Climate & Wildfire Institute

Science-backed solutions can help us coexist with fire. Hosted by our partners at the Western Fire & Forest Resilience Collaborative and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation as part of SF Climate Week, “Living Sustainably with Wildfire: Science for Solutions” is an upcoming panel discussion offering insights on how changing wildfire activity is affecting ecosystems, water resources, and communities, and the importance of science for solutions. CWI Board Member Lara Kueppers will join Lori Moore-Merrell, Hilary Franz, and Winslow Hansen to discuss lessons learned from the LA fires and similar events, regional trends in fire, and risks to water resources and forest health. Panelists will share their experience with the use of science to inform strategies for managing fire in communities, ecosystems, and where they mix.   Join the conversation on Thursday, April 24 from 5:00-6:00 PM in San Francisco to learn how science-based solutions can build resilience in a rapidly changing environment. Register here: https://lnkd.in/en6RqncM. #climateandwildfire #wildfireresilience #livingwithfire #climateweeksf #climateaction #fireecology #firescience #sciencebasedsolutions #naturebasedsolutions #communityresilience #climateresilience #fireadaptedcommunities

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)'s recently released hazard maps are a key tool for understanding and preparing for wildfire danger across the state. Developed using a science-based and field-tested model, CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps assign a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. The maps evaluate “hazard” and not “risk,” according to CAL FIRE, where lands are described in terms of probability level and not specifically prescriptive of impacts. Many factors are considered, such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area. Click here to explore: https://lnkd.in/gfrv4HCp. #climateandwildfire #calfire #maps #firehazard #firehazardseverityzone #firezone #firerisk #fireprevention #wildfire #wildfirescience #wildfirepreparedness #communitypreparedness #californiawildfires

As wildfire risks grow, science and policy must work hand-in-hand to safeguard the health of our communities and build greater resilience to the impacts of climate change. Yesterday, as part of LA Climate Week, CWI hosted a panel discussion with researchers at California Air Resources Board and UCLA Fielding School of Public Health to share insights on how we can leverage policy to better protect communities from the public health impacts of wildfire. Huge thank you to our panelists – Miriam Marlier, Assistant Professor of Global Environmental Change at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Elizabeth Scheehle, Research Division Chief at the California Air Resources Board – for an intimate, engaging conversation with local community members. Explore some of the key takeaways from the discussion: - Wildfire Smoke Exposure is Evolving – So Too is Our Research: As wildfire smoke exposure shifts from rare, episodic events to ongoing, subchronic exposures overlapping with other climate-driven health risks such as heat and urban air pollution, our research is also shifting to monitor the health impacts of exposure to these persistent hazards. - Community Resilience Goes Beyond Physical Rebuilding and Recovery: Community bonds and “sense of place” have been disrupted by evacuation, destruction, and displacement due to catastrophic fire, highlighting a need for increased research and resources around mental health. - Merging Research & Innovation with Community-Informed Insights: There’s a growing call within the California state legislature for shared, open-access data on smoke and public health impacts – merging these tools with community-informed insights will be critical to building comprehensive and equitable health data platforms that align with public needs.   #climateandwildfire #laclimateweek #carb #ucla #wildfire #science #research #innovation #publichealth #smoke #airquality #policy #climatepolicy #climateresilience #communityresilience #communityinsights #interdisciplinaryresearch #collaboration #collectiveaction

What a great surprize to see the professionalism and open discussion recently at the Climate & Wildfire Institute . Candid discussion of successful data and tech projects that are prime for implementation ... and where gaps still exist. Fire Tech and the #Fire Service can make a difference through awareness and implementation at scale in communities. Take a look at the news letter. https://lnkd.in/eTg-Zs6P Ilkay Altintas Genevieve Biggs Seth Schalet #RockRoseRisk Marissa Christiansen Western Fire Chiefs Association Brian Fennessy

New research is reshaping how we understand wildfire’s impact on human health – and informing policy changes as a result. As part of LA Climate Week, CWI is hosting a panel discussion on the public health impacts of wildfire and how we can leverage policy to better protect communities from these impacts. Featuring insights from Miriam Marlier, Assistant Professor of Global Environmental Change, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Elizabeth Scheehle, Research Division Chief, California Air Resources Board, with moderation by Marissa Christiansen, Executive Director, Climate & Wildfire Institute, this discussion will examine recent health impacts of the L.A. fires, explore new research and legislation stemming from January’s fires, and explore what’s still needed to inform stronger public policy. Join us tomorrow evening (4/8) from 6-7PM at Pasadena City College, Lecture Hall R-122 to be part of the conversation shaping healthier, more resilient California communities. We hope to see you there. Register here: https://lu.ma/m9osvn5y. #climateandwildfire #laclimateweek #lafires #californiafires #californiawildfires #wildfire #wildfires #climatechange #climateaction #climateresilience #climateresearch #publichealth #healthimpacts #airquality #smoke #wildfiresmoke #wildfirepolicy #policysolutions

Last week was busy for the Earth Fire Alliance team, which attended events throughout the Western U.S. to share the latest on the #FireSat program and to connect with end users, partners, and those with the shared goal to create a safer, more resilient world in the face of increasingly frequent and destructive wildfires. 📸 EFA's Keith J. Masback & Ann Kapusta facilitated a Wildfire Data Roundtable discussion, which the Alliance co-hosted with the Climate & Wildfire Institute. 📸 EFA Board Observer Kate Dargan Marquis referenced FireSat in her presentation at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)'s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) conference. 📸 EFA Executive Director Brian Collins also presented at #WUI2025. 📸 Brian & EFA's Sean Triplett attended Google.org's first AI Collaborative: Wildfires convening. Thanks to the many great organizations we had the opportunity to engage with last week, including Megafire Action, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Western Fire & Forest Resilience Collaborative, Planet, Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, Wildfire Science & Technology Commons & more! #WildfireTech #Wildfires #EarthObservation #AIforGood

Fire is a natural force on our landscapes. To build resilience, we must identify solutions that support how we work with fire, not against it. Our partners at CTrees are hosting a free, in-person event next Thursday, April 10th at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), focused on natural climate solutions in California. From the latest wildfire science to new state policies, the panel will highlight the ambitious ideas and initiatives shaping the future of nature-based solutions to climate change in California and beyond. CWI Executive Director Marissa Christiansen will be participating in this conversation, alongside Rebecca Ferdman, Sustainability Policy Director at the Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office (CSO); Michael Goulden, Ph.D., Professor of Earth System Science at UC Irvine; and Sassan Saatchi, Ph.D., CEO, Co-founder, and Chief Scientist at CTrees. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Reserve your spot here: https://lu.ma/gnycno9m. #climateandwildfire #ctrees #paneldiscussion #laclimateweek #lacw2025 #losangeles #ca #forestfutures #climate #science #technology #policy #naturalclimatesolutions #wildfireresilience #forestresilience #forestmanagement #sustainableforestry

Join me next Tuesday evening at our LA Climate Week panel discussion...

#ICYMI, LCI participated in the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Regional Meeting in County of Marin last week, engaging in critical discussions on wildfire risk data and resilience strategies.🔥🌲📊 👩💼 Our Senior Deputy Director Abby Edwards represented LCI on the Executive Committee, reinforcing our commitment to data-driven solutions for wildfire resilience. During the meeting, Task Force Director Patrick Wright outlined key goals for strengthening California’s wildfire preparedness. ✅ As part of these efforts, LCI will be working alongside California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Climate & Wildfire Institute, and the Moore Foundation to: 🔹 Develop wildfire data standards 📊 🔹 Evaluate cutting-edge wildfire technologies 🔥💡 🔹 Ensure data accessibility to enhance community preparedness 🏡 LIC is proud to play a part and support this work. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient #CaliforniaForAll! 🌍💙 #WildfireResilience #CaliforniaWildfires #WildfirePrevention #ClimateAction #LCI #WildfirePreparedness #ResilientCommunities

Thank you Climate & Wildfire Institute for a great event last week! The Climate & Wildfire Institute 2025 Convening: Wildfire Data Workshop offered valuable insights on wildfire data, with discussions spanning insurance and risk modeling, public health and smoke impacts, and urban planning and policy. With special thanks to Scott Scherbinski Marissa Christiansen Sarah Caldwell Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell Ilkay Altintas Andrew Engler Christopher Anthony Sabrina Goodman David Saah