This is a very busy time! It has been a long, busy fire season and things are just starting to get busy for us at the IAWF! Here are a few of the items we're working on.

Seventh Annual Wildland Fire Safety Summit

Our Seventh Annual Wildland Fire Safety Summit is being held in Toronto, Nov. 18-20. This year it is being hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aviation and Forest Fire Management Branch. The IAWF will hold a membership meeting and a board meeting following the close of the safety summit on Thursday, Nov. 20. For more information, check page 8 or visit our Web site, www.iawfonline.org.

Board of directors vacancies

The directors of the International Association of Wildland Fire are seeking to fill four vacant positions on the board from among the IAWF membership. Appointments are for a two-year period. Directors must be dues-paying members of the IAWF and be prepared to work to further the aims of the association.

If you are interested in nominating for one of the available positions, please e-mail wildfire@iawfonline.org with a short message setting out the skills and qualities you believe you can contribute to the Board and the management of the operations of the association. If you wish to nominate another person for consideration, please do so and the Board will approach the nominee. All nominations must be received by Oct. 31.

The Directors are keen to widen the geographical representation on the board to further the international scope of the association. Applications from members who are residents or working outside Canada and the United States will be particularly welcome. Most board meetings are conducted via telecom, so location usually is not a barrier to participation.

Wildfire 2004

Planning is in full force for Wildfire 2004, March 3-5, in Reno, Nev., in conjunction with the National Fire Plan Conference. Look for more information in upcoming issues.

Contact the IAWF

International Association of Wildland Fire 4025 Fair Ridge Drive Fairfax, Va. 22033 phone: 785-423-1818 fax: 785-542-3511 e-mail: iawf@iawfonline.org