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No. 77                                                                                       March 2023
The Driptorch Digest header including an image of two drip torches with smoke from a low-intensity fire in the background. "News for the southern prescribed fire community"
The Nc State Extension logo
 
The Southeast regional partnership for planning and sustainability logo
The Southeast regional partnership for planning and sustainability logo
Southern Prescribed Fire Tracker
Hundreds of people watched a prescribed fire demonstration at the Flatwoods Fire and Nature Festival, January 28, 2023
The USFS Southern Region recently released an interactive GIS web applet called the Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker and is encouraging the public to use it for up-to-date information about USFS burns. Although it is still in development and early in its adoption, the potential is promising. The tool allows the user to  access burn information for each National Forest by state, including burn status, acreage, and specific benefits of the burn.
Tippin' Torch: Tips for the Season
A graphic of a drip torch
It has been great to see prescribed fire season in full swing in many areas of the southeast! There is rarely a clear or consistent end of prescribed fire season or start of wildfire season, as they depend on seasonal weather patterns and the varied ecosystems across the region. For the past couple of months, we have been recommending resources to help keep track of current wildfire risk like the Southern Area Coordination Center's potential outlooks.

Now, the USFS Southern Region has released a detailed assessment of the current wildfire risk, in the form of an engaging and informative storymap. It breaks down information about current fire environment conditions, the seasonal outlook, and the short-term outlook.

Prescribed Fire News Roundup
 
WTREX: Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchange
From February 19 to March 3, North Carolina hosted the first of three Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (WTREX) events to be held this year. WTREX combines practical live fire training with indoor learning and discussion to advance participants' qualifications, experience, and support networks. A local news source gave a good overview of the event here. Participants came from all around the world and had the opportunity to burn over 1200 acres in multiple ecosystems, for multiple landowner groups across southeast North Carolina. The next WTREX events will be taking place near Cape Town, South Africa at the end of March, and in Banff, Canada in May.
 
Social Vulnerability Maps Added to Wildfire Risk to Communities
Wildfire Risk to Communities is a resource developed by the USFS that aims to help communities understand and reduce their wildfire risk. Its most recent update includes the addition of interactive maps that identify special risks for certain vulnerable populations including older adults, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and others. The tool provides additional context regarding the unique challenges faced by these groups and points users to equitable risk reduction strategies.
 
A Tool for Preparing a Firewise Plant List for WUI Residents
The University of Florida - IFAS Extension published a simple job-aid to help practitioners to create lists of firewise plants for local homeowners. The tool includes a five-step process for identifying low flammability plants that residents can use for more firewise landscaping choices.
 
Fort Stewart's Prolific Prescribed Fire Program
The Southern Fire Exchange produced a video about Fort Stewart's productive fire management program. The program integrates objectives from three main areas: military training, wildfire risk, and ecology. One unique initiative that demonstrates this balance is the interagency, collaborative DoD Wildland Fire Science Initiative (WFSI) research burn event at which this video was filmed.
 
Funding Resources
 
  • Provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
  • Application Deadline: March 17, 2023
The National Forest Foundation logoi
The National Forest Foundation logoi
  • Available to nonprofits, universities, and federally-recognized Native American tribes
  • Must benefit U.S. National Forests and Grasslands
  • 1:1 nonfederal cash match
  • Round 2 Application Deadline: May 18, 2023
  • Calling for planning proposals focused on catalyzing innovative and inclusive wildland fire science through collaboration among diverse stakeholders and rights holders.
  • Budget requests must not exceed $100,000 per year (including indirect costs) for a total of $200,000, with a duration of up to 24 months.
  • Proposal Deadline: May 31, 2023
The National Science Foundation logo.
The Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council Logo.
  • A student scholarship (up to $2500) to support the academic and professional growth of students through funding research, management, or education projects related to wildland fire science.
  • Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
Job Opportunities
 
  • Eastern TN
  • Cherokee National Forest
  • Application Period: Mar. 20 - 29
  • Gainesville, FL
  • Alachua Conservation Trust
  • Application Deadline: Depends on semester
  • Hamden, CT
  • West Virginia University
  • Posted: Jan. 27
  • Little Rock, AR
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Posted: Feb. 23
Upcoming Events
 
Fire Festivals
April
22
Southern Pines, NC
 
 
Prescribed Fire Training Courses and Workshops
 
Burn Window: March
Hendersonville, NC
  • Sign up for more info
March
17
Waynesboro, GA
 
March 20 -
April 14
Virtual
April
10 - 14
Mt Pleasant, TX
  • Register By: Mar. 30
 
April 10 - June 16
Virtual
  • Enroll By: May 1
April
25 - 27
Bradenton, FL
 
April
25 - 28
Haines City, FL
May
8 - 11
Albany, NY
 
Conferences, Webinars, and Other Events
 
March
13, 20
Virtual
March
15
Virtual
 
March
16
Virtual
March
16
Virtual
 
March
28 - 30
Reno, NV
May
16 - 18
Tyler, TX
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Website
 
Email
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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