DRIPTORCH DIGEST
A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community
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Diversity and Inclusion in Wildland Fire
In light of the recent Black Lives Matter protests and the national conversation surrounding racial justice, the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) and the Association for Fire Ecology (AFE)
issued a joint statement against racism in wildland fire.
IAWF and
AFE both have diversity and inclusion policies outlined on their websites, and those wishing to give feedback on the public statement
can do so through this Google Form.
Mountain Journal
also republished an essay by the USDA Forest Service's first African-American woman forester, which reflects on sexual assault, justice, and racism within the agency.
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COVID-19 News
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the following information and resources related to COVID-19 may be useful to the Southern prescribed fire community.
As many meetings, conferences, and events move to virtual platforms, the following resources may be helpful to those planning or participating in these events.
Photo: NWCG COVID-19 Checklist
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Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager Training Feedback Survey
Virginia Tech is collecting survey data on the opinions of people who have taken the Virginia Department of Forestry Prescribed Burn Manager Training, including how participants have used what they learned during the course.
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National Woodland Owners Association Lists Wildfire Management and Funding as Top 2020 Priority
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The National Woodland Owners Association
has released its top five concerns and priorities for 2020. Wildfire management and supportive funding is listed as the second priority item. NWOA's objectives include raising awareness about wildfire-related issues within the WUI, increasing training, and partnering with state agencies to help woodland owners address wildfire risk.
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2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards Open for Nominations
The National Association of State Foresters Wildfire Mitigation Awards
are accepting nominations for the 2021 Awards. Those interested in submitting a nomination should
review the criteria and
submit the online form by November 13, 2020. The 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards will be presented at the Wildland Urban-Interface 2021 Conference.
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Louisiana Prescribed Fire Videos
Two videos were recently released highlighting the use of prescribed fire in Louisiana. The first,
produced by LSU AgCenter, covers a recent Prescribed Burn Workshop at the Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center near Florien, LA. The second,
created by RFDTV, discusses the science behind the use of prescribed fire in Louisiana.
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North Carolina Fire Awards Accepting Nominations
There are two award opportunities currently open for the fire community in North Carolina:
- The NC Prescribed Fire Council is accepting nominations for its awards, including Prescribed Burner of the Year. Those wanting to submit should submit the nomination to Scott Pohlman by July 10.
- The NC Longleaf Coalition is accepting nominations for the 2020 Illustris Palustris Award. The annual award is presented to an individual “In recognition of outstanding contributions to promote the maintenance and restoration of North Carolina’s Longleaf Pine ecosystem.” Those interested should submit nomination forms to Bill Pickens.
Photo: Illustris Palustris Award
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New Fact Sheet: Longleaf and Windstorms
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Moving to Virtual Programs Webinar
lessons learned in moving their programs to various virtual platforms.There will be time for Q/A with speakers.
Registration is required.
NEWFI Quarterly Meeting
The National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative will hold its quarterly meeting via Zoom on July 7 at 2:00 PM ET. The meeting will feature brief presentations on emerging wildland fire Extension projects in Pennsylvania and Florida, as well as discussions of how wildland fire programming is being adapted online due to the pandemic.
Registration is required.
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Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
New Blog Posts:
The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network publishes a variety of content related to fire adaptation. The following recent posts may be of interest to the prescribed fire community:
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Southern Fire Exchange
Fire Lines Volume 10 Issue 3
The latest issue of the
bimonthly Fire Lines newsletter is now available. The issue includes a research brief on the recently published North Carolina Climate Science report, the latest SFE news, new research on how fire benefits native bees, and much more.
Upcoming Webinars and Recent Recordings
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Tall Timbers Research Station
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Spring 2020 eNews
The Tall Timbers
Spring 2020 eNews is now available. Stories of interest to the prescribed fire community include:
Photo: John McGuire prescribed burning
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Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium
Oak Woodlands Fire-Science Curriculum
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Prescribed Fire News Roundup
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Central Florida Cogongrass Funding
TNC North Florida Program has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 120 total acres of cogongrass treatment in counties surrounding the Apalachicola National Forest. Private landowners in Calhoun, Gadsden, and Liberty Counties who would like to be considered for this funding should contact Brian Pelc, (850) 222-0199 x103,
[email protected].
Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Grant
The USDA has announced $3 million for grants through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects.
An applicant webinar was held on June 3 and all
applications are due by
midnight July 6.
Florida Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program
The Florida Forest Service is accepting applications from private landowners to implement activities including prescribed burning. Those interested should review the application guidelines and
apply for the program by
5:00 PM ET Wednesday, July 8.
Disaster Resilience Research Grants
The National Science Foundation and U.S Department of Commerce (DOC) National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
call for proposals for research to advance fundamental understanding of disaster resilience in support of improved, science-based planning, policy, decisions, design, codes, and standards. An informational webinar will be held August 3. Letters of Intent are due by
August 14 and full proposals are due by
September 15.
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.
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All jobs are open as of the Driptorch Digest send date, however application reviews may have begun.
Texas Coordinating Wildlife Biologist - Prescribed Fire - Quail Forever, in partnership with the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV), and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is are filling a position to coordinate, promote, and support the safe and effective use of prescribed burning on private and public lands.
Applications are due by
July 9.
Prescribed Fire Crew Technician - North Carolina State Parks is accepting applications for a prescribed fire crew member to be based out of Seven Springs, NC.
Applications will be accepted through
July 11.
Assistant Professor of Forest Health and Fire Protection - Alabama A&M University is hiring for a nine-month academic appointment with additional three-month summer employment available and expected.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Veterans Fire Corps - The Student Conservation Association is accepting applications from post-9/11-era US military veterans for its Fire Corps internships. Additional information and the application portal can be found on the
program website.
Fire Ecology Internships - The Fire Ecology Program at Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in Tallahassee, FL seeks to provide field and laboratory experience for college students and recent graduates in the areas of plant ecology, ecosystem ecology, and fire ecology and science. Most internships last 12-16 weeks and are largely fieldwork based. Summer interns work from May-August and Fall interns work from October-December.
Get full details and application instructions here.
Online Job Boards
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Webinars, Video, and Other Media
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Recent Archived Webinars
More recorded webinars on a variety of wildland fire-related topics can be found on the Southern Fire Exchange
webinar page, the Oak Woodlands and Forests Fire Consortium
webinar page,
and the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists
webinars and presentations page
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Recent Videos
Past videos and other resources can be found
here.
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Podcasts & Radio
Podcast Series
- World on Fire - Hear from people studying, fighting and living through these blazes in places like Australia, California and Canada.
- Predictive Services Weather and Fuels - Available from the National Predictive Services program in Boise, these podcasts will be available through October 1.
- Eyes on Earth - Covers remote sensing, with an episode on wildfire risk to communities.
- Good Fire Podcast - Covers the indigenous use of "good fire" is used around the globe.
- Learn, Baby, Burn - Created by the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, this podcast will cover a variety of prescribed fire topics.
- The Fire Learning Trail - Introduces listeners to the role of fire in the Southern Appalachians, wildland firefighting, and local history
- On The Line - Covers topics of interest to wildland firefighters, including mental health, the pack test, and health considerations.
- Forest Voices - Covers forest stewardship and management topics, including prescribed fire.
Past single podcasts and other resources can be found
here.
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Please note that this section is current to the best of our knowledge as of the sending of this newsletter. If you are interested in attending an event listed as still scheduled, contact organizers to ensure they still plan to host it.
Prescribed Fire Council Meetings
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Prescribed Burner Certification Courses
- Alabama - Certification and re-certification courses are offered through the Alabama Forestry Commission Certified Burn Manager Program. The following courses are currently scheduled.
- July 6, Auburn University, AL (Re-certification course)
- July 7-10, Auburn University, AL
- August 10, Tuscaloosa, AL (Re-certification course)
- August 11-14, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Kentucky - Courses are offered periodically. No courses currently scheduled.
- Louisiana - Courses are offered through LSU Cooperative Extension Service. No courses are currently scheduled.
- Mississippi - The Mississippi Forestry Commission offers a Prescribed Burning Short Course. One course is currently scheduled.
- September 15-17, Starkville, MS
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Conferences, Workshops, Festivals and Other Events
- September 15-16 - SERPPAS Principals Meeting, Virtual
- May 2021 - Southern Blue Ridge FLN Meeting, Dillard, GA
- June 7-10, 2021 - Southern Group of State Foresters Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
- Ongoing - Fire in the Field, This intermediate firefighter training program (equivalent to NWCG S-131, S-133, and S-231 courses, as well as the G-131 course) is designed to prepare the Firefighter 2 (FFT2) to move to the Firefighter 1 (FFT1) position.
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Find more fire-related information from our friends & partners!
Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers & Scientists Newsletter (
current edition
)
Southeast Region Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
(
current edition
)
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Contact us to share your prescribed fire information, stories, or events!
Jennifer Fawcett
NC State Extension Forestry
Extension Associate
SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Working Group Coordinator
919-515-8288
Laurel Kays
NC State Extension Forestry
Extension Assistant
919-513-2573
Additional content and resources can also be found by visiting our
website
and by following us on:
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