About Us

CAFMS is one of 15 Fire Science Exchanges supported by the Joint Fire Science Program. Our goal is to connect fire managers and scientists throughout the Appalachian region. CAFMS is largely successful because of our partnerships with state and federal agencies, as well as NGOs like The Nature Conservancy's Fire Learning Network.

Although the Appalachians have a long history of frequent fire, using prescribed fire as a land management tool is relatively new. There is a great need for science delivery on the risks, benefits, and effects of fire in our region.

We bridge the gap and promote communication and collaboration between fire managers and scientists through workshops, virtual meetings and presentations, dissemination of publications, social media, field tours, and guidebooks.

Our membership is free! All you have to do is sign up. Our members include fire managers, researchers, government officials, private landowners, students, and anyone with an interest in fire throughout the Appalachian region and beyond.

Photo: Helen Mohr

Photo: CAFMS assisting partners on a prescribed burn

Photo: Appalachian landscape

Photo: Fire scientists presenting research in the field

Photo: CAFMS assisting partners on a prescribed burn

Photo: JFSP FSEN staff in Montana attending an annual meeting

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CAFMS is a member of the JFSP Fire Science Exchange Network

The Fire Science Exchange Network (FSEN) works to accelerate the awareness, understanding, adoption, and implementation of readily available wildland fire science information. CAFMS covers the Appalachian region, from Alabama to Pennsylvania. To connect with another regional exchange, feel free to contact us or click on the map to the right for more information on the network.

Supported by JFSP

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) is an interagency research, development, and applications partnership that is the national collaboration of all 15 Fire Science Exchange Networks. The JFSP provides funding for scientific studies associated with managing wildland fuels, fires, and fire-impacted ecosystems to respond to emerging needs of policymakers, managers, and practitioners.

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Joint Fire Science Program Appalachian Region

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Fire Science Exchange Model

Fire managers, natural resource managers, and federal and state practitioners implement on-the-ground land management using fire science to improve their strategies and obtain ecological objectives.

CAFMS is a collaborative network bridging the gap between fire science and on-the-ground land management in the Appalachians. We accelerate the exchange of fire knowledge by disseminating research and hosting webinars, conferences, and field-based training workshops.

Researchers systematically collect empirical data to publish peer-reviewed research in academic journals. Their work serves as a foundation for future studies and acts as a valuable resource for land managers.