UW Extension to Host Weekly Wildfire Webinar Series Starting April 30

University of Wyoming Extension will host a free six-part webinar series focused on preparing for, responding to and recovering from wildfire beginning Thursday, April 30.

The weekly series, delivered via Zoom, will discuss topics ranging from how to reduce household fire hazards to community preparedness and understanding how wildfire can impact livestock, wildlife habitat and public health.

Each webinar will run from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday evenings, with an hourlong presentation followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session. Presentations will highlight specific case studies in Wyoming communities as well as offer general tips for managing risk, staying safe and knowing what to expect in the aftermath of a fire.

"Wildfire can be really scary -- there's a lot of unknowns," says UW Extension educator Peyton Loss, who co-organized the series in partnership with fellow extension educator Mallery Larson.

"We're hoping that, by giving people more information on the front end, they feel a little more empowered about where to go and what to do," Loss adds. "We hope people take away some new tools or community connections that help them feel more prepared."

Dates, topics and speakers are as follows:

-- April 30: "Integrated Fuels Management Within the Wind River and Big Horn Basin," presented by Rance Neighbors, Bureau of Land Management Fuels Program manager.

-- May 7: "Collaborative Community-Level Planning for Wildfire Risk Management," presented by Matt Hamilton, UW's Eldon and Beverly Spicer Chair in Environment and Natural Resources.

-- May 14: "Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Livestock and Grazing After a Wildfire," presented by Barton Stam, UW Extension educator, and Amy Skibiel, associate professor of animal, veterinary and food sciences at the University of Idaho.

-- May 21: "Reduce the Ire from Wildfire: Best Practices to Reduce Risk to You and Your Home," presented by Robb Sgroi, land resources specialist for the Teton County Conservation District.

-- May 28: "Sheridan County Public Health: A Case Study of the 2024 Elk Fire Response," presented by Edward Hinzman, Sheridan County public health response coordinator.

-- June 4: "Wildland Fire: Positive and Negative Impacts to Wildlife Habitat," presented by Tim Kramer, state coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

To view speaker information and to register for the series, visit https://wyoextension.org/wrir/wildfire-webinar/.

For more information, email Loss at [email protected] or Larson at [email protected] with questions.

About University of Wyoming Extension

University of Wyoming Extension serves Wyoming communities by helping residents apply university research and resources to practical problems. Since 1914, UW Extension has provided educational programs and tools to the state's 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. From 4-H programming and pesticide safety education to food preservation and nutrition courses, UW Extension upholds the university's land-grant mission by offering learning opportunities for people of all ages. UW Extension staff help Wyoming residents boost agricultural production, care for lawns and gardens, cultivate future leaders, support individual and community well-being, and develop thriving businesses. To learn more, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/uwe or call (307) 766-5124.