No. 51
December 2020
DRIPTORCH DIGEST
A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community
Happy Holidays to all those celebrating!

It has been a strange, long year. We are thankful for the hard work the Southern prescribed fire community has done to make the best of challenging circumstances. We hope that whether or not you are celebrating holidays this December that the month is full of joy and rest. See you in 2021!
Fire Management Board 2021 Fire Season Guidance
The Fire Management Board has issued guidance on requirements and COVID-19 mitigations for the 2021 fire season.
Native American Heritage Month
November marked the celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Native Americans were the first people in what is now called the Southern US to use fire as a management tool. Native Americans are a diverse group, and a part of our fire community every month of the year. The resources below may be helpful in understanding some of the Native People in our region in order to better work and connect with them.

Fall Conference and Meeting Recordings
Several recordings are now available from fall conferences that used virtual platforms due to COVID-10. While some recordings are open-access, some require a conference login to view.
Emerging Leaders Capacity Building Program
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CCNC Crew Members Alicia Pennachio and Peter Chege, Courtesy CCNC Field Supervisor Silas Phillips

Partners including the North Carolina State Natural Resources Foundation and Conservation Legacy have come together to pilot a new Americorps program. The Americorps crew will primarily conduct prescribed burns in target areas.
Penn State student Ben Dunphey created a storymap and recorded presentation on Table Mountain Pine Restoration in Shenandoah National Park. Both were completed as part of Penn State's Masters of GIS program.
Pulaski Club Trains Students in Prescribed Fire
The Dobyns-Bennett High School Pulaski Club in Kingsport, TN teaches high school students to conduct prescribed fires. Students take S130/190 courses and conduct or assist on burns at the high school, with local contractors Heritage and Habitat, and with several agencies including the Tennessee Valley Authority. Several students have gone on to pursue careers in wildland fire and natural resource management.
The Pulaski Club at a burn, Courtesy DBHS Pulaski Club
Drought Communication Resource
The North Carolina Climate Office has released resources for communicating about drought. Resources available include infographics, fact sheets, and up to date short-range drought outlooks.
Western Wildfire Aftermath
The Association for Fire Ecology 2019 Fire Congress is covered in this recently released video.
Climate Transition Memo
The incoming Biden Administration released a transition memo on the Climate 21 Project for the US Department of Agriculture. Fire is a major part of the memo, with prioritizing federal investment to address wildfire listed under key program recommendations and opportunities.
Fall Longleaf Leader
The Fall 2020 issue of the Longleaf Alliance Longleaf Leader has been released. The issue includes a variety of information, including updates from each Local Implementation Teams.
The SE FireMap Scoping Survey remains open through January 1, 2021. Please consider providing feedback on proposed use-cases and database design preferences.
Inclusive Videoconferences
As many of us continue to operate virtually, the Goodman Center offers suggestions on how to ensure videoconferences are inclusive of all people.
NWCG Position Feedback
NWCG is seeking feedback during an initial comment period for the following incident position descriptions: RXMG, COML, EQPM, GSUL, LSC3, LSC2, LSC1, SUBD, SVBD.

Those interested can submit feedback on these and any other IPD using the comment button on each IPD page.
The Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains Fire Learning Network landscape has developed a new poster illustrated with sketches by landscape co-lead Phil Delestrez.
Tire Safety
The Southern Group of State Foresters and USDA Forest Service Region 8 have developed a tire safety package for use by regional wildland fire partners. The new resources will help partners around the region reduce the risk of accidents due to tire failure.
International Association of Wildland Fire News
The most recent IAWF News Dispatch included a number of items relevant to the Southern prescribed fire community, including the following:

Fire Science Exchange Network News
Newsletters have been released from the Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium and the Great Plains Fire Science Exchange. Both contain a variety of information relevant to the Southern prescribed fire community.

The Southern Fire Exchange has released a new fact sheet on perceptions of prescribed fire risk and liability. SFE also has several upcoming webinars and archive all webinars, including the most recent one linked above, on their YouTube channel.
Tall Timbers Research Station News
Prescribed Fire News Roundup
Funding Opportunities
Lake States Fire Science Consortium Intern Program RFP
The Lake States Fire Science Consortium (LSFSC) is accepting proposals for several $4,000 undergraduate research internship awards. The proposed internships should last no longer than 3-6 months, and should address relevant fire science and management issues associated with northern fire-dependent ecosystems of the Lake States region. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on Monday, December 7, 2020 by email to Jack McGowan-Stinski.

Interventions and Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures RFA
The EPA is seeking applications proposing research that will address behavioral, technical and practical aspects of interventions and communication strategies to reduce exposures and/or health risks of wildland fire smoke. Applications are due on December 15, 2020 by 11:50 Eastern Time.

USDA Forest Service Cohesive Fire Strategy RFP
Cohesive Fire Strategy grants help State Forestry Agencies achieve the wildfire risk reduction and wildfire response priorities of State Forest Action Plans. Three types of grants are available to States and local partners: Cross‐Boundary Wildfire Hazard Mitigation on Non‐Federal Lands, Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Wildfire Response. All applications are due close of business January 15, 2021.

Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund 2021 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting proposals for the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund. Projects may focus on restoring, enhancing and maintaining bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands and promoting aquatic connectivity on private and public lands to improve wildlife habitat and water quality. An applicant webinar was held November 19th at 2 PM ET, and proposals are due by January 14 at 11:59 PM ET.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes federal funds available through the new Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities grant program to states, local communities, tribes and territories for pre-disaster mitigation activities. Applications will be accepted through January 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM ET.

Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund 2021 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting proposals for the 2021 Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund. Projects may focus on expanding and enhancing longleaf pine ecosystem restoration and management across longleaf pine’s historical range, as well as on the restoration and enhancement of bottomland hardwood forests within priority focal areas. An applicant webinar will be held Wednesday, December 2 at 3 PM ET, and proposals are due by Thursday, February 4 at 11:59 PM ET.

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.
Job Postings
All jobs are open as of the Driptorch Digest send date, however application reviews may have begun.

Restoration Technician (careers.nature.org, ID 49131 and 49165) - The Nature Conservancy, FL and VA Applications will be reviewed in order they are received

Natural Resource Crew Technician - North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation, Applications due December 6

Prescribed Fire Crew Technician - North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation, Applications due December 6

Wildfire Magazine Managing Editor - International Association of Wildland Fire, Applications due December 14

Assistant Professor Wildland Fire Modeling - Oklahoma State University, Application review begins December 15, 2020

Job Boards
Upcoming Events & Webinars
Prescribed Fire Council Meetings

  • August 18-19, 2021 - 2021 North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council Meeting, Morganton, NC

Prescribed Burner Certification Courses


Webinars (All Times Eastern)


Conferences, Workshops, Festivals, and Other Events
Prescribed Fire Resources
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Do you want to learn more about prescribed fire? We've compiled an extensive list of resources that can help you explore the world of prescribed fire. On our resources page you can explore fire-related publications, videos, podcasts and webinars. You can access these resources on our web page, and if there's something we should add please reach out and let us know!
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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Twitter @SE_RxFire
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