2012 National Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report

Science demonstrates that low-intensity surface fires were historically a critical ecological process in as much as 60% of North American landscapes. When applied appropriately in fire-dependent ecosystems, prescribed fire maintains forest health and function, provides habitat for wildlife populations, enhances soil and water conservation, and promotes public health and safety. Prescribed fire is also often required silviculturally to develop, maintain, and protect commercial timber stands. However, its necessary use is often misunderstood, if not unknown, by the public. Societal attitudes and perceptions create inherent challenges for 21st century land managers using fire, whether they are working to restore or maintain ecosystem function or to protect resource investments. As a result, today many natural landscapes have departures from historic fire-return intervals that make them more susceptible to damage from wildfire. To gain a better understanding of how fire is currently being used and to identify challenges for its continued use, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, Inc. (CPFC) partnered to develop and conduct a national prescribed fire use survey. Based on responses from all 50 state forestry agency surveys, this report outlines 2011 national and regional prescribed fire activity, state prescribed fire programs, and identifies impediments limiting prescribed fire use. The results of the survey show that all federal, state, and private prescribed fire use in the U.S during 2011 totaled an estimated 20.2 million acres. Agricultural interests accounted for 61% of the activity and 39% were forestry related. A major regional difference was that most forestry burning occurred in the Southeast while most agricultural burning occurred in the West. Also, the results clearly identified capacity as the nation's top impediment for prescribed fire in all regions. The lack of trained prescribed fire managers, training opportunities, private contractors, and partnerships are national and regional concerns. The purpose of this survey is to disseminate findings into current projects, facilitate direction and vision on future programs, and serve as a baseline for activities pertaining to the use of prescribed fire as a resource management tool. It is the ambition of both the NASF and the CPFC that this survey aid fire managers, prescribed fire councils, agencies, and policymakers to better understand prescribed fire use, address common national interests, and identify regional differences.