Dr Stephen Pyne receives the 2025 Ember Award

Four of the 2025 annual IAWF Award winners were recognized for their fine achievements in safety, training, support, learning and knowledge in Calgary this week.

IAWF President Trevor Howard and IAWF Director Amy Christiansen presented the awards. (pictured left to right)

Nico Semsch is the recipient of the 2025 Early Career Award in Fire Operations – for an early career professional with outstanding abilities. Nico is an inspirational wildfire instructor in Germany.

Dr Stephen Pyne is the recipient of the 2025 Ember Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Science. Stephen, the author of 31 books on wildfire is perhaps the most prominent chronicler of wildfire histories on many continents.

Juliane Baumann is the recipient of the 2025 Firebreak Award for Excellence in Fire Management. Juliane is working to reduce the wildfire risk in Germany with local communities.

Steve Lemon is the recipient of the 2025 Wildland Fire Safety Award. Steve has fostered safety programs in the British Columbia Fire Service that not only prevent injury but foster a broader culture of well-being.

The purpose of the “Ember Award” is to recognize sustained excellence in wildland fire research and to encourage innovation, exploration, application, and dissemination of important research results. The name “Ember” reflects the fact that research and science often move slowly, and their benefits or impacts may not be apparent for years. The award was established to recognize sustained and excellent research contributions to wildland fire science, innovative solutions to important wildland fire challenges, and effective and appropriate communication of wildland fire science and research results.