Along much of the 5,525-mile US-Canada border, there is a 20-foot-wide strip cleared of all trees and shrubs. This strip, officially known as the vista clearing but affectionately known at The Slash, is cleared every 6 years as citizens from both countries pay taxes to collaboratively maintain the vista. Is this the world’s longest firebreak? […]
Cross-Boundary Collaboration in Practice Read More »
I graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a wildlife biology degree. Straight out of college I joined Larimer County Conservation Corps on the forestry crew doing fuels mitigation. My S-212 course was taught by The Ember Alliance, and one of the instructors was a woman. Being one of two girls on a crew
Live from the Field! Read More »
The NoCo Crew and the UWharries Crew cutting together in Colorado. Nathan is third from the left. Our trip to Colorado gave me insights into a different fire culture, was an invaluable chainsaw training experience, and connected us with Ember Alliance leadership We were able to learn about recent wildfires that have shaped public opinion
West Coast Experience for an East Coast Crew Read More »
There are some places that get a grip on your heart and stay with you for a lifetime. Sycan Marsh Preserve is one of those unforgettable places and has shown me a new perspective on fire. For me, Sycan is a place where fire is more than a tool to restore and manage landscapes. At
Cultural Burning and Learning Read More »
An underdiscussed, poorly understood, and dire challenge is hindering efforts to use prescribed fire to mitigate wildfire risk to communities and ecosystems – an obstacle that could eventually grind this important work to a halt. This threat is the lack of prescribed fire and smoke liability insurance for individuals and private entities like contractors, nonprofit
Prescribed Fire Liability Insurance: Unavailable, Unaffordable, and Vital Read More »
Community Wildfire Protection Plans should be clear and actionable. The Ember Alliance strives to create CWPPs that everyone from career firefighters to new homeowners to HOA presidents can read and know what their next action step is. It’s not a simple task; people from all backgrounds have different relationships with wildfire. We must balance
Glacier View CWPP Leads Community to Action Read More »
When we selected the topic of this month’s newsletter, we set out to share a piece of good news. News that would enable The Ember Alliance to dig deeper and go further in serving our mission, to create a fire resilient society that supports people, landscapes, and the planet. Furthermore, our vision includes endeavor[ing] to
One of the biggest challenges to increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire is not necessarily the most obvious. Although weather windows that meet prescriptions, adequate staffing, and social support are necessary, policy is increasingly known to be a critical barrier. The Ember Alliance has been actively working to improve prescribed fire policy across
Breaking Down Barriers Read More »
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIJ) are frequently tossed around as our society struggles to overcome inequities and injustices of the past. What do these terms mean to wildland fire practitioners?
Levelling the Playing Field Read More »