Fires of winter
Pile burning is usually a one-to-two-year process from beginning to end. First brush, or slash is collected and placed in piles. Then the pile will sit for a year drying out to be burned in wetter colder months. (USDA Forest Service photo by Andrew Avitt).Snow melts and becomes water, and the newly heated water becomes vapor as piles of dry wood and…
fire, wildland fire, Forest Fire, winter, wildfires
Greening Fire in Central Washington
Wildland fires across the West mainly occur during the hottest, driest months of summer – a time when water use is high and access to water is crucial.
Pallets of plastic water bottles stacked for use by incident personnel at the White River and Irving Peak wildfires near Lake Wenatchee, Wash. in August. (USDA Forest Service photo by Rachel Lipsky).Water is not only necessary for firefighters…
recycle, clean water, water, green, fire
Science shows that demographics and funding impact wildfire resilience
America’s forests are in a state of fire emergency. Nearly 25% of the contiguous U.S. is at risk of severe wildfire, with Western landscapes bearing the brunt.
The areas at greatest risk are those where forests and communities meet, often referred to as the wildland urban interface. These beautiful locales are where more and more people choose to call home…
wildfire, fire, resilience, science, fire science, Grants
Wildfire risk to communities
Wildfires know no boundaries.
They can easily cross between federal, tribal, state, and private lands, making it crucial for all communities to know their respective wildfire risks and the actions to take to protect themselves and their neighbors. Last year, wildfires burned nearly 400,000 acres of tribal lands, including reservations and other tribal lands, with additional acreage burned on…
wildlife, fire, wildfire, wildfires, tribal, tribes, wildland fire, risks
Monitoring the giants: Tracking resilience of giant sequoias after wildfires
The tag designates a witness tree, which serves as a survey tool. Using three witness trees to triangulate the center of the plot makes it easier for future crews to find the site for monitoring work. (USDA Forest Service photo by Jamie Hinrichs)Editor’s Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is initiating emergency fuels reduction…
sequoia, fire, wildfire, wildfires, fire science, resilience, science, hazards
Learning on the fireline: Fire Tigers of Clemson
(Adapted from CompassLive)
Mentorship is a major part of the program – every student has the opportunity to spend time with experienced fire managers. USDA Forest Service photo by Helen Mohr.The only way to understand the nuances of working a fireline is by being on one. The six-year-old Fire Tigers Program recently took more than 50 Clemson University…