The Communication Alliance: Building a community at the forefront of wildland fire risk communication

The Social Science Research Group (SSRG) for wildfire has built a Communication Alliance, or CommA, which brings together people from multiple organizations (including federal, state, local, international, independent, etc.) directly involved in wildland fire operations and communities. The CommA meets regularly to share experiences and knowledge and to leverage all aspects of communication in support of shifting the social relationship people have with wildland fire. Discussions are guided to ensure opinions are respectfully shared and challenging topics can be openly discussed. Networking and information-sharing outside regular meetings is encouraged.

Through CommA, Social Science Research Group is changing how people reflect upon and improve their communication and understanding related to risk and crisis in the wildland fire environment. Through a variety of presentations at wildland fire-related conferences and direct engagement with the agency, Social Science Research Group and CommA have engaged a wider audience in dialogue about how to improve wildfire communication. CommA continues to build a library of resources for people to access and share.

Photo Credit

USDA Forest Service photo by Emily Haire, Social Climates LLC

Members of the Social Science Research Group for Wildfire review what happened on the Lolo Peak fire during a site visit in 2025.