FIRE-NET: Conference and network building to establish the Oregon Wildfire Innovation Lab

In recent years, wildfires are becoming urban conflagrations that destroy hundreds or thousands of homes at once. The events driving these losses are wind-driven fires that carry embers well ahead of the flame front and reach neighborhoods faster than communities can respond. Most of the damage traces to the ignition vulnerability of buildings, where much is unknown. The consequences extend well beyond the places that burn, as subsequent changes in insurance policies affect many households. This project supports the launch of the Oregon Wildfire Innovation Laboratory as an independent regional laboratory connecting fire scientists, engineers, behavioral researchers, insurers, technology developers, and community partners in a single research network. Results benefit rural communities with high fire risk. Students and early-career professionals receive training that spans field deployment, behavioral research, insurance economics, and technology development. The initial network is organized around four goals: 1) determine how to structure and govern a durable multisector laboratory; 2) determine how to scope and sequence a research agenda that reflects stakeholder priorities; 3) identify the most achievable data infrastructure and insurance partnerships; and 4) identify which communities are positioned to serve as demonstration partners. Activities include founding partner agreements, two conferences, listening sessions, structured interviews, and a gap analysis workshop. Deliverables include a governance framework and ratified charter, a stakeholder priority report, a data architecture requirements specification reviewed by technical representatives from at least three sectors, participation agreements with three demonstration communities, and a multi-year operational plan validated by the founding network. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.