Reclamation welcomes new Wildland Fire Program Coordinator to the Pacific Northwest region

Written by: Edna Rey-Vizgirdas

Kendra Fallon, PN's new Wildland Fire Program CoordinatorWe are fortunate to welcome Kendra Fallon as PN Region’s new Wildland Fire Program Coordinator. Kendra was “bit hard by the fire bug” early in her career, and fire even runs in the family! With a Master’s in fire ecology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Kendra started out as a seasonal fuels crew lead for the Pike National Forest (NF). She continued in various positions with the Arapaho-Roosevelt NF (engine module), the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) (prescribed fire crew), Yellowstone National Park (fire effects monitor), and Sacramento NWR (prescribed fire). She then moved out of fire management to start a family and worked as a Lassen NF forester and an ecologist for Redding BLM.

But, she missed the fire world and is excited to be part of the Reclamation family. Kendra had to hit the ground running because she started her new position in the middle of fire season. So far this season, 15 individual fires have burned over 3,500 acres of PN Region’s land. Kendra is already getting out in the field to evaluate fire effects on our lands and facilities, and to develop strategies to repair impacts from fire and fire suppression activities.

What Kendra likes about her job: “I get to tap into all of my previous work history and think about fire in a holistic manner that includes suppression, post-fire impacts on ecology, and how that may affect our ability to transport water and execute our mission. My job allows me to think about fire effects on landscapes before it starts and how to repair it afterwards, instead of just focusing solely on putting it out. I also enjoy helping my co-workers by providing the most current status of wildfire in areas they may be going.”

Kendra’s husband, Jason, is the regional deputy fire management officer for the National Park Service’s Pacific West Region. In their free time, they enjoy camping, fishing, and skiing with their two kids (3-1/2 yr old, Olivia, and 1-yr old, Liam). Kendra also can be found kayaking at Boise’s whitewater park, trying to inspire her daughter to take up paddling.

Please help welcome Kendra to the PN Region!

Published on August 10, 2018