Megan Dolman

Coexisting with Wildfire in a Warming World

Wildfire processes are being changed significantly by the expansion of human development into the fire-prone Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). This increases the risk of human exposure to wildfire. As expansion in the fire-prone WUI continues, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics between development and wildfire processes in this social-ecological system. To address this, my research seeks to produce a remotely sensed product to map development in the WUI across the Snake River Plain, Southern Idaho, at a finer spatial scale than is currently available. Concurrently, I will use social science research methods to evaluate what factors influence the adoption of fire management strategies that could mediate human exposure and vulnerability to wildfire hazards in this area. The overarching goal of this project is to decrease future human exposure and vulnerability to wildfire in the WUI and inform decision-making for wildfire hazard adaption and prevention.

Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in physical geography from Royal Holloway University of London, England. As a student she conducted research in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru, focusing on environmental and human impacts on Psittaciformes. In between degree programs, Megan set herself the challenge of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and after achieving this, she returned to England to pursue a masters from the interdisciplinary program Biodiversity, Conversation and Management from the University of Oxford. Megan collaborated with Virginia Tech to conduct research on thru-hiker observance of Leave No Trace principles, and attitudes and perceptions towards invasive non-native species on the Appalachian Trail. Megan’s research interests lie in social-ecological systems and the interactions between humans and their environment, with a focus on disturbance ecology, land use change, and human behavior. She is happiest when out hiking or birding.