Prescribed Fire Processes In National Forests

Prescribed fires are one tool in the toolbox of land managers, such as the US Forest Service, to mitigate future wildfire incidents and foster improved forest health. Its a method that goes as planned almost 99% of the time. Yet, as US Forest Service Chief Randy Moore recently explained, "We have noticed that there may be a slight trend in the number of fires that are escaping containment."

Which prompted the recent 90 days cease of prescribed fire operations on National Forest Service lands and concurrent review by the Forest Service of protocols, tools and practices.

"And we're not sure if the conditions in our climate have outstripped our models or not. And so we want to take a good look at our models.  Looking at the parameters in the model; looking at just a number of things."

The review also comes during a time when prescribed fires are minimal for the Forest Service. Over 90% of agency prescribed burns take place between September and May.

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