L25AC00235

Problem Statement

The Joint Fire Science Program recognized the threat posed by fire to Pacific Island ecosystems and communities long before the deadly and destructive fires on Maui in 2023 that has brought global attention to fire as critical land management challenges for Hawaii.

Recent research also facilitated by JFSPS ongoing support for knowledge exchange demonstrates the same case for the US Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) including Guam, CNMI, Palau, and Yap (in the Federated States of Micronesia) where the percentage of land area burned annually often dramatically exceeds that of states on the US continent.

Prior work with land and fire managers by this proposal team shows a clear need for fire-related information for local management Hawaii based and directly related to Micronesia.

This need has increased radically following the explosive interest in fire research and risk mitigation since the 2023 Maui fires.

Achieving fire adapted communities and fire resilient landscapes across the regions distinct social, ecological, and climatic conditions requires projects that can facilitate learning and identify knowledge gaps from local practitioners in land care and emergency response and connect them with scientists to codevelop solutions.

Objectives

The Pacific Fire Exchange (PFX) has three major objectives for FY26 to 27 with specific tasks associated with each.

First, we will continue to develop and disseminate information on topical priorities identified by our advisors and end users including A) pre-fire risk and post-fire impact mitigation including best practices for risk reduction, fuels management, collaborative processes, and after-fire response B) place-based tools and processes for prioritizing, planning, and implementing contiguous cross-boundary fire risk reduction actions and C) improving access to and deployment of plant materials for fire risk reduction and post-fire restoration.

Second, we will undertake direct engagement with partners and audiences in the USAPI through workshops and field tours in order to document current planning and fire risk reduction strategies and increase knowledge exchange among their islands and with Hawaii practitioners.

Third, given the recent surge in interest and funded proposals for fire risk reduction and fire impacts in Hawaii, PFX leadership will prioritize increasing engagement with academics and students with the short-term goals of ensuring adequate dissemination of new work and increased awareness among scientists of local needs and with the medium-term goals of increasing the use of new findings by practitioners.

Benefits

This project enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of wildfire mitigation across Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands by making science more accessible, actionable, and aligned with local needs.

PFX provides the platform for knowledge exchange ensuring that scientific research is directly informed by and accessible to land managers and fire response professionals in the Pacific.

It provides stakeholders, land managers, emergency responders, and decision makers with easier access to high-quality fire-related research, improved technical assistance, and a more collaborative environment for sharing knowledge.

By ensuring that publicly funded research is guided by the realities on the ground, this work supports more effective implementation of fire risk reduction strategies ultimately reducing damage, lowering suppression and recovery costs, and promoting safer, more resilient communities.

The project also fills critical gaps in national fire science by advancing understanding of fire in tropical island systems while building local capacity through training and engagement with students and professionals.

These outcomes serve the broader public by promoting safety, environmental stability, and fiscal responsibility.

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization

THE U.S. CONGRESS DIRECTED THE DOI AND USDA FS TO DEVELOP A JOINT FIRE SCIENCE PROGRAM AND PLAN TO PRIORITIZE AND PROVIDE SOUND SCIENTIFIC STUDIES TO SUPPORT THE LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN ADDRESSING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH WILDLAND FIRE. CURRENT RESEARCH PRIORITIES ARE IDENTIFIED AS TASK STATEMENTS IN THIS NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

15.232 - Joint Fire Science Program

BLM National Office [DOI - BLM]

BLM Idaho Region [DOI - BLM]

Hawaii United States

State-Wide

L-BLM-JFSP-25-001