No. 54
March 2021
DRIPTORCH DIGEST
A Newsletter for the Southern Prescribed Fire Community
Blue Ridge Fire Manager's Guide to Blue Ridge Ecozones
The Nature Conservancy has released a new Fire Manager's Guide to Blue Ridge Ecozones. Written by North Carolina Stewardship Manager Adam Warwick, the photo-rich guide provides an overview of fire-dependent ecozones of the Blue Ridge mountains, including information about associated plants, fire management considerations, cultural importance, and ecology.
The Ember Alliance
The Forest Stewards Guild and Guild Fire Management are becoming two independent non-profits – The Forest Stewards Guild and The Ember Alliance (staff pictured left). The Ember Alliance is based out of Loveland Colorado and seeks to utilize a holistic approach to fire management to increase the pace and scale of prescribed fire, create pathways for employment for diverse fire practitioners, and improve ecosystem health and fire resiliency in the communities where they work. All inquiries into partnerships, treatment, or other questions can be directed to [email protected]. Interest in training can be directed to Jennifer Mueller, The Ember Alliance Training Specialist at [email protected].  
Survey Opportunities: COVID-19 Impacts, Firefighter Suicidality
Two surveys are underway that the Southeastern prescribed fire community may wish to participate in:

  • COVID-19 Impacts - An international team of researchers are gathering information in order to compile freely accessible COVID-19 guidance for fire management in developed and developing countries. Survey closes March 5.

  • Wildland Firefighter Suicidality - Oklahoma State University researchers are conducting a first of its kind study to determine rates and risk factors for suicide among the wildland firefighter community.
The Forest Stewards Guild has released a new video and webpage on managing montane longleaf forests.
Emergency Evacuation and Sheltering during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Even as COVID-19 vaccination programs ramp up, disaster responses will need to continue to take the virus’s spread and impact into account throughout 2021’s wildfires.

New guidance from the Societal Experts Action Network identifies strategies for emergency planners and decision-makers to consider as they update their disaster plans for sheltering, mass care, and evacuation amidst COVID-19.
New Fact Sheet: Drones and Fire Behavior
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service has released a new fact sheet covering the use of drones with infrared capabilities to monitor fire behavior.
Community Wildfire Risk Reports
Headwaters Economics has produced a new report providing community-level data about wildfire hazards and potentially vulnerable populations.
A comic for your next RT-130 from Nathan Pyle.
Southern Fire Exchange Resources
Fire x Fauna Webinar Series Recordings
The Fire x Fauna webinar series brought together scientists from across U.S. Forest Service research stations in November 2020. Recorded presentations of interest to the Southeastern fire community include fire considerations related to bats and birds in eastern forests.
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Incident Review Summaries
The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center has released the 2020 Incident Review Summaries. The 2020 report includes information derived from 118 operational incidents and 43 reports related to COVID-19.
Heirs Property Resources
Several new resources are available addressing concerns surrounding heirs' property, a type of land ownership particularly common among African-American landowners. Research has shown these landowners may be particularly vulnerable to wildfire risk.
In a recent virtual seminar, Nature Conservancy Florida Fire Manager Zachary Prusak discusses the importance of fire in Florida ecosystems.
SAF Call for Presentations
The 2021 Society of American Foresters Convention call for presentations is open. The Convention will be held November 3-7 in Sacramento, CA. Deadlines for submissions are:

  • March 31: Presentations, seminars, panels, and workshops.
  • August 31: Science flashes and posters.
Longleaf Growth and Yield Project Seeks Sites
F&W Forestry Services is currently identifying properties where permanent inventory plots can be established for
developing new longleaf pine growth and yield models for the Southeast US. The project is supported by the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and results will be publicly available from the study. Find more information about site requirements and contacts here.
Prescribed Fire News Roundup
Funding Opportunities
IAWF Scholarships
The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) will award two graduate-level scholarships, typically valued at $3,000 USD to Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Ph.D. students studying wildland fire or wildland fire-related topics. Student submitted essays are evaluated by an international panel of fire science experts and one award recipient is chosen for the Masters level and one for the Doctoral level. Apply here by March 19.

Southeast CASC Funding Opportunity
The Southeast Climate Science Adaptation Center requests proposals for research projects addressing high priority climate adaptation science needs. Eligible applicants include Principal Investigators from USGS and regional CASC consortium organizations. Submit a statement of interest here by March 19.

Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program
The Texas Longleaf Implementation Team is now accepting proposals for Longleaf pine
restoration and enhancement assistance through the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program. Limited funds are available and applicants are encouraged to read the application packet for more information. Send submissions to [email protected] by April 15.

BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Grants
Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations are eligible to apply for grants to support tribal resilience and ocean and coastal management and planning. An informational webinar will be held Tuesday, March 2 at 3:00 PM ET. Apply by April 23.

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.

Forestry and Wildlife Intern - Forest Stewards Guild, Applications due March 3

Cooperative Outdoor Burning and Resource Assistance Team Member - Florida Forest Service, Applications due March 5

Summer Burn Crew, The Nature Conservancy North Carolina, Applications due March 16

Conservation Biologist - Tall Timbers Research Station, Applications due March 31

Job Boards
Upcoming Events & Webinars
Prescribed Fire Council Meetings

  • March 31 - 2021 North Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting, Virtual
  • June 3 - 2021 North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting, Virtual
  • August 18-19 - 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
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

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