(Briefing) Pandemic spreads, balloons fall, fires burn — from chaos we build order

CHANGE PERMEATES HUMAN EXISTENCE — in our world and in our profession, and in Wildfire magazine too. As the International Association of Wildland Fire explores its mission to unite our profession globally, it has become time to ask how a magazine like this can best serve our members, our profession and our communities in a global and online era. As board and committee members and so many others help to explore these new paths, I find it’s time for me to explore all topics wildfire from another lookout. And so with this issue I’ll be stepping aside as editor.

Over the years I’ve been honored to support hundreds of colleague-contributors as we’ve shared stories, ideas and images with our colleague-readers and the public beyond. As with any work of art, a magazine is a communal effort, and it’s been grand to improvise a bit of wildfire-jazz these past years. My gratitude would take an entire issue. I simply offer my thanks — to all.

I send my special thanks to all who’ve supported this issue, which explores the challenges of our pandemic times and the many ways we are beginning to adapt our work, our lives and our systems in response.

In rough order, the front part of this issue features IAWF president Toddi Steelman’s reflection on our profession’s response…