Wildland Fire: A Natural ProcessWildland Fire: A Natural Process

<INSERT PRESENTER NAME><INSERT DATE>

Wildland Fire Education Working Team

Agenda

• Introductions

• Role of Wildland Fire

• Current Conditions

• Wildland Fire Management

• Partnerships for Wildland Fire Safety

• Materials and Resources

Introductions

• <INSERT INTRODUCTORY BULLETS TO PROVIDE BRIEF BULLETS ON PRESENTER’S AGENCY’S ROLE IN WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT>

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

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.

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

Current Conditions

• Society’s 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

Current Conditions

• Impact of Fire Exclusion

Current Conditions

• Snapshot: Sequoia & Kings Canyon

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

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

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

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

Wildland Fire Management

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

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

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

Snapshot: Loess Hills Region (IA)• Regional Fire Management Plan

• Fire Learning Network – TNC, USFS & DOI

• Training - Landowners, rural fire departments

• Mobile Prescribed FireCrew

Partnerships

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

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

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

Your efforts will ultimately help reduce loss of life, property,

and natural resources

Partnerships

Snapshot: Lummi Island ScenicEstates (WA)

• Community partnered with WA DNR• Training for landowners

• Education sessions

• Chipper days

•Recognized nationally as Firewise Communities/USA site

Resources

• www.nifc.gov

• www.firewise.org

• www.fs.fed.us/fire

• www.doi.gov

• www.stateforesters.org

• www.nature.org

In Closing…

• Fire is an essential, natural process

• Society’s 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

DiscussionDiscussion