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No. 69                                                                                          July 2022
 
 
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Allocated $1.5 Billion to U.S. Dept. of Interior to Invest in Preparedness, Fuels Management, Post-Fire Restoration, and Fire Science

"These resources go directly to long-term fire preparedness, reducing fire risk across states, and working with partners to increase resilience on lands and communities dealing with the threat of wildfire"

  • $878 million for hazardous fuels management
  • $325 million for post-fire restoration and rehabilitation activities
  • $245 million in investments in wildfire preparedness
  • $10 million to support science and research

With this increase in funding and attention, support for prescribed fire efforts is high. More grants and other funding opportunities are likely to arise as agencies look to meet the expectations of this law.

 
Prescribed Fire News Roundup
U.S. Forest Service Statement on Hermit's Peak Fire in NM

The full report details how a prescribed fire, where employees followed all procedures and protocols, became a wildfire.

In addition, the statement by Chief Randy Moore acknowledges climate change's impact on prescribed fire operations. Results of the 90-day learning review are likely to reveal climate change as a leading factor for extreme fire conditions.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Impacts on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Management Practices

It's hurricane season! Check out this fact sheet discussing how storms will affect fire behavior, smoke, hazards to personnel, and ability to burn.


How These Neighbors Use Fire to Revitalize Their Communities and Land

A coalition of private landowners implement prescribed fire to address shrinking grasslands that serve as grazing acres, ground bird habitat, and pollinator habitat. Check out this article by NPR for more information on Prescribed Burn Association and how landowners can help each other get fire on the ground.
American Lung Association Supports Prescribed Fire

A report by the ALA comes out in support of prescribed fire on the basis that health risks are outweighed by the benefits of thinning out fuels that could create smokier conditions in the event of a wildfire.
Prescribed Fire Liability Report for the Southern United States: A Summary of Statutes and Cases

Check out this comprehensive publication created to address liability concerns that a prescribed burner or landowner could be faced with when implementing a burn. The document describes ways to avoid such as liability, and breaks down laws state-by-state. In addition, state-specific reports are available.
How Can Prescribed Burns Increase on Private Lands in Texas?

One of the best ways to prevent wildfires is to implement prescribed fire, but, in Texas, 60% of prescribed fire is on only 5% of the land. With only one insurance carrier covering prescribed fire and the usual liability concerns, private landowners need empowerment to help Texas match the efforts of other southeastern U.S. states.
"This pasture at Conservation Blueprint demonstrated significant eastern red cedar encroachment (left). In 2021, after six years of frequent, low-intensity burning, these grasslands are a healthy, highly-diverse ecosystem (right)."
Peter Berthelsen; Andria Hautamaki - How These Neighbors Use Fire to Revitalize their Communities and Land
The Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program will award grants to restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers and streams that provide habitat for diverse native bird and aquatic species populations. Approximately $3 million is available this year. Proposals due by July 14, 2022.

Intended to streamline grant funding opportunities for new conservation and restoration projects, the America the Beautiful Challenge consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale projects that address shared funder priorities and span public and private lands. Applications due July 21, 2022

The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program may provide up to $40 million in fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding for land conservation, improvement, or management activities that limit incompatible development in the vicinity of DoD installations and ranges; enhance military installation resilience to climate change or extreme weather events; or relieve current or anticipated environmental restrictions in support of key mission capabilities of strategic importance. Pre-proposals are due by July 25, 2022 by 8pm est.
Job Opportunities
Fall 2022 Conservation Crew, The Nature Conservancy/SCA, Mobile, AL

2023 NPS Fire Corps Team (Veterans Only), National Park Service, Jackson, MS

Land/Prescribed Burning Assistant, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Mayetta, KS

AmeriCorps Stewardship Crew Member, Bur Oak Land Trust, Iowa City, IA

Multiple Tall Timbers Positions, Tall Timbers, Tallahassee, FL
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
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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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