Schultz’s research examines policy barriers and other challenges that exist to prevent more widespread use of prescribed fire. Prescribed fire – or planned and controlled burns ­– is designed to reduce wildfire hazards.

There are several examples of effective prescribed fires in the state, including ones that have taken place in the San Juan National Forest in western Colorado and on the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest in north central Colorado.

“I’ll also talk about a number of national policies and collaborative forest restoration policies meant to support collaborative fuel reduction and forest restoration work,” she said. “I’ll share what’s been effective in planning for wildfires and also planning forest restoration.”

Schultz, her husband and their dogs were personally affected by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, which became the largest recorded wildfire in Colorado’s history.

“My husband and I were evacuated from our home outside of Fort Collins, and it had a big personal effect on us,” she said. “We had friends lose homes and we’ve seen many places we love around the West burn in recent years.”

On the flip side, Schultz said she’s visited places in Montana where she worked for Outward Bound many years ago and watched wildland firefighters at work.

“Ten years later, I can see how the forests are growing back and that’s encouraging,” she said. “The West is burning and it’s really intense. At some point, a lot of this landscape is going to burn. It’s going to be important to live with and work on this challenge for the rest of our lives.”

Schultz said despite what she sees and has been through, she remains optimistic.

“We are seeing a lot of good partnerships emerge with creative solutions to the spread of wildfire,” she said. “States are investing in forest and fire management, and there’s cooperation between states, the federal government and with other partners.”

Congress is also taking a more active role by holding hearings and introducing legislation.

On April 20, Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced the Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act to create or sustain over two million jobs by investing in forest and watershed restoration. This legislation aims to provide direct support to local, collaborative efforts to restore habitat, expand outdoor access and mitigate wildfire.

Congressman Neguse is leading the House fire caucus and has proposed legislation to create a Civilian Climate Corps, which would create jobs and a workforce to support climate adaptation, forest restoration and outdoor recreation.

“We have worked our way into this problem with anthropogenic climate change, land use change, and a century of fire suppression,” said Schultz. “It will take some time to get out. There are long-term challenges, and we’re seeing incremental progress now that’s really valuable. But addressing these problems will take steady work and ongoing attention for decades to come.”