(originally posted March, 2007)

The International Association of Wildland Fire is pleased to present its 2nd annual Ember Award to Dr. James K. Brown. The purpose of the Ember Award is to recognize sustained excellence in wildland fire research and to encourage innovation, exploration, application, and dissemination of important research results. The name “Ember Award” reflects the fact that research and science often move slowly, and their benefits or impacts may not be apparent for years. The award recognizes sustained and excellent research contributions to wildland fire science, innovative solutions to important wildland fire challenges, and effective and appropriate communication of wildland fire science and research results.

Jim received his bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota in 1960, his masters from Yale University in 1961, and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1968, all in Forestry. From 1961 to 1965 he did research on field measurements of fuel properties and fire-danger rating systems while with the U.S. Forest Service Lake States Forest Experiment Station in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1965, he transferred to the Intermountain Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana where he conducted research on the physical properties, inventory and prediction of fuels. From 1979 through 1995 he was leader of a prescribed fire and fire effects research unit of 25 employees.

His research was focused on fuel consumption, fuel hazard appraisal, fire ecology of western forests, and development of computer information systems for fuel prediction and application of prescribed fire. He has authored over 100 technical journal articles and reports. In 1992 he received the Forest Services Superior Science Award for his research on fuels and contributions to fire management. During Jims distinguished Forest Service career, his seminal research in fire effects, fuels, and fire behavior set the standard for many in the field.

At the start of his career, fire effects science was in its infancy. Jim had the foresight to observe that fire effects are intimately linked to fire behavior so he dedicated much of his career to ensuring that the two fields of behavior and effects were closely integrated in all of his studies. Many of his findings are integrated into the complex fire behavior and effects computer models used today. A careful scholar, a thoughtful ecologist, and an advocate for wise use of scientific information, Jim exemplifies the qualities honored by this award.

Photo, left to right: Chuck Bushey (IAWF President), Dr. James K. Brown, Elizabeth Reinhardt.