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At TRU, research initiatives are on fire OPINION

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ome believe that universities and academics work and study in environments not bound to the realities and problems that the “real-world” faces.

Much of the work universities do — particularly through research — is designed to examine real-world problems and create tangible solutions. Work TRU is doing now to establish a Wildfire Science Emergency Management Institute highlights the point.

Everyone who lives in the B.C. Interior understands the perils caused by wildfires. In recent years, residents across the region have suffered the loss of homes or displacement from communities for weeks at a time, and with alarming frequency.

All of us have had to endure choking veils of smoke. The increasing frequency and intensity of summer wildfires have proven this is a real-world problem requiring action.

Traditionally, wildfires in B.C. are fought by government-funded aircraft and teams of specially trained firefighters. We have seen, however, how limited such suppression efforts can be in the face of super fires fueled by devastating heat domes and windstorms.

We must continue to protect people and property using traditional methods, but at the same time, it’s incumbent for authori-

On the contrary, I would argue that universities are linked to the modern challenges we all face in ways that are profoundly real.BRETT FAIRBAIRN View From TRU ties to look for better ways to fight and manage wildfires.

This is where universities — especially TRU — can play an important role.

Our wildfire research institute will work closely with governments, First Nations, the Interior Universities Research Coalition and others to search for new pathways. There are many aspects of wildfire and wildfire emergency management that can be explored through focused research.

The institute builds upon a previous $5-million investment from the province, enabling TRU to recruit world-renowned wildfire professionals, including Dr. Michael Flannigan, who is considered a leading expert on wildfire behaviour and landscape fire modelling.

Flannigan’s research goals include developing methods to help predict when and where extreme fire weather may arise and exploring the development of early warning wildfire notification systems.

The institute, soon to be partnered with Canada Wildfire, will collaborate with a range of others to advance world-class research, innovation and focused training related to the prevention and mitigation of, and response to, wildfires.

This model will integrate trades, training and technology within a research university, enabling rapid translation from theory to fieldproven application.

Another way a research institute can help is by providing a bridge between high-level policy objectives and real-world programs.

For example, Canada and B.C. are signatories to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, an international agreement adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It aims to reduce disaster risk and loss by implementing evidence- based risk reduction measures.

The framework has four priorities for action, including understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response.

While the Sendai Framework was created with more than wildfires in mind, work done to meet the framework will also assist in managing wildfires.

The priorities articulated in the Sendai Framework are high-level concepts. The pathways for federal, provincial or municipal governments from concept to meaningful action to address Sendai’s requirements may not be easy to develop.

TRU is well-placed to assist governments and others to envision and develop programs that recognize the important aims and objectives of the Sendai

The Sparks Lake wildfire northwest of Kamloops was one of many blazes in the B.C. Interior during the fiery, smoky summer of 2021.

KTW FILE PHOTO

Framework and translate them into meaningful action.

Once fully established, the Wildfire Science Emergency Management Institute will be TRU’s first research institute. This initiative will:

• Launch Canada’s first joint federal-provincial-academiccommunity-industry wildfire science, innovation and training ecosystem;

• Establish Canada as a global leader in wildfire training and predictive services;

• Create a world-class, research-informed wildfire training arm to train the next generation of emergency management and wildfire science experts — academic and non-academic;

• Put Canada at the forefront of international research in wildfire science.

That’s exciting stuff. More importantly, however, it is work that bears the potential to save people and property from devastating tragedy. Ultimately, this is what is most important and why TRU has set the development of this institute as a priority.

Dr. Brett Fairbairn is the president and vice-chancellor of Thompson Rivers University. He can be reached by email at president@ tru.ca. View From TRU columns appear monthly in KTW and online at kamloopsthisweek.com.

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