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Wildfire policy boot camp held by Stanford Woods for U.S. congressional staffers

September 30, 2024

Congressional staffers attend wildfire policy training at Stanford

As reported by Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, the institute recently hosted a two-day wildfire policy “boot camp” aimed at equipping congressional staffers with the tools to develop effective legislation to combat wildfires.

The event brought together fifteen staff members from both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, representing districts affected by wildfires and those in urban areas.

Participants engaged with experts in climate science, forestry, utilities, and insurance to understand the factors contributing to mega fires.

The program included both on-campus seminars and field visits to the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn scar in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Stanford, where staffers were able to witness firsthand the impacts of wildfires and recovery efforts.

Staffers gain hands-on experience in wildfire recovery sites

During the training, congressional staffers were exposed to both theoretical knowledge and practical examples of wildfire management.

Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford, emphasized the value of field visits: “Learning about policies and then seeing their impacts on the ground really added value for staff.”

The camp included presentations from experts at the U.S. Forest Service and local fire protection districts.

These experts discussed various approaches to fire prevention and recovery, stressing the need for coordinated responses, more funding, and legislative action to fill gaps in fire management and disaster preparedness.

Community-based fire mitigation efforts, such as prescribed burns and fuel reduction, were also highlighted as effective tools to lower wildfire risks.

Collaborative problem-solving sessions focused on fire legislation

A significant portion of the program was dedicated to collaborative problem-solving, where staffers analyzed recent wildfire events and developed legislative proposals.

These proposals focused on improving forest health, community preparedness, and fire response strategies.

One of the key priorities identified was increasing federal resources for agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.

Lea Rosenbohm, associate director of policy and engagement at the Woods Institute, noted the importance of these sessions: “We aim to provide congressional staff with information that will help them craft legislation and respond to constituent needs related to wildfire mitigation and response.”

The program also aimed to strengthen relationships between policymakers and researchers to ensure a continued exchange of expertise.

Experts emphasize the role of legislation in wildfire mitigation

The training underscored the importance of legislation in addressing wildfire challenges across the United States.

Experts stressed the need for ongoing collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and communities to develop sustainable solutions to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Chris Field, the Perry L. McCarty Director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, emphasized the role of such programs: “We see programs like this boot camp as critically important bridges from scholarship to practical applications.”

The camp is expected to help lawmakers create informed policies that address the growing wildfire crisis and protect communities nationwide.

Wildfire policy boot camp held by Stanford Woods for U.S. congressional staffers: Summary

Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment hosted a two-day wildfire policy boot camp for congressional staffers, providing training on wildfire legislation and management.

The event involved on-campus seminars and field visits to wildfire-affected areas, including the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn scar.

Participants collaborated with experts in various fields to understand the factors contributing to mega fires and worked on legislative proposals for forest health, community preparedness, and fire response strategies.

The program highlighted the importance of well-crafted legislation and ongoing collaboration between policymakers and researchers to address wildfire challenges across the United States.

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