Dr. Heather Simpson, a Project Manager at CIFFC, combines a wealth of frontline firefighting experience and academic expertise in wildfire management. With a decade-long tenure as a seasonal firefighter with the BC Wildfire Service, Heather is acquainted with the challenges and intricacies of battling wildfires on the ground. Building upon this foundation, Heather embarked on a journey to delve deeper into the science behind wildfire management. Spending a decade in Australia, Heather pursued a Ph.D. focusing on fire management, where she conducted research aimed at enhancing our understanding of fire line operations and refining strategies for effective wildfire management. At CIFFC, Heather’s role involves leveraging her expertise to inform policy, guide decision-making, and drive innovation in wildfire management.