PyroLife Second Training Event

Understanding fire: human dimensions and planning

Online module: 13, 15 and 21 October 2021

In-person module (only for Pyrolife Early Stage Researchers): 25-28 October 2021

Course Information:

Introduction

Integrated fire management includes social, economic, cultural, and ecological values in each step of the management cycle (prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery), and therefore requires integrated and interdisciplinary training of our new leaders in fire. To provide this integrated training, PyroLife organised four PhD courses: three on the understanding of fire: 1) climate, risks, and impact; 2) human dimensions and planning aspects; and 3) science-policy interaction. These three courses were followed by a fourth course: 4) integrated fire management, where the way forward towards building and implementing an integrated fire management is discussed and developed. Here we feature the second course of this four PhD course series, which is aimed to explore the human dimensions relevant to wildfire research and management.

Overall learning goal

Explore the social dynamics shaping wildfires and its consequences in contemporary societies, and how social sciences are relevant to successfully achieve Integrated Fire Management. Participants gained insight into the social perspective of fires to help them build stronger interdisciplinary PhD projects.

Description

The course composed of two separate modules to discover and learn about different topics such as: social sciences approach to wildfires, emotional dimensions of wildfires, stakeholder engagement, risk planning & governance, economics and the impact of decision making on future scenarios and risk mapping. In the first module (online) participants selected a wildfire incident and learn while participating in the analysis of a wildfire case study (individually or in small groups). In the second module (in-person) participants learned about historical fire events in Spain and discussed with local actors the different perspectives from the case studies analysed.

The course combined fundamental and applied research with case studies and visits to engage discussions with relevant researchers and stakeholders (e.g., fire management, city councils, associations). In a co-creation atmosphere, participants got an understanding about the state of the art of social sciences and were able to identify key challenges in wildfire management and other risks to have a broader more transdisciplinary perspective to be used in their respective research projects.

Course Structure:

This module was open to any PhD candidates interested in integrated wildfire management.

Participants worked on a case study, i.e., a wildfire event where human factors are perceived as relevant. A tutor was appointed per case study who helped build the different social aspects involved. International speakers participated in the online sessions and  stakeholders in the in-person week.

The case study were selected by the participants in the course registration form. Suggested case studies were listed as follows: 2015 Òdena fire (Spain); 2017 Attica fires (Greece); 2017 Pedrógão Grande fires (Portugal); 2018 WinterHill fire (UK); 2018 Sweden Fires; 2019-2020 South Eastern Australian fires; 2020 California fires (USA); 2017 Las Maquinas (Chile); 2021 Larnaca Fire (Cyprus); participants were free to propose others.

To build the case study, participants compiled related socio-ecological information. The analysis consisted of three phases: a) the incident, b) retrospective analysis of the pre-fire scenario and c) post fire scenario and view into the future.

This module was only open for Pyrolife PhD candidates.

Location: Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (Solsona, Spain). Daily visits took place in various locations across Catalonia (Spain).

This combined outdoor and indoor activities with fire experts and practitioners. Outdoor activities included visits in the field (areas affected by former fires and/or submitted to fire preventive treatments) and in emergency operations centres. Thus, participants were given the opportunity to engage in discussions with emergency personnel experienced in dealing with wildfire management (e.g., firefighters, civil protection, forest services, volunteers) and other relevant local actors (e.g., city councils, land managers, associations). Indoor activities included group discussions and roundtables involving invited speakers with expertise in social aspects related to wildfire.

In a co-creation atmosphere participants learned about the state of the art of social sciences and were able to identify some existing challenges in wildfire management.

The following preventive measures for COVID were taken for the in-person module:

• All participants had a rapid test upon their arrival that was provided by the organisation.
• A ‘bubble’ group was established for the duration of the in-person event. (Specific protocols were fixed nearer to the training date based on the COVID situation at that time.)
• Accommodation, meals were booked for the whole group to reducing the risk of infections.
• Mandatory use of face mask in indoor spaces. All participants were provided with a FFP2 mask.

Here are the COVID-19 travel requirements to enter Spain from other countries at the time. It was each individual’s responsibility to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.

Useful Information

Organisers