The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) is a non-profit professional organization that connects the global wildland fire community to facilitate communication, provide leadership, and advance science and best practices in fire management, safety, and policy. They do this by hosting conferences (like Safety Summits), publishing the International Journal of Wildland Fire (IJWF), offering training, advocating for improved policies (especially regarding climate change), and fostering diverse knowledge exchange, including Indigenous fire knowledge.
Key Activities & Functions:
- Knowledge Sharing: Organizes events (conferences, webinars) and publications (IJWF, Wildfire magazine) to share research and practical experience.
- Leadership & Advocacy: Provides leadership for the wildland fire profession and advocates for better policies with policymakers on issues like climate change impacts.
- Professional Development: Offers networking, training, and opportunities for professional growth in areas like fire behavior, human dimensions, and safety.
- Science & Best Practices: Integrates science, best practices, and diverse perspectives (including Indigenous knowledge) to improve fire management.
- Global Linkage: Connects people worldwide with shared interests in comprehensive fire management.
How they achieve this:
- Conferences: Hosts major events like the Wildland Fire Safety Summits, bringing together international experts.
- International Journal of Wildland Fire (IJWF): Publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed research on all aspects of wildland fire.
- Wildfire magazine: A resource for news, articles, and updates.
- Partnerships: Works with other organizations (like the Wildland Fire Leadership Council) on workshops and initiatives.
- Advocacy: Takes positions on critical issues, pushing for improvements in global fire management.