After fire, it is important to understand that people and lives come first, that soil and environmental stabilization comes next, and that short-term and long-term support of fire resilient landscapes is critical to a successful recovery. As the platform for fire science exchange across Pacific Islands, PFX's current expertise is the science around pre-fire planning, vegetative fire fuels reduction with an aim to reduce wildfire risk across the landscape.

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After fire, first things first.

In the aftermath of evacuation and recovery, communities and responders are often dealing with hazardous environmental conditions which call for vigillant public safety and environmental stabilization.

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For long-term wildfire risk mitigation planning, supporting agriculture and reducing fuels around your home and community are key.

The role that farms and ranches play in land care is critical across fire prone landscapes. Ranches and farms keep fire-prone weeds at bay to maintain pastures and crops.

Soil Erosion After Fire, Guam, Aug 2019 (Credit: JB Friday)

What is your emergency soil stabilization plan? This can be done in various high-tech and low-tech ways.

After human health and safety, the first priority is to protect the soils from rain and run-off.

Acacia koa regen fire 2yr Hawaii VNP

Consider re-vegetating burned areas in a way that makes sense for your environment while knowing that resources (time, money, long-term stewardship) may vary.

Re-planting is an important, long-term strategy for soil stabilization. While native Hawaiian plants are always desirable, they require a great deal of care, such as water, fencing and weeding.

Other After Fire Resources

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Webinar: Fire and Erosion

The Pacific Fire Exchange hosted a webinar with Clay Trauernicht (University of Hawai‘i), Willie Rice (Forest Solutions, Inc.) and Jack Minassian (University of Hawai‘i) on the topic of fire and erosion.

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Webinar: Land Cover Maps for Fire & Land Management

Matt Lucas presents on land cover Geographic Information Systems products for Hawai‘i and other Pacific Islands. He is a Master of Science graduate of the Natural Resource and Environmental Management…

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Some Quiet Time With A Wildfire

This guest post was written by Michelle Galimba, a rancher in Ka’u on the Big Island, and describes the fire which started on Sept. 21st in her family’s pasture lands.…

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Research Brief: Restoration Impacts on Fuels & Fire Potential

A look at how fuels and fire management can be complementary with ecological restoration goals. DOWNLOAD PDF

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Restoration Impacts on Fuels & Fire Potential

A research brief summarizing the results of an experiment to determine how ecological restoration with native Hawaiian species in Waianae Kai Forest Reserve on O`ahu can modify potential fire behavior.

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Webinar: 14 Years of Post-Fire Recovery in Hawaiian Mesic Forest

Tamara Ticktin (Professor of Botany, University of Hawai‘i), Amy Tsuneyoshi (Watershed Resources Specialist, Honolulu Board of Water Supply), and Clay Trauernicht (Wildfire and Ecosystems, University of Hawai‘i) present on post-fire…

THE PALILA CORE HABITAT APPEARS AS THE BLUE-PURPLE POLYGON. THE MAUNA KEA 33 FIRE BURN AREA IS INDICATED IN REDDISH-ORANGE.

The Mauna Kea 33 Fire – At the Intersection of Suppression & Conservation Challenges

A matter of perspective: Examining wildfire in the big picture and close-up As we write this, Hawaii is shifting into its ‘winter season’ but despite ample rain in windward areas,…

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Webinar: Fire & Ohia–What this disturbance means for Hawaii’s dominant tree

Mark Wasser presents on how ohia trees are affected by fire, how they will fare under changing environmental conditions, and management implications. WATCH THE WEBINAR

HAMAKUA COAST CIRCA 1940. IMAGE SOURCE: HAWAII LATERN SLIDES (HTTP://DIGICOLL.MANOA.HAWAII.EDU/HAWAIILANTERNSLIDES/INDEX.PHP)

Hawai‘i’s Big Burn: The 1901 Hamakua Fire

Fire shaped the history of forest management in Hawaii in much the same way it did in the continental US.

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Post-Fire Vegetation and Soil Monitoring in Hawai‘i

This guide provides methods for monitoring changes in soil and vegetation after a wildfire occurs.