The April Driptorch Digest is Now Available!

No. 55

April 2021

DRIPTORCH DIGEST

A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community

USDA, Partners Launch Southeast FireMap Version 1.0 Beta

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled the new Southeast FireMap, a fire mapping tool for the Southeastern United States. The SE FireMap version 1.0 Beta decision support tool will map detectable fires, including prescribed burns and wildfires. The map and associated tools aim to improve fire management in urban and rural communities through remote sensing and will track fires throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

A webinar will be held Friday, April 16 at 1:00 PM ET to introduce the tool, describe data sources, and explore opportunities to use current data.

News & Updates

USGS Releases Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan

The U.S. Geological Survey has published their first Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan. The five-year strategy defines critical science needs and directions for wildland fire research. The strategy emphasizes priorities including working with stakeholders and prioritizing production of actionable fire science. It also establishes an organizational structure to help ensure that strategy outcomes are met.

North Carolina Forest Service Prescribed Fire Recognition Signs

The North Carolina Forest Service has launched a program to provide signs to increase public awareness of the Prescribed Fire Program in North Carolina and to recognize landowners that are actively managing their land with prescribed fire. Any individual or organization conducting prescribed fire will be eligible to receive a sign, with private landowners taking priority when supplies are limited. To receive a sign, the following qualifications must be met:

Forest management plan written within the last 10 years by NCFS, consulting forester or approved others.
Minimum 2 prescribed fires conducted in the stands addressed in the management plan within the last 10 years. Preference given to multiple burns in the same stand.
Burns must be conducted in accordance with the NC Prescribed Burn Act.
Completed Prescribed Fire Sign Verification form

Those interested should contact their county forester.

South Carolina Prescribed Fire Awareness Month

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed March 2021 Prescribed Fire Awareness Month in South Carolina. The proclamation was the result of a request by the South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council and aimed to raise awareness about the importance of prescribed fire in the state.

Burning Issues Workshop Recording

A recording is now available of the Annual Burning Issues Workshop, which was held virtually in conjunction with the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting February 2-4. The last day featured a panel of prescribed fire council members from across the country, including North Carolina.

New Publication: Restoring Fire to Long-Unburned Pine Stands

The University of Georgia has released a new publication, Restoring Fire to Long-Unburned Pine-Dominated Stands on Georgia Private Lands. It includes an overview of fire behavior and techniques for preparing and implementing fire on long-unburned stands.

Women in Fire and Forestry

Several new resources feature or address issues faced by women in forestry and fire:

Gender Equity and Equality in Wildfires (Pau Costa Foundation)
Add Yourself to the Wildland Fire Women Map (Pau Costa Foundation)
Women on the Land: A Landowner's Guide to Stewarding Her Woodlands (Women Owning Woodlands)

North Carolina State Parks has released a short video covering a recent prescribed burn at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. The site borders Interstate 85.

NWCG Issues Fire Shelter Equipment Advisory

NWCG has issued a notice that fire shelter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags may be difficult to open when exposed to high

temperatures. It is recommended that fire shelter PVC bags be retrofitted according to guidelines issued in the notice.

NFPA: Outthink Wildfire, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Toolkit

The NFPA has released two publications relevant to the Southeast:

Outthink Wildfire: a new plan for ending community destruction as a result of wildfires
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Toolkit: a guide to assist communities in safely and effectively reducing wildfire risk.

Tall Timbers Spring eNews

The Spring 2021 eNews from Tall Timbers Research Station is now available. Relevant stories include:

Bobwhite Quail Management Lunch and Learn

The Seewee Longleaf Conservation Cooperative will host a virtual conversation with South Carolina quail experts on May 4. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to complete Clemson Extension’s bobwhite quail series prior to attending.

Longleaf Pine Land Stewardship Project | Florida Ecosystem Restoration

A new video showcases a longleaf restoration project using prescribed fire being implemented by private landowners in Florida.

Association for Fire Ecology: Conference RFP, Biden Administration Recommendations

The Association for Fire Ecology has released two items relevant to the Southeast:

Fire Ecology Management Congress Call for Proposals
Due dates between May 15 and August 30 depending on presentation format
Congress to be held virtually and in-person in Destin, FL
Improving Future Wildland Fire Management Outcomes: AFE Recommendations for the Biden Administration

Two More Chains: 2020 Lessons

The Winter 2021 issue of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center's Two More Chains newsletter covers safety lessons from 2020.

Prescribed Fire News Roundup

Discover Nature: Prescribed Fire (KBIA)

Why Controlled Burns Can Improve Your Turkey Hunting (MSN)

Why is There Smoke in Metro Atlanta? (11Alive)

Hope in the Forest (Clay Today)

Wildfire Home Preparation: Getting Ahead Of Potential Danger (Fox4)

In Our Element: Changing Liability Standards to Increase Use of Prescribed Fire (FAC Learning Network Blog)

Prescribed Burns Helping Habitat and Wildlife (WRDW)

East Texas Fire Danger Outlook Affected by Piles of Storm Debris (KSLA)

Chad Fisher Selected as NPS Chief of Wildland Fire (Wildfire Today)

Natural Resources Conservation Efforts at Fort Stewart Receive Recognition (U.S. Army)

The History of Lady Lookouts (Smithsonian Magazine)

Georgia Forestry Commission Recognized for 100 Years of Service (All On Georgia)

Funding Opportunities

Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program

The Texas Longleaf Implementation Team is now accepting proposals for Longleaf pine

restoration and enhancement assistance through the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program. Limited funds are available and applicants are encouraged to read the application packet for more information. Send submissions to TexasLongleafTeam@gmail.com by April 15.

BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Grants

Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations are eligible to apply for grants to support tribal resilience and ocean and coastal management and planning. An informational webinar will be held Tuesday, March 2 at 3:00 PM ET. Apply by April 23.

Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund

The Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund supports collaborative capacity-building projects. A portion of the Fund is dedicated to supporting Indigenous People-led projects. Apply by April 23.

Longleaf Alliance Planting Funds

The Longleaf Alliance invites landowners and partners to apply for funds to plant longleaf pine seedlings. Submitting a request does not guarantee funds will be available.

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.

Land Management Technician - St. Johns River Water Management District, Applications due April 7

Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist - Vacancy Announcement will be open online April 5th through April 16th 2021. All applications must be submitted online via Workday Jobs at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/jobs/.

Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Coordinator - Vacancy Announcement will be open online April 5th through April 15th 2021. All applications must be submitted via Workday Jobs at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/jobs/. If you need assistance in applying for this job, please contact (979) 458-6690.

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 Meetings

June 3 - 2021 North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting, Virtual
August 18-19 - 2021 North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council Meeting, Morganton, NC

Prescribed Burner Certification Courses

Alabama - Provided by Alabama Forestry Commission Certified Burn Manager Program. Five courses are currently scheduled for 2021.
Certification Courses
June 7-10 - Foley
July 13-16 - Auburn University
August 17-20 - Tuscaloosa
Re-Certification Courses
July 12 - Auburn University
August 16 - Tuscaloosa
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 are currently scheduled:
Louisiana - Provided by LSU Cooperative Extension Service. Two courses are currently scheduled for 2021.
April 7-8 - Hammond
May 5-7 - DeRidder
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. One course is currently scheduled:
May 17-20 - Virtually and various field sites
South Carolina - Provided by South Carolina Forestry Commission Certified Prescribed Fire Manager offers courses. No courses are currently scheduled.
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. No courses are currently scheduled.

Webinars (All Times Eastern)

On-Demand - The Benefits of Prescribed Burning
On-Demand - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Forestry
On-Demand - "The Forest Service in the Civil Rights Era”
On-Demand - Leading Towards a More Inclusive Wildland Fire Community
April 5, 11:00 AM - NC State Climate Office Data System Launch
April 6, 1:00 PM - Using Remote Sensing Tools to Inventory Fuels and Fire Behavior
April 5-9, 2:00 PM - USFS Science X Webinar Series
April 7, 12:00 PM - Fire Environment Spring Webinar
April 14, 1:00 PM - Pine Decline in the Southeastern U.S.
April 15, 2:00 PM - Hurricane Preparation and Recovery
April 16, 1:00 PM - Introduction to the Southeast FireMap
May 4, 12:00 PM - Bobwhite Quail Lunch and Learn
May 6, 1:00 PM - Prescribed Fire Toolbox to Combat Social Barriers

Conferences, Workshops, Festivals, and Other Events

April 7-9 - Prescribed Fire Workshop, Hammond, LA
April 8-9 - Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, Vancouver, Canada
April 14-16 - Texas Land Conservation Conference, Virtual
May 5-7 - Prescribed Fire Workshop, DeRidder, LA
May 18-20 - Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network Workshop, Virtual
May 23-26 - Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals Conference, Virtual
May 24-27 - Wildland Fire Safety Summit & Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, Virtual
May 2021 - Southern Blue Ridge FLN Meeting, Dillard, GA
June 7-10 - Southern Group of State Foresters Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
June 16-18 - National Conference of Private Forest Landowners, Williamsburg, VA
June 22-25 - NFPA Conference and Expo, Las Vegas, NV
July 19-22 - Southern Area RT-300, Chattanooga, TN
September 21-23 - Great Plains Fire Summit, North Platte, NE
September 26-30 - Extension & Knowledge Exchange Conference, Asheville, NC
October 4-8 - National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop, Asheville, NC
October 5-7 - Land Trust Rally, Virtual
October 12-15 - Fire Ecology Across Boundaries, Florence, Italy
October 25-November 5 - Southern Blue Ridge TREX
November 30-December 4 - International Fire Ecology and Management Congress, Destin, FL
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!