Month: April 2020

Though it is a difficult subject with much controversy attached to it, the topic of fire policy and tactics has been one debated for many years now with constant changes made year after year. Many individuals argue whether suppression or prevention tactics are the best route. Either way, the costs of fire fighting and suppression is exceeding $2 million every year causing much strain on fire fighting services (Ingalsbee, 2010). 

In the subject of suppression and prevention, one example of how suppression tactics caused some problems for the fire service was the Yellowstone fire in 1988. Though fire fighting officials had data and models to follow the fire and make sure based off of past fires when the best time to jump in and suppress would be, this particular fire was different and burned out of control, causing about ⅓ of the park to burn. Much of the public and surrounding communities were upset by this as to them it looked like officials had simply just let the park burn with no intervention. Media blasted a false “let it burn ” policy that also caused much backlash to fire officials. This event, though difficult for all involved, brought about the importance for adaptation in fire policy (NPR, 2008). 

Now, firefighters and fire officials are both prepped and taught different tactics and policies to fight fire which include minimum impact suppression tactics, prescribed burning policies, and safety policies to make sure that each unique fire is handled to the best ability possible (NWCG, 2003; BLM, 2013).  

BLM Oregon. (2013). “Becoming a Wildland Firefighter”. Bureau of Land Management: Oregon. Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTCoM70Jk8. 

Ingalsbee, T. (2010). “Getting Burned: A Taxpayer’s Guide To Wildland Fire Suppression Costs”. Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology. Retrieved from: http://www.riversimulator.org/Resources/farcountry/NGO/GettingBurnedCostWildfireSupressionFUSEE2010.pdf 

NPR. (2008). “Remembering The 1988 Yellowstone Fires” National Public Radio. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94126845. 

NWCG. (2003). “Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics”. National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQpHSSAVDCU. 

The topic of wildfire management and wildfire suppression is one that has been heavily debated over the years and provides many possible approaches. One approach that has had some controversy between different officials has been the prescribed burn approach. Prescribed burning is a practice that creates small, controlled fires within a forested area to help alleviate the possibility of more destructive fires in the future. By doing so, it diminishes the amount of fuels present within the forest which is what creates the larger and more destructive fires. Though not used regularly in all forested environments, it is a growing practice that has seen positive results in areas where it has been used. 

An opposing view that has been presented by author William Greenley advocates to stop prescribed burns. He claims that this use though deemed “controlled” still creates fires that cause damage to the area, and that the reasoning of past local tribes using small burns is not a good enough reason to do so. Greenley pleads that the best approach is fire suppression and more fire management. He believes that by using our firefighting resources to help prevent fire is a more effective use of time and resources to help protect not only our forested areas but also the communities living near them (Greenley, 2000). 

A more progressive approach, as proven by more research and ecological study of fire on forested land, shows that providing periodic prescribed burns can be a more proactive and effective tactic. Authors Donovan and Brown in their paper titled “Wildfire management in the US Forest Service: A brief history” outlines the Forest Service’s evolved approach to fire management over the years until they finally came to the conclusion of a balance of light burns and fire suppression. After countless policy changes attempting to find the best way to manage fire, prescribed burning is more readily accepted and used, proving to be very effective (Donovan and Brown, 2005). 

Overall, the views and practice of fire management has evolved over the years and across many federal agencies but the goal has always remained the same. Though some groups and individuals still may take the view that was presented by Greenley where light burning is the wrong approach, many are turning towards a more sustainable direction with light burns and fuel management. As we wait for more advancements and research to come out, this is seen to be the most effective approach to date. 

Greenley, W. (2000). ‘”Paiute Forestry” or the fallacy of light burning”. Fire Management Today. 60; 4. Retrieved from: https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/docview/232961923?rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo. 
Donovan, G.H. and Brown, T.C. (2005). “Wildfire management in the US Forest Service: A brief history”. Natural Hazards Observer. Retrieved from: https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/journals/pnw_2005_donovan003.pdf.

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