Caring for the land after the fire
Not long ago, these hillsides were completely blackened. Trees stood scorched. Now early spring grasses cover the ground, bringing new growth to the charred remains of a 2024 wildfire that swept through more than 240,000 acres on the Boise National Forest in Idaho.Why we do this“It was a significant wildfire season for us. During the summer of 2024, we had a total of about 65 total fires. The…
#Fire, #Wildfire, #Hazards, #ForestFire, #WildlandFirefighters, #FirefighterSafety, #ForestEconomics
Building wildfire resilience in southern Colorado
In southern Colorado’s Conejos and Huerfano counties, the threat of wildfire is more than a seasonal hazard—it’s part of daily life for the people who live, work and explore these landscapes. After years of destructive fires across Colorado, including the unforgettable 2018 Spring Creek Fire, community members have seen firsthand how quickly wildfire can upend lives, damage property, disrupt…
#Fire, #WildfireRecovery, #Wildfire
Step by step: Forests of the future
Forests in the West used to be a lot more open, so wildfires were much less severe. How do we know? By looking at tree rings! We can actually see scars from old wildfires in cross-sections like this one. By cross-dating fire scars from multiple trees, scientists can reconstruct what past forests looked like including how dense forests were. (Forest Service video by Erika Reiter)Near the community…
#PrescribedFire, #Dendrochronology, #Fire, #FireScience, #Thinning, #WildfirePrevention, #FirePrevention, #Planning, #Wildfire
Integrating Watershed Restoration in Wildfire Management: Opportunities, Approaches, and Examples
This publication summarizes new techniques in watershed restoration, known as process-based restoration, that improve wildfire management and support the Active Forest Management Strategy, the Executive Order 14225, and the agency's multiple-use mandate.
#Water, #Watershed, #Wildfire, #WildfireRecovery, #Restoration, #Reforestation
Bulldozers of fire
At about 50,000 pounds, equipped with a 12-foot metal blade, the medium sized dozer can construct a wider fireline quickly. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, medium-sized dozers are generally the best all-around size for fireline construction as they are maneuverable and…
#Fire, #Firefighters, #WildlandFirefighting, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Mitigation, #HeavyEquipment, #Wildfire, #FireLine
Operation Sky Hammer: Fighting fire in the Rockies
When smoke begins to rise across the Rocky Mountains, a unique firefighting force lifts off—fast. Operation Sky Hammer was designed to improve success during initial attack on wildfires. The effort combines two helitankers, a helicopter coordinator, and a mobile retardant base. Together, they form a highly mobile and high‑powered response team that can be staged in areas with high fire danger.…