News and opinion about wildland fire

Community-led efforts help reduce fuels

The Public Broadcasting System has produced a 10-minute report on a small but growing trend of landowners conducting or helping to execute small prescribed fires on their property. Some of the community-led projects are just a few acres or, less than an acre. More organizations that specialize in land management are providing information to property owners that are interested in reducing hazardous fuels, using fire as a tool.

This is certainly not, and may never reach the level where it makes a large difference in the overall grand picture as far as acres treated. But as more members of the public see successful outcomes of prescribed fires, it could accelerate acceptance of allowing fire to visit on routine basis. It may also educate homeowners about the importance of hardening the defenses in their home ignition zone.

And, as firefighters know, once you pick up and use a drip torch to ignite a few hundred feet of fire, you don’t really want to put it down. I learned the value of letting National Park Superintendents, for example, operate the tool, and watched their smile grow as they walked with fire.

It is a very good report, below. Check it out. You’re welcome.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment.

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. View all posts by Bill Gabbert

If only the Yellowstone National Park Superintendent had done the required prescribed burn quantity in his/her Plan, we likely would have had a much less devastating fire in 1988 and not have cremated the vast numbers of wildlife as well. Prescribed burning is an incredible tool in the hands of professionals who stick to the burn prescription.

Local forests should continue to increase permitting and cooperation for theses types of operations.

Drip torch fuel is made with a mix of gasoline and diesel.

What ratio do people like in their Slash Fuel ?

I like 2 parts Diesel, 1 part Gasoline.

Also I’ve been hoarding Corrugated Cardboard, to help me burn blackberry stands (when they’re slightly wet), because it works, and because Liquid Fuels have gotten expensive.

We will adjust the ratio to more diesel to gas as it gets warmer outside, above 70 , to prevent a “hot mix” torch. Otherwise the torch acts like a flamethrower.

We use 3-1 in our jurisdiction as that sounds fairly sweet

I like it HOT! 9 parts gas to 1 part diesel.

Evening Bill, You have a national audience, media included. I would appreciate if you leave remarks out like this

“This is certainly not, and may never reach the level where it makes a large difference in the overall grand picture as far as acres treated”

10 landowners at 10 acres a piece is 100 acres. That is more than some local federal, state, and local government units burn in a fiscal year, with multiple times the budget of a private land owner. This small act also potentially improves areas around the home ignition zone that you so constantly preach about. Encourage in small increments to make a change!

The landowner in the video noted that the preparations that he had done saved his house. Agencies need to do more to support PBA with organization and then continue to support them with operating logistics, training and equipment. If more was invested by agencies into PBA, they can be a significant force to impact the current and continuing fuels/fire problem we are facing.

I agree VBH. I burn my 5 acres of ponderosa pine around my house in western Montana about once every 3 years, and I feel it makes a big difference toward reducing the risk of my home burning down in a wildfire. If more people did this, it would make a “large difference in the overall grand picture”. These small, local landowner burns are useful. Another related point is, usually the land immediately adjacent to a structure is not owned by a government agency, and so the only way to get it burned is for private land owners to do it. There should be more support for this, in terms of training provided, community organization (neighbors helping out neighbors), regulation that is favorable to these activities (liability), etc. Bill, thanks for your work on this wildland fire news site, it is appreciated.

On a similar note https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/2022/03/28/cedar-trees-wildfire-fuel-and-reason-dangers-increasing-controlled-prescribed-burn/7148750001/

In 1976 we conducted a prescribed fire on big game winter range on the Colville National forest. It was adjacent to a section…360 acres…of private land. during the planning process we visited the owner to discuss it with him and let it him know and how we planned to keep fire off his land. His reply was “Let me know when you plan to start and I’ll burn mine at the same time. He burned by dropping stick matches he struck on a small flat rock he carried in his pocket just for that purpose. He was 96 years old.

“Pyro Geographer”, that’s great! . I have a degree in Geography, and had a career as a wild land firefighter. Can I use that title?

A few acres of fuel treatment near the WUI can be as valuable as thousands of acres in the wilderness to protect communities.

Forest management begins at home!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Have a wildland fire news tip? Click here

Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new articles by email. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button.