30th AFF Conference & Exhibition
Background
In 2025 and 2026, the AFF-series conference programmes focused on 'Crisis of Capacities' and 'Enhancing Outcomes'. This reflected the reality of the new wildfire challenge: a world with year round activity and new challenges for all stakeholders.
AFF Global (AFFG) 2027 - 'A Brave New World'
UK, Canada, France, Oregon, Algeria and Utah are just a few examples of the New Normal for wildfires in 2026. In choosing 'A Brave New World' for the 2027 conference, we will address some of the major changes and enhancements planned and taking place that will better position society, fire & emergency services, and aerial mission practitioners and vendors to confront the scale of the wildfire challenge.
Making necessary enhancements across all stakeholder groups will entail institutional and cultural adaptation, as well as trade-offs and tough decisions in a world where resources - both human and financial - are limited. Importantly, the conference will also look at successes and achievements, and the enablers that brought these to fruition.
Key Speakers and Presentations
- Senior US Congressional leaders
- USWFS leadership
- CAL FIRE, various leadership
- Securite Civile leadership
- Australia: Senior leaders from NWS, Victoria, SA, QLD
- Canadian Agency leadership
- Aerial mission leadership from Greece, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, etc
AFF Global is the only dedicated global forum for wildfire/wildland management aerial missions. Delivering the AFF series for 20 years globally has built deep trust with agencies, key decision-makers and vendors. Your mission is our mission.
Key Conference Focus Areas
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Institutional change - improving aerial resource management, safety & wellbeing, contractual outcomes, technology development and deployment, and mission performance.
- Fuel management - "We can't suppress our way out of this challenge". How will aerial missions and new capabilities evolve to better support landscape management and reduce wildfire risk?
- Force-multipliers - cost effect new technologies and capabilities that deliver what wildfire agencies and practitioners need NOW.
- National & global standards - including certification, safety practises and contracting. What are the win-wins, and what barriers need to be overcome?
- "A safe mission is an effective mission" - how are growing mission challenges and new technologies evolving mission safety?
- Data and improved decision architecture as mission multipliers.
- UAS capabilities - mission growth and emerging challenges.
- Global partnership & collaboration vs sovereign need - what are the challenges, trade-offs and decisions needed to enhance both in an era of year-round wildfires?
- The 'what, where and when' of aerial capabilities - how new platforms, materials and space capabilities are aiding missions amid increasingly challenging flight and fire conditions.
- The new-tech revolution - evaluating, choosing, funding and implementing. What is the best path forward?
The 30th edition of the Tangent Link global AFF series
