As wildfire seasons start earlier, last longer and cause more damage than ever before, state and federal officials struggle to keep up. A changing climate keeps moving the target as decision makers strive to provide resources for beleaguered firefighters, define risk, prepare homeowners for the inevitable and seek solutions – all while bigger, hotter fires keep coming.
IJNR will conduct a free virtual workshop on December 5&6, 2023 to help 25 competitively selected journalists better understand and cover the science and policy surrounding the shifting fire landscape. Reporters will hear from expert speakers, including scientists, Indigenous fire practitioners, policy-makers and fire managers about such topics as:
- Climate change and shifting fire regimes
- Community preparedness and resilience
- Insurance and wildfire
- Updates in federal fire policy and funding
- Wildland firefighter well-being
- Prescribed burning and collaborative management
- Equity and impacts of wildfire
Applications due Friday, November 17 (midnight MST). We will select up to 25 applicants who represent diversity in geography, outlet, race, gender, experience, and journalistic medium. Priority consideration will be given to journalists of color.