Fire and It

1
Fire and Its Impact on Recreation
2
The fires of 2002

• 2002
• 71,160 fires
• Over 7.1 million acres burned
• 21 firefighters killed
• 815 structures
• 1.6 billion

• 10-year average
• 103,112 fires
• About 4.2 million acres burned
• 731 structures (2001)
• 542 million (2001)

3
Why are there so many fires?

• Fire suppression during last century

4
Why are fires a problem?

• Canopy fires occur because of suppression
  (destruction of habitat)
• More homes built near/in forests
• Hazard for people recreating (search rescue)
• Cost to government

5
Costs of fire suppression

• Year/ Actual Cost
• 2000/ 1.3 billion
• 2002/ 1.6 billion
• 2003
• 2004

• Amount budgeted
• 510 million
• 321 million
• 1,369.1 million
• 1,541.8 million

6
2002 Healthy Forests Initiative

• Restoration of fire-damaged lands
• Wildland Fire Leadership Council created
• Expedite forest fuel reductions
• Enter into long-term stewardship agreements
  with companies communities
• Improve Endangered Species Act process to
  expedite harvesting decisions