Our research will evaluate current predictive capabilities of altered fire regimes and future ecosystem trajectories RQ1 by leveraging existing and developing fire science tools

The University of Montana received a $250,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the Department of the Interior's Joint Fire Science Program (CFDA 15.232) effective September 15, 2025, through December 31, 2028. The project delivers three primary research and knowledge-transfer products focused on advancing prescribed fire management in wilderness ecosystems. First, the awardee will evaluate predictive capabilities of altered fire regimes and ecosystem trajectories by leveraging existing and developing fire science tools to improve forecast accuracy. Second, the institution will develop a best practices roadmap for prescribed fire in wilderness that documents management approaches and solutions to challenges faced by the wilderness management community. Third, the research will produce case studies and manager interviews that examine partnership-building strategies and public outreach communications designed to facilitate prescribed fire implementation and build stakeholder support.

The cooperative agreement generates deliverables with local, regional, and national application supporting federal wildfire management directives. Key outcomes include scientific research findings and technical guidance that enable wilderness managers to implement prescribed fire to reduce wildfire safety risks, improve ecosystem resilience, and preserve natural and cultural wilderness qualities. The project incorporates both passive and active knowledge transfer methodologies consistent with Joint Fire Science Program requirements for science delivery and application, benefiting federal, state, and tribal land managers across the United States.

Through the development of a best practices roadmap for prescribed fire in wilderness our work will provide insights into the complex challenges faced by the wilderness management community as well as examples of how managers have overcome these challenges RQ2. And by including discussions of partnership building and outreach and communications strategies in both wilderness case studies and interviews with managers and partners contributing to the roadmap we will gain a better understanding of the role of and potential for partnerships and public support in facilitating action RQ3. Results from our phase II case studies and lessons learned from prescribed fire efforts in phase i will have local regional and national benefits supporting the fulfillment of national directives such as USDA secretarial memorandum 1077004. Further outcomes of this research will benefit the public by facilitating prescribed fire to reduce safety risks improve wilderness ecosystem resilience and better ensure preservation of natural and cultural qualities of wilderness for future generations.