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New Spatial Tools for
Assessing Wildfire Risk Now and Into the Future
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The Southern Group of State Foresters and US Forest Service have released a StoryMap that compiles multiple new resources for managing wildfire risk in the Southeast. It represents a new spatial approach that considers current conditions and future changes in climate and forests. 'Risk' was defined in multiple ways based on physical and social dimensions and includes risks associated
with fire, smoke, water quality, and forest carbon stocks. The main products are maps that give assessments of current risk in 2,500 acre units. The StoryMap also provides maps, data, and explanations related to the region's firescapes, future risk projections, and risk management strategies. Use the link below to explore the StoryMap and learn how it can be used to understand where wildfire and smoke risks are highest and where tools like prescribed fire can be most effective. The StoryMap and the Southern Region Fire Adaptation project behind it were recently featured in a webinar by the Southern Fire Exchange and the recording will be available on the SFE YouTube page
soon.
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Tippin' Torch: Tips for the Season
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The National Interagency Fire Center released the Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for June through September and the prognosis is good for most of the region after a relatively wet spring relieved drought conditions. However, drought persists in some areas of West Texas and across central and southern Florida where the Keetch-Byram Drought Index has surpassed the
historical maximum for this time of year. The US Drought Monitor can be used to get weekly drought assessments for your area and now 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.
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Hi folks, Elliot Nauert here, co-lead of the SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Working Group and editor of the Driptorch Digest since December 2022. I would like to share that I will be leaving NC State Extension at the end of June to focus on my dissertation and transition to a position with The Ember Alliance. It has been an honor to support the strong work being done within SERPPAS, and to use the Driptorch Digest to share everything that makes the Southeast a leader in prescribed fire. Stay tuned for my open position to be flown and please look out for candidates to send our way! In the meantime, the newsletter is in good hands (meet Gianna below). If I can support your work in any way from The Ember Alliance, please reach out! -Elliot, enauert@ncsu.edu
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Hello everyone! My name is Gianna Wessler, and I am a fifth year senior studying Paper Science Engineering with a minor in Forest Management. I have been
burning with NCSU and a private landowner for two years and am also the president of the NCSU Student Association for Fire Ecology. I am very excited to be helping out and filling in with NC State Extension Forestry for the next few months!
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Prescribed Fire News Roundup
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New Features for the US Wildfire Risk Database
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Originally published in 2020, the Wildfire Risk to Communities guide has just recently been updated and re-released in early May. Check it out in the link below!
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New Features of the Sandhills PBA in North Carolina
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The
Sandhills PBA has been featured many times in this newsletter as their story is continually picked up by media outlets. This month, we share a short piece by a local paper that highlights two landowners that have learned how to burn through the PBA and the contributions of Conservation Corps North Carolina. Linked below is a longer article by North Carolina Public Radio with details of the PBA's historical background including the fact that some members' families have been burning for over 100 years.
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Biochar Production Creates Interest for Forest Fire Prevention
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CharBoss ® is a new production equipment that can create biochar from unusable woody downed debris. It is used in the field and can reduce forest fuels while improving the soil health and water holding capacity. This article highlights the demonstration of the machinery in the Umpqua National Forest by the private company Air Burners, LLC. This could potentially be a great use for areas in the South where burning isn't feasible.
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Other Fire Highlights and News
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New Fire Resources for Beginners
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The Fire Networks Blog posted a compilation of resources for folks that are new to fire, but even experienced folks
may find something new to check out. The list includes podcasts and other resources that can help folks quickly get up to speed with the world of fire and even features our cherished Guidebook for Prescribed Fire in the Southern Region!
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Farm Bill Aids Forester in Saving Tree Farm
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This video, produced by The Nature Conservancy, highlights how Dr. Salem Saloom was
able to restore his tree farm in Alabama after it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Highlighted is his journey of converting the forest from loblolly pine to longleaf pine.
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Hickory Nut Vista Prescribed Fire Video
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The US Forest Service shared a short video about a prescribed burn performed in March 2024 in Ouachita National Forest in Alabama. The video includes an interesting time lapse that provides a clear view of the progression of firing operations and smoke dispersion.
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- 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: August 21, 2024
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- Funding available to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats in the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.
- Prescribed fire is
listed as an eligible activity.
- Expected award amount: $250,000 - $750,000
- Applicant Webinar: June 11, 2024
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2024
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- Gatlinburg, TN
- National Park Service
- Deadline: June 6
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- Homestead, FL
- National Park Service
- Deadline: June 28
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- Ft. Collins, CO
- The Ember Alliance
- Open Until Filled
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- Wakefield, VA
- The Nature Conservancy
- Deadline Unknown
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- Sarasota County, FL
- Sarasota County
- Deadline Unknown
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- College Station, TX
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Deadline Unknown
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Click here for a useful resource on fire career paths.
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Fire Training Courses and Workshops
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Conferences, Meetings, and Other Events
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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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