Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fire can be used to manage natural and activity fuels, maintain areas that have already been treated, aid in meeting resource management objectives, and sustain ecosystem values. Prescribed fire is the preferred method in areas sensitive to impacts from mechanical treatments, such as California spotted owl and northern goshawk protected activity centers (PACs), riparian conservation areas (RCAs), and on slopes greater than 35%.

Prescribed fire is used only when temperature, humidity, wind speed, and fuel moisture are within the prescribed fire plan objectives. Prescribed fires can be ignited when weather and fuel conditions allow for minimized smoke impact on the public's air quality and public health. The US Forest Service works cooperatively with Local Air Pollution Control Districts to implement burn projects under conditions that will minimize smoke in sensitive areas.

Prescribed fire gives us a chance to burn an area at a lower intensity to protect the vegetation and soil. Specific management objectives may be to reduce the fuels and/or create a mosaic pattern in the vegetation to create cover, forage, and browse areas for wildlife. Prescribed fire can also mimic naturally occurring fire, enhance native plant species and create diversity in vegetation structure and distribution.

Benefits of Prescribed Fire

Reduce the accumulation of dead and down material: needles, brush, and trees.
Recycle forests nutrients.
Minimize insect epidemics and the spread of disease in crowded stands.
Firefighter safety: fires are smaller, less intense.
Urban Interface: to protect lives and property.

Disadvantages of Prescribed Fire

Risk of escape
Smoke reducing the visibility on the roadways and scenic views
Smoke affecting individuals with allergies and respiratory problems

Objectives

To protect the homes and improve the health of the forest, we must reduce the fuels. Right now many places on the forest are set up for an intense wildland fire. There is extreme fuel loading, a greater density of dead and dying trees, and more structures in and around the forest. We have a hot, dry windy climate, steep topography and numerous fire starts, both human and natural.

Climate and topography we can not change

BEFORE

The main intent for fuel reduction is to reduce the ladder fuels and reduce the accumulation of surface and ground fuels. Flames from the fuels at the ground level, such as pine needles, can be carried into taller fuels, such as a shrub, which can ignite still taller fuels, such as trees, that creates a ladder of vegetation to feed the fire.

Fuels we can modify

AFTER

The benefits of reducing the fuel in a forest includes a less intense wildland fire. The competition for light, moisture, and nutrients are reduced and there is a decrease in mortality to the remaining larger older conifers. Also there is a lowered incident of insects and disease due to the maintained or increase growth in the healthy trees.

Methods

During the 1994 fire season, 34 fatalities occurred along with growing recognition of fire problems caused by fuel accumulation.

In 1995, the Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy articulated clear direction on important issues of safety, the role of fire in natural resource management, and the roles of the agencies in the Wildland/Urban Interface. The policy also identified the inherent risks and liabilities of using fire and recommended greater planning, preparation, cooperation, and management oversight.

In 2000, the National Fire Plan addressed firefighting, rehabilitation and restoration, hazardous fuel reduction, community assistance, and accountability.

In 2001, the 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy emphasized measures to reduce the risk to communities and the environment from wildland fires. The Strategy will help implement the National Fire Plan long-term.

After 100 years of fire suppression, the undergrowth is excessive. Where 35-50 trees per acre once existed, now 150-300 trees per acre occur. It took years to get into this situation, and it will take more than a few years to get out of it.

When the surface and ladder fuels are reduced, firefighter safety will increase, the loss of structures will decrease and the intensity of wildfires will lessen. Intense fires have the potential to damage all portions of the ecosystem. We must use all of our tools to educate each other on the issues and options to reduce the fuel. Doing nothing on public lands can have severe consequences on adjoining private land. Insects, disease, and fires do not recognize property lines.

In areas where smoke emissions can be an issue and where topographic features allow, the Forest Service uses mechanical equipment: mastication, shredding, and chipping for biomass removal. Grazing animals can be used to reduce the ground and surface fuel.

Mission

Our mission is to educate the citizens and protect the resources from the effects of a catastrophic wildfire. The Agencies involved are working together to mitigate the fire problems in Tuolumne County. Programs will provide technical and financial assistance while developing relationships and identifying work activities with private landowners.

Objectives

Reduce fire severity and levels of resource damage.
Reduce the risk to life and property in the community.
Increase firefighter safety.
Rehabilitation of burned areas.

Why Have A Group?

The group identifies risks, hazards, values and responsibilities.
Cooperative fire prevention and education programs developed.
Focus on activities before a fire occurs.
Wildfire does not recognize boundaries.
By reducing duplication in our fire planning, the effectiveness and efficiencies will be greater.
For safety and added protection to the community.

Methods of Accomplishment

Public Education
Public involvement
Cooperative alliances

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fsm91_057685