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Wildfires are an essential ecological process. However, recent years have seen a significant increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in British Columbia, causing unprecedented ecological, social and economic damage.

With 28 wildfires currently active across the province, according to the BC Wildfire Service (as of May 13), experts from ´óÏó´«Ã½ are available to comment on various aspects of wildfires, such as: wildfire behaviour; the links between extreme weather and climate change; the impact of wildfires on rural communities; the health consequences of wildfire smoke; and wildfire response strategies.  

´óÏó´«Ã½ experts, Sophie Wilkinson and Stephanie Cleland, have each published a study on wildfires in recent months. Wilkinson’s study, published by the  in January, presents six strategies aimed at bringing about drastic changes in how B.C. approaches wildfire management and response.      

Cleland’s study, published by  in February along with an article in , looks at how often wildfire smoke and extreme heat occur together in B.C. and the potential health implications for communities with increasing exposure.  

The , headed up by Anne-Marie Nicol, will also be carrying out workshops this summer across the province. The project is a community-based initiative that teaches community members how to build DIY air cleaners to improve their indoor air quality. 

Available ´óÏó´«Ã½ Experts

SOPHIE WILKINSON, assistant professor, Resource and Environmental Management, founder of the Fire and Ecosystems Research Group (limited connectivity between 18-31 May) 
sophie.wilkinson@sfu.ca 
Expertise: wildfire behaviour, impacts and the conditions that fuel them, including the importance and management of peatlands (bogs, fens and swamps). Co-author of a study published by the  in January.  

STEPHANIE CLELAND, assistant professor, Faculty of Health Sciences 
stephanie_cleland@sfu.ca 
Expertise: wildfire smoke exposure, the health effects of smoke exposure, and how to reduce exposure and mitigate adverse health impacts. Co-author of a study published by  in February along with an article in . 

JOHN CLAGUE, professor emeritus, Earth sciences, CRC Chair in Natural Hazard Science 
jclague@sfu.ca 
Expertise: The link between extreme weather events and climate change, natural disasters.

ANNE-MARIE NICOL, associate professor of professional practice, health sciences 
anicol@sfu.ca 
Expertise: Heat and wildfire smoke exposure. Heads up the , which is running workshops across B.C. this summer to teach community members how to build DIY air cleaners to improve their indoor air quality.

JAMES WHITEHEAD, engagement analyst, mitigating wildfire, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
james_whitehead@sfu.ca
Expertise: the role of and need for dialogue and collaboration in the way we address the risk of wildfire in B.C., evacuation reluctance and the impact of wildfire on rural communities in B.C., engaging rural residents, the need for wildfire mitigation instead of just suppression, experiences as a former wildland firefighter in B.C. 

YOLANDA CLATWORTHY, assistant director, mitigating wildfire, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
yolanda_clatworthy@sfu.ca
Expertise: mitigating wildfires, the root causes of catastrophic wildfire, impacts on rural and Indigenous communities

CONTACT

SAM SMITH, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | samuel_smith@sfu.ca

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778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

´óÏó´«Ã½ is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, ´óÏó´«Ã½ has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, ´óÏó´«Ã½ fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver—´óÏó´«Ã½ has ten faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.