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David Martell, a professor emeritus in the forestry program at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design, has received the 2020 Ember Award for Excellence in Wildland Fire Science from the .

The award recognizes scientists who have demonstrated sustained excellence in wildland fire research.

“Throughout a career that has spanned 45 years, David Martell has been renowned for his creativity, collaboration and important contributions to renewable resource management and forest fire science,” said Ted Sargent, vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “His innovative modelling helped the Province of Ontario determine whether to expand its air tanker fleet – and his research has helped solve challenges at the national and international level.”

The IAWF  that Martell strongly influenced fire leaders and managers across Canada “because he dedicated time to understanding their operational point of view, integrating academic and operational perspectives, and absorbing the real application of fire management.” 

Martell is the co-director of , where he conducts research on fire in boreal forest ecosystems.

“This award recognizes research that I carried out in collaboration with my graduate students, research assistants, other researchers, and forest fire management personnel of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF),” Martell said. “I'm very grateful for their contributions, and for the financial support I've received from the OMNRF, as well as the University of Toronto and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.”