The National Fire Protection Association, the University of California at Riverside and San Diego, and the Western Governors’ Association in conjunction with the Hazards Caucus Alliance are pleased to host a briefing on the challenges to the nation that wildfires pose. Experts will discuss advances in the science and understanding of wildfires, the impact of federal and state policies, mitigation strategies for communities, and new technologies for first responders.

Speakers

• Ms. Laura Wilkeson, Western Governors’ Association: Summary of current WGA wildfire policy and efforts, effective state wildfire mitigation and containment practices, and current federal policies and pending legislation.
• Dr. Richard Minnich, UC Riverside: An expert in the ecology of wildfire, Dr. Minnich will provide an overview of environmental conditions that allow wildfires to emerge and what can be done to mitigate threats and occurrences of future fires.
• Dr. Ilkay Altintas, UC San Diego: A lead scientist on the National Science Foundation‐funded WIFIRE project, Dr. Altintas will provide an overview of WIFIRE, which merges observations such as satellite imagery and real‐time data from sensors in the field with signal processing, visualization, modeling, and data assimilation in order to monitor environmental conditions in real time and provide first responders with a better understanding of where and how fast a wildfire will spread.
• Ms. Michele Steinberg, Wildland Fire Projects Manager, National Fire Protection Association: Discussion of how communities at risk are addressing the fire threat and the emerging opportunities for private sector participation in solving the problem of home destruction from wildfire.

Date: Thursday, September 11, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: 421 Cannon House Office Building

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