News
Reuters Special Report: Firefighter Burnout Rising
With climate change fueling lengthier wildfire seasons and mega-blazes devour forests and rural communities, researchers have documented increasing mental health struggles among those on the front lines.
Continue ReadingFEMA Funds Research Study on Cancer Risk for Wildland Firefighters
A $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is funding a study at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health that will evaluate cancer risks among wildland firefighters with the goal of finding ways to reduce those risks.
Continue ReadingNew Video: Oshkigin: Spirit of Fire
For thousands of years in the Great Lakes Region, Native Americans used fire intentionally to manage the ecosystems they lived in. Now there is a short film, Oshkigin: Spirit of Fire highlighting this deep, reciprocal relationship with the land and the role fire plays in that relationship. This story is told by Ojibwe Wildland firefighters, Fond du Lac elder Vern Northrup and Damon Panek. For more information, please visit: https://minnesotafac.org
Continue ReadingRecordings Available: 2021 Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council held their 2021 annual meeting virtually on Thursday, September 30th. The presentations from the meeting were recorded and have been posted as individual YouTube videos. The meeting agenda can be found here: https://garxfire.com/pdf/agenda_GPFC_2021.pdf
Visit the Georgia Prescribed Fire Council website for more information: https://www.garxfire.com. Video editing and recording courtesy of the Southern Fire Exchange: https://southernfireexchange.org.
Continue ReadingWhite Oak Initiative releases Assessment and Conservation Plan
On November 16, the White Oak Initiative released Restoring Sustainability for White Oak and Upland Oak Communities: An Assessment and Conservation Plan, a science-based report that details the current state of America’s white oak forests and recommends a practical plan of action to avoid their decline. The plan highlights the important role of fire in the history of oak ecosystems, and its role in their restoration.
Read the Assessment and Conservation Plan.
Fire Lines 11.5 is Now Available!
Fire Lines is a southeastern fire science newsletter, produced by the Southern Fire Exchange, that is published every two months to help the fire community in the Southeast stay up to date on the relevant research, tools, events, funding opportunities, trainings, etc.
This most recent issue, covering October-November, includes:
Research Brief:
• Longleaf pine seedling growth and survival: Effects of season and intensity of simulated prescribed burning
SFE Updates:
• New Florida Bonneted Bat Fire Science Success Story
What’s New in Fire Science?
• N95 Respirators Could Offer Robust Protection from Wildfire Smoke
• Bat Activity Response to Fire Regime Depends on Species, Vegetation Conditions, and Behavior
• Tree Encroachment Impacts on Seed Predator Selection and Seedling Establishment
New Technology and Tools
• Fire Modeling Tools Advance with Collaboration between Southeastern and Western Scientists
Subscribe to the Southern Fire Exchange email list to receive Fire Lines directly to your inbox.
Previously published issues of Fire Lines are archived on our website.
Job: Fire Management Officer, National Park Service, Tupelo, MS
This position reports directly to the Chief Ranger. Work environment is mountainous terrain, often in inclement weather or at night.
- The Fire Management Officer will lead and manage all operational fire, prescribed fire and fuels, fire ecology, fire information, planning, administration and human capital.
- Ensures that the fire management program is in compliance with environmental laws, regulations and policies.
- Develops and reviews fire prevention plans.
- Ensure that all phases of fire management planning are completed.
- Monitors fire season severity predictions, fire behavior and fire activity levels and takes appropriate action.
Apply through USAJobs by November 24.
Continue ReadingJobs: Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program, US Fish and Wildlife Service
As part of the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, you will serve as a registered apprentice in a developmental capacity as a wildland firefighter trainee. Positions in the Southeast including stations in Mississippi, Virginia, Florida, and Texas.
Apply through USAJobs by December 2 here.
Duties may include serving on one or more of following module types; hand crew, helitack, fire use or engine. Will fight wildland fires in extreme heat conditions.
Hotshot Crew – Apprentice serves on a 20, person organized crew which is used primarily for wildfire suppression, fuels reduction, and other fire management duties. Performs all aspects of wildland fire or prescribed fire operations, however are very specialized and are generally placed in the most rugged terrain on the most active and difficult areas on wildfires. Hotshot crews are utilized throughout the country and may spend extended periods away from their home units. The crews place a great deal of emphasis on physical fitness.
Wildland Fire Module – Apprentice serves on a handcrew, or on a prescribed or wildland fire module. Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations such as, line construction, ignition device (e.g. fuses, drip torches, flares, and terra torch) use, patrolling fire line and the use of water and hand tools to perform mop-up. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs chainsaw maintenance and simple repairs. Collects
fire weather data, fuel loading data, tree stand density data and fuel and/or soil moisture samples.
Wildland Fire Engine – Apprentice serves on a wildland fire engine. Starts pump engine, primes pump, adjusts engine speed and pump valves, lays hose, and uses appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. Services and makes minor repairs to engine; inspects, checks and services accessories such as pump, water lines, tank, reels, or pump power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. Inspects, cleans
and stows hose. Makes emergency repairs and adjustments of pump while in use. Performs line construction and mop-up activities. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs simple chainsaw maintenance.
Helitack – Apprentice serves on a helitack module. Loads helicopter with personnel and cargo, considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing cargo, total weight, etc. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks. Performs helicopter longline operations and maintains accessory equipment. May exit helicopter in remote areas to assist in the construction of helispots, or to attack wildland fires, or spot fires. Performs helicopter longline operations. May serve as a rappeller or short hauler. Will fight wildland fires in extreme heat conditions and participate in search and rescue operations. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs simple chainsaw maintenance.
Other apprenticeship training assignments may include: trail maintenance; may be assigned to a fire lookout for reporting of fires; with training may serve in wildland fire dispatch center communicating weather and resource status.
Continue ReadingOak Woodlands and Forests Fire Consortium Newsletter Now Available
A new issue (Volume 10, Issue 4) of the Oak Woodlands Forests and Fire Consortium newsletter (IGNIS) is now available. To view this newsletter, CLICK HERE or find it at their website HERE.
In this issue:
ESSAY – ‘Good Fire’ Communication and Policy
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Characterizing Context and Demand for the CFLRP
SPOTLIGHT – Meet Ryan Gauger, Missouri TNC
HOT SPOTS – Targeted Goat Browsing / Woodland Restoration on the Mark Twain NF
HEADS UP! – Brown-headed nuthatch reintroduction virtual workshop recording available, 9th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress has gone virtual!
UPCOMING EVENTS – Fall Webinar Series, Fueling Collaboration 2.0, and lots more!