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Wildland fires are one of the of the state’s most urgent environmental challenges. Yesterday, the ��ݮ��Ƶ, the state’s public universities and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management convened with state, federal, tribal, fire and industry leaders and experts to consider and co-develop a strategic roadmap for managing Arizona’s changing fire patterns and strengthening the state’s wildland fire response.

Part of the board’s ongoing Future of Arizona series, the convening serves as a statewide think tank to consider key concerns and to leverage university expertise to address challenges. The insights and opportunities identified to drive solutions are primed for a Regents’ Grant – research funding awarded by the board that pairs state agencies and Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona to develop near-term solutions to pressing challenges.

Regent Fred DuVal emphasized the critical importance of aligning university research with the pressing, real-world challenges facing Arizona—particularly the growing complexity of fire management across desert and forested landscapes.

“This convening is about transforming research into actionable solutions that address wildfires that are growing in frequency and impact. As the North Rim Bravo fire demonstrated,” said Regent DuVal. “Working with state agencies and local communities, Arizona’s public universities bring world-class expertise to the table to develop practical, science-based strategies that will mitigate harm and support those on the front lines.”

Discussions at the event, held at Biosphere 2, near the recent Cody Fire, emphasized the importance of translational research - bridging academic inquiry with practical application - to address grand challenges such as fuel management, fire-adapted ecosystems and community resilience. It also highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between academia and land management agencies to ensure that research can be translated into scalable solutions to the state’s fire response challenges.

Thomas Torres, director of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, led discussions focused on increasing demands on Arizona’s fire-prone landscapes and the need for proactive fire prevention strategies tailored to the state’s unique desert ecosystems. Attendees also heard from key state and federal leaders during a panel discussion and question and answer session, including Mary Lata, Ph.D., fire ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service; John Truett, state fire management officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management; Sen. Priya Sundareshan, member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water; and Leon Ben Jr., agency superintendent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Fort Apache Agency. 

“Arizona’s forests and wildlands are among the most unique and treasured in the country,” said Director Torres. “Protecting them requires more than just resources; we need research, innovation and collaboration. We’re grateful to our state’s public universities for bringing stakeholders to the table and leading the way in developing practical, research-backed solutions. Their partnership is helping us build the tools and strategies we need to protect Arizona’s communities and landscapes.”

Additionally, the research strengths of Arizona’s three public universities and their ability to contribute unique solutions and technologies to aid fire response efforts were on display. Lara Ferry, vice president for research at Arizona State University, shared ASU’s work in environmental modeling and decision-support tools. Jason Wilder emphasized NAU’s leadership in forest health and fire ecology as well as its  and the , while Kim Patten of the U of A highlighted the university’s land-grant mission and its applied research in wildfire mitigation and community preparedness.

Together, the universities outlined a vision for collaborative research that leverages their complementary strengths to address fire management challenges across Arizona’s diverse landscapes. The meeting concluded with a facilitated discussion led by Torres, where participants explored next steps for co-designing research with stakeholders and identifying opportunities for innovation.

ABOR Executive Director Chad Sampson offered closing reflections on the importance of sustained collaboration and the role of the state’s public universities as engines of resilience. 

“Arizona’s fire future will be shaped by how well we work together,” said Sampson. “By partnering with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, we’re bringing together the right people to address one of the most complex issues facing our state. This convening is a model for how our universities and state agencies can unite research, policy and practice to protect our landscapes and communities.”

Featuring university faculty, industry leaders and community stakeholders discussing what’s next for Arizona, each Future of Arizona convening is moderated by a regent and facilitated by state agency leadership to spark cross-sector dialogue in an informal, yet insightful setting. Previous convenings have focused on advancing the technology transfer ecosystem and supporting sustainable agriculture in an arid environment.

To view and download videos and photos from the event, .