RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

Despite extensive resource allocation to fire suppression efforts, the number, size, and severity of wildfire events have increased dramatically across western North America over recent decades. Proactive management strategies that move beyond reactive suppression tactics are urgently needed to address this wildfire crisis. BC communities embedded within forest ecosystems are increasingly interested in proactive fuel treatments that aim to reduce fuel loading and mitigate extreme fire behaviour. Yet, there is little research on the efficacy of different fuel reduction techniques in BC to guide the implementation of preemptive fuel treatments. In my research, co-supervised by Dr. Lori Daniels and Dr. Bianca Eskelson, I assess the efficacy of alternative fuel hazard treatments to modify potential fire behaviour in the seasonally dry montane forests of southeastern BC. My work is in collaboration with the BC Community Forest Association and BC Wildfire Service.

EDUCATION

University of British Columbia (2021-present)

Master of Science in Forestry,

Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences &

Department of Forest Resources Management

University of California, Berkeley (2016-2019)

Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Management and Forestry (Honours) &

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics and Policy

PUBLICATIONS

Rutherford, K.H., R.R. Evett, & P. Hopkinson. (2020). Using phytolith analysis to reconstruct prehistoric fire regimes in central coastal California. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 29(9), 832-840.

VIDEOS

Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative. (2022). A sane approach to wildfire mitigation and climate change adaptation [video]. https://www.sifco.ca/single-post/an-interview-with-kea-rutherford

Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative. (2022). The UBC Fuel Treatment Efficacy Research Project [video]. https://www.sifco.ca/single-post/an-interview-with-kea-rutherford-part-two