controlled burns

Wildfire danger increasing across U.S., federal official tells Reno audience

Jeff DeLong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Apr 2, 2010

Excerpts:

A combination of forest restoration projects, creation of communities that can survive fire and aggressive fire fighting will be needed as wildfire danger increases across the country, the chief of the U.S. Forest Service said Tuesday.

… Serious wildfire years such as 2007, when more than 9 million acres burned nationwide, could soon be surpassed by seasons consuming 12 to 15 million acres, Tidwell said.

… Tidwell says forest restoration projects are crucial to thin overgrown forests and treat the landscape with prescribed fire.

Fire Can Be Good for Global Warming

Christopher Joyce, NPR

Mar 21, 2010

Excerpts:

The kind of fire we're talking about here is one that people intentionally set. I watched a so-called prescribed burn in a forest in Brazil, along with fire ecologist Jennifer Balch.

…In addition to what it destroys on the ground, a wildfire emits thousands of tons of carbon that eventually warm the atmosphere. Balch says the government spends four times as much money every year fighting fires than it does on preventive measures, such as controlled burns.

So, many ecologists have been pushing for more prescribed fires.

After the Fire

Cory Hatch, Casper Star-Tribune

Oct 5, 2009

Excerpts:

One year after fire officials with state and federal agencies used a helicopter to drop flaming gel on roughly 5,600 acres to start a prescribed fire in the Lower Gros Ventre drainage, plant life on this chunk of land is thriving.

In the burned patches, bluebunch wheatgrass, buffaloberry and fireweed are taller, greener and more nutritious than in unburned areas. The ash from the fire boosted nutrients, and the flames thinned the tree canopy, letting in more sunlight.

Wilderness Fires

Rich Fairbanks, Salt Lake Tribune

Sep 3, 2009

I would like to point out an inaccuracy stated by Gov. Gary Herbert in the story "Guv criticizes fire policies" (Tribune, Aug. 31). The governor reportedly said: "With wilderness, our hands are tied behind our backs."

'Controlled burns' are good for our forests and communities

Bill Burrows, Redding Record-Searchlight

Mar 28, 2009

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TV Commercial Kicks Off Campaign to Restore Mendocino National Forest

Anonymous

Nov 20, 2008

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA — A new television commercial that begins airing today marked the launch of an educational campaign aimed at increasing support for the Forest Service to conduct more controlled burns in California’s Mendocino National Forest. The “Restore the Mendo” campaign seeks to boost awareness of the role such burns play in restoring forest ecosystems, protecting people and property, and saving taxpayer dollars.

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What’s really preventing fire prevention

Mar 25, 2010

I recently busted the myth that environmental organizations are to blame for the fact that the Forest Service doesn’t accomplish more work that prevents fires. Law suits by such groups do not cause backlogs on these projects, a report from the GAO made clear.

That lawsuit stuff was a bunch of spin. But talk to most fire ecologists and fire managers and they will tell you there are serious problems with wildfires. They’ll also say that we do lack sufficient fuel treatment to protect communities and forests.

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Beyond the fear of flames…Using fire to protect people, restore forests

Jun 24, 2009

The Wilderness Society’s Rich Fairbanks is standing on top of a flatbed trailer outside of Red Bluff, California, speaking to a bunch of ranchers and federal officials. The fire program specialist extols the virtues of making greater use of a practice called controlled burns, fires purposefully set by experts to help manage everything from forests to private lands.

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The Wilderness Society – And a Once Skeptical Writer – Join Forest Restoration Campaign

Dec 4, 2008

Moments after I showed up for my first day on the job as a communications director at The Wilderness Society last year, my boss casually mentioned that I would be responsible for promoting the idea that wildfires aren’t always bad.

Images of flames scorching my hometown, Atlanta, raced through my head: We have a rather unique history with fire and are a bit sensitive about the subject.

“Um, what was that you said?,” I asked, looking down at all the paperwork I had just signed and wondering if I had an escape clause available.

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