ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Oct. 3, 2022 – With the lifting of the prescribed fire pause and the onset of fall, the Southwestern Region is in the process of preparing for prescribed fire operations. Chief of the Forest Service Randy Moore released the US Forest Service National Prescribed Fire Review on Sept. 8 and outlined the actions that Forest officials must take before prescribed burning can resume. Across the Region, Forest officials are in the process of completing these actions. The actions will ensure that prescribed fire plans are up to date with the most recent science, that key factors and conditions are closely evaluated on the day of a prescribed burn, and that decision-makers are engaged in those burns in real-time to determine whether a prescribed burn should be implemented. Another significant action will be engaging and informing our partners, public and local leaders about our prescribed fire plans for implementation.
Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient methods we use to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain our ecosystem within our National Forests and Grasslands across the landscape. Over a century of scientific data has shown that when prescribed fires and other forest thinning projects are placed strategically on the landscape and around communities, wildfire behavior is less severe, and firefighters have a better and safer chance to stop the fire and minimize its impacts.
While prescribed fires are effective at reducing hazardous fuels, there are risks. 'All fire management carries with it some risk, but we are doing our due diligence to conduct prescribed fires across the landscape in the safest way possible,' stated Regional Forester Michiko Martin. 'The new directions derived from the recent review provide our professionals with improved tools and processes to move forward. Additionally, we must integrate the collective knowledge and capability of Tribes, partners, and communities to expand this important work in a safe and effective manner. The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed burning and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come. With that work comes more smoke which can have an impact on both the public and our responders. We will continue to work with our air quality boards and neighboring agencies to coordinate our efforts to minimize smoke impacts on our communities as much as possible. Look for specific information about upcoming prescribed fire projects on forest websites, social media platforms and InciWeb.