Two More Chains

When we think about working on fires, it’s easy to focus on the differences—the varied terrains, the diverse tactics, or even the distinct challenges presented by each region of the world. But as we’ve discovered through the stories shared in this issue, the core of what it means to be a wildland firefighter remains strikingly similar, whether you’re working in the remote forests of Canada, the arid expanses of Australia, or right here in the U.S.

This issue is about what happens when you are not "in charge" but you need to make a decision or take action.

In this issue we highlight some advances our community has seen over the last 30 years and reflect on the lessons related to organizational change.

In this issue of Two More Chains, we focus on lessons gathered in 2023 and offer some specific calls to action.

In this issue of Two More Chains, we explore what it means to be a wildland firefighter by considering how we got here, what makes us unique, what makes us the same and how we can best move forward.

In this issue of Two More Chains, we invite you to study some fires you may not recall or of which you may have never heard. We also feature a first-hand account from someone who ran for their life on one of those fires.

In this issue, we offer a bit of organizational perspective and some personal perspective on some of what has happened in the decade that has passed since the Yarnell Hill Fire.

This issue explores what we learned in 2022. We share lessons and highlight ways to put the lessons into action.

This issue focuses on “Dialogue”, the third pillar of learning from “Learning in the Wildland Fire Service”. The cover story analyzes the lessons initiated by dialogue on a large fire more than a decade ago. In the “One of Our Own” feature, Heath Cota, U.S. Forest Service Branch Chief for Workforce Development, Training, and Education describes dialogue as the sensemaking part of learning.

This issue of Two More Chains explores the second pillar of learning – Opportunity. Opportunity to learn exists in just about everything we do and may hide in unexpected scenarios, like tragedy and failure. As you read, ponder how you will make the most out of the learning opportunities you encounter.