International Association of Wildland Fire Awards
Nominations for the 2025 awards is closed. Check back in September 2026.
If you are writing an award nomination, and would like a little help, members of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) Committee are willing to help. Perhaps English is not your first language or you can’t quite find the right words to express your thoughts, just reach out and we would be happy to help. EMail
We encourage you to gather your information to nominate some very deserving folks for these prestigious awards! The recipient does not need to be an IAWF member to receive an award.
If you’ve nominated someone in the past and they were not selected as the recipient, please do not hesitate to re-nominate them. At times we have numerous deserving folks, however, at this time we are only able to select one person per award.
Contact us with questions: Email or 406-625-7059.
2025 IAWF Awards Nominations
Ember Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Research
Firebreak Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Management
Early Career Award in Fire Science
Early Career Award in Fire Operations
Wildland Fire Safety Award
The Wildland Fire Safety Award is given to someone in the wildland fire community who has made a significant contribution to wildland firefighter safety, either directly on the fireline, or indirectly through management or cultural changes. Their contribution is frequently beyond their normal everyday job expectations – sometimes at the potential risk to their own career, and their example can encourage others to act in a similar manner. Nominations open annually on September 23rd.
Wildland Fire Safety Award Recipients History
Ember Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Science
The purpose of the IAWF EMBER AWARD is to acknowledge sustained achievement in wildland fire science. The name ‘Ember’ was chosen to reflect the fact that research and science often move slowly, and their benefits or impacts may not be apparent for years or more. Nominations open annually on September 23rd.
Ember award recipients history
Distinguished Service Award
The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Distinguished Service Award which recognizes individuals, groups or organizations for their outstanding contributions to furthering the goals of the Association.
Spark Award
Student award for best poster or oral presentation at every IAWF hosted conference. Partner conferences may request to give this award as well.
Firebreak Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Management
The “Management Award” was established to honor achievements and excellence in the management of wildland fire programs. This award recognizes an individual who have made lasting contributions in program management and inspired others through their creativity, innovation, leadership, application, guidance, and communication in response to challenging and controversial wildland fire management issues. Nominations open annually on September 23rd.
Early Career Award in Fire Science
The Early Career Award in Fire Science is to recognize a promising early-career professional who has demonstrated outstanding ability in any field of wildland fire science. Early career is nominally taken to include professionals who are under 40 years of age when nominated. Nominations open annually on September 23rd.
Early Career Award in Fire Operations
The Early Career Award in Fire Operations is to recognize a promising early-career professional who has demonstrated outstanding ability in any field of wildland fire operations. Early career is nominally taken to include professionals who are under 40 years of age when nominated. Nominations open annually on September 23rd.
