FUEL REDUCTION (PILE) BURNING IN FORESTS

Fuel Reduction on Public Lands

Fire Prevention with Direct Action Pile Burning

By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate

 Depending on where you recreate and live and, of course, the weather, you may see this type of fuel reduction burning on federal lands this time of year. Usually, there will be signs along roadways where you can see the smoke so you don't report it (because it is controlled and conducted on purpose).

What you will see are piles of debris, logging slash, and timber stand improvement trimmings and thinning. They may have sat over the winter with a tarp on them to dry them out for a good burn day in spring or early summer, perhaps even in fall. This is all good for the forest.

The USDA Forest Service has undertaken a 10-year strategy to confront the wildfire crisis (especially in the West and particularly in CA). Speaking as someone who served for nearly 30 years in the wildland fire service and the same guy who wrote about how we are now in the Mega-Fire Generation, I am always happy to see more prescribed (controlled) burning in most forests of the West.

 Read more here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../forest-service-has-vision...

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US FOREST SERVICE RETIREES SPEAK OUT FOR ACTION!

USDA Forest Service Retirees Call National Forest Policies Unsustainable!

The National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR) have called the USDA Forest Service policies and procedures for forest health and wildland fire suppression unsustainable!  They have offered up a 10-point plan of actions to clarify and improve the current fire policy situation.  In abbreviated form, it calls for:

1.            More active management of forests and grasslands;

2.            Reduced fuel loading and more prescribed fire;

3.            Review and learning from past big fires like Yellowstone, 1988;

4.            Clarification of fire policies concerning when to implement aggressive initial attack;

5.            Fire leadership adequate training;

6.            “Hot” fire reviews and more accountability;

7.            Pursue adequate fire suppression funding;

8.            Ensure all USFS employees have a role in fire emergencies;

9.            Develop more leadership succession planning to replace experienced retirees;

10.          Streamline environmental planning and reduce legislative conflicts.

For years I have felt, personally and professionally that our public lands have become tied down in bureaucracy and unnecessary legislative silliness and environmental radicalism. I see this report from an esteemed membership as encouragement for a better future for our public lands -- if someone listens.

Read the whole report here: http://www.delalbright.com/nafsr%20position%20paper.pdf

Del

Del Albright

Director of Operations, BlueRibbon Coalition www.sharetrails.org

Founding Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon www.rubiconfriends.com

Environmental Affairs, CA4WDC www.cal4wheel.com

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Forest Service Waives Fees on Veterans Day

USDA Forest Service waives fees on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2010 -- Upcoming Veterans Day, November 11, marks the fourth time this year that the U.S. Forest Service is offering national fee waivers on recreation sites.

"The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "By waiving fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests and grasslands."

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PERSONAL NOTE from Del:  I'd like to think the feds were doing this to honor veterans and their families, but alas, NO, that is not the case.  I'm disappointed to say the least.  It's just a nice day to waive fees I guess.  They've done it before on various holidays.  There is no mention of our military personnel in their press release.   Read more here:  http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2010/releases/10/veterans.shtml.

While I appreciate the USDA Forest Service dumping fees for a day, I am disgusted they didn't at least honor our wounded, missing and gone military folks who have served this country and for whom this day is supposed to be dedicated.

Del