The primary objective of nrfsn is to facilitate knowledge exchange among managers and scientists in the northern rockies by synthesizing science and enhancing science application to critical fire…

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Idaho Region awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $523,941 to the University of Idaho on September 15, 2025, to support the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network (NRFSN) through September 30, 2027, under the Joint Fire Science Program (CFDA 15.232).

The University of Idaho will facilitate knowledge exchange among fire and fuels managers and scientists in the Northern Rockies by synthesizing science and enhancing its application to critical fire and fuels management issues. Deliverables include bringing together managers, scientists, federal, state, and tribal agency leaders, and practitioners to strengthen collaborations that improve ecosystem resilience and support fire-adapted communities. The network will provide services helping the public and policy-makers access and understand fire management science, enable fire managers to integrate relevant scientific information and tools into management decisions, and identify remaining science needs. Performance topics include fire and traditional knowledge, drought effects on fire and fuels, wilderness fire management, firefighter health and safety, risk management, and education and tool development. Program success is measured through participant surveys, event evaluations, webpage and social media metrics, and consultations with federal, state, and tribal agency leaders, practitioners, and scientists. Work is performed in Idaho.

The primary objective of nrfsn is to facilitate knowledge exchange among managers and scientists in the northern rockies by synthesizing science and enhancing science application to critical fire and fuels management issues. Ultimately, the nrfsn brings people together to strengthen collaborations that improve ecosystem resilience and support fire-adapted communities. As a result, fire managers will be aware of, understand, and integrate relevant scientific information and tools into fire management and identify remaining science needs. The nrfsn also will provide services for scientists and managers that help the public and policy-makers access and understand science relevant to fire management. Program success is measured through surveys of participants, event evaluations, webpage and social media metrics, and consultations with federal, state and tribal agency leaders, practitioners, and scientists. Numerous themes have emerged as current and future topics for network activities in the coming years, some of which are longstanding in the region and others that have recently emerged and have led to collaboration with other jfsp fire science network exchanges. These include: 1) fire and traditional knowledge, 2) drought effects on fire and fuels, 3) wilderness fire management, 4) firefighter health and safety, 5) risk management, and 6) education and tool development.