Issues
Coalition Letter: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Members, FLAME Act Funding Support (July 21, 2010)
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010In October of 2009, President Obama signed into law the FLAME Act with overwhelming support from the House and Senate. The FLAME Act represents an important change in the funding mechanism for wildland fire suppression. The attention given to wildland fire suppression costs in the President's FY2011 budget proposal highlights the importance of the critical examination of wildland fire suppression funding that Congress undertook in crafting the FLAME Act. We request that you reaffirm the commitment to address this important problem.
Briefing paper: State Forestry Agency Perspectives Regarding 2009 Federal Wildfire Policy Implementation (July 2010)
Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010
In 2009, federal agencies clarified existing agency fire policy, leading to changes in terminology and how some wildfires were managed. To proactively address these issues within the construct of resource-benefit wildfire management strategies, NASF has endeavored to capture lessons learned from the 2009 fire season and provide recommendations as to how they can be incorporated in future wildfire incidents. The intent is to improve the level of cooperation and understanding by all parties engaged in or affected by wildfires that are managed for multiple objectives.Briefing paper: Identifying Communities at Risk and Prioritizing Risk-Reduction Projects (July 2010)
Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Identifying communities at risk and prioritizing projects to reduce wildfire risk is a national effort. A consistent vision is necessary to meet congressional intent, mandates and directives and to effectively reduce the effects of wildfires on communities. This paper is 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. Smokey Bear Returns to Remind Americans ..."Only You Can Prevent Wildfires"
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010The Advertising Council joined today with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) and an educational DVD for elementary school students designed to provide critical information to Americans about wildfire prevention. The PSAs and DVD are being distributed prior to the July 4th holiday, a time when many people go camping, have outdoor BBQs and light fireworks.
Briefing paper: State Forestry and Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Teams (June 2010)
Posted on Friday, June 4, 2010
This NASF briefing paper prepared by the NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee dicusses improving state forestry agency collaboration with All-Hazard Type 3 IMTs for wildland fire support and all-hazard response, as well as an NWCG Pilot Program to be utilized for national deployment in support of wildland fire IMTs. NFPA forms Wildland Fire Operations Advisory Committee
Posted on Friday, May 7, 2010The 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.
NASF Communities at Risk Report (Fiscal Year 2009 )
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010NASF continually surveys all states to determine progress in identifying communities at risk and developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). This report helps provide a national snapshot of wildland fire risk, preparedness and capacity. The FY2009 data was collected through the U.S. Forest Service's National Fire Plan Operations & Reporting System (NFPORS), and reflects data accomplishments through September 30, 2009.
NASF Letter: Blair - NASF comments regarding the Hazard Support System in wildland fire detection and suppression (Feb. 3, 2010)
Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2010The National Association of State Foresters writes in support of investigating the feasibility of the 1999-2000 Hazard Support System (HSS) in wildland fire detection and suppression monitoring.
NASF Letter: Suh/Jensen - NASF comments regarding development of a Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy (Jan. 20, 2010)
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010NASF writes to provide comments on an intergovernmental approach to developing a Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy.
Wildfire Suppression Funding
Posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) has been a leading advocate for a solution to the ever-increasing impact of emergency fire suppression costs on the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior's constrained budgets. The FLAME Act of 2009 establishes a new approach to budgeting for costly wildfires, which continually drain the budgets of the Forest Service and Department of the Interior and lead to the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars from other agency forest and land management priorities.
