Problem statementthe 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…

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Idaho Region awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $303,976 to Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization on September 15, 2025, under the Joint Fire Science Program (CFDA 15.232).

The Pacific Fire Exchange (PFX) will develop and disseminate fire management information addressing pre-fire risk and post-fire impact mitigation, including best practices for risk reduction, fuels management, and collaborative response processes. The recipient will create place-based tools for prioritizing and implementing cross-boundary fire risk reduction actions and improve access to plant materials for fire risk reduction and post-fire restoration. Direct engagement with partners and audiences across Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia) will connect local land care and emergency response practitioners with scientists to codevelop solutions addressing distinct social, ecological, and climatic conditions in Pacific Island ecosystems.

Performance occurs in Hawaii with scope encompassing the broader Pacific Island region. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2027. The Joint Fire Science Program prioritizes research and studies supporting wildland fire and resource management decisions by fire, fuels, natural resource, and land managers.

Problem statementthe 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.objectivesthe 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.benefitsthis 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.