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April 2026
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Fifth International Congress on Fire in the Earth System: Humans and Nature
4 to 6 November 2026
The Fifth International Congress on Fire in the Earth System: Humans and Nature (fEs2026) will be taking place on 4 to 6 November 2026 at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This event, organised by Nelson Mandela University George Campus in partnership with Fire in the Earth System (fEs), focuses on fire dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management strategies, connecting scientists, practitioners and citizens to discuss fire-resilient landscapes amid global climate and land-use change.
At the previous Fire Management Conference organised by the Nelson Mandela University George Campus at Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, they announced that the 2026 Fire management event will take on a slightly different shape and that they are partnering with the international group: Fire in the Earth System (fEs).
In addition to the main event, there are pre-and post-tour events. These are mainly for the benefit of international guests but open to everybody to participate. Note that for logistical reasons, they had to limit both these events to 40 participants.
For details about the event please visit: https://firecongress.eu/
Outcomes of the local Fire Management conference series aligns with that of the Fire in the Earth System conference series and is echoed by the mission statement of fEs2026.
Background and purpose
Globally, effective wildfire management is impeded by a lack of integration between research results, technological development and efforts by fire managers. In the end, all role-players on the wildfire stage strive to prevent, suppress and protect the environment, human wellbeing and assets against wildfire. This event aims to integrate the efforts of natural resource managers, engineers, fire managers, educators/trainers, and scientists. Through an integrated approach, different role-players will be sensitised about each other’s realities, successes and failures. Understanding the needs and gaps within organisations involved in wildfire management will open new avenues that will support the fire management effort.
You are therefore invited to join fire managers and authorities from different disciplines and land uses such as nature conservation, agriculture, disaster management, forestry, local authorities, etc, for a range of informative presentations and exciting networking opportunities.
Eight main themes feature in the 2026 event and includes:
• Integrating science and practice to guide fire management in natural systems
• Soil degradation and wildfire
• Living with fire: Place-based practices for managing fire-prone landscapes
• Dedicated poster session
• Expo and demonstrations
• Global fire management strategies across biomes: sharing knowledge, shaping the future, reducing negative fire impacts
• Adapting fire management to a hotter and drier planet
• Proactive vs reaction fire management
• Miscellaneous: Provision is made for papers falling outside the scope of the man themes
Programme
The 2026 event promises to be special. Not only because of the unique setting of the venue in the heart of the Kruger National Park but because of the conglomeration of top-rated international and local fire management specialists and service providers who will share their expertise in a very practical and applied manner. The format of the event remains the same and will include:
• Pre-conference tour in the Kruger Park (two days)
• Two days of presentations
• One day where we will have an expo by fire service providers, retail outlets and manufacturers of tools and equipment and gala dinner
• There will also be opportunities for participants to do game driving.
• Post-conference tour (four days).
Abstracts for presentations or posters
Prospective presenters are invited to submit abstracts through the website. Note that participants are encouraged to submit technical abstracts as well.
General
This event presents opportunities to people from different entities, management levels (international and local) to network, debate and exchange ideas. The expectancy is that between 200 to 300 will attend the event, including a significant number of international guests.
Registration
Registration for the event is open and can be done through the website. For any questions regarding registration please contact Saskia Keesstra [email protected]. Fees for different attendance categories are listed below but are available on the website. Note that a reduced registration fee is available to local participants.
Download PDF: Final Pre Tour Programme
Download PDF: Itinerary for Post Conference Tour
For more information contact
Tiaan Pool on mobile: 072 374 2347 or email: [email protected]
Hannes van Zyl on mobile: 072 733 1692 or email: [email protected]
Samukelisiwe Msweli on +27 (0)44 801 5064 or email: [email protected]
At the previous Fire Management Conference organised by the Nelson Mandela University George Campus at Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, they announced that the 2026 Fire management event will take on a slightly different shape and that they are partnering with the international group: Fire in the Earth System (fEs).
In addition to the main event, there are pre-and post-tour events. These are mainly for the benefit of international guests but open to everybody to participate. Note that for logistical reasons, they had to limit both these events to 40 participants.
For details about the event please visit: https://firecongress.eu/
Outcomes of the local Fire Management conference series aligns with that of the Fire in the Earth System conference series and is echoed by the mission statement of fEs2026.
Background and purpose
Globally, effective wildfire management is impeded by a lack of integration between research results, technological development and efforts by fire managers. In the end, all role-players on the wildfire stage strive to prevent, suppress and protect the environment, human wellbeing and assets against wildfire. This event aims to integrate the efforts of natural resource managers, engineers, fire managers, educators/trainers, and scientists. Through an integrated approach, different role-players will be sensitised about each other’s realities, successes and failures. Understanding the needs and gaps within organisations involved in wildfire management will open new avenues that will support the fire management effort.
You are therefore invited to join fire managers and authorities from different disciplines and land uses such as nature conservation, agriculture, disaster management, forestry, local authorities, etc, for a range of informative presentations and exciting networking opportunities.
Eight main themes feature in the 2026 event and includes:
• Integrating science and practice to guide fire management in natural systems
• Soil degradation and wildfire
• Living with fire: Place-based practices for managing fire-prone landscapes
• Dedicated poster session
• Expo and demonstrations
• Global fire management strategies across biomes: sharing knowledge, shaping the future, reducing negative fire impacts
• Adapting fire management to a hotter and drier planet
• Proactive vs reaction fire management
• Miscellaneous: Provision is made for papers falling outside the scope of the man themes
Programme
The 2026 event promises to be special. Not only because of the unique setting of the venue in the heart of the Kruger National Park but because of the conglomeration of top-rated international and local fire management specialists and service providers who will share their expertise in a very practical and applied manner. The format of the event remains the same and will include:
• Pre-conference tour in the Kruger Park (two days)
• Two days of presentations
• One day where we will have an expo by fire service providers, retail outlets and manufacturers of tools and equipment and gala dinner
• There will also be opportunities for participants to do game driving.
• Post-conference tour (four days).
Abstracts for presentations or posters
Prospective presenters are invited to submit abstracts through the website. Note that participants are encouraged to submit technical abstracts as well.
General
This event presents opportunities to people from different entities, management levels (international and local) to network, debate and exchange ideas. The expectancy is that between 200 to 300 will attend the event, including a significant number of international guests.
Registration
Registration for the event is open and can be done through the website. For any questions regarding registration please contact Saskia Keesstra [email protected]. Fees for different attendance categories are listed below but are available on the website. Note that a reduced registration fee is available to local participants.
Download PDF: Final Pre Tour Programme
Download PDF: Itinerary for Post Conference Tour
For more information contact
Tiaan Pool on mobile: 072 374 2347 or email: [email protected]
Hannes van Zyl on mobile: 072 733 1692 or email: [email protected]
Samukelisiwe Msweli on +27 (0)44 801 5064 or email: [email protected]