NAFC:
FIRE MANAGEMENT WORKING
GROUP REPORT
26th Session of the North American Forest Commission
North American Forest Commission
Fire Management Working Group

Began in 1962 under UN FAO
 50th

Anniversary of FMWG
45 meetings since 1962
 45th
meeting was held in
Quebec City October 3-6,
2011

2012 meeting will be held in
Arcadia, California
 November
26-30, 2012
North American Forest Commission
Fire Management Working Group

1.
2.
3.
Charter Objectives:
Exchange experiences and technological advances
regarding prevention, wildland fire management,
and fire use.
Provide mutual aid and technical exchanges between
Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the
development of strategy and appropriate fire
management actions.
Actively participate in programs with other fire
agencies throughout the world to support
international cooperation and development in fire
management.
North American Forest Commission
Fire Management Working Group
Ongoing Activities
 Fire Management Study Tours
 Purpose is to exchange information between countries on
fire problems, and methods to find solutions. Usually
results in recommendations and considerations for
improvement from both visitors and hosts.
 Formal study tours started in 1968 when North America
hosted a tour delegation from 23 countries
 Every 4 years, NAFC-FMWG hosts an Australia/New
Zealand study tour delegation; Australia/New Zealand
provides the same, so that the host location alternates
every 2 years
 Other foreign delegation tours are regularly supported
or hosted by NAFC-FMWG and its members
North American Forest Commission
Fire Management Working Group
Ongoing Activities
 The International Wildland Fire Conference Series
NAFC-FMWG is a major supporter of the IWFC’s, in
cooperation with FAO and United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
• Has become the major international conference on fire
management, S&T applications, and wildland fire
policy
• 5 previous conferences: Boston 1989, Vancouver 1996,
Sydney 2003, Seville 2007 and Sun City 2011
• NAFC-FMWG is strongly represented on the
International Liaison Committee, assisting to plan the
next conference in South Korea (in 2015)
•
FFMG – FMWG Agreement
Forest Fire Management Group of Australasia
and the
Fire Management Working Group of North America
Inter Working Group Collaboration


Goal is to promote advancement of wildland fire and
resource management principles, practices and
knowledge
Attend and participate in each other’s working
groups
North American Forest Commission
Fire Management Working Group
Future Focus: Critical Fire Issues

Fire Suppression Challenges

Land Management

Wildland Urban Interface
Thank You!
Tom Harbour
tharbour@fs.fed.us
1-202-205-0808