Wildland Fire: A Natural Process

1. <INSERT PRESENTER NAME> <INSERT DATE> Wildland Fire: A Natural Process Wildland Fire Education Working Team

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

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. Current Conditions • Impact of Fire Exclusion

9. Current Conditions • Snapshot: Sequoia & Kings Canyon

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. Discussion