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Judge rejects Forest Service’s plan on fire retardant

A federal judge has ruled that the federal Forest Service's plan for using fire retardant to fight wildfires violates the law because it does not ensure protections for threatened and endangered species of fish and other animals. The ruling ordered the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to conduct more rigorous environmental reviews on the effects of retardant on wildlife and to place more specific restrictions on how it is used.
9:53 am July 30, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
July 30, 2010

New coalition focuses on wildfire threat in the wildland-urban interface

The International Code Council and the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils have formed the National Wildland Urban Interface Council (NWUIC) to address challenges associated with the growing threat from wildfires in urban neighborhoods that border wildland areas. According to a recent press release, the NWUIC was a primary recommendation of a National Blue Ribbon Panel on Wildland Urban Interface Fire organized by the ICC. The group's first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3-4 in Washington, D.C.
1:16 pm July 22, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
July 22, 2010

Florida 'recycles' old fire lookout towers

Florida has found a diminishing need for fire towers, with ongoing urban growth and technology including aircraft, cell phones, radar and satellites to scout for brush fires. State officials say selling some old towers is a way for the state to cut costs and make a few dollars, considering that an increasing number of towers are sitting idle.
8:54 am July 7, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
July 7, 2010

NASF issues briefing paper on identifying communities at risk

Identifying communities at risk and prioritizing projects to reduce wildfire risk is a national effort. The NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee has prepared a briefing paper, "Identifying Communities at Risk and Prioritizing Risk-Reduction Projects," intended to provide national guidance for identifying communities at risk, conducting planning efforts that are consistent with national initiatives, and to reinforce the role of NASF in setting priorities, effecting progress, and measuring success toward reduction of wildfire risk for America's communities.
11:15 am July 6, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
July 6, 2010

Connecticut and New Hampshire send firefighters to Canada

Wildfire Today reports that the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands have sent firefighters to Quebec, Canada, to assist the province with their wildfires. Both states are members of the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact, a mutual aid organization between the New England states, New York and four eastern Canadian provinces. Members of the Compact train together and their equipment standards and capabilities are interchangeable.
9:18 am June 24, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
June 24, 2010

National economic impact of wildfires

A recent article on SFGate.com outlines the national economic impacts of wildfires. NASF and the Western Coalition of State Foresters are cited.
12:11 pm June 8, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
June 8, 2010

NASF briefing paper on Type 3 IMTs and all-hazard response

The NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee has prepared a briefing paper on improving state forestry agency collaboration with All-Hazard Type 3 IMTs for wildland fire support and all-hazard response, as well as a new NWCG pilot program.
12:18 pm June 4, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
June 4, 2010

Prevention works: publication shows education efforts make a difference

A new publication from the U.S. Forest Service, Net Benefits of Wildfire Prevention Education, indicates that wildfire prevention education efforts have statistically significant and negative effects on the numbers of wildfires ignited by debris burning, campfire escapes, smoking, and children.
12:33 pm May 7, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
May 7, 2010

NFPA forms Wildland Fire Operations Advisory Committee

The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Division of Wildland Fire Operations has recruited a diverse group of forestry, fire, public safety, and planning experts to comprise a Wildland Fire Operations Advisory Committee. NASF Fire Director Dan Smith will join representatives from federal, state, local and private organizations on the committee.
May 7, 2010

Budget pressures on state agencies strain wildfire capacity

Each year more than 4000 wildfires destroy lives and property in South Carolina. As the SC Forestry Commission faces continuing budget cuts (from $18M in 2008 to $10M or less today), capacity to address wildfire becomes increasingly strained. They are not alone -- many state agencies are feeling the pinch.
11:40 am May 6, 2010 | | RSS 2.0 |
May 6, 2010