# Presentation: 568218

## Wildland Fire: A Natural Process

**<INSERT PRESENTER NAME>**
**<INSERT DATE>**

***Wildland Fire Education Working Team***

**Notes:**
WELCOME; INTRODUCTIONS

Identify the Audience:
Home owners vs. professionals
Agencies representing
Familiarity with NWCG and Working Teams

NOTE TO PRESENTER: YOU MAY WANT TO SELECT “MASTER VIEW” AND REPLACE THESE TEMPLATE PHOTOS WITH PHOTOS FROM YOUR AGENCY. PHOTOS WERE SPECIFICALLY SELECTED TO SHOW PEOPLE IN AESTHETIC NATURAL SETTINGS, WITHOUT SCENES OF FIRE THAT CAN INVOKE NEGATIVE FEELINGS AMONG THE AUDIENCE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO INCLUDE SCENES OF FIRE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SELECT PHOTOS THAT SHOW RE-GROWTH, RESPONSIBLE FIRE USE, AND/OR POSITIVE IMPACT OF FIRE.

## Agenda

- Introductions
- Role of Wildland Fire
- Current Conditions
- Wildland Fire Management
- Partnerships for Wildland Fire Safety
- Materials and Resources

**Notes:**
Hello. My name is _____________________, and I’m with <INSERT AGENCY/ORGANIZATION; BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR FUNCTION>. Thank you for having me here today to talk about wildland fire. <IF APPROPRIATE, GO AROUND THE ROOM AND HAVE PARTICIPANTS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.>

Today we’re going to look at the natural role fire plays in our environment. We’re also going to discuss the current conditions of our wildlands and a few things that land management agencies are doing to manage fire in those wildlands.  Finally, we’re going to talk about the importance of partnerships among agencies, tribes, communities and individuals who live, work, or play in wildland areas.  

Before we get started, is there anything in particular you would like to learn from this discussion?

NOTE TO PRESENTER: ADJUST AGENDA AND/OR DISCUSSION POINTS TO TOUCH ON LOCAL ISSUES/CONCERNS. POINT TO SPECIFIC AREAS IN THE REGION THAT WILL BE USED AS EXAMPLES THROUGHOUT.

## Introductions

- <INSERT INTRODUCTORY BULLETS TO PROVIDE BRIEF BULLETS ON PRESENTER’S AGENCY’S ROLE IN WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT>

**Notes:**
Wildland fire management agencies and organizations share common goals: to enhance personal safety and reduce loss of life while preserving and enhancing the health of forests, rangelands, prairies, and wetlands. To that end, we encourage those who live or recreate in wildland areas to be aware of the role of wildland fire in ecosystems, actions that land management agencies are taking to reduce risks and realize benefits of wildland fire, and the need for partnerships among agencies, tribes, residents, and communities to understand and prepare for wildland fire.

<INSERT YOUR AGENCY’S SPECIFIC ROLE.>

## 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

**Notes:**
A critical point I’d like to make today is that 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. Fire reduces accumulation of vegetation that can inhibit plant growth, and some plants and animals depend on fire for survival.  In addition, periodic fire stimulates growth, reproduction of plants, and provides wildlife habitat.

NOTE TO PRESENTER: REFERENCE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES. SAMPLES LISTED BELOW.

Plants dependent on survival: Ponderosa Pine, Long Leaf Ping, Lodgepole pine; White Pine, Sequoia
Plants benefiting from fire: all fire adapted; Thick bark; sprouting; open grown stands, deep roots, high branching, etc.
Animals dependent upon fire: Karner Blue Butterfly dependent Lupine that regenerates only after fire; Red Cocated Wood Pecker; Kirtland’s Warbler

Prescribed burns help the endangered Karner Blue butterfly.  The only food that suits the Karner Blue caterpillar -- lupine -- needs fire to survive. In centuries past, forest fires burned oak savannas, creating openings among the trees that allowed sunlight to shine through.  The lupine thrived in this habitat.  Today, prescribed burns are needed to emulate the natural functions of this ecosystem and keep trees and shrubs from blocking sunlight.  As lupine responds to increased sunlight, the Karner Blue thrives, too.

Kirtland’s Warbler prefers nesting areas of at least 80 acres in thickly branched jack pine. Jack pine is dependent on wildland fire or silviculture treatments for survival.

## 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.

**Notes:**
NOTE TO PRESENTER – “LOCAL SNAPSHOT” SLIDES PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF ILLUSTRATING MESSAGES. SEVERAL EXAMPLES FOR THIS PRESENTATION ARE PROVIDED BY SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK; OTHERS ARE PROVIDED BY BIA. PLEASE INSERT EXAMPLES AND PHOTOS FROM YOUR AGENCY. YOU MIGHT CONSIDER USING EXAMPLES FROM A SITE LOCATED NEAR THE LOCATION OF YOUR PRESENTATION, OR YOU MAY CONSIDER SELECTING DIFFERENT LOCATIONS TO ILLUSTRATE EACH MESSAGE.

ADDITIONAL SLIDES DETAILING FIRE REGIME AND CONDITION CLASS ARE INCLUDED IN THE “OPTIONAL INSERTS” SECTION OF THIS FILE. THESE OPTIONAL SLIDES ARE BEST USED WHEN PRESENTED BY SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH THE DETAILED INFORMATION.

For example, due to extreme elevational changes (1,300 ft. to nearly 14, 494 ft. above sea level), Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have many different vegetation communities from foothills chaparral, to mixed conifers, to sub-alpine. Each community has its own distinct relationship with fire. One notable example is with the parks' signature species, giant sequoias. These trees depend on frequent fire for their survival. Fire prepares the ground with nutrient-rich ash on mineral soil so that sequoia seeds can germinate. In the early 20th century, after decades of fire exclusion in the sequoia groves, scientists noticed a lack of new sequoia seedlings. With the institution of a prescribed fire program, large sections of the groves have been restored to natural conditions and the next generation of giant sequoias are growing. The photo shows a group of sequoias in Giant Forest.

## 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

**Notes:**
Fire behaves differently throughout the country. Virtually all vegetation types in the United States can experience wildland fire. In addition to fuels (or vegetation), fire behavior is affected by weather and terrain. 

Dry, windy weather contributes significantly to the spread of wildfire. Drought conditions accompanied by low humidity lead to dry vegetation that burns easily. Wind can cause fires to grow quickly, die down, or change direction. Weather conditions also can change quite rapidly – wind, temperature, and RH can change conditions from “no problem” to “red flag warnings” in a matter of hours. 

Fire is also affected by terrain (topography). Generally, fire moves more quickly uphill (slope) and has longer flames than on level ground or when spreading downhill. This is because the fire “preheats” the fuels above it, drying out vegetation and enabling fuels to ignite more quickly. The direction of the slope and the amount of sunlight an area receives also can impact fire behavior. Generally south-facing slopes receive more sunlight, that leads to dryer fuels. A chimney effect occurs when an area such as a drainage, gulch, or ravine retains heat and channels wind, causing fire to burn even hotter and faster up the hill. 

## 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

**Notes:**
Society’s influence has altered historic fire cycles, leading to a dangerous and difficult build-up of vegetation in our wildlands. 

Social and cultural approaches to wildland fire over the past century have focused on preventing and suppressing all wildland fire. We continue to learn and now have a more complete understanding of the essential role fire plays in our environment.

We know now that, when paired with the right terrain and weather conditions, dense build-up of vegetation leads to fires that burn hotter, last longer, and spread faster. As a result, these fires become difficult to manage and can threaten areas of residential development. In addition, excess vegetation and lack of fire in some areas is threatening plant and animal life. 

## Current Conditions

- Impact of Fire Exclusion

**Notes:**
The landscape in the left is typical of landscapes throughout the West. Much of the diversity (patchiness, structure and composition) is affected by the exclusion of fire. The picture on the right illustrates the affect of mountain pine beetle. Bark beetles through out the country (spruce bark beetle in AK, Mountain Pine Beetle in the Rockies, and Ips in the Southwest states of AZ, NM, CO) are reaching pandemic levels. Bark beetles are a natural process, but vegetation and composition resulting from fire exclusion has expanded their impact from a small (patch size) scale to landscape levels.

 The impact of fire exclusion on vegetation structure and composition and bark beetles leads to fuels that when ignited: burn hotter, spread faster, last longer and cover more area than did under more natural conditions.

## Current Conditions

**Snapshot: Sequoia & Kings Canyon**

**Notes:**
INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLE
For example, as in most western forests, over a century of fire exclusion has changed vegetation communities and fuel conditions at Sequoia and Kings Canyon. To understand the extent of this problem, the parks have developed a "Fire Return Interval Departure" map (or FRID map) that visually represents vegetation conditions across the parks in reference to fire. The green areas on the map are areas where the natural fire cycle has not been interrupted. As you transition up through yellow, orange, and finally red, you are seeing areas extremely altered by the lack of fire. The red areas have missed anywhere from 5 to 17 of their natural fire cycles. The parks use this map to help plan fuels treatment projects in areas of most need.

## 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

**Notes:**
Land management agencies are committed to a balanced fire program that will reduce risks and realize benefits of fire. Under all circumstances, SAFETY of firefighters and the public is the No. 1 priority of land management agencies.

## 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

**Notes:**
In addition to safety considerations, land management agencies’ fire management programs are customized for specific wildland areas to restore the land to more natural conditions, maintain already healthy ecosystems, and protect neighboring communities.

Fire management programs are designed based on a balance of needs including fire suppression, prevention, and fire use. There will always be a need for prevention and suppression to protect people and communities.

Fire is a management tool used to accomplish specific objectives in a plan such as removal of excess vegetation or stimulating plant growth and regeneration. For example, naturally occurring fires (lightning, etc.) are either suppressed or allowed to burn in a closely monitored and confined area, based on the fire plan for the area. Sometimes it may be necessary and/or beneficial for land managers to start fires in a closely monitored and confined area. These fires are referred to as “prescribed fires.” A fire program also may include non-fire treatments to prepare the land before natural or prescribed fire can be applied safely and effectively.

## 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

**Notes:**
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes manage their land according to ecological principles and restoration goals developed in their ecosystem management based Forest Management Plan. The Tribes rely on the reintroduction of fire as to restore cultural landscapes that occurred prior to European settlement. The tribes fire management program has ultimate responsibility to plan and implement Rx fire and other hazardous fuels reduction treatments. However, through the plan, these other disciplines have share responsibility to plan and coordinate these efforts so other program goals (wildlife diversity, T&E Species, Invasive species, cultural enhancement and restoration, wildland recreation) are achieved as well.

## 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

**Notes:**
The Tribes Information and Education Office is crucial to the success of the wildland fire management program. 

This story book (Beaver Steals Fire) is one example of several educational products that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have developed as part of their effort to restore cultural landscapes through the use of fire. The Tribes Natural Resource Information and Education Office (largely through the efforts of Germaine White) is outreaching to tribal members of all ages, communicating about the  importance of wildland fire practiced traditionally and as part of today’s wildland fire management program. 

Other products in the process are a video, interactive CD, lesson plans, and an educational web site.

Acknowledge Germaine White if present.

## Wildland Fire Management

**Snapshot: Sequoia Kings Canyon**
- Fire suppression
- Fire use
- Prescribed fire
- Mechanical fuel reduction
- Education
- Monitoring
- Research
- Preparedness

**Notes:**
INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLE
For example, SEKI balances its fire program through the use of eight tools: fire suppression, fire use, prescribed fire, mechanical fuel reduction, education, monitoring, research, and preparedness. By using these tools at the right times and in the right locations, we can reduce risks and realize benefits for both park resources and local communities. The photos show a park engine (fire suppression), a firefighter with a drip torch (prescribed fire), a conservation corps member with a chainsaw (mechanical fuel reduction), and an information officer talking to visitors on a trail (education).

## 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

**Notes:**
Improving health of the land and reducing risks to communities requires partnerships among federal and state agencies, tribal governments, fire departments, communities, and landowners. 

Fire burns where conditions are right – It does not acknowledge jurisdictional boundaries of federal, state, and local agencies; tribes; or private landowners. Agencies, tribes, and communities are working together to understand and accept what it means to live in a fire-prone area and to realize the benefits of managing fire in the wildlands.

Agencies and tribes are managing public and tribal lands through overarching fire management plans and programs. Agencies and tribes also are working to educate local governments and property owners of ways to make their land and property more defensible against wildfire. 

## 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

**Notes:**
An organizational Economy of Scale is needed in many areas plan and implement an effective fire management program. Often many agencies do not have the resources to accomplish all their goals and would benefit from programs and resource provided by other agencies or organizations.

Examples include:
Fire Planning Analysis Fire Planning Unit Concept
Interagency Operating Agreements (suppression, sharing of resources, etc.)
SCA Fire Ed Corps
Firewise community planning efforts (Fond du Lac success told by Dairia and Vern in previous presentation)
Federal assist account to share resources for Rx fire implementation

And here are some excellent Success Stories. . .

## Partnerships

- Regional Fire Management Plan
- Fire Learning Network – TNC, USFS & DOI
- Training - Landowners, rural fire departments
- Mobile Prescribed FireCrew

**Partnerships**

**Notes:**
The Loess Hills is a 650,000-acre landscape of sweeping tall grass prairie in western Iowa and northern Missouri that parallels the Missouri River valley. Historically, >90% was native prairie with fires occurring frequently, 3-7 years.   Currently the native prairie is estimated at 3% with a large portion of the landscape now cropland in addition the grassland is threatened by invading woody vegetation.  Land conversion and suppression have resulted in significant reductions in fire frequency.
The fire-dependent prairies and woodlands of the Loess Hills are tucked into an agricultural landscape that is almost exclusively privately owned (94%). Private landowners want to see their treasured natural resources thrive, but don’t have the skills or equipment to conduct fire management themselves. Education, training, equipment and technical assistance are the cornerstones of the prescribed fire effort.
Slide Bullets - Progress to date: 
Partners involved have recently completed a regional Fire Management Plan that will comprehensively address multi-partner objectives (including private landowners), and provide the framework to enable restoration of fire-adapted ecosystems in the Loess Hills.   Facilitated in large part due to participation in the Fire Learning Network, a collaborative project between TNC, DOI & USFS.
Fire Leaning network strives to create a social infrastructure that supports prescribed burning
With increased training from TNC & agency partners and the recent creation of a Mobile Prescribed Fire Crew and fuels treatment funding more on the ground treatments have increased on public and private lands.  The program communicates Firewise principles and the benefit of prescribed fire through the media and public education programs. 

## 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

**Notes:**
INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLE
in the summer of 2003, the NPS and USFS initiated on-the-ground operational cooperation for cross-boundary fire use projects. The lightning-caused West Kern Fire began in Sequoia NP near the park boundary. In the past, boundary fires were routinely suppressed to prevent spread onto neighboring U.S. Forest Service lands. But this year, with the institution of a fire use  program, the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests were happy to manage this natural fire cooperatively with the parks. As a result, the West Kern Fire burned across a line on a map that had previously been a huge barrier. This positive partnership prevented a costly fire suppression effort and improved the health of local forests. The West Kern Fire totaled 7,968 acres (3,510 acres were in the park). This photo shows the West Kern Fire. All three units (Sequoia NP, Sequoia NF, and Inyo NF) are in the photo.

## 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

**Notes:**
People who live and recreate in fire-prone lands assume a certain level of risk and responsibility due to the condition of the surrounding environment. So what can you do? Being here today is a start. You need to be aware of your environment and the natural role fire plays. People can live compatibly with fire, if actions are taken to be aware of – and prepared for – local fire conditions. 

To get more involved, contact your local, state, or federal agencies, or tribal fire management organization to determine your community’s fire conditions and discover tips to reduce your community’s fire vulnerability – before a fire starts. <NOTE TO PRESENTER: DISCUSS SPECIFIC LOCAL CONDITIONS AND SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES HAPPENING LOCALLY.>

You also can – and should – reduce the vulnerability of your own property. Take a look at your landscape and your home’s construction materials. Reducing excess vegetation and using native plants with low-flammability. Consider fire resistant building materials. There is a lot of information available on reducing your risk. For example, visit www.firewise.org. <NOTE TO PRESENTER: IF YOUR AGENCY HAS HOMEOWNER TIPS, CONSIDER PROVIDING HANDOUTS.>

And of course, as Smoky Bear reminds us, use recreational fire safely.  

## 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**

**Notes:**
Also be aware that the more populated and closer a community is to fire prone areas, the greater the need for proactive fire management. Support fire management efforts so land management agencies, tribes, and firefighters can focus on public lands.

<NOTE TO PRESENTER: IF YOUR AREA DOES PRESCRIBED BURNING, CONSIDER USING THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.>
And remember, the more populated and closer a community is to fire prone areas, the greater the need for proactive fire management. Smoke from prescribed fire is a sign that steps are being taken to reduce risks and realize benefits of fire.  The more land management agencies can plan and manage fire the more they can reduce smoke impacts. 

## 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

**Notes:**
INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLE.  NOTE: MANY EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY COOPERATION FROM SEVERAL STATES ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.FIREWISE.ORG/USA

To facilitate local solutions to wildfire preparedness goals, the Firewise Communities/USA program recognizes communities for working together to protect residents and property from fire in the wildland/urban interface. To be recognized as a Firewise Communities/USA site, local communities must create and implement a local plan with cooperative assistance from state forestry agencies and local fire staff. In addition, communities are required to continue regular maintenance and education to retain recognition status.

Recognized as a Firewise/Communities/USA site by the National Firewise Communities program for its work to prepare for wildland fire, Lummi Island Scenic Estates looks over Bellingham Bay in northwest Washington state.  The development lies at the southern end of the island on its eastern side, starting at the shoreline and continuing approximately 600 feet up the side of Lummi Mountain.  The vegetation is dense; tree varieties include Douglas fir, Western red cedar, red alder, big leaf maple and Western hemlock as well as many beautiful native shrubs and ferns. These, of course, produce many ladder fuels.  Lummi Island has steep terrain with beautiful views of Bellingham Bay and Mount Baker.  The northern end of the island is relatively flat and contains farms and individual homes. 
 Lummi Island Scenic Estates has 155 structures (ranging from trailers to large homes) and 50 full-time residents.  Some property owners are weekenders and others are absentee owners. The dilemma is common: how to maintain the natural habitat while protecting homes from wildfire.  The community is isolated from the mainland and therefore has greater challenges receiving emergency fire protection.   
In the mid-1990’s, a wildfire on the backside of the mountain prompted the community to begin working with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  A Scenic Estates representative took training and worked with the local volunteer fire department to organize open houses at the fire hall.  These were video education evenings for the entire island about home safety and wildfire preparedness.  They were open houses that featured Smokey Bear, the safety home information paperwork and videos, and other activities.  Six more islanders have attended training workshops presented by the DNR. The agency has done an outstanding job of encouraging island residents to become more Firewise. Lummi Island Scenic Estates held a chipper day in 2002 and again in 2004 to correspond with Fire Awareness Week.  A work party assisted residents who needed help cleaning up their properties. It took three full chipper days of hard work to clean up all of the debris even with the DNR doing the chipping.  The DNR has been a great help in encouraging the community.

## Resources

**Resources**

- _[www.nifc.gov](http://www.nifc.gov/)_
- _[www.firewise.org](http://www.firewise.org/)_
- _[www.fs.fed.us/fire](http://www.fs.fed.us/fire)__ _
- _[www.doi.gov](http://www.doi.gov/)_
- _[www.stateforesters.org](http://www.stateforesters.org/)_
- _[www.nature.org](http://www.nature.org/)_

**Notes:**
There are a number of resources for individuals and communities wishing to learn more about wildland fire and how to live compatibly in wildland areas. I encourage you to contact your local, state, or federal land management agency, and visit one or more of these web sites for more information.

<NOTE TO PRESENTER: INSERT OTHER SITES YOU SEE AS RELEVANT IN YOUR AREA OR TO YOUR AGENCY’S EFFORTS.

## 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

**Notes:**
In closing, I’d like to touch again on the core points made today. First and foremost, fire is an essential, natural process. We cannot remove fire from the landscape, nor should we try. Yes - we need to manage fire to protect people, property, and resources. That comes first. But we must also consider the needs of the ecosystem – the plants and animals that need fire to survive and thrive. Working together, federal and state agencies, tribal governments, fire departments, communities, and landowners can improve the overall health of our wildlands.

## Discussion

**Notes:**

NOTE TO PRESENTER: YOU MAY WISH TO ADD ADDITIONAL SLIDES DETAILING HOW YOUR AGENCY IS USING WILDLAND FIRE.