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First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership
The First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership (FNWEP) is a collaborative research initiative established in 2013 to better understand how First Nations communities experience and are affected by wildfire evacuations and to make recommendations to reduce the negative impacts of these events. The Partnership began as a large, multi-year project involving researchers, community research assistants, seven First Nations from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, and government agencies responsible for wildfire evacuation management. In 2019, the FNWEP began a second phase of research focused on host communities and evacuation preparedness. Since its inception, the FNWEP has carried out several research projects under its initiative. The work continues today through ongoing research, knowledge sharing, and meaningful engagement with communities, organizations, and governments.
To learn more about the work, please visit the FNWEP website.
CURRENT PROJECT TEAM:
Dr. Tara McGee
Co-founder and lead researcher
Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson
Co-founder and lead researcher
Dr. Douglas Yearwood
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hana Lima
Community Engagement Coordinator
Beyond the Fire: Social Dimensions of First Nations Wildfire Evacuations to Host Communities
This research project is part of the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership (FNWEP). Research to date has examined First Nations wildfire evacuation experiences from the perspective of First Nations and evacuees, shedding light on how evacuees’ experiences in host communities can positively and negatively impact the experiences of evacuees and the impacts of the wildfire evacuation. This project examines host communities’ experiences, preparedness, and impacts of recent hosting of First Nations and other Indigenous communities. In particular, this postdoctoral research focuses on the experiences of public officials and other service providers involved in hosting Indigenous evacuees and learn how hosts provide essential services such as food, shelter, and transportation, as well as recreational and cultural activities for evacuees. It also aims to uncover challenges and positive outcomes stemming from the hosting experience. The results of this research project are intended to benefit communities which host Indigenous wildfire evacuees, government agencies, service providers, and First Nations communities.
PROJECT TEAM:
Dr. Douglas Yearwood
Postdoctoral Fellow, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
First Nation Community Wildfire Preparedness in BC
This is a 4-year project which aims to explore the preparedness of a First Nation community in British Columbia for wildfires. It will explore factors that affect both physical and psychological preparedness to effectively respond if a wildfire threatens a First Nation community.
The project will include:
Training of a community research assistant.
A community advisory committee including Elders, who will help to guide this study.
A research agreement will be established with the First Nation involved in this project.
The results of this study will be shared through multiple communication channels, with guidance from the community advisory committee.
An outcome of this project will include a PhD thesis, publications, and conference presentations.
The results of this study will contribute to wildfire preparedness for First Nations in BC and across Canada.
PROJECT TEAM:
Sumaira Niazi
Ph.D. Student, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
Public Responses to Prescribed Fire and Smoke
This is a 2-year project aimed at understanding public support for prescribed fire, public acceptance of smoke from prescribed fires versus wildfires, and protective actions and preparedness for wildfire smoke events.
The project will include:
Application of a survey-based form with community members from Kelowna and Cranbrook in British Columbia.
The results of this project will provide important insights for extending the use of prescribed fire in BC.
Outcomes of this project will include a master's thesis, publications, and conference presentations.
PROJECT TEAM:
Sandani Siriwardhana
M.A. Student, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
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