Conference invites global participation on fire safety and community protection

The International Association of Wildland Fire has opened the call for presentation proposals for the 2025 International Wildland Fire Safety Summit and Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference.

Scheduled to take place from Monday 20 October to Thursday 23 October 2025, the event will bring together fire management agencies, Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, and practitioners to share insights on wildland fire through the lens of safety, risk, and community resilience.

The submission deadline for proposals is 31 May 2025.

The Association stated that the event aims to support knowledge exchange through a variety of formats, including keynotes, panels, and alternative session types intended to promote discussion.

Conference to focus on misinformation, health impacts, and governance

The 2025 programme will explore six subthemes connected to the impact and management of wildland fires.

These include wildfire-related misinformation, the health effects of smoke exposure, changes in fire regimes and risk acceptance, community planning and recovery, Indigenous and local fire governance, and educational strategies for future preparedness.

Sessions will address impacts on both people and the environment, with organisers encouraging a focus on practical experiences and lessons learned.

Proposals should clearly identify the issue, research, or experience being presented and are limited to 350 words.

Presentation formats to support structured knowledge-sharing

Several types of presentation formats are available to encourage a wide range of contributions.

Traditional PowerPoint and poster sessions will run alongside knowledge sharing circles and rotating conversation cafés.

Other options include lightning rounds centred around a single image to support accessible, mixed-media formats.

The Association stated that each session type is designed to encourage both structured delivery and audience engagement: “The knowledge sharing circles format is based on this model by Liberating Structures.”

Co-speakers and co-authors can be included in submissions and participants must indicate their preferred format when applying.

Participation open to diverse fire and forestry professionals

Wildland fire and natural resource professionals, students, Indigenous practitioners, and residents of fire-prone regions are all encouraged to submit.

Submissions are open to those with lived experience, academic or field knowledge, or a professional interest in the conference subthemes.

According to the Association, presentations that draw from real-world insights and community-led approaches are welcomed: “We welcome and encourage working firefighters, Indigenous practitioners, and residents of wildland fire prone areas to submit and share their experiences.”

Proposals can be reviewed and edited before being made public and must include consent information if presenting Indigenous knowledge.

Call for speakers opens for 2025 International Wildland Fire Safety Summit: Summary

The International Association of Wildland Fire has launched a call for presentation proposals for the 2025 International Wildland Fire Safety Summit and Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference.

The event will take place from 20 to 23 October 2025.

Proposals are due by 31 May 2025.

Themes for the event include wildfire misinformation, smoke and health, fire risk and regimes, post-fire recovery, Indigenous governance, and wildfire education.

Presentation types include PowerPoint sessions, posters, knowledge sharing circles, rotating cafés, and image-led lightning rounds.

Presenters must submit their name, contact details, presentation title, a 350-word description, and indicate co-speakers or co-authors if applicable.

All formats aim to support shared learning and lived experience.

Participation is open to professionals, students, and community members connected to wildland fire work.

Consent information is required if the presentation covers Indigenous knowledge.

All submissions can be edited prior to being made public.