Donate now and stand with us in creating a future where communities can live with wildfire! 🔥
On Feb. 20, 2025, the staff of the WiRē Center received stop work orders from our board of directors due to delays in reimbursement from our federal agreements. Thankfully, our outstanding reimbursement requests have been paid, and WiRē Center is back at work! In response to the pause in our activities, past and current partners have spoken out about the critical impact of our work. Their words underscore the value of the WiRē Approach and the essential role our team plays—including our nonprofit staff, as well as researchers in federal (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey) and university (University of Colorado Boulder) positions.
Here’s what our partners have to say:
“Your professionalism, knowledge, and passion have directly impacted our entire community.”
—Brian Brett, Fire Chief, Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, Washington
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the exceptional work of Wirē. You have been an invaluable partner, providing critical resources that have significantly influenced how COCO (Coalitions and Collaboratives)—and initiatives such as the Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices, our AIM program, and the Forest Service’s Community Mitigation Assistance Team—support communities. Your contributions have greatly informed and enhanced our collective efforts.”
—Jonathan Bruno, Chief Executive Officer, Coalitions and Collaboratives, Colorado
“We are so thankful for all the important work you have done in Chelan County, and around the West. Your research will continue to live on in our work with our local communities, and we remain hopeful that we can pick-up where we left off with new projects in the future.”
—Patrick Haggerty, Forestry and Fire Program Manager, Cascadia Conservation District, Washington
“WiRē’s work advances widespread understanding of the wildfire crisis and informs solutions that benefit the greater good. These are dedicated scientists who bring value to society as a whole.”
—Josh Hankes, Executive Director, Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council, Colorado
“WiRē’s research has fundamentally changed the way we approach wildfire mitigation. Your ability to combine science with practical, community-based solutions has given practitioners like me the tools to better engage with homeowners and create more effective, targeted programs. Because of WiRē, we don’t just talk about risk—we understand how to communicate it in ways that inspire action. That is an impact that will last far beyond today.”
—Aaron Johnson, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, West Region Wildfire Council, Colorado
“The first line of defense against a wildfire is fuels management. The research WiRe provides helps us practitioners on the ground develop more effective, customized and focused education and fuels management programs that allows us to better work with the public to reduce their wildfire risk. This program is making a large impact around the nation to reduce the number of homes lost by a wildfire.”
—Adam Moore, Supervisory Forester, Colorado State Forest Service Alamosa Field Office, Colorado
“On behalf of our organization and TAWPC (Teton Area Wildfire Protection Coalition), we would like to express our gratitude for your work in wildfire research. You were the premier agency for our county of practitioners to engage with in identifying issues and solutions in this area. I recall being impressed by your capacity before, during, and after working with you on our project. Thank you for your contributions.”
—Robb Sgroi, Land Resources Specialist, Teton Conservation District, Wyoming
“I can’t state enough how impactful WiRe’s work has been for Colorado and especially in Chaffee and Lake Counties. I have had the privilege to work with the WIRe team since 2014, when we were doing the wildfire assessment for the Telluride area. Through the years I’ve learned so much from the team and I view you all as friends, not just partners. Your research has helped grow wildfire mitigation programs throughout the western United States into what they are today.”
—JT Shaver, Supervisory Forester, Colorado State Forest Service Salida Field Office, Colorado
The work of the WiRē Center helps our partners make informed, science-based decisions about wildfire adaptation. But today, we need your help to ensure this work continues. Your donation can help sustain our efforts and allows us to keep delivering the research, insights, and tools that communities rely on to prepare for wildfire.