The January Driptorch Digest is Now Available

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced over $122 million in grants through the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) to support landscape-scale conservation efforts, mostly in the western U.S., including projects that reduce wildfire risk and enhance ecosystem resilience. These grants, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal programs, prioritize locally led efforts, including those by Tribal Nations, and focus on restoring lands, conserving habitats, and implementing nature-based solutions. Some of the projects funded aim to mitigate catastrophic wildfire risk, supporting both wildfire prevention and prescribed fire initiatives to improve forest and grassland health while reducing the threat of uncontrolled fires. Additionally, some of the funding will help communities prepare for the effects of climate change by supporting fire-adaptive landscapes and fire-safe practices in vulnerable areas.

Prescribed fires bring risks related to smoke exposure. The smoke produced by these controlled burns can contain a mixture of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and organic compounds, which all can affect air quality and create health hazards. Smoke can travel long distances, impacting communities far from the burn site, making it crucial to monitor and manage air quality during prescribed fire operations.

Smoke management strategies are very important in order to reduce health risks during prescribed fires.

Here are some tips:

Have a proper burn plan
Consider different weather conditions, fuel types, and burn timing,
Create good communication for the public to inform about when prescribed burns are occurring and the potential impacts on air quality

By incorporating these practices, you can reduce the negative effects of smoke during a prescribed fire. To learn more about these hazards and best practices, view the full fact sheet provided by the Southern Fire Exchange here as well as the Wildfire Risk to Communities' new website here.

Give a Warm Welcome to Sarah!

Sarah Cain recently joined NCSU Extension Forestry as an Extension Associate in Wildland Fire & Fire Science. Sarah will assist in conducting implementation, education, and outreach components for the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPAS) Southeast Prescribed Fire Initiative and for the Southern Fire Exchange (SFE) program. She will serve as the new primary editor for this monthly Driptorch Digest newsletter and support development of the bimonthly SFE Fire Lines Newsletter.

Sarah received her B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University and later attended Oklahoma State University, where she obtained an M.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. She has extensive experience in science communication, education, and outreach, working with organizations such as Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment as well as Oklahoma State University Natural Resources Extension to promote natural resource education and science-based land management objectives. In her Extension role, Sarah hopes to provide effective prescribed fire and fire science education and outreach materials across multiple communication mediums, both virtually and in-person. Welcome, Sarah!

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)

Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has announced the 2025 Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund RFP, offering approximately $31 million in funding for projects that accelerate longleaf pine restoration on both private and public lands, with an emphasis on wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, water quality, and forest resilience, while also supporting bottomland hardwood restoration and engaging local communities, including underserved landowners.
All proposals must specifically address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the longleaf pine and associated species goals outlined in the Longleaf Forest and Rivers Business Plan.
Full proposals are due Wednesday, February 5, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST.
Applicant webinar on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 3-4:30 EST. Registration required- register here.

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is now accepting applications for the third round of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, with up to $200 million in funding available to help at-risk communities, including tribes, mitigate wildfire risks and implement wildfire resilience projects. Grants can range from $250,000 for planning to $10 million for projects, with priority given to areas with high wildfire hazard potential, low-income communities, and those impacted by past disasters.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop proposals in consultation with state or Forest Service regional cooperative fire contacts listed in the Notices of Funding Opportunity.
Applications accepted until February 28, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
There are several two-hour applicant webinars about the grant application process. Webinar dates and information will be posted on the Community Wildfire Defense Grant webpage. Register at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants/cwdg.

Pilot Program: Investing in America Grant

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $20 million in funding to help local governments strengthen wildfire response by purchasing slip-on tanker units to convert vehicles into wildland fire engines.
This funding is part of a pilot program aimed at supporting small, remote emergency response agencies in expanding their wildfire capacity, particularly in areas facing the impacts of climate change and increasing wildfire activity.
Local governments serving populations of 50,000 or fewer can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, with applications due by February 26, 2025.
This initiative is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates $50 million to this program and over $1.1 billion in total for wildfire mitigation and firefighting support across the U.S.

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.

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.