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International collaboration on forest fires

Two global research initiatives have been jointly awarded SEK 9 million from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to increase knowledge about forest fires. The collaboration includes international fire research organizations and universities. Lund University is one of the institutions of higher learning participating in the consortium that conducts the research. Margaret McNamee, Professor in Fire Safety Engineering, is responsible for LTH’s participation in the partnership.

Jessika Sellergren – Published 20 January 2022

Burning forest. Photo.
Forest fires are a major societal challenge for which the international partnership in fire research wants to find joint solutions. Photo: Unsplash/Karsten Winegeart

The researchers are part of the International Fire Safety Consortium (IFSC) and Underwriter Laboratories’ (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute. Together, they will develop standardizations in order to contribute to public safety, health, the environment and to support financial security.

“Our different competencies and expertise in fire and modelling research complement one another in collaboration, and they increase our opportunities to jointly address major societal challenges”, says Margret McNamee. Her own research focuses on understanding and characterizing the environmental impact of fires.

Forest fires are a major societal challenge. And the need for solutions and strategies to reduce the risks is great.

”In the collaboration we will investigate vulnerability, responsiveness and carry out risk assessments to increase our understanding of the fire-spread risks associated with forest fires. Above all, in built environments close to the forest that are particularly vulnerable,” says Margaret McNamee. 

Press release on the financing and collaboration – on the website of Underwriters Laboratories

Portrait photo of Margaret McNamee.

Margaret McNamee

Margaret McNamee is Professor in Fire Safety Engineering at LTH.

Margaret McNamee’s profile – in Lund University’s Research Portal

Organizations within the collaboration

Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

UL's website

International Fire Safety Consortium (IFSC)

IFSC brings together global knowledge and expertise to tackle contemporary fire safety challenges.

IFSC's website

Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)

FSRI gathers international research on fire safety research. 

FSRI's website