DRIPTORCH DIGEST
A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community
No. 35
August 2019
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USC Longleaf Pine and Fire Survey - Your Input Needed!

Researchers with the University of South Carolina are conducting a survey of fire managers working in longleaf pine ecosystems. Survey responses will be used to better understand the combinations of decision-making criteria and constraints to the use of prescribed burning in longleaf pine management and concerns about future pressures on the use of fire across the longleaf range. Survey responses should be submitted by August 1. The project is supported by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Center, and a report of the compiled data will be publicly available.
Fire Research: Ticks, Carbon, Fire Seasons

Research on a variety of topics related to prescribed fire in the Southeast has been recently published.

  • A study conducted in southwestern Georgia and northwestern Florida and published in Nature found that frequent prescribed fires can reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.

  • An study of longleaf pine in southwest Georgia quantified carbon and species dynamics in different fire regimes. Published in Ecosphere, the study found that prescribed fire produced the least carbon emissions from fire, maintained the most stable above-ground biomass, and preserved native biodiversity.
Women in Wildland Fire Boot Camp

The USDA Forest Service Region Three will host Women in Wildland Fire Boot Camps on a variety of dates and locations in New Mexico and Arizona this fall. Upon successfully completing this training, each person will receive a Wildland Firefighter certification and be eligible to apply for a temporary position.Those interested should fill out an online application.


Image: A female wildland firefighter
Credit: USDA Forest Service
SFE, Partners Host NC Duff Workshop

The Southern Fire Exchange held a Duff Fire Science and Management Workshop at Weymouth-Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve in Southern Pines, NC on June 26. Sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation and in cooperation with NC State Parks, the USDA Forest Service, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, and Georgia DNR, the workshop brought together researchers and practitioners to discuss managing fire in areas with heavy duff loads. Morning presentations covered what the latest research says about duff fires and related tree mortality, while the afternoon field portion addressed how that science is used in on-the-ground management. A pre-workshop field trip to an old-growth longleaf stand owned by the City of Fayetteville allowed for additional discussion.

Dr. Morgan Varner with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station spoke at the workshop, and recently coauthored a Joint Fire Science Program Final Report on consequences of soil heating for prescribed fire use and restoration in the South with colleagues from the University of Idaho, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Florida, and the Southern Fire Exchange.

Image: June duff workshop participants
Credit: Laura Prevatte, National Wild Turkey Federation
Florida State Parks Set New Prescribed Fire Record
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is celebrating a record year for prescribed fire. In fiscal year 2018-2019, the FPS applied prescribed fire to over 96,00 acres across the state.
Inside Prescribed Burns With a New Camera System
A prototype camera system developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's National Fire Research Laboratory captured a 360-degree video from inside a prescribed burn in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

Image: NIST research structural engineer Matt Hoehler (center) explains the Burn Observation Bubble (BOB) to Deputy District Firewarden John Ellicott and District Firewarden Brian Gerber, of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Credit: Inga P. La Puma
2019 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership has released their 2019 Accomplishments Report. The report documents the progress of the various Sentinel Landscapes, including progress made in the application of prescribed fire in focus areas.
Extension Connection
Oregon Establishes Wildland Fire Extension Program
The Oregon legislature has approved the establishment of a new Oregon State Wildland Fire Extension Program. The overarching goal of this program is to enable the OSU extension service to work with agency and industry partners, local communities, landowners, homeowners, and other land managers to build wildfire resistance and resilience into rural landscapes and wildland urban interface areas. The program will be established in the coming months.

NC State Extension Releases Pinnacle Mountain Fire Video
NC State Extension Forestry has released a video on the Pinnacle Mountain Fire featuring The South Carolina Forestry Commission's Mike Bozzo. The video covers not only the wildfire, but the Southern Blue Ridge TREX that took place in the area last fall.

NC State Extension Released Update Wildlife Publications
NC State Extension Forestry has updated 24 online management guides for a variety of wildlife species. Many, such as the guides for Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, and Herbaceous Plants for Wildlife include specific recommendations on the use of prescribed fire.

Clemson TV Program on Prescribed Fire Wins Award
"Making it Grow," a call-in program produced by Clemson University and South Carolina ETV was recently recognized by the 2019 Telly Awards. The program received a Bronze Telly in Television: Education for a segment on prescribed burns. In the segment, Clemson Cooperative Extension agent and “Making It Grow” host Amanda McNulty visited Clemson’s Sandhill Research and Education Center (REC) near Columbia to see prescribed burns.
Southern Fire Exchange
Upcoming Workshops
SFE has two currently scheduled workshops. Additional details and registration information will be posted on the SFE website when available. If you are interested in seeing an SFE workshop in your area, please contact SFE outreach coordinator Laurel Kays.

Fire and Organic Soils Workshop
Holly Shelter Gameland
October 21, 2019

Duff Fire Science and Management Workshop
Aiken, South Carolina
May 28, 2020

Latest Edition of Fire Lines Released
Volume 9 Issue 3 of the bimonthly Fire Lines newsletter is now available. The latest issue includes a research brief on the impact of prescribed fire on carbon sequestration as well as the latest happenings in fire science from around the Southeast.

Webinar Schedule & Recent Recordings
All SFE webinars, including the recent Fire History Paradigms in North America webinar held on May 30, are recorded and posted on the SFE Youtube page. SFE currently has two upcoming webinars, for which registration will open soon.

Recent Advances in Litter Flammability
Jesse Kreye, Ph.D., Penn State University
September 12, 2019 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping: A Master Gardener Training Designed to Help Protect Southeastern US Communities from Wildfire
Holly Campbell, University of Georgia
October 17, 2019 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
The Nature Conservancy
TNC Launches New Fire Webpage
The Nature Conservancy's new Why We Work With Fire page tells the story of TNC's fire program, including its history, principles, and examples of progress.
Image: The Nature Conservancy’s first controlled burn was conducted in 1962, at Helen Allison Savanna in Minnesota
Credit: The Nature Conservancy
National Interagency Prescribed Fire Fire Training Center

FY2020 Workshop Schedule Announced
The PFTC in Tallahassee, FL is now accepting applications for FY2020 Sessions. Applications for Agency Administrator Workshops are due by October 1, while applications for 20-Day Sessions must be received by October 16.
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Advanced Fire Learning Environment Learning Unit Fall Webinar Call for Comment
NCWG's FELU i s seeking input on topics for their annual fall webinar. The target audience includes fire behavior and fire weather specialists. Those wishing to comment should do so by October 31.
Joint Fire Science Program

Two JFSP Final Reports Released
Final reports have been released for two JFSP-funded projects. The first project focused on estimating fire smoke related health burden and novel tools to manage impacts on urban populations. The second project examined the consequences of soil heating for prescribed fire use and fire restoration in the South.

Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists Releases New Issue of Newsletter
CAFMS's latest newsletter is now available. The newest issue includes key findings of a study investigating the effects of fuels treatments on tree and understory regeneration in western North Carolina oak forests and information on upcoming events.

Research Brief: Fire and Tree of Heaven
The North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange has released a research brief on how prescribed fire and herbicide impact Ailanthus altissima, also called tree of heaven or stink tree.
Prescribed Fire News Roundup
Longleaf Makes a Comeback in Virginia
The Virginian Pilot covers the strides being made towards longleaf restoration in Virginia.

Make a "Bow-Range Burn" with a Small Prescribed Fire
Outdoor Life introduces the idea of small, "bow-range" prescribed burns that are easy to manage for those just beginning to use prescribed fire.

Longleaf Alliance Hosts Program in Brooksville, FL
The Hernando Sun covers a recent Longleaf Academy held in Florida.

Federal Government Short Hundreds of Firefighters as Fire Season Looms
The Los Angeles Times reports on shortages in the Department of Interior firefighting force as fire season in the West draws closer.
Funding Opportunities
Close-up of $100 bills
Fire Map Request for Proposals
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is accepting proposals through August 9 at 5:00 PM ET for the scoping phase
of a newly proposed mapping effort for prescribed burns and wildfires in the Southeastern U.S (SE Fire Map). The purpose of the Scoping Phase is to provide the background, specifications, and recommendations necessary for an entity to build and maintain the SE Fire Map spatial database. A separate RFP will be issued to develop the SE Fire Map database. Those interested should review the full RFP and application.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conservation Grants
SFI is accepting proposals for its Conservation Grants Program through 11:59 PM ET on September 30. These projects provide the science-based data needed by resource professionals to improve forest management and to assess conservation values. Full information is available on the program website.

Prescribed Fire and Habitat Management Assistance in North Florida
Wildland Restoration International is available to help public and private landowners and land managers in Florida with prescribed fire and habitat management. WRI is specifically reaching out to private landowners receiving cost share funding from NRCS for prescribed burning who need help getting their contracts completed. Landowners are eligible in all counties east and south of the Suwannee River Basin.  If you are interested, contact WRI Fire Program Coordinator Ryan Kennelly at  ryan.kennelly@wildlandrestoration.org or 352-373-0550.

Travel, Research, and Educational Experience (TREE) Grants
The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) will distribute Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) TREE grants. These are designed to help graduate students travel to present at conferences and workshops related to fire science and management. Applications are due 60 days before the start of the event the applicant would like to attend. Additional information and application link are available on the  AFE website . 
Webinars, Video, and Other Media
Recent Archived Webinars


More recorded webinars on a variety of fire topics can be found on the Southern Fire Exchange webinar page, the Oak Woodlands and Forests Fire Consortium webinar page, and the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists webinars and presentations page .
Podcasts & Radio

Podcast Series

  • Learn, Baby, Burn - This new podcast from the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council will cover a variety of prescribed fire topics.
  • The Fire Learning Trail - Introduces listeners to the role of fire in the Southern Appalachians, wildland firefighting, and local history
  • On The Line - Covers topics of interest to wildland firefighters, including mental health, the pack test, and health considerations.
  • Forest Voices - Covers forest stewardship and management topics, including prescribed fire.

Single Episodes

Upcoming Events, Training, and Networking
Prescribed Fire Council Meetings

  • Texas - August 8, 2019, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin. This will be the first annual meeting in Texas. More details coming soon!

  • North Carolina - August 14-15, 2019, Swansboro, NC. This meeting will be a joint meeting with the NC Longleaf Coalition. Registration is now open.


  • North Florida - September 18, 2019 - Pearl in the Wild, Tallahassee, FL. Details and registration information will be available approximately one Month prior to the meeting.

  • South Carolina - September 24-25, 2019 - Newberry, SC. A full agenda will be available in August.

  • Central Florida - October 4, 2019, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, FL More details coming soon.
Prescribed Burner Certification Courses




  • October 1-2, 2019, Statesboro, GA
  • December 3-4, 2019, Jasper, GA

  • Louisiana - Courses are offered through LSU Cooperative Extension Service, though none are currently scheduled.


  • September 24-26, 2019, Starkville MS




  • Virginia - The Virginia Department of Forestry offers the materials for their prescribed fire and smoke management course online. No courses are currently scheduled.
Conferences, Workshops, Festivals and Other Events
















  • Ongoing - Fire in the Field, This intermediate firefighter training program (equivalent to NWCG S-131, S-133, and S-231 courses, as well as the G-131 course) is designed to prepare the Firefighter 2 (FFT2) to move to the Firefighter 1 (FFT1) position. 
Job Postings
All jobs are open as of the Driptorch Digest send date, however application reviews may have begun.

Longleaf Alliance President - The Longleaf Alliance i s accepting applications for a president to lead the organization. Candidates must have at least eight years of management experience in a forestry or natural resources organization.

Texas Longleaf Implementation Team Coordinator - The Texas LIT is seeking a coordinator to lead the partnership. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

Veterans Fire Corps - The Student Conservation Association is accepting applications from post-9/11-era US military veterans for its Fire Corps internships. Additional information and the application portal can be found on the  program website.

Various Positions -  Wildland Restoration International  is currently recruiting conservation-minded, NWCG-qualified staff for the following prescribed fire and ecosystem restoration team positions. Please    visit their website  for more information and application instructions.  WRI also has a   subscription option that will notify you by email of job announcements and training opportunities.


Fire Ecology Internships - The Fire Ecology Program at Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in Tallahassee, FL seeks to provide field and laboratory experience for college students and recent graduates in the areas of plant ecology, ecosystem ecology, and fire ecology and science. Most internships last 12-16 weeks and are largely fieldwork based. Summer interns work from May-August and Fall interns work from October-December.   Get full details and application instructions here.

Online Job Boards 
Partner Newsletters
Find more fire-related information from our friends & partners!

Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers & Scientists Newsletter ( current edition )
Department of Defense Natural Selections Newsletter  ( current edition )
Fire Learning Network  Networker  ( current edition )
Forest Stewards Guild After Wildfire: News & Networking ( current edition  and  subscription link )
Gulf Coastal Plains & Ozarks LCC Newsletter ( current edition )
Joint Fire Science Program  Fire Science Digest  ( current and archived editions )
LANDFIRE Bulletin & Post Card  ( current edition and subscription form   )
Partners for Conservation News ( current news and subscription form )
REPI Program Newsletter ( current edition and subscription form )
SERPPAS Circular ( current edition )
South Atlantic LCC Newsletter ( current edition )
Southeast Region Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy  ( current edition   )
Southern Fire Exchange  Firelines  Newsletter  ( current edition and subscription link )
Tall Timbers  eNews  and  eJournal
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Two More Chains  ( current edition )
Contact us to share your prescribed fire information, stories, or events!
‌
Jennifer Fawcett
NC State Extension Forestry
Extension Associate
SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Working Group Coordinator
919-515-8288

Laurel Kays
NC State Extension Forestry
Extension Assistant
919-513-2573

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