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A new fire paradigm is emerging.

Wildfire is not our enemy, and need not be a crisis or catastrophe.

Come be part of the paradigm shift for safe, ethical, ecological fire management.

Cover Photo - Trip Jennings

What’s Hot with FUSEE?

Upcoming Events

September 8 - Virtual Film Screening The Fire Practitioners

October 25 - Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival

October 16 - FUSEE’s Fall Fire Festival Fundraiser

Hot Off The Press - Fire News and Views

Fire News

Featured wildfire news stories raising critical issues that affect policy debates over firefighter safety, ethics, and ecology.

Featured
Daily Kos
Trump’s USDA Moves to Eliminate Crucial Roadless Rule Protections From National Forests
Daily Kos

FUSEE, Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology- an organization of active, former or retired wildland firefighters are also speaking out against the repeal. They say in a statement  that more roads and human access will mean more human-caused wildfire starts. And that logging roads in backcountry areas are dangerous for attempting to stop wildfire. FUSEE argues this is best done by aviation-based tactics and other means fully allowed by the existing rule.

A current member of an active Wildfire module Molly Maguire stated, “Wildland fires are necessary and incredibly significant ecological processes. Roadless areas lack much infrastructure or human structures, so they offer opportunities to safely, economically, and ecologically manage fire across large areas without threatening human assets,”

Read more →
Daily Kos
Grist
America is losing its war against wildfire
Grist

Prescribed fire offers what the agency has become less tolerant of losing: control. But Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE), said a war on wildfire is unwinnable. “We’re just throwing good money after bad in these reactive, siege-like suppression spectacles, versus proactive preparation and treatments within communities.” 

Read more →
Grist
For the Planet and Humanity
Trump’s USDA Moves to Eliminate Crucial Roadless Rule Protections From National Forests
For the Planet and Humanity

FUSEE, Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology- an organization of active, former or retired wildland firefighters are also speaking out against the repeal. They say in a statement  that more roads and human access will mean more human-caused wildfire starts. And that logging roads in backcountry areas are dangerous for attempting to stop wildfire. FUSEE argues this is best done by aviation-based tactics and other means fully allowed by the existing rule.

A current member of an active Wildfire module Molly Maguire stated, “Wildland fires are necessary and incredibly significant ecological processes. Roadless areas lack much infrastructure or human structures, so they offer opportunities to safely, economically, and ecologically manage fire across large areas without threatening human assets,”

Read more →
For the Planet and Humanity
Read More Fire News
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Spotfire! Blog

Spotfire! is FUSEE's blog that offers analysis and opinion on current events and issues from our crew of essay writers.

Featured
Press Release: Wildland Firefighters Oppose Removing Roadless Area Conservation Rule
Timothy Ingalsbee
Press Release: Wildland Firefighters Oppose Removing Roadless Area Conservation Rule
Timothy Ingalsbee

EUGENE - Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) released statements from wildland firefighters who currently serve on engine crews who oppose the Trump Administration's proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule ("Roadless Rule"). The Administration claims that roadless area protections impede wildfire suppression and that building new logging roads will help prevent wildfires by improving firefighter safety and efficiency. Engine crew members refute this claim, offering several reasons from their personal and professional experience why typical Forest Service logging roads present hazardous conditions for transporting and staging firefighting crews. The firefighters argue that aviation-supported handcrews are better suited to manage fires in rugged roadless terrain, and the absence of human communities or critical infrastructure in roadless wildlands provide more opportunities to safely manage fire in order to restore landscape wildfire resilience.

Read more →
Timothy Ingalsbee
The Gaff
Letter Burn
The Gaff
Letter Burn

The dawning twilight signaled us that we had really contained this fire. Time to return to the jump spot where our mixed load of Jumpers from several bases stowed our cargo boxes. There we’d find a food bag and sleeping bag and reconnoiter a place on the slope that could be serviceable for a sleeping hootch. Then we will join the communal campfire for food, fabulous fables, and friendship. Here comes “the hour of the pearl” as Steinbeck called it…

Read more →
Letter Burn
Minnesota Fire Leeches
Letter Burn
Minnesota Fire Leeches
Letter Burn

Incendiary Imbeciles #12

For those whose destiny intertwines with fire lands, the ethics of wild, ethereal, untrammeled places become mosaics of parity and belonging. For those who journey born-again or always-been, stoic and bountiful firescapes bequeath thousands of beautiful, singular memories when encountered with abiding reverence. Wildfires can be stochastic and auspicious disturbances that bring great opportunities for ecosystems, firefighters, local contractors, and other parasites.

Read more →
Letter Burn
Chase More Spotfires!
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FUSEE in the News

FUSEE members deliver quotes for news stories. This is our archive of stories featuring our members and supporters.

Featured
Daily Kos
Trump’s USDA Moves to Eliminate Crucial Roadless Rule Protections From National Forests
Daily Kos

FUSEE, Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology- an organization of active, former or retired wildland firefighters are also speaking out against the repeal. They say in a statement  that more roads and human access will mean more human-caused wildfire starts. And that logging roads in backcountry areas are dangerous for attempting to stop wildfire. FUSEE argues this is best done by aviation-based tactics and other means fully allowed by the existing rule.

A current member of an active Wildfire module Molly Maguire stated, “Wildland fires are necessary and incredibly significant ecological processes. Roadless areas lack much infrastructure or human structures, so they offer opportunities to safely, economically, and ecologically manage fire across large areas without threatening human assets,”

Read more →
Daily Kos
Grist
America is losing its war against wildfire
Grist

Prescribed fire offers what the agency has become less tolerant of losing: control. But Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE), said a war on wildfire is unwinnable. “We’re just throwing good money after bad in these reactive, siege-like suppression spectacles, versus proactive preparation and treatments within communities.” 

Read more →
Grist
For the Planet and Humanity
Trump’s USDA Moves to Eliminate Crucial Roadless Rule Protections From National Forests
For the Planet and Humanity

FUSEE, Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology- an organization of active, former or retired wildland firefighters are also speaking out against the repeal. They say in a statement  that more roads and human access will mean more human-caused wildfire starts. And that logging roads in backcountry areas are dangerous for attempting to stop wildfire. FUSEE argues this is best done by aviation-based tactics and other means fully allowed by the existing rule.

A current member of an active Wildfire module Molly Maguire stated, “Wildland fires are necessary and incredibly significant ecological processes. Roadless areas lack much infrastructure or human structures, so they offer opportunities to safely, economically, and ecologically manage fire across large areas without threatening human assets,”

Read more →
For the Planet and Humanity
Read More FUSEE in the News

Burning Issues - Current Issues Engaging Our Work

Indigenous Cultural Burning

Indigenous Cultural Burning
Community Fire Preparedness

Community Fire Preparedness
FireGeneration Collaborative

FireGeneration Collaborative
Climate Change

Climate Change
Ecological Fire Management

Ecological Fire Management
Suppression Impacts and Costs

Suppression Impacts and Costs
Logging and Fire

Logging and Fire
Eco-Fire Database

Eco-Fire Database
Wildfire Monitoring

Wildfire Monitoring
PyroCulture

PyroCulture

Words on Fire - Language Guides for the New Fire Paradigm

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Messaging Guides

These guides offer tips for talking to people about fire in ways that are grounded in the best ecological science and progressive fire policy.  

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Media Tipsheets

These tipsheets help journalists produce more informative, inspiring news stories that cover the whole story of fire management.

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FUSEE Publications

FUSEE publications synthesize the latest science and policy information covering a broad range of fire management issues.

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We had the wonderful opportunity of talking to Echo Cunningham, a Fire Specialist, about their experience as a nonbinary person in wildland fire. They shared their challenges, their hopes, and their advice as a queer wildland firefighter. 🌈 "
🔥 Join the Fire Circle and get our limited-edition "Earth Needs Fire" t-shirt with our viral design! 🔥 The Fire Circle is the backbone of FUSEE; monthly donors give us stability, independence, and the ability to show up when it matters m
We had such a great time co-leading a Fire Ecology Hike with @wren_education today! 😍 We explored the southeast side of Mt. Pisgah, learning about how fire benefits native plants, people, and wildlife. 🪻 Huge shoutout to our volunteer hike leader
We’re so excited to announce our full Retreat lineup for 2026-2027! ☺️🧘 Designed especially for wildland firefighters, these wellness & mindfulness retreats offer you a space to unwind, reconnect with yourself, and connect with fellow fir