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No. 70                                                                                          August 2022
 
 
Prescribed Fire Liability Insurance: Unavailable, Unaffordable, and Vital

Private entities pick up where local, state, and federal land management agencies leave off: the 60% of land that is privately owned and managed. These private entities like contractors, non-profits, prescribed burn associations, and landowners do not have the protections afforded to agencies, they don't have prescribed fire and smoke liability insurance. As
this Ember Alliance article points out, insurance is often a poorly understood topic that prevents private entities from putting fire on their properties. In an effort to help explain the complexities of insurance, discuss the challenges, and provide potential solutions, the Ember Alliance put together this brief, but informative, article to start discussions on the topic.


Prescribed Fire News Roundup
Predictions of 2022 Summer Wildfire Potential

The National Interagency Fire Center has released their 2022 summer wildfire potential predictions. National maps (shown on the right) highlight areas at above and below average risk for each summer month. Areas in red should take extra precautions during prescribed fire operations and closely check for local announcements of burn bans.


In the Field with NWS Columbia South Carolina, A Youtube Series


The National Weather Service has started a youtube series describing the work their meteorologists do in and out of the office. In their first episode of the series, they collaborate with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to talk about fire weather and the impacts of weather on prescribed fire.

National Wildland Firefighter Day - A Day of Support, Gratitude, and Remembrance

On July 2, President Biden commemorates the first National Wildland Firefighter Day, a day added to the previously established Firefighter Week of Remembrance. In his statement, he reiterates his administration's commitment to supporting wildland personnel through pay increases, new health programs, and more through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He also honors the fallen firefighters and the sacrifices firefighters and their families make every year.

How to Sharpen Common Trail and Wildland Fire Tools

Having the right tool for the job is important, but it is just as important for that tool to be safe and effective for the job. A cracked handle or chipped blade could cause further damage to yourself or the tool. Proper maintenance of your equipment ensures they will be available to you when you need them.

Check out this manual that guides you through maintaining your hand tools.

Ecologists Warn that Federal Wildfire Plans Need to Account for Climate Change

Ecologists and legislators call for
structural reform in fire agencies, where climate change is at the forefront of policies and decisions. As climatic conditions change, producing record droughts and heat waves, the windows in which prescribed burns can be implemented are becoming shorter. These unprecedented climate conditions slow fuel reduction progress that is necessary to reduce wildfire risk.


Lower Your Home's Fire Risk (and Insurance) With These Steps

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has developed the first standard that lowers a home's risk of wildfire damage. The research nonprofit is funded by insurers and for years has studied how to keep homes and businesses safer from fire. The designation of "Wildfire Prepared Home" is given after meeting a series of criteria and passing an annual inspection.

National Wildland Coordinating Group Revised Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Guide is Available

This guide has been updated for clarity and provides additional resources on related topics. It establishes national standards for the planning and implementation of prescribed fires. The guide goes into detail on planning documents, responsibilities, safety, and risk management.

Mountain Valleys RC&D’s Mitigation Cost-Share Assistance Program offers 50% reimbursement for residents within their eight-county region to hire out a contractor or rent equipment to reduce their home’s risk of ignition from wildfire. Preference given to homes or communities within a moderate-to-high wildfire risk area. Check out this recently posted blog entry that explains the cost-share process. Funding available until December 2022.

Biden-Harris administration announces $1 billion in community wildfire defense grants from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program will assist at risk communities with planning and mitigating against the risk of wildfires. More information can be found at the US Forest Service website, which will be updated when the grant opportunity is officially open.
Job Opportunities
Policy Advisor for Wildfire and Nature-Based Solutions, Federation of American Scientists, DC

Prescribed Fire Apprentice (51842), The Nature Conservancy, Nationwide

Prescribed Fire Practitioner (51840), The Nature Conservancy, Nationwide

Forestry Technician (Fire), National Park Service, FL

Remote Sensing Fire Scientist, KBR Science and Space, Remote

Forest Wildlife Specialist, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, KY, NC, TN
Prescribed Fire Council Meetings
August
10-11
September
8
October
7
September
7-8
September
29
October
25
Prescribed Burner Certification Courses
Conferences, Workshops, Webinars, Festivals, and Other Events
August 16, 2 pm Pacific Time - Wildfire Impacts on Water Infrastructure Webinar, Remote
September 26 - October 7 - Indigenous Women's TREX, Somes Bar, CA
October 4-7 -
Fire Ecology Across Boundaries, Florence, Italy
October 7 - Three Rivers Land Trust Inaugural Habitat Summit, Mooresville, NC

November 14-18 - National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop, Asheville, NC
December 6-8 - 7th Fire in Eastern Oaks Conference, Virtual Event
January 8-27, 2023 - Fire Leadership for Women 20-day Training, Tallahassee, FL
March 28-30, 2023 - IAFC Wildland-Urban Interface Conference, Reno, NV
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The Driptorch Digest is distributed by NC State University as a project of the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Prescribed Fire Working Group.

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