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Forests and Rangelands Success Story

Science You can Use and Review
Joint Fire Science Program, Pacific Northwest Research
On going since 1997

Knowledge Pyramid. Displays three layers: Data at the bottom, Information in the middle, and Knowledge at its peak. An arrow beside the pyramid indicates that System Maturity increases from the base of the pyramid to its peak.
Knowledge Pyramid

Getting new science and technology into use quickly is the key to the success of an applied science program. The knowledge pyramid illustrates the disseminating information or products.

The establishment of the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) in 1997 substantially increased the volume of new knowledge, methods, and tools related to fire science and management. JFSP has funded over 400 projects of which the 278 completed studies have resulted in nearly 2,000 different publications, and the enhancement of a variety of fire planning tools.

JFSP, along with the Focused Science Delivery Program of U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research, recognized that adoption of this large array of science required capturing a manager’s interest with concise and timely information. Managers value new science but have trouble keeping up with it and incorporating it into regular practice.

In 2006, a small team of scientists, managers, and a science writer reviewed JFSP projects and produced concise summaries for many of the projects. In total, 138 project summaries were completed and have been posted to the Wildland Fire - Lessons Learned Center website for quick review by resource managers and practitioners.

Beginning in 2007 these summaries expanded into a Brief (the concise summary) and a Manager’s Viewpoint. The latter is an opinion piece written by a fire or land manager based on information in a JFSP final report and other supporting documents. Readers are encouraged to present differing viewpoints and further dialogue. The intent is to start conversations about what works and what does not.

To engage in this process, visit Fire Science Briefs at the Joint Fire Scient Program's website. If you are interested in authoring an original Manager’s Viewpoint, please contact David Seesholtz at 208-373-4170 or dseesholtz@fs.fed.us. If you would like additional information on how to improve science delivery, see the Final Report for JFSP Project 05-S-07 (PDF).