The Pyrosketchology Practice
Observing and journaling the fire environment—before, during, and after a wildfire or prescribed burn—is a way of slowing down enough to truly see what fire is doing across a landscape. It builds a continuous thread of awareness: from the subtle cues of fuel condition and weather patterns before ignition, to the dynamic behavior of flame, smoke, and wind during fire, and into the layered effects and recovery that follow. This practice helps translate fleeting moments into something you can revisit, compare, and learn from over time. Rather than relying only on memory or data points, journaling captures context—how the fire moved, how it felt, and what changed—creating a richer, more intuitive understanding of fire as a living process.
At the center of this approach is sensory engagement. Noticing the texture of fuels underfoot, the shift in wind against your skin, the scent of curing vegetation or smoke, and the changing soundscape of a fire environment sharpens situational awareness in ways that instruments alone cannot. These observations, when recorded regularly, become patterns you can recognize and anticipate. Over time, journaling becomes more than documentation—it becomes a practice of attention. It invites curiosity, supports safer and more informed decision-making, and deepens your connection to place. Anyone, regardless of experience level, can begin this practice; the value lies not in artistic skill, but in the habit of observing closely and recording honestly.
Resources like Pyrosketchology: An Illustrated Guide to Nature Journaling about the Fire Environment and Good Fire Journaling Through Pyrosketchology Practices can help guide this process by highlighting what to look for in the fire environment, explaining the meaning behind those observations, and offering practical techniques for sketching, writing, and tracking change over time. They are meant to support and inspire your own practice—helping you build confidence in observing, interpreting, and recording the dynamic story of fire on the landscape.
Meet Miriam Morrill
Miriam Morrill is the author of Pyrosketchology: An Illustrated Guide to Nature Journaling about the Fire Environment. She is a consultant dedicated to advancing fire communication, education, nature journaling, and visual storytelling. In 2020, she retired from a federal career as
State Fire Prevention, Mitigation, and Education Specialist in California. Over 27 years of service, she held a wide range of field, state, and regional roles across the western United States, including Forestry Technician/Firefighter, Wildlife Biologist, Soil, Water, and Air Specialist, Climate Change Adaptation Planner, and Public Affairs Specialist. Throughout her career, Miriam contributed her expertise to numerous national and international fire response and training teams. Her work has supported fire prevention and investigation training in Jamaica and community wildfire protection planning in Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and Guam. Since 2020, she has continued to provide visual communication support to fire scientists across the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, including contributions tothe 2023 Global Fire Science Conference. She has also designed and led fire journaling workshops for the National Fire Learning Network, Fire Adapted Communities, Fire Safe Councils, The Nature Conservancy’s Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) Program, and the International Association of Wildland Fire. By combining creative practice with decades of field experience, Miriam has pioneered an innovative approach to fire education and community fire adaptation through the Pyrosketchology program. Her work invites practitioners and communities alike to see fire not only as a management tool, but as a living story—one that can be observed, understood, and stewarded through art, science, and shared experience.
Pyrosketchology
Order from Amazon or a local bookstore
Pyrosketchology transcends being merely an illustrated guide; it stands as an educational treasure trove replete with wonder and beauty. Within its pages lies a potent fusion of science and art, guiding readers into profound realms of learning and heightened awareness regarding fire's relationships and responses to weather, topography, vegetation, and people. Serving as a comprehensive manual, it navigates readers through the process of making astute observations before, during, and after fires, alongside offering sketching and journaling techniques that enrich comprehension and consciousness of the evolving environmental factors influencing fire dynamics.
Accessible to all, regardless of artistic prowess or prior knowledge of fire behavior, Pyrosketchology appeals to a diverse audience. Whether you're an educator in search of innovative outdoor activities, a nature aficionado captivated by the intricacies of fire ecology, a landowner assessing fire risks, or a firefighter endeavoring to augment situational awareness, this guide caters to myriad interests and objectives rooted in firsthand observation.
In Pyrosketchology, the emphasis lies not on creating artistic masterpieces but on documenting field observations faithfully. Acknowledging the time constraints often encountered in outdoor settings, this method advocates for simplicity in note-taking and sketching, allowing for the incorporation or omission of artistic details at a later juncture. For those eager to refine their visualization skills, a plethora of techniques are proffered to bolster field sketching and painting proficiencies.
Moreover, this guide delves into broader themes such as fire seasons and regimes, aiming to unravel the multifaceted nature of the fire environment and nurture a profound appreciation for fire's pivotal role within Earth's ecosystems.
Available to order from Amazon or a local bookstore
in June 2026
Pyrosketchology Activities
Upcoming Pyrosketchology Activities & Events
April 2026 Plumas County, CA TREX with Pyrosketchology integration...journal examples to come
May 2026 North American Fire Effects Monitoring with Pyrosketchology integration...more to come
Pyrosketchology Interviews & Discussions
Confluence Lab Sightlines Featured Artist: Miriam Morrill
Be The Change YouTube Vlog (Yvea)--Interview with Miriam Morrill)
Nature Journaling Situational Awareness Weather & Nature–John Muir Laws Interview with Miriam Morrill
Fire Journaling Profile on WildWonder
Fire journaling: communicating creatively about wildfires (I. Ottolini PyroLife)
The Fine Art of Wildfire Awareness (Sierra Club Magazine)
FireLinks Post of the month 04/2021: Miriam Morrill
A Practice in Purpose: Using Nature Journaling Practices to Help Create Fire Adapted Communities
Journaling with Nature Podcast: Episode 60: Miriam Morrill – Pyrosketchology
Pyrosketchology: Drawing on Experience (International Association of Wildland Fire)
Nature Journaling Fire–Marly Piefer Interview (YouTube)
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Science Speaker Series (YouTube)
Pyrosketchology Support in Fire Science, Communication & Education
From rigidity traps towards reparative disaster governance and management (C.Eriksen)
The western North American forestland carbon sink: will our climate commitments go up in smoke?
Poems & Art StoryMap–Miriam Morrill Fire Art
Braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science for Climate-Adapted Forests: An Ecocultural State of Science Report
The Ecological Effects of Fire OSU Extension Fire Program | Prescribed Fire Basics (Oregon State Univ)
Playbook for the Pyrocene Design Strategies for Fire-Prone Communities
In this current wildfire crisis, acknowledge widespread suffering
The Fire science Learning AcRoss the Earth System (FLARE) Working Group
A toolkit for fostering co-creation and participative community engagement with vulnerable communities at risk