The November Driptorch Digest is Now Available!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new policy guidance aimed at removing regulatory barriers to prescribed fire, directing regional offices to work with state, local, Tribal, and federal partners to assist in revising State Implementation Plans (SIPs) so they do not hinder strategic burning. This guidance emphasizes the role of prescribed fire in mitigating catastrophic wildfires and affirms that prescribed burning may be treated as “exceptional events” under the Clean Air Act, allowing for air quality flexibility in fire-adapted regions.

For the Southeast, this guidance supports expanded prescribed burning by aligning air-quality regulations with ecological fire needs. It strengthens the region’s capacity to plan safe burns and reinforces prescribed fire as a key component of wildfire resilience and ecosystem health.

With fall in the Southeast comes putting fire on the ground. Following the correct protocols is necessary for safe and effective burns.
To ensure a safe and successful burn, consult with your state's forestry agency and local prescribed fire organizations.

Here are some essential points to keep in mind:

Burn Permits and Notifications: Make sure to secure any required burn permits and notify local authorities about your burning plans.
Fire Restrictions and Bans: Stay informed about current fire restrictions or burning bans in your area. These regulations can change rapidly.
Weather Conditions: Pay close attention to weather forecasts, particularly wind speeds and humidity levels.
Preparedness and Equipment: Have the necessary equipment on hand, including fire suppression tools and a reliable means of communication in case of emergencies.

The Southern Area Coordination Center’s “2025 Fall Wildland Fire Risk Assessment” highlights elevated wildfire potential across the Southeast this fall due to warm temperatures, below-average rainfall, and lingering drought conditions. This environment increases urgency for both wildfire prevention and strategic prescribed burning. For prescribed fire practitioners, this means now is the time to ensure burn prescriptions align with changing conditions, review contingency plans, monitor fuel moisture and weather closely, and coordinate with local fire authorities to stay ahead of any potential fire risks.

Smokey Bear’s message took flight back in October at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where an art exhibit celebrated Fire Prevention Week and reminded travelers that most wildfires are human-caused and preventable. The display, created by the USDA Forest Service and partners, highlighted the importance of fire awareness across the South. For fire practitioners, it’s a timely reminder that proactive communication and education are essential for maintaining public support for prescribed fire and reducing wildfire risk across fire-adapted landscapes.

State forestry agencies across the Southeast are mobilizing under the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact to support the North Carolina Forest Service as it braces for elevated wildfire risk following Hurricane Helene and the resulting heavy fuel loads. For prescribed fire practitioners in the region, this situation emphasizes the importance of executing well‐planned burns, maintaining clear ignition windows, and collaborating across properties to reduce wildfire risk.

The UNC Institute for the Environment has released Exploring Wildland Fires, Smoke, and Health, a new lesson for NC high school environmental science classrooms. The lesson examines factors that influence wildfire frequency and intensity, the health impacts of smoke, and strategies communities can use to prepare for fire and smoke events. Understanding smoke science and fire behavior can also help illustrate the benefits of prescribed fire as a tool to reduce hazardous fuel loads and protect communities from more severe wildfires.

A recent article from Wildfire Today highlights a recent study that found a significant gap in research on the mental health risks faced specifically by wildland firefighters, noting that fewer than 15  studies focus on this group compared to hundreds for structural firefighters. With fire seasons increasing in length, intensity, and complexity, this lack of research stresses the importance of supporting mental wellness in the fire community. For those involved in prescribed fire across the Southeast, where crews often operate under extended deployments and demanding conditions, paying attention to and addressing mental health is as critical as managing fuels or planning burns.

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.