October Driptorch Digest Now Available!

No. 49

October 2020

DRIPTORCH DIGEST

A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community

Threatened & Endangered Species: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Downlisting Proposed, Gopher Tortoise Strategy Launched

A propossal to downlist the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been made. The proposal will be published in the Federal Register, opening a 60-day public comment period. The proposed rule and supporting documents, including the species status assessment report and references cited, are available online at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2019–0018.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released its new 5-year plan to conserve the Southeast’s threatened gopher tortoise by focusing on the conservation and restoration of its key habitat, the longleaf pine forests.

News & Updates

Southeast FireMap Opportunity for Input

Tall Timbers Research Station is leading the scoping phase of the SE FireMap project, which ultimately seeks to develop an improved fire mapping system for the Southeast. Those wishing to share input on the project can do so through the SE Fire Map Scoping Survey. Details on the project are available on the Landscape Partnership Portal website.

Hurricane Laura Aftermath

Hurricane Laura caused extensive damage to forestlands in Louisiana and Texas. The Texas A&M Forest Service has created a resources page to provide assistance to those in need due to the hurricane.

Prescribed Fire & Water Quality

A new study from Clemson University researchers found that the use of prescribed fire does not increase sediment or nutrient runoff. Researchers found that although sediment in runoff sometimes increases after prescribed fires, these incidents are associated with intense rain after fires and do not harm ecosystem functions.

Oklahoma State Extension Relaunches Online Prescribed Fire Course

Oklahoma State Extension has revised and relaunched their Introduction to Prescribed Fire online course. The course costs $20 to enroll, is self-paced, and is open to anyone. Participants will learn about topics including prescribed fire laws and liability, burn prescriptions, smoke management, fire equipment, and more.

NIFC Outlook for the Southeast

The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlooks show above normal fire potential for most of the Southeast in October and November.

Prescribed Burn Association Updates

The North Carolina Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association has launched a YouTube channel. The first video documents a growing season burn conducted in June 2020.

Oklahoma State University has released a video in which Prescribed Burn Association members discuss the importance of PBAs in managing fire in Oklahoma. The video also touches on the benefits for the community and future of fire in Oklahoma.

Do you have a question about PBAs? There is an ooportunity to share your questions and needs, and have them answered from PBAs nationwide. Contact Jennifer Fawcett for more information.

New Forest Resource Publications

The USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) program has created a portal where users can select a state or territory of interest and view a factsheet generated using FIA program data.

The Alabama Forestry Commission has released the latest Forest Resource Report for 2019. The report has been published annually for nearly 20 years.

Fire in the Pines Virtual Festival

The Fire in the Pines Festival, typically held annually in Wilmington, NC, will be held virtually October 2-10. The virtual festival will include a scavenger hunt using the iNaturalist app, a video series, music, prizes, and live talks from field professionals. Fun for all ages!

Southeast Longleaf Ecosystem Occurrences Geodatabase

The Southeast Longleaf Ecosystems Occurrences Geodatabase (LEO GDB) is a project to develop a comprehensive map database of documented longleaf pine locations and ecological conditions across the range. The LEO GDB Version 1 is now available to America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative partners.

Presentation Recordings: Upland Hardwood Workshop

The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station hosted a four-day Virtual Upland Hardwood Workshop in July. Presentations from that workshop were recorded and are available to watch at any time. Several presentations discuss prescribed fire.

COVID-19 Incident Risk Assessment Tool

The COVID-19 Fire Modeling Team has released a tool for assessing incident level risk based on 9 variables related to Camp/ICP Risks, Mitigations, and Community/Local COVID Risks. There is also a webinar tutorial available to help those using the tool.

Awards Programs

Many members of the Southern prescribed fire community have recently been recognized through various awards for their hard work and dedication to fire management, including the following:

2020 Regional Longleaf Awards The Longleaf Alliance has announced their biennial awards. Individual award recipients include:
Shan Cammack, Burner Bob Prescribed Fire Champion
David Printiss, Bill Boyer Natural Resource Professional of the Year
Doug Moore and the South Prong Plantation, Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award
Victor “Vic” Doig, National Wildlife Refuge Employee of the Year

Multiple awards programs are currently accepting nominations, including the following:

South Carolina Establishes Firefighter Cancer Insurance Benefit Program

The South Carolina General Assembly established the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan in Senate bill 1071, which passed on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The plan will provide benefits to firefighters who have served in any South Carolina fire department – including the Forestry Commission, which was specifically named in the bill’s text – for at least five continuous years and have been in active service within 10 years of the diagnosis.

Tall Timbers Research Station

Tall Timbers Research Station has released the Summer 2020 eNews. Stories of interest to the Southern prescribed fire community may include:

Joint Fire Science Program & Fire Science Exchange Networks

The Joint Fire Science Program has released a storymap about research conducted to improve wildland fire safety.

The Southern Fire Exchange has posted recordings of three recent webinars on their YouTube channel:

Growing-Season Prescribed Fires and Ground-Nesting Birds (Recorded September)
Northern Bobwhites and Fire - A Perfect Match (Recorded August)
Low-Severity Fires Protect Carbon Stores in Global Peatlands (Recorded July)

The Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists has released Volume 10 Issue 3 of their newsletter.

The Great Plains Fire Science Exchange Fighting Fire with Fire: RxFire Toolbox to Combat Identified Social Barriers Workshop recording is now available to watch.

Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS)

SERPPAS hosted three virtual meetings in August and September. All three sessions were well attended and the recordings of the meetings are linked below. You will need to log in to the SERPPAS website to view the recordings for the Steering and Principals Meeting.

Prescribed Fire News Roundup

They know how to prevent megafires. Why won't anybody listen? (ProPublica)

Hurricane, fire, COVID-19 (NY Times)

Fire and butterflies (North Carolina State University)

Insurance increasingly unaffordable as climate change brings more disasters (Marketplace)

Collaboration with U.S. Air Force helps restore, protect endangered salamander (Virginia Tech Daily)

Ban on Chinese drones is making fighting wildfires harder, says leaked memo (The Verge)

Wildfires: expert answers to your burning questions (NC State University)

These changes are needed amid worsening wildfires, experts say (NY Times)

The racist removal of Native Americans in California is often missing from wildfire discussions, experts say (CA Public Radio)

U.S. Forest Service and Drone Amplified partner to drive search for domestic fire-fighting drones (Drone Amplified)

Community of wildland firefighters key to battling flames across the country (Asheville Citizen Times)

All wildland fire is not created equal (Watauga Democrat)

What the photos of wildfires and smoke don't show you (ProPublica)

We'll have to learn to live with smoke (NY Times)

Senators introduce legislation to help prevent catastrophic wildfires (Insurance News)

As climate change scorches California, it also raises wildfire risks in North Carolina (Charlotte Observer)

Funeral held for North Texas firefighter who died while battling California wildfire (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Oregon's ability to respond to pandemic, massive wildfires limited because we allowed it (Statesman Journal)

A little fire did a lot of good for microbes in FIU’s Nature Preserve (Florida International University News)

Huge western fires in 1910 changes US wildfire policy: Will today's conflagrations do the same? (Inside Climate News)

The Native stewards of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust & CalFire burn together – the power of collaboration (Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network)

Funding Opportunities

COCO Action, Implementation, and Mitigation Grant

COCO Action, Implementation and Mitigation (AIM) funding is available for a wide variety of capacity building activities, including personnel, planning efforts and wildfire risk reduction work (on non-federal lands only). COCO will be accepting Concept Papers though October 8, 2020 until 5:00 PM MT.

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Proposals are due by November 4.

Lake States Fire Science Consortium Intern Program RFP

The Lake States Fire Science Consortium (LSFSC) is accepting proposals for several $4,000 undergraduate research internship awards. The proposed internships should last no longer than 3-6 months, and should address relevant fire science and management issues associated with northern fire-dependent ecosystems of the Lake States region. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on Monday, December 7, 2020 by email to Jack McGowan-Stinski.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes federal funds available through the new Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities grant program to states, local communities, tribes and territories for pre-disaster mitigation activities. Applications will be accepted through January 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM ET.

Association for Fire Ecology Funding Opportunities

The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) has two ongoing funding opportunities:

Wayne Harrison Memorial Scholarship - Students may apply for up to $2,500, with funding available annually. Applications are due each year by March 31, with awards announced by May 31.
Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) TREE Grants - 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 conference or workshop.

Job Postings

All jobs are open as of the Driptorch Digest send date, however application reviews may have begun.

Seasonal Wildlife Biologist/Prescribed Fire Crew Supervisor, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Apply by October 2

Fire Coordinator, Texas A&M Forest Service, Applications open October 9-25

Fire Hire, Multiple Positions, Texas A&M Forest Service, Applications open October 9-25

Job Boards

The Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands
Chloeta Careers
The Corps Network
The Longleaf Alliance
The Nature Conservancy (search "prescribed fire")
The Southern Fire Exchange
USAJOBS
WildfireX

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meetings

October 2, 9:30 AM - 2020 All Florida Prescribed Fire Council Virtual Meeting

Prescribed Burner Certification Courses

Alabama - Provided by Alabama Forestry Commission Certified Burn Manager Program. No courses are currently scheduled.
Florida - Provided by Florida Forest Service Certified Burn Manager Training. No courses are currently scheduled.
Georgia - Provided by Georgia Forestry Commission. No courses are currently scheduled.
Kentucky - Courses are offered periodically. No courses currently scheduled.
Louisiana - Provided by LSU Cooperative Extension Service. There is one course scheduled for October 7-9 in Hammond, La.
Mississippi - Provided by Mississippi Forestry Commission Prescribed Burning Short Course. No courses are currently scheduled.
North Carolina - Provided by North Carolina Forest Service Certified Burner Training is offered several times per year. No courses are currently scheduled.
South Carolina - Provided by South Carolina Forestry Commission Certified Prescribed Fire Manager offers courses. There are three courses currently scheduled:
January 13, 2021 - Columbia
January 27, 021 - Florence
February 10, 2021 - Moncks Corner
Texas - Provided by Texas Department of Agriculture offers courses at various times and locations. No classes are currently scheduled, but the online Prescribed Burn School is available.
Virginia - Provided by Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Prescribed Fire Council, with the course materials available online.

Webinars (All Times Eastern)

October 6, 10:00 AM - New fuel measurements for operational RxFire models
October 6, 5:00 PM - Emotional Intelligence for Wildland Fire Professionals
October 9, 10:00 AM - Experimental Forests: A network of opportunities
October 12, 1:00 PM - Inclusivity in Cooperative Extension Programming, With an Emphasis on Natural Resources and Climate Change
October 13, 10:00 AM - Southeast Climate Monthly Webinar
October 16, 10:00 AM - Fire and wildlife in the southern Appalachians
October 19, 10:00 AM - Rx fire science: Departing from the status quo
October 20, 6:00 PM - Impacts of COVID-19 on the 2020 Fire Season
October 21, 6:00 PM - Integration of Fire Ecology and Bioeconomy into Wildfire Management
November 19, 12:00 PM - Using Fire History to Inform Present Day Management
December 17, 12:00 PM - Opening the Burn Window
January 21, 12:00 PM - Fire and a Changing Climate
February 18, 12:00 PM - Timber Management and Prescribed Fire

Conferences, Workshops, Festivals, and Other Events

October 2-10 - Fire in the Pines Virtual Festival, Virtual
October 5-8 - S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw, Appomattox, VA *New date due to COVID-19
October 6-8 - Land Trust Rally, Virtual
October 7-9 - Prescribed Burning Workshop, Hammond, LA
October 13-16, Natural Areas Conference, Virtual
October 19-30, Pine Rockland Workshop Group Virtual Symposium, Virtual
October 20-23 - Biennial Longleaf Conference, Virtual
October 20-21 - Fire Ecology Across Boundaries, Virtual
October 22 - Virtual S-131 Firefighter Type 1, Virtual
October 28 - National Cohesive Strategy Virtual Workshop, Virtual
October 29-31 - Society of American Foresters National Convention, Virtual
November 4-5 - WUI Conference, Virtual
November 9-10 - SFE COMPASS Fire Science and Management Communication Workshop, Virtual
March 16-18, 2021 - 21st Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Virtual
April 8-9, 2021 - Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, Vancouver, Canada
May 23-26, 2021 - Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals Conference, Virtual
May 24-27, 2021 - Wildland Fire Safety Summit & Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, Virtual
May 2021 - Southern Blue Ridge FLN Meeting, Dillard, GA
June 7-10, 2021 - Southern Group of State Foresters Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
June 22-25, 2021 - NFPA Conference and Expo, Las Vegas, NV
September 21-23 - Great Plains Fire Summit, North Platte, NE
September 26-30 2021, Extension & Knowledge Exchange Conference, Asheville, NC
October 4-8, 2021 - National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop, Asheville, NC
October 12-15, 2021 - Fire Ecology Across Boundaries, Florence, Italy
October 25-November 5, 2021 - Southern Blue Ridge TREX
October 25-28, 2022 - Biennial Longleaf Conference, Wilmington, NC

Prescribed Fire Resources

Do you want to learn more about prescribed fire? We've compiled an extensive list of resources that can help you explore the world of prescribed fire. On our resources page you can explore fire-related publications, videos, podcasts and webinars. You can access these resources on our web page, and if there's something we should add, please reach out and let us know!