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Our Hearts Go Out to Those Affected by Hurricane Helene
To everyone across the Southern region who have had their lives and towns devastated by Hurricane Helene, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. There are many resources those thise needing assistance or wanting to help. Here is a spreadsheet and a link to get aid in the affected areas, as well as information for those interested in making donations. We've also included resource aid links to the Emergency Forest Restoration Program and FEMA's disaster relief programs. A heartfelt thank you to all those providing assistance in the mountains of North Carolina and other affected areas. We are especially grateful for the support from across the Southern region and North America, including our wildland firefighters. Your help is truly appreciated!
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What is the National Prescribed Fire Act?
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The National Prescribed
Fire Act, initially introduced in 2021 and reintroduced in 2024, aims to increase the use of prescribed burns as an essential strategy for forest management and wildfire risk reduction. This legislation seeks to simplify regulations around fire, increase funding for prescribed fire initiatives, and increase cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies. By facilitating safe and effective prescribed burning practices, the bill is designed to promote healthier ecosystems and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Many groups have endorsed the bill, recognizing its potential to bolster sustainable land management practices. Their support emphasizes the importance of this legislation in advancing scientific research and fostering collaborations that can lead to improved forest health and resilience across the United States.
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Tippin' Torch: Tips for the Season
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Fall Burn Season is Here! As fall arrives, the South is entering its dormant season, a key time for prescribed burning. If you're planning to burn, be sure to check out the helpful checklists in Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region to help you prepare. The guidebook is divided into two sections. The first section is a walkthrough of the steps of planning and conducting a burn. The second part helps you understand the ins and outs of fire. Some general steps
when planning the burn is to create a burn plan, identify team and equipment needs along with getting the necessary gear for the burn. The new guide by the NWCG regarding equipment inspection care, and maintenance can help you with your equipment. Make sure safety and liability plans are taken care of and your neighboring properties and the proper authorities are informed. When conducting the burn, be sure to review your burn plan while watching for firebreaks, weather changes, hazards, and verifying equipment is working correctly. Don't forget to prepare a smoke management plan with your team. Stay safe and happy burning!
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Come Join the Pack!
NC State University Extension Forestry has re-opened the application for Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science. This is a 12-month, full time, professional staff, Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science. Responsibilities include providing leadership for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming and materials with an emphasis on prescribed fire and fire science, assisting with project management and other responsibilities associated with both the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) and the Southern Fire Exchange, and supporting NCSU’s
student fire training program.Application deadline: October 14 or until the position is filled. Application link can be found here.
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Prescribed Fire News Roundup
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AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map New Version is Live
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The US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service have unveiled an updated AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to help millions better safeguard themselves against wildfire smoke. This enhanced version allows users to quickly view activity recommendations and access detailed information on health protection measures, recent air quality trends, and nearby fire incidents within 30 miles. Stay informed and take action with this valuable resource!
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Prescribed Fires Really Do Make a Difference!
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This article highlights the role of prescribed fire in managing wilderness areas, particularly regarding the recent Texas wildfires. These controlled burns are essential for reducing wildfire risks by restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity. In the South, effective land management practices through prescribed fire can help prevent larger, destructive wildfires that threaten both natural habitats and communities.
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Prescribed Fire Safety: Preventing Injuries
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A science-based podcast, Habitat University, interviewed Jennifer Fawcett, the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council's Prescribed Burner of the Year. She discussed the critical importance of safety measures in conducting prescribed burns. She emphasizes the need for proper training, equipment, and communication to ensure safe fire management practices. Fawcett also highlights how these precautions can help prevent accidents while maximizing the ecological benefits of prescribed fire.
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Successful Prescribed Fire Workshop
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A recent conference on prescribed fire and management in the Northeast brought together experts and practitioners from various fields. Participants had valuable networking
opportunities and participated in an exchange of innovative ideas that emerged during the sessions. Overall, the conference allowed for improved collaboration and advancement of strategies to improve wildfire management across the region.
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2024 North Carolina Prescribed Burner of the Year Announced
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Jennifer Fawcett, SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Work Group
Coordinator, has been honored as the 2024 Prescribed Burner of the Year by the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council for her outstanding contributions to wildfire management and community engagement in prescribed burning practices. Her dedication to safety, education, and ecological restoration has significantly impacted forest health and fire resilience in North Carolina.
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Other Fire Highlights and News
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Training Program to Increase Female Wildland Firefighters
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A training program is helping recruit women into firefighting, specifically focusing on prescribed fire techniques. This initiative aims to empower women by providing them with essential skills and fostering a supportive community in a male-dominated field. By increasing female representation, the program seeks to enhance the effectiveness of wildfire management and promote diverse perspectives in firefighting.
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Turning Flames into Lessons: Parmer Lane Fire's Unintentional Triumph
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The article highlights the Parmer Lane fire in Austin, Texas, which, despite being an accidental blaze, showcased the effectiveness of fire management practices in mitigating wildfire
risks. This wildfire was used as an opportunity to educate the community about fire adaptation and the importance of prescribed burns in promoting ecological health. This unexpected success story emphasizes the need for preventative fire management strategies to enhance resilience in urban areas.
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Fire Prevention Strategies for NC Ecosystems
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Read about three wildfire limitation and prevention strategies, with prescribed fire as one of the key fire prevention strategies for maintaining the health of North Carolina's coastal ecosystems. This article highlights how controlled burns can help reduce fuel buildup, promote biodiversity, and manage habitat effectively.
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2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year- Mentor for Future Burners
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Tennessee Announces 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year” reads the headline—and that teacher is Bryan Kerns, a fire management and math instructor at Dobyns-Bennett High School. He was the lead on the creation
of the Dobyns-Bennett Fire Program, which has over 30 alumni in the fire industry. Additionally, he is the co-lead for the Unaka and Great Smoky Mountains Escarpment in the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network.
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Cohesive Strategy Wildland Fire Modeling Tools Survey
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Please complete this questionnaire by October 16 as part of the Cohesive Strategy's initiative to enhance the use of wildland fire behavior models in decision-making. A questionnaire has been created to gather insights on current fire model usage, aiming to improve model capabilities with these requirements. Participation is encouraged from
anyone who is looking to improve the effectiveness of modeling tools in fire management. You can fill out the survey here.
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- Wakefield, VA
- The Nature Conservancy
- Deadline Unknown
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- Sarasota County, FL
- Sarasota Country P&R Natural Resources
- Open Until Filled
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- Washington, DC
- USDA-FS
- Open Until Filled (Priority August 16)
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- San Angelo, TX
- Texas A&M Extension Service
- Open Until Filled
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- Raleigh, NC
- NC State University Extension Forestry
- Open Until Filled
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Ecosystem Support Team Natural Resource Technician
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Click here for a useful resource on fire career paths. Click here for the FireUp job board, a job posting site for fire and forestry work.
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Fire Training Courses and Workshops
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Virtual / Gainesville, FL
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Conferences, Meetings, and Other Events
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Subscribe to Wildfire Today, a wildfire news & opinion site here.
Share your stories, events, and information in the next issue:
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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.
NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s race; color; religion (including belief and non-belief); sex, including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition, parenting, and sexual harassment; sexual orientation; actual or perceived gender identity; age; national origin; disability; veteran status; or genetic
information.
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