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GCSE INNOVATION LABS · UNITED STATE

Eastern Fire
Network

Strengthening wildfire preparedness and resilience in the eastern U.S. through integrated research, prediction, and community-focused solutions.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Dr. Erica Smithwick

Penn State

REGION

  • Eastern United States

LAB OVERVIEW

Wildfire Risk in the
Eastern United States

EFNet addresses the growing risk of wildfires in the eastern United States, where changing climate conditions and land-use patterns are increasing exposure but research and preparedness systems remain limited. EFNet is led by Pennsylvania State University and supported by a $1.74 million, three-year award through the Fire Science Innovations through Research and Education (FIRE) program. The program is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in collaboration with the Buckminster Fuller Institute and the National Science Foundation.

The network brings together researchers and practitioners across disciplines to develop predictive wildfire models, assess community vulnerability, and understand health impacts from smoke exposure. It also trains graduate students through immersive, transdisciplinary programs that connect research to real-world decision-making.

Visit to a prescribed burn site as part of the EFNET graduate fellowship program.

NETWORK ACTIVITIES

Predictive wildfire modeling

Community vulnerability assessment

Smoke exposure & health research

Graduate student training

Graduate student fellows of the Eastern Fire Research Network visiting a prescribed burn site in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

TRAINING APPROACH

Immersive, transdisciplinary graduate fellowship training programs

Research connected to real-world decision-making

COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS

Network Partners

UNIVERSITY

Penn State University (Lead Institute)

UNIVERSITY

Columbia University

UNIVERSITY

University of Florida

INSTITUTE

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

NGO

Global Council for Science and the Environment

NGO

Tall Timbers

UNIVERSITY

North Carolina State University

EFNet engages a broader network of collaborators through workshops and convenings, including researchers, fire practitioners, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies across the eastern and southern United States.

GET INVOLVED

Interested in this lab or similar work?

Explore membership, partnership opportunities, or learn about GCSE's Senior Fellows Program to lead your own Innovation Lab

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