The July Driptorch Digest is Now Available

Your Insights are Requested!
Are you interested in developing a new MOU for prescribed burning but don't know where to start? Or, have you been involved in developing a prescribed fire MOU in the past and are willing to answer questions about your participation? If so, please let us know! Researchers at the University of Florida are leading a study to help provide recommendations for creating prescribed fire MOUs in the future. Please contact Tyler Carney at tcarney96@ufl.edu with questions or interest in participating in the study.

Much of the US, including areas of the Southeast, have been under hazy skies and poor air quality in recent weeks as large wildfires burn across Canada. The EPA provided an overview of wildfires and smoke, outlining the negative health effects and what you can do to mitigate them. Check out additional resources in their Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires.

Key take-aways:

The main health concerns associated with wildfire smoke are related to airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size, which is why you hear so much about "PM 2.5".
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the best way to judge the air quality in your area each day. AQI is color coded to let you know how healthy or unhealthy it is. Green is the only AQI color that poses little or no risk for everyone.
Use the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to see AQI, fire and smoke locations, smoke forecasts, and ways to protect yourself from the smoke.

How to protect yourself from smoke:

Avoid prolonged time outside and physical activity when the AQI is elevated. This is especially true for sensitive groups like children, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions.
Close the windows on your house and make sure it is well-sealed.
Run the fan on your HVAC system or use a standalone air purifier. You can even make your own with just a box fan and an air filter!

The North Carolina General Assembly passed the North Carolina Farm Act of 2023 which included an amendment to the state's Prescribed Burning Act to establish a standard of gross negligence for determining liability. Under this new standard, landowners and burners that comply with the North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act will have greater protection from liability for damages and injuries resulting from their burns. Importantly, this goes beyond the usual coverage of smoke impacts to also include impacts from fire.

In 25 central and eastern U.S. states, an additional $14 million in new EQIP funding will be dedicated to conservation of bobwhite quail and associated species in the grasslands and savannas of the central and eastern U.S. Additionally, Inflation Reduction Act funding will also build outcomes for northern bobwhite recovery as over 3.5 million acres will help mitigate greenhouse gases.

Specifically, USDA will update three existing WLFW frameworks in the Sagebrush Biome, Great Plains Grasslands, and Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands and Savannas to newly integrate FSA’s Conservation Reserve Program. USDA will also work with partners on the ground to develop 2 new land-based frameworks for the eastern US to be released in 2024-25:

Eastern Deciduous Forest: A strategy to achieve forest health and habitat restoration that benefits declining wildlife dependent on young forests.
Southeastern Pine Ecosystems: A strategy to establish and maintain native pines with cultural, ecological and economic value.