional background information, resources, and notes on smoke research. Topics covered include: What is Wildfire Smoke; Who is at risk; How to know whether air quality is harmful; Differences between prescribed fire and wildfire smoke; and Resources to stay safe. For more information on smoke, refer to the FACNM resources page and Wildfire Wednesday #183.

…………………………………….

Snakebite avoidance SOPs

A new blog post from The Wildfire Lessons Learned Center, “Best Practices Around Snakes for Wildland Firefighters,” includes tips for avoiding close encounters, and an image of a pocket guide on managing a bite. Some key takeaways include:

  • Snake bites typically occur because someone’s situational awareness is down, as in not watching where they step or not noticing the snake because of it blending into its surroundings.

  • A snake’s temperament can vary from each individual snake and species.

  • Snake activity typically starts in the springtime during the day, then becomes more active at night during the hotter months. Be mindful in canyons, washes, rock piles, the base of shrubs, and under parked vehicles.

  • Snake encounters typically happen in passing. 

  • If a facility has a rodent problem, keep in mind that this can attract snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous.

Geospatial Data

New Mexico treatment and buffer map

New Mexico State Forestry Division developed an interactive map that highlights completed, ongoing, and historical mitigation treatments across the state and also identifies communities that could benefit from future mitigation efforts. The map provides detailed information for each community, including average wildfire risk, how that risk ranking compares to communities statewide, and estimated structure density for the community. Communities represented by a circle on the map are considered in the top 100 communities at risk in New Mexico.

Career and Funding Opportunities

New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute’s Career Connects newsletter details open positions, scholarships and grant opportunities, learning opportunities, and more. The May 20 edition included:

 

Art X Fire Exhibition

Disturbance is a new interdisciplinary initiative by The Paseo Project, Del Fuego, and the Forest Stewards Guild, that brings artists, scientists, and community members together to examine wildfire as both a destabilizing force and a generative ecological process. The exhibition of finished projects—ranging from installation and sculpture to media-based and participatory works—will be brought together for the public opening of Disturbance on August 28, 2026, launching a multi-month exhibition and program series in Taos.

The project began with a call that brought together a cohort of artists who participated in a Northern New Mexico–based Fire Ecology Boot Camp this past April, where artists were paired with fire practitioners, ecologists, land stewards, and community knowledge holders. Through shared learning, field visits to burn scars and post-fire landscapes, and sustained dialogue, the boot camp established a common foundation from which new creative work will emerge. The artists are now in the process of developing new works responding to the ecological, cultural, and emotional dimensions of wildfire.

Throughout the fall, Disturbance will continue to unfold through community-centered programming, including artist-led workshops, public conversations, youth-focused engagements, educational partnerships, and additional events designed to invite reflection, dialogue, and shared learning.

 

Webinars

RestoreNet is a restoration field trial network co-produced by scientists and land managers that, since 2017, has systematically produced and tested restoration treatments across a growing network of 23 sites spanning environmental gradients in the Southwest U.S.. RestoreNet treatments include use of different seed mixes, periods of seeding, outplanting greenhouse-grown seedlings, soil surface modifications, soil microbial inoculations, seedballs, and targeted livestock grazing. Presenter Laura Shriver with the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center will summarize lessons learned from RestoreNet over the past nine years and distill results into best management practices for land managers and restoration practitioners across the Southwest.

REgister Now

Wildfire Wednesday #184: Mental Health Awareness

Happy Fire Friday, Fireshed Coalition!

In many areas, May is Wildfire Awareness Month; as the weather becomes warmer and wildland vegetation, or fuels, begin to dry out, it’s time to get ready for wildfires. Preparing our homes and communities for fire entails many of the things that we discuss regularly in this newsletter - signing up for local emergency alerts, gathering “go” bags with all of the essentials (see page 6 for details), making or reviewing your evacuation plan, and working on your defensible space and home hardening - but it also means getting mentally and emotionally prepared for the fire season ahead.

Today’s newsletter focuses on a part of holistic fire preparation which generally doesn’t garner as much attention by shining a light on May as Mental Health Awareness Month. These resources are intended to help firefighters, community organizers, and individuals work to prepare themselves for the stress that fire season can put on our wellbeing.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

Take care,
Rachel

Mental Health Care and Awareness

 

Fire impacts everyone

Stock photo
Credit: Boyloso

Wildfires, like other natural disasters and traumatic events, take a toll on the mental health of those directly affected and in the community. Whether the impact is the loss of a home, having to flee unexpectedly, dealing with the uncertainty of a fire’s path or worrying over smoke-filled skies, wildfires can lead to emotional distress. The Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Agency notes that feelings such as “overwhelming anxiety, constant worrying, trouble sleeping, and other depression-like symptoms are common responses before, during, and after wildfires” (APA, 2024). Within 48 hours of exposure to wildfire smoke, people (especially women, girls, and the elderly) are more likely to visit the emergency room for an anxiety condition (Zhu et al, 2024) and researchers have observed an increase in the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers within six weeks of a nearby fire (Wettstein and Vaidyanathan, 2024). The impacts can be even more chronic - individuals exposed to fire may experience cognitive impacts, including a diminished ability to concentrate and other chronic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, up to a year after the fire exposure (Grennan et al., 2023).

 

Impacts on fire personnel

Firefighting, especially wildland firefighting, is a demanding occupation with many challenges: injuries and worker’s compensation challenges, long and irregular hours, housing difficulties, low pay that requires working significant overtime to make a living. It takes a lot physically (as exemplified by total daily energy expenditures that can exceed 6000 calories/day) while coping with complex physical and environmental situations (heat, altitude, chronic smoke exposure, compromised sleep and fatigue, elevated stress). These conditions challenge thermoregulatory responses, impair recovery, and increase short- and long-term injury/health risks. The occupation also imposes emotional strain on both firefighters and their families.

The long-term implications of wildfire management and suppression on the physical and mental health of wildland firefighters are significant, especially as the frequency and intensity of wildland fire outbreaks and the duration of the fire season is growing. Additionally, physical and mental challenges build off of one another - the occupational stresses experienced during a season (inconsistent sleep and diet, smoke, emotional stress, and changing levels of fitness) interact and may lead to slower performance recovery and deterioration of metabolic health after the fire season ends (Ruby et al., 2023). Some long-term clinical health impacts that have been observed include increased emergency room visits, suicidal ideation or behavior, higher rates of miscarriage, substance abuse or dependancy, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The fireline is a workplace that pushes people to their limits - and sometimes beyond them - and the toll that this takes is a topic which is finally gaining international attention.

Resources for wellbeing

 

General Resources:

  • Follow these steps

    • Take care of your body. Try to eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and other drugs. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

    • Connect. Share your feelings with a friend or family member. Maintain relationships and rely on your support system. SAMHSA 

    • Be kind to yourself. Some feelings when witnessing a disaster may be difficult to accept. You may feel relief that the disaster did not reach you, or you may feel guilt that you were left untouched when so many were affected. Both feelings are common. American Psychology Association (APA) 

    • Take breaks. Make time to unwind. Try to return to activities that you enjoy. Although you’ll want to keep informed—especially if you have loved ones affected by the disasters—take a break from watching the news. SAMHSA / APA 

    • Ask for help. Talk to a counselor, doctor, or clergy member, or contact a crisis helpline such as the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline at (800) 985-5990.  

  • APA - Recovering emotionally after a residential fire: this website provides background information and context as well as resources for recovery and coping. While it focuses on residential fire, many of the suggestions are applicable across areas of impact.

  • Helping Children Deal with Disaster: several resources are available for parents and caregivers helping children navigate a fire. The NTCSN guide on Preparing Children after a Wildfire Damages Your Community offers guidance on deciding whether or not a child should return to their home or neighborhood after it was damaged in a wildfire. FEMA offers a guidebook on Helping Children Cope with Disaster. For more information, call the FEMA publications warehouse at 1-800-480-2520. Additional resources can be found at the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

  • People may experience an emotional "high" after a disaster due to survival and communities coming together. The emotional "lows" may come later and can be triggered months or years after the event. For a detailed chart and an interesting article on this, visit the OperationSAFE website.

  • Disaster Distress Helpline: provides year-round, 24/7 phone and text-based crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters. Those impacted by recent wildfires and experiencing distress can reach out for support. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 or "Hablanos" to 66746 for Spanish.

  • Crisis Text Line: Free, confidential mental health support for those struggling with anxiety, stress, or trauma due to the fires. Text HOME to 741741.

 

Fire personnel-specific resources:

  • Hotshot Wellness: this Oregon-based nonprofit works to advance the health and wellness of wildland firefighters through health-focused advocacy, education, programs, and scholarships. They host a wellness library with resources for fire professionals, connect practitioners with medical professionals, offer adventure retreats and advocacy, and more.

  • Federal Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program: this program supports wildland fire personnel across the US Departments of Agriculture and the Interior. The program is currently developing more comprehensive resources across Behavioral, Environmental and Occupational, and Physical Health and Readiness to better serve federal and Tribal wildland firefighters. Learn about their mental health support, expanded therapy services, and refer to their list of health and wellbeing contacts.

  • FUSEE: Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) has fostered a vibrant online community of fire practitioners; it also hosts resources for firefighter wellbeing, including job-specific mental health providers, educational resources, a library of meditations, and annual retreats. They are also hosting a Firefighter Wellness Program Art Contest with submissions due by June 21, 2026.

  • Wildland Firefighter Foundation: the goal of the Foundation’s Mental Health Program is to promote the mental health and overall wellbeing of wildland firefighters and to address the unique mental health challenges faced by wildland firefighters, while providing confidential and immediate care to those in need. It provides resources and answers to frequently asked questions for those struggling with mental health, as well as the people who love and support them.

  • Cancer resources:

    • Over half of all firefighters may develop cancer. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network provides resources for fire personnel and retirees who are faced with a cancer diagnosis.

    • Firefighters, especially those who engage with structure fires, are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused from exposure to asbestos that takes 20-50 years to develop. This guide provides information about mesothelioma that you may need to know when working as a firefighter.

    • Learn about the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, a piece of federal legislation passed in late 2025 which financially covers service-related cancers for firefighters who die or are permanently disabled as a result of the disease.

Additional Resources

 

Trauma-Informed Communications Kit

This guide provides an overview of trauma and describes trauma-informed techniques that facilitators and participants can utilize during community education events, particularly in areas affected by wildfire. It will be permanently stored and available on the Resources for Fire Professionals and Land Managers webpage. The kit includes:

  • Definitions and context to understand what trauma and trauma-informed are and what they mean

  • Descriptions of types of trauma

  • Step-by-step instructions for how to apply trauma-informed care techniques

  • Tips for how to self-regulate while interacting with individuals who have experienced trauma

View and download the guide
 
 

Webinars

The 2025 wildfire season in the Southwest featured a steady progression from early and mid-season incidents of limited duration into a set of larger, more complex fires that defined regional operations. Together, these fires concentrated regional suppression resources and marked the peak of the 2025 fire season, underscoring the cumulative operational challenges posed by simultaneous large fires in fuel-rich landscapes. This webinar from the Southwest Fire Science Consortium will provide a review of the largest or most impactful fires of the 2025 Southwest fire season, including trends, impacts, and takeaways from our tactics and response. The presenters will also offer a 2026 fire season outlook based on the most up-to-date forecast from the NOAA predictive services.

Register for the 5/19 webinar

…………


Post-Fire Assessment and Recovery training webinar series

We are halfway through this six-part series on post-fire assessment and recover for foresters and land managers from the Washington DNR, Okanogan Conservation District, and Washington State Conservation Commission Center for Technical Development (wactd.org). Recordings of the webinars will be posted to the CDT’s website later this year.

📅 Webinar Schedule:
April 22 – Post-Fire Hazard Assessments
April 29 – Using the LEAF Assessment Template
May 6 – Erosion Assessment & Mitigation
May 13 – Debris Management & Danger Trees
May 20 – Building a Recovery Funding Portfolio
May 27 – Pre-Fire Recovery Planning

Learn more and register.

…………


For Santa Fe County residents:
Santa Fe County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) draft and updates: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6pm MT

Southwest Environmental Consultants is hosting a public webinar on the draft Santa Fe County CWPP. This document is available for public review and comment until May 24.

Join the webinar
The GSFFC is a coalition of public and private organizations. The GSFFC is not a subdivision of the State of New Mexico, as defined in the state’s Open Meetings Act, §§ 10-15-1 to 10-15-4 NMSA 1978. Although federal agencies participate in the GSFFC, the Coalition is not a federal advisory board and was not created by a federal agency, as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5.U.S.C. app. 2, §§ 1 to 16 (2012). The GSFFC operates informally to support its partners, and is not incorporated as a non-profit, 501(C)(3), partnership, or other legal status.