IIE Lunchtime Seminar - Rob Gazzard (Forestry Commission)

Abstract: Severe wildfires are an intermittent problem in England. This talk will discuss a first analysis of wildfire policy in the UK, showing its halting evolution over two decades. First efforts to coordinate wildfire management came from local fire operation groups, where stakeholders such as fire services, land owners and amenity groups shared knowledge and equipment to tackle the problem. A variety of structures and informal management solutions emerged in response to local needs. Knowledge of wildfire accumulated within regional and national wildfire forums and academic networks. Only later did the need for central emergency planning and the response to climate change produce a national policy response. Fire statistics have allowed wildfires to be spatially evidenced on a national scale only since 2009. National awareness of wildfire was spurred by the 2011 fire season, and the high-impact Swinley Forest fire, which threatened critical infrastructure and communities within 50 miles of London. Severe wildfire was included in the National Risk Register for the first time in 2013. Cross-sector approaches to wildfire proved difficult as government responsibility is fragmented along the hazard chain. Stakeholders such as the Forestry Commission pioneered good practice in adaptive land management to build fire resilience into UK forests. The grass-roots evolution of participatory solutions has also been a key enabling process. A coordinated policy is now needed to identify best practice and to promote understanding of the role of fire in the ecosystem.

Bio: Rob Gazzard works for the Forestry Commission and is responsible for wildfire management and protection. Working with government agencies he has developed strategies for planning, management and prevention functions for forestry to severe weather and natural hazards. He is the Wildfire Subject Matter Adviser to Forestry Commission England and Central Government and has experience in active firefighting with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.