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Basic Components of Nature Guide

Fire

Fire is loosely associated with plasma. Symbolism: Life and energy; transformation.

1. Wildfires and Incident Information:

  • National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): (https://www.nifc.gov/)

    • This is the national support center for wildland fires and other emergency situations in the United States.
    • Focus Areas: Current wildfire situation, statistics, preparedness levels, and resources.
    • What you'll find: National Fire News, Incident Management Situation Reports, wildfire statistics, maps of current large fires, and fire potential outlooks.

  • InciWeb - Incident Information System: (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/)

    • Provides real-time information on active wildfires and other incidents across the nation.
    • Focus Areas: Current wildfires, prescribed fires, and other emergencies.
    • What you'll find: Incident-specific information, news, announcements, evacuations, road closures, maps, photos, and videos, regularly updated by incident management teams.

  • U.S. Forest Service - Fire and Aviation Management: (https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire)

    • Offers information and resources related to wildland fire management and science within the Forest Service.
    • Focus Areas: Wildfire information, fire science, and public safety.
    • What you'll find: Links to InciWeb, information on fire science research, and educational materials.

  • FEMA Geospatial Resource Center - Wildfires: (https://gis-fema.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfires)

    • Provides geospatial information and data related to wildfires.
    • Focus Areas: Current wildfire advisories, applications, data, imagery, and historical resources.
    • What you'll find: Maps of current wildfires, historical wildfire data, and tools for analysis.

2. Fire Science and Research:

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Fire Research Division: (https://www.nist.gov/el/fire-research-division-73300)

    • Conducts research to improve fire safety and reduce the impact of fire on society.
    • Focus Areas: Fire behavior, fire modeling, material flammability, and wildland-urban interface fires.
    • What you'll find: Research reports, data, software tools (like Fire Dynamics Simulator), and information on current projects.

  • Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) - UL Research Institutes: (https://fsri.org/)

    • Dedicated to addressing unresolved fire safety risks through research and education.
    • Focus Areas: Fire dynamics, structural fire safety, firefighter safety, and the impact of new technologies on fire safety.
    • What you'll find: Research publications, training materials, and insights into fire incidents.

  • U.S. Forest Service - Fire Research: (https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/fire/fire-research)

    • Details the research efforts of the Forest Service related to wildland fire.
    • Focus Areas: Fire behavior, ecological effects of fire, social aspects of fire management, and fire modeling.
    • What you'll find: Information about research projects, publications, and facilities like the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory.

3. Fire Safety and Prevention:

  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): (https://www.nfpa.org/)

    • A non-profit organization that develops and publishes codes and standards aimed at minimizing the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards.
    • Focus Areas: Fire codes and standards, research, training, and public education.
    • What you'll find: Access to NFPA codes and standards, safety tips, statistics, and information on fire prevention.

  • U.S. Fire Administration (USFA): (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/)

    • Part of FEMA, USFA works to support and enhance the fire and emergency services community.
    • Focus Areas: Fire prevention, training, data collection (National Fire Incident Reporting System - NFIRS), and public education.
    • What you'll find: Fire safety tips, training resources, fire statistics, and information for fire departments.