Building Resilience
Wildfire is a natural part of western forests and many depend on fire to maintain their health and habitats. Prior to European settlement, dry forests burned frequently. Both human-caused and lightning-lit fires burned through forests on a regular basis. Much of the land was managed by Native Americans’ use of cultural burns.
For nearly all the 20th century, we extinguished most fires in the West. Many foresters and fire fighters felt this was the best approach to protect natural resources and communities. But it actually had the effect of allowing fuel to build up in many western forests, which were increasingly populated with homes and infrastructure. This fuel build-up, combined with extended drought, resulted in an much larger, more severe, and more life-threatening fires that we have seen over the last decade.
Good Fire
Beneficial or “good” fire can be ignited naturally (like by lightning) or strategically planned by humans. In either case, a “good fire” is one which is beneficial to the landscape, reducing fuel loads and the risk of catastrophic wildfire and enhancing forest health.
Forest Thinning
Forest thinning is a management practice that involves removing some standing trees, to make forests more like those that would have been present had good fire not been eliminated from the landscape by years of aggressive suppression.
Advanced Firefighting
Success in restoring resilience to dry western forests will require top-notch firefighting and advanced technology that helps fire managers make fast, smart decisions.
Community Wildfire Protection
Using good fire to manage forests only works if communities in fire prone-forests are safe. It’s essential that every community has a community wildfire protection plan.
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