The FMSG charter and awards processes have been updated, and work has started on Criteria and Indicators for wildfire. Moneys have also been earmarked for web site development and for grants in aid to research. The Fire Management Study Group has functioned since 1962, with three delegates from each of Mexico, United States and Canada. Various observers also routinely participate in the meetings. The group is managed through annual meetings.
Task groups meet and communicate throughout the year, as needed to accomplish their objectives.
This report summarizes the FMSG meeting reports from the 33 rd FMSG meeting, held in Canada in the fall of 1999. The 34 th meeting will be held in the United States in the fall of 2000. The continental totals were then 92,095 fires burning 4,384,372 ha, compared to a 10-yr average of 80,064 fires burning 5,088,345 ha. The average fire size was therefore 47.6 ha, compared to a 10-yr average of 63.6 ha. In the United States, there were a total of 1,534,125 prescribed burns reported, covering more than 780,000 ha.