The March Driptorch Digest is Now Available

The long-awaited updates to the EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been released. The new standards for annual PM2.5 set a lower threshold of 9 micrograms per cubic meter, down from the previous standard of 12. There are many questions still to be answered, but this is expected to create new challenges to implementing prescribed fire in the region like making fewer burn days available. However, the EPA has been working closely with the prescribed fire community and has committed to continuing that work. Stay tuned for more information on new tools and resources that the EPA plans to develop for prescribed burners, guidance on the use of the EPA's exceptional events process for prescribed fire, and best practices for ensuring that your area stays within attainment as the new standards are implemented. In the meantime, continue to follow your state's Smoke Managament Plan and/or basic smoke management practices.

As the South continues strong into prescribed fire season, many of us are out there on UTVs and ATVs for ignitions, monitoring, and transport. These vehicles certainly make the work easier, but operating them is a risky activity, as illustrated by the statistics in the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center's (WF LLC) 2023 incident review.
There are many resources on UTV safety that you may find useful to review, point your colleagues towards, or reference in safety talks and trainings.

Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) released the Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region in 2023. Early prints and digital copies are in the hands of practitioners all over the South and SREF wants to hear your thoughts! If you have used the guidebook, please take a moment to complete the evaluation form to help SREF measure its impact and make improvements. If you haven't checked it out yet, you can download a free digital copy or sign-up to hear when printed copies are available to purchase at the SREF website (estimated to be early- to mid-March).

With the development of a first-of-its-kind agreement, the Georgia Forestry Commission now recognizes the state Certified Burm Manager certifications for prescribed fire practitioners in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. This new policy will reduce liability barriers for out-of-state burners, making it easier for them to burn in Georgia, creating more opportunity for landowners to implement prescribed fire.

The Integrated Research Management Team, funded by the Department of Defense's environmental research initiatives, coordinated a week-long collaborative burn campaign at Ft. Stewart, GA. This was only the most recent of a successful series of burn events designed to bring together fire science researchers and practitioners, and meet the objectives of both groups. The week included two days of burning, workshops, and discussions to support the development and transfer of cutting-edge fire research and technologies.

Texas faced an outbreak of record-breaking wildfires in the panhandle at the end of February. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the fires grew rapidly, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in the state's history. Due in part to the large response demanded of these fires, the Southern Area was raised to a preparedness level of 3. Among the many stories emerging from this event is one of the success of a recent prescribed burn that stopped the Smokehouse Creek Fire's progression into a populated area. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension has compiled resources to support the people impacted by the wildfires.

USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support

Funding available towards two objectives:

Support the participation of underserved forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience
Support the participation of forest landowners who own less than 2,500 acres of forestland in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience

Award amount: Up to $2,000,000
Application Deadline: Rolling basis, quarterly

Next Deadline: May 31, 2024

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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