The June Driptorch Digest is Now Available!

The USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station has released a new comprehensive report titled Fire: An Analysis to Support the Southern Forest Outlook. This report assesses current and future wildfire and smoke risks across the Southern U.S., emphasizing the role of prescribed fire in mitigating these threats. It highlights that, despite increasing challenges such as changing fire regimes and expanding wildland-urban interfaces, proactive forest management—including the use of prescribed burns—can effectively reduce wildfire risks and enhance ecosystem resilience.

For fire managers in the Southeast, the report highlights the importance of and collaboration in strategic prescribed burning, especially as safe burn windows may become shorter due to changing climate conditions. By identifying areas where fuel treatments can yield the highest returns, the report serves as a valuable tool for prioritizing efforts to protect communities, watersheds, and forest resources. Supporting prescribed fire capacity and expanding the workforce—especially through training and partnerships—will be essential to meet the region’s growing fire management demands while maintaining the health of fire-adapted southern landscapes.

The National Interagency Fire Center has released the
Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for June through September. The outlook indicates that the Southeastern U.S. is expected to experience normal wildland fire potential through September. However, areas affected by Hurricane Helene, particularly those with significant tree damage, may face an earlier onset of the fall fire season if late-summer drought conditions develop.The US Drought Monitor can be used to get weekly drought assessments for your area and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension has provided a short article about the tool. It includes five facts that may answer some of your lingering questions while using the tool.

A recent article from Texas A&M Agrilife Extension highlights that while prescribed fire escapes are rare—occurring in just 0.16% of cases nationwide—certain factors can increase the risk. Escapes are most likely in late spring and summer, particularly under high winds, low humidity, and in areas with significant tree cover. For Southeastern fire managers, favoring fall burn windows and closely monitoring weather conditions can help maintain the safety and effectiveness of prescribed fire programs.

A recent news story highlighted the importance of PBAs in building wildfire resilience. The growing wildfire risk in Missouri has led local groups like the Niangua Basin Prescribed Burn Association to use prescribed fire to reduce fuel loads and protect communities. This community-driven approach mirrors efforts across the Southeast, where prescribed burning is key to managing wildfire risks and maintaining healthy forests. Such programs help build resilience in fire-prone landscapes and safeguard people and ecosystems.

The new annual report from the Eastern Innovation Landscape Network (EILN) highlights the collaboration and its focus on developing advanced tools to improve prescribed fire management in the eastern U.S., including the Southeast. By working closely with land managers, EILN is creating technologies like BurnPro3D and QUIC-Fire that help predict fire behavior and effects, enhancing both the safety and effectiveness of prescribed burns. These innovations support healthier ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk across the region.

A new study published in Environmental Modelling & Software introduces an advanced framework to better evaluate road visibility impacts from prescribed fire smoke, improving on existing models by capturing detailed fire and smoke behavior near burn sites. Using a Fort Stewart, GA test case, the research found that wind speed plays a critical role—faster winds can lead to brief visibility reductions and potential fire escapes, while slower winds may prevent full burns. This work helps prescribed fire managers in the Southeast balance effective fuel reduction with public safety by optimizing burn timing and minimizing smoke hazards on nearby roads.

Prescribed fire in and around southeastern wetlands plays a vital role in maintaining open, grassy habitats that support diverse amphibian populations like eastern newts and tiger salamanders. Regular burns help keep shorelines free of woody shrubs and improve water quality by reducing leaf litter, which benefits aquatic life and promotes healthy food webs. Collaborations with private landowners are key to monitoring these species and applying targeted fire management to sustain and restore wetland biodiversity.

Multiple NRCS Funding Programs

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers several funding programs that may be used to support prescribed burning. Many private landowners in the South have already taken advantage of these programs but this year there may be more funding available than in previous years. Programs vary by area, so check out the information pages listed below.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

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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This newsletter is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from the USDA Forest Service and the Department of Defense.