Mon, April 18, 2016 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM BEATY BIODIVERSITY CENTRE. Wild fires are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate changes, and their smoke can affect local, regional, and global air quality. Use of prescribed fire can help to mitigate the risk of wild fire, but these burns also generate smoke that can affect populations. Experts will use this one-day public forum to explore the trade-offs between wild fire, prescribed fire, forest health, and public health. Themes, topics, and speakers will include:
Introduction to fire and smoke:
- Fire in the Earth system, David Bowman (University of Tasmania) and Lori Daniels (UBC)
- How fires make smoke, Susan O'Neill (US Forest Service)
- How smoke affects the health of populations, Fay Johnston (University of Tasmania)
- Introduction to prescribed fire, Peter Hisch (BC Wildfire Service) and Glen Okrainetz (BC Ministry of Environment)
Compare and contrast:
- Air quality impacts of smoke from prescribed vs. wild fires, Grant Williamson (University of Tasmania)
- Population health impacts of smoke from prescribed vs. wild fires, Sheryl Magzamen (Colorado State University)
- Modelling smoke from prescribed vs. wild fires, Martin Cope (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)
Big picture thinking:
- How much prescribed fire is needed to protect populations from wildfire smoke? David Bowman (University of Tasmania)
- How do the healthcare costs associated with prescribed and wild fire smoke compare? Ana Rappold (US Environmental Protection Agency)
- How can we protect public health when things get smoky?
This event is being hosted by the UBC School of Population and Public Health and the UBC Faculty of Forestry in partnership with the following organizations: Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies; Health Canada; BC Centre for Disease Control; and Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.