Writer

David Calkin

In April of 2025, Dr. Calkin concluded a 23-year career as a senior scientist and team lead with
US Forest Service Research and Development to pursue private consulting opportunities. His
work focuses on the intersection of policy, organizational design and incentives, risk
management, and decision-making in wildfire management. While with the Forest Service,
Calkin formed and led the Wildfire Risk Management Science team, an interdisciplinary team of
scientists and fire managers that worked to improve risk-based fire management through improved science development, application, and delivery. In 2023 Calkin received the Ember Award from the International Association of Wildland Fire for
sustained achievement in wildfire research.


Articles

The West heads for wildfires unprepared

By David Calkin

The West is staring down a dangerous wildfire year. A dry winter and historically low snowpack have set the stage…

Calwood Fire outside Boulder Colorado, courtesy Malachi Brooks on Unsplash

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