Wildland Fire: A Natural Process

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Wildland Fire A Natural Process

• ltINSERT PRESENTER NAMEgt
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Wildland Fire Education Working Team
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Agenda

• Introductions
• Role of Wildland Fire
• Current Conditions
• Wildland Fire Management
• Partnerships for Wildland Fire Safety
• Materials and Resources

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Introductions

• ltINSERT INTRODUCTORY BULLETS TO PROVIDE BRIEF
  BULLETS ON PRESENTERS AGENCYS ROLE IN WILDLAND
  FIRE MANAGEMENTgt

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Role of Wildland Fire

• Wildland fire is an essential, natural process
• Fire has helped shape our wildlands for thousands
  of years, and is important for the survival of
  many plants and animals
• Reduces accumulation of vegetation
• Some plants and animals depend on fire for
  survival

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Role of Wildland Fire

• Snapshot Sequoia Kings Canyon
• Sequoias depend on frequent fire.
• Fire prepares the ground with nutrient-rich ash
  on mineral soil so sequoia seeds can germinate.

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Role of Wildland Fire

• Fire behaves differently throughout the country
• Fire behavior affected by fuels, weather and
  terrain
• Virtually all vegetation types in the U.S. can
  experience wildland fire

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Current Conditions

• Societys influence has altered historic fire
  cycles, leading to a dangerous and difficult
  build-up of vegetation in our wildlands
• History of prevention and suppression
• Risk of fires that become difficult to manage and
  can threaten areas of residential development
• Effects on plant and animal life

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Current Conditions

• Impact of Fire Exclusion

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Current Conditions

• Snapshot Sequoia Kings Canyon

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Wildland Fire Management

• Land management agencies are committed to a
  balanced fire program that will reduce risks and
  realize benefits of fire
• Safety of firefighters and the public is the No.
  1 priority

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Wildland Fire Management

• Land management agencies are committed to a
  balanced fire program that will reduce risks and
  realize benefits of fire
• Fire management plans are customized to restore
  natural conditions, maintain healthy ecosystems,
  and protect communities
• Balance needs, including fire suppression,
  prevention, and fire use

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Wildland Fire Management
Snapshot Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes

• Fire suppression, preparedness
• Rx Fire, Fire Use
• Mechanical fuel reduction
• Information, Education
• Monitoring, Research
• Fire Prevention

• Wildlife, Wildland Recreation
• Agriculture, Range
• Forestry/Silviculture
• Invasive species
• Cultural Preservation
• Elders
• Wetlands, Water Quality

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Wildland Fire Management

• Snapshot Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes
• Example Education Product
• Fire is a gift from the Creator, brought to us
  by animals occupying the earth before our
  arrival

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Wildland Fire Management

• Snapshot Sequoia Kings Canyon
• Fire suppression
• Fire use
• Prescribed fire
• Mechanical fuel reduction
• Education
• Monitoring
• Research
• Preparedness

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Partnerships

• Improving the health of the land and reducing
  risks to communities requires partnerships
• Fire burns across jurisdictional boundaries
• Federal and state agencies
• Tribal governments
• Fire departments
• Communities and landowners

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Partnerships

• Organizational Economy of Scale and
  collaboration is essential for success
• Fire Planning Analysis Fire Planning Unit
• Interagency Operating Agreements
• SCA Fire Ed Corps
• Firewise Communities
• Federal assist account

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Partnerships

• Snapshot Loess Hills Region (IA)
• Regional Fire Management Plan
• Fire Learning Network TNC, USFS DOI
• Training - Landowners, rural fire departments
• Mobile Prescribed FireCrew

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Partnerships

• Snapshot West Kern Fire
• Lightning-caused fire
• Sequoia and Inyo National Forests managed
  cooperatively with Sequoia National Park
• Partnership prevented costly fire suppression
  effort and improved forest health

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Partnerships

• Role of Individuals Communities
• Be aware of and prepared for local fire
  conditions
• Contact your land management agency to determine
  your fire conditions and actions you can take
• Mitigate fire hazards on private property
• Use recreational fire safely

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Partnerships

• Role of Individuals Communities
• Support fire management efforts
• Smoke from prescribed fire is a sign that steps
  are being taken to reduce risks and realize
  benefits of fire

Your efforts will ultimately help reduce loss of
life, property, and natural resources
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Partnerships

• Snapshot Lummi Island Scenic
• Estates (WA)
• Community partnered with WA DNR
• Training for landowners
• Education sessions
• Chipper days
• Recognized nationally as Firewise
  Communities/USA site

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Resources

• www.nifc.gov
• www.firewise.org
• www.fs.fed.us/fire
• www.doi.gov
• www.stateforesters.org
• www.nature.org

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In Closing

• Fire is an essential, natural process
• Societys influence has altered historic fire
  cycles
• Land management agencies are committed to a
  balanced fire program that will reduce risks and
  realize benefits of fire
• Improving the health of the land and reducing
  risks to communities requires partnerships

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Discussion