Wildland Fire Seminar Series
Stanford University • Spring Quarter 2025 • Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
Seminars will be exclusively on Zoom and require a SUNET ID
For more seminar info & non-Stanford access, please contact dfong [at] stanford.edu (dfong[at]stanford[dot]edu)
Join the Zoom
Abstract:
Wildfires have become increasingly frequent and intense due to global warming and deforestation. In addition to the immediate dangers of wildfires to life and property, wildfire smoke exposure is a major concern to human health. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxins, which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular disease as well as cause other health concerns. Wildfires also have profound psychological and social effects. The trauma of displacement, loss of property, loss of pets, damage to surrounding areas, and health harms caused by the fire can lead to anxiety and depression. There is an urgent need to adapt to and mitigate health risks caused by wildfires.
Adaptation strategies focus on minimizing health risks associated with wildfire exposure. Artificial intelligence technologies can assist with detecting fires in the early stages and alert firefighters to stop the spread of wildfire. Protective measures include masks, air filtration systems, relocating to areas not affected by wildfire smoke, and other emergency response planning measures. Strengthening mental health services, improving disaster preparedness, and fostering community resilience are crucial for long-term adaptation.
Mitigation efforts primarily involve proactive measures to prevent wildfires and reduce their intensity. These include controlled burns, forest management practices, and fire-resistant infrastructure. For long-term effects, mitigation should include overall decreases in greenhouse gases. Effective mitigation requires strong policy frameworks and community engagement at the local, national, and international level. It also requires cross-collaboration by industry, academia, communities, and policy makers.
As wildfires continue to intensify, an integrated approach combining mitigation and adaptation is essential. By advancing research, technology, and community-driven solutions, societies can build resilience against wildfires while safeguarding public health.
Seminar Schedule:
April 10: Mitigation and adaptation to wildfires and their effect on health
Kari Nadeau, Harvard University
April 17: California policy responses to LA wildfires
Michael Wara, Climate and Energy Policy Program
April 24: What's missing in wildfire mitigation: How our fight-flight-freeze neurobiology prevents us from protecting ourselves from fire
Erica Peng, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
May 1: Building resilience through public-private partnerships
Kevin Johnson, Wildfire Risk Management and Enterprise Risk Management, PG&E
May 8: From Stigma to Support: Rethinking Mental Health in Wildland Firefighting
Georgia Scarr, Bill Lane Center for the American West
May 15: Wildfires, Business and Society: "Hang Together - or Hang Separately"
Peter Williams, ARISE-US
May 22: The Potential role of canopy shear induced turbulence in dynamics of wildfire plumes and spot fire spread
Hayoon Chung, Santa Clara University
May 29: Ecology of Fire Fuels Management on Stanford Open Space
Esther Cole Adelsheim, Stanford Land Use and Environmental Planning
This seminar series is co-sponsored by Center for Climate and Energy Policy, Woods Institute for the Environment, and Center for Sustainability Data Science.
