For decades, forestry agencies across the United States have responded to and managed wildland
fires—their primary responsibility in natural resources disasters. Recently, however, they have
taken on major responsibilities beyond wildland fires. State forestry agencies are responding to a
greater number and variety of other natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, winter storms,
and tornadoes. These broader responsibilities have significantly affected the ability of some state
forestry agencies to pay adequate attention to their primary mission.