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Association for Fire Ecology's Journal  Fire Ecology Announces Changes

Editorial Leadership Change for Fire Ecology

 

It is with mixed emotions that I write this note of Thanks and Welcome.  Our electronic journal Fire Ecology, has been very successful since it was initiated in 2005.  In that first issue, the President of the Association for Fire Ecology wrote:

 

 "Why another journal?  That is the same question we were asked when we founded the Association over four years ago, and the answer is the same....  While other journals might address fire science, its physical basis, and the means to suppress it, no journal specifically deals with the ecology of fire...  The Association for Fire Ecology was founded with the purpose of promoting the application of fire ecology through science and education.  Fire Ecology is one means to accomplish this purpose."

 

The author of that welcome to Fire Ecology, Dr. Jan Van Wagtendonk, is now stepping down as the second editor of Fire Ecology.  It is impossible to thank Jan enough for his contributions to Fire Ecology and AFE, although I understand he will accept a good dark beer at our next meeting as a thank you.

 

The new editor is Dr. James K. Agee, the 2009 Biswell award winner.  To quote from a nomination letter for the Biswell Award:

 

"Over a career that spanned four decades, Jim taught fire ecology at the University of California, Berkeley, developed fire management programs for the National Park Service, and became the regional expert on fire ecology in the Pacific Northwest while a professor at the University of Washington. His book on the fire ecology of the Pacific Northwest is the definitive source of information for the region and serves as a model for the treatment of fire ecology in other regions...  Although Jim retired on October 1, 2007, he will continue to make contributions to the field of fire ecology for years to come."

 

Jan wrote that as well, so why try to improve on perfection?  AFE and Fire Ecology are blessed to have Dr. Agee willing to serve as editor.  I am sure that the strong foundation that Jan was instrumental in establishing for Fire Ecology will continue and grow under Jim's editorial leadership.

 

Brian P. Oswald

President, Association for Fire Ecology

Message From the Outgoing Editor

 

When I took over as managing editor of Fire Ecology five years ago from Michael Medler, he stated in his message from the editor that a beginning is a very delicate time. That beginning has blossomed, and we feel that Fire Ecology is well on its way to becoming the journal of choice for fire ecologists to share their findings and explore new ideas. In the past seven volumes, there have been 15 issues, 119 articles, and over 360 authors. These authors hail from 13 countries from five continents and represent the state of the science in their areas. Fire Ecology is now indexed by SCOPUS, and we expect a decision on our application for indexing by Thomson Reuters (ISI) Web of Knowledge by the end of the year.

 

All of this would not have possible without the help of many people. In particular, I want to thank Michael for getting the journal off to a good start, Laurie Burk, our production manager, for formatting and editing every article, and Jacob Lesser for making sure each issue gets posted to our web site. In addition, I want to thank each of our associate editors who coordinated the review process, and each of the reviewers without whom the entire process would not be possible. Finally, the Board of Directors of the Association for Fire Ecology has been very supportive of our efforts to produce a quality journal. All of these people have all made Fire Ecology the success it is today.

 

With this issue, I will be stepping down as managing editor and handing over the reins to Jim Agee. I have known Jim for over 40 years as both a colleague and a friend. Jim is an acknowledged expert on fire ecology, particularly in the US Pacific Northwest and California. He will bring his considerable expertise to bear on the journal and will take Fire Ecology to the next level of excellence. I am proud to be able to have Jim take the helm.

 

As I step down, I want to ask each of you to submit your fire ecology research papers, short communications, book reviews, practices and applications, and articles for the forum. Only through your support will Fire Ecology continue to be the premier journal for our science.

 

Jan van Wagtendonk

Former Managing Editor

Fire Ecology

Message from the Incoming Editor

 

I'm excited to accept the job of Managing Editor of Fire Ecology. First, there are some pretty big shoes to fill, and my first objective is to continue the excellent performance of Jan van Wagtendonk, our retiring Managing Editor, who has led the journal from its inception.  I hope the transition is seamless; my first challenge is to maintain the timeliness of journal publication.  I'll be working with our Associate Editors to ensure timely review of submitted manuscripts, broaden the geographical scope of published manuscripts, and increase the impact factor of the journal.

 

We have been discussing the adoption of the Open Journal System (OJS), which should help streamline the peer review process.  We might possibly also adopt the OJS publication system sometime in the future.  In the next year or two, we hope to publish some special issues, focusing on particular topics of interest (e.g., fire and alien species, fire and old-growth forests, etc.).  Recently, the AFE Board approved a manuscript charge (rather than a page charge), and I'll be working to smoothly manage that process as it is implemented in the next issue of the journal.

 

AFE has always held high standards for Fire Ecology, and I'm committed to maintaining those ideals.  We're always looking for excellent manuscripts, so send them along!

 

Jim Agee

Incoming Managing Editor

Fire Ecology 

  

 

Fire Ecology Journal Contacts:

 

Managing Editor:  Dr. James K. Agee


Publication Manager:  Ms. Laurie Burk

 

Co-Editor:  Dr. Michael J. Medler  

 

Online Manager:  Mr. Jacob Lesser

Fire Ecology is an international peer-reviewed on-line journal focusing on ecological effects of wildland fires.  It is published in three issues per year: April, August, and December. 
At present we have limited space available for additional papers for our December, 2011 issue, but submissions must be made immediately in order to allow for peer review.
Submission information is on our website.
Selected Articles from the Current Issue of Fire Ecology
cover 7(2)
Authors: Marc D. Meyer and Hugh D. Safford 

Authors: James A. Lutz, Carl H. Key, Crystal A. Kolden, Jonathan T. Kane, and Jan W. van Wagtendonk

Authors: Kristen M. Kaczynski, Susan W. Beatty, Jan W. van Wagtendonk, and Kristin N. Marshall 

See our Table of Contents to view abstracts and PDF's of all of this issue's articles.
Check out our recent issues of Fire Ecology
cover 7(1)
Volume 7, Issue 1, 4/13/11
 cover 6(3)
cover 6(2)
cover 6(1)
 Our website has a full listing of  previous issues.
How to Submit to the Journal Fire Ecology

 Fire Ecology is an online publication of the Association for Fire Ecology. The journal strives to publish high quality, peer reviewed articles on topics primarily focusing on fire ecology. Articles that deal with other fire science or fire management topics must establish a relationship with fire ecology.

 

All published articles are available on the Fire Ecology website, but hard copy reprints are not available. Authors are permitted to create links from other web pages to their paper on the Fire Ecology website.

 

In order to keep Fire Ecology as an open access journal, we charge authors a per paper cost.  This cost is $200.00 for AFE members and $250.00 for non-members.  If this cost causes any undue hardship, please contact Fire Ecology's editor.  

 

There are many types of contributions  to the Journal, including original research papers, short communications, forum articles, book reviews, practices and applications in fire ecology manuscripts, and manuscripts that describe computer software that has application to fire ecology. 

 

For a full description of types of contributions accepted, how to prepare your manuscripts, and submission procedures, please see our How to Submit page on our website.

 

For further information, see Fire Ecology Manuscript Format Guidelines and Submission Requirements and Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI).


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Upcoming AFE Conferences

 

Interior West Fire Ecology Conference:  

Challenges and Opportunites in a Changing World  

Snowbird resort near Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 14-17, 2011.  Call for Abstracts now closed.  Early registration rates end on October 14.  Register at the conference website: http://humboldt.edu/iwfire/register.html.

 

Southwest Fire Ecology Conference

Fire Landscapes, Wildlife & People:  

Building Alliances for Restoring Ecosystem Resilience

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico, Feb. 27-March 1, 2012.  Now accepting proposals for Special Sessions and Workshops.  Call for Presentations and Posters extended until Oct. 15.  Special Early bird registration for AFE members has been extended.  See our conference website for details:  http://humboldt.edu/swfire/register.html.

 

The 5th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress

Uniting Research, Education and Management

Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center, Dec. 3-7, 2012.   

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