Wildfires in B.C. - SFU experts available

A major wildfire is currently threatening Fort Nelson, British Columbia, and fires are also burning near Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie, Alberta. With unusually dry conditions persisting since winter, experts are warning this may only be the beginning of a challenging wildfire season.

SFU experts are available to comment on various aspects of wildfires, including wildfire behaviour, the links between extreme weather and climate change, the impact on rural communities, and health impacts of wildfire smoke.

AVAILABLE SFU EXPERTS

JOHN CLAGUE, professor emeritus, Earth Sciences, CRC Chair in Natural Hazard Science  
jclague@sfu.ca 
Expertise: the link between extreme weather events and climate change, natural disasters.

STEPHANIE CLELAND, assistant professor, Faculty of Health Sciences
stephanie_cleland@sfu.ca
Expertise: wildfire smoke exposure, the health impacts of smoke exposure, and how to reduce exposure / mitigate adverse health impacts.

GLYN WILLIAMS-JONES, professor & chair, Earth Sciences, co-director, Centre for Natural Hazards Research (also speaks French)
glynwj@sfu.ca
Expertise: natural hazards research in B.C. and beyond.

JAMES WHITEHEAD, engagement analyst, mitigating wildfire, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
james_whitehead@sfu.ca
Expertise: the role of and need for dialogue and collaboration in the way we address the risk of wildfire in B.C., evacuation reluctance and the impact of wildfire on rural communities in B.C., engaging rural residents, the need for wildfire mitigation instead of just suppression, experiences as a former wildland firefighter in B.C.

SOPHIE WILKINSON, assistant professor, Resource and Environmental Management & founder, Fire and Ecosystems Research Group (available from Wednesday, May 15)
sophie.wilkinson@sfu.ca
Expertise: wildfire behaviour, impacts and the conditions that fuel them, including the importance and management of peatlands (bogs, fens and swamps).

YOLANDA CLATWORTHY, assistant director, mitigating wildfire, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue (available from Wednesday, May 15)
yolanda_clatworthy@sfu.ca
Expertise: mitigating wildfires, the root causes of catastrophic wildfire, impacts on rural and Indigenous communities.

CONTACT

WILL HENDERSON, SFU Communications & Marketing 
604.368.2532 | will_henderson@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210

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