Wildland Fire News

A selection of news releases and stories related to wildland fire management. For details about ongoing wildfires, visit the National Interagency Fire Center.

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How One Tribe is Restoring the Fire-dependent Longleaf Pine
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe fire management team members. By Claire Everett, The Nature Conservancy.
11/17/2022
This Native American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting stories of Indigenous fire practices. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has a deep cultural connection to the longleaf pine. It has vanished from many areas. The Tribe is striving to preserve this fire-dependent species and recently received an award for those efforts.
In the News: Ojibwe Firefighters Restore Fire to the Cloquet Forestry Center (cfans.umn.edu)
Low flames burn through dried grass in a forest
11/16/2022
A collaboration between the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and University of Minnesota opens new chapter, embracing the role of Indigenous fire in shaping the Center’s forests.
Creating a Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program: Meet Commander KJ Green
Commander KJ Green, U.S. Public Health Service, wildland firefighter clinical administrator
11/9/2022
Wildland firefighters have unique physical and mental health needs. The Interior and Agriculture departments are working together to establish a program to address those needs. Meet Commander KJ Green with the U.S. Public Health Service, who recently accepted an assignment with the Interior Department to support this effort.
Furthering Research in Wildland Fire Science: Now Seeking Funding Proposals
In 2019, the Joint Fire Science Program funded a database of wildland firefighter entrapments.
10/24/2022
The Joint Fire Science Program funds important research to help land managers, practitioners, and policymakers proactively address wildfires. The Joint Fire Science Program is soliciting proposals for funding to advance wildfire research and support land management agencies.
As Wildfires Grow, the National Park Service Increases Efforts to Protect Natural and Cultural Resources
Wildland fire resource advisors study a map during a briefing. Photo by Cedar Drake, NPS.
10/20/2022
As wildfires increase in frequency and severity, more natural and cultural resources are at risk. Resource advisors help firefighting personnel protect them. The National Park Service’s online course trained hundreds of resource advisors this year, and it will be offered again in the spring of 2023.
In the News: U.S. Secretary of the Interior: Satellites Will Help Us Fight Climate Change (www.scientificamerican.com)
An image of the 2021 Caldor Fire in California taken by Landsat.
10/12/2022
As USGS takes over operations of a Landsat satellite, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland explains how the data gathered will help the Biden administration’s climate change plans
In the News: Wildfire Smoke Is Erasing Progress on Clean Air (www.nytimes.com)
Smoke rises from the South Moccasin Fire in Montana. Photo by Lauren Kokinda, BLM
10/12/2022
Smoke from wildfires has worsened over the past decade, potentially reversing decades of improvements in Western air quality made under the Clean Air Act, according to research published by Stanford University.
In the News: Wildfire Smoke May Carry Deadly Fungi Long Distances (www.wired.com)
Smoke rising from the Tamarack Fire. Photo by the Forest Service.
10/12/2022
Pathogens in soil are a danger to firefighters, but smoke may transport spores that cause valley fever and other infections into cities too.
Interior Invests $180 Million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 to Improve Wildfire Mitigation and Resilience
Plane drops water on Clear Fire in Fairbanks, Alaska. By Eric Kiehn, Kittitas County Fire District.
10/6/2022
The Interior Department invested $180 million nationwide in wildfire management through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022. These investments are providing pay improvements for federal wildland firefighters, supporting efforts to reduce wildfire risk, helping rehabilitate burned landscapes, and more.
Protecting and Restoring the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem in Saguaro National Park
The sun sets on Saguaro National Park and its namesake cactus. Photo by Nate Hovee.
9/30/2022
Buffelgrass is propelling more frequent, intense wildfires and threatening native species, like the Saguaro cactus. Controlling this invasive is an intensive process. Saguaro National Park is expanding its efforts with the help of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Interior Department Invests Over $5.1 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Advance Wildfire Resilience in Colorado
Wildland firefighters monitor a fire in a forest.
9/23/2022
The Interior Department announced that it has invested over $5.1 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support fuel management projects in Colorado.
Interior Department Invests Over $5.9 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Advance Wildfire Resilience in Nevada
A forest fire burning actively at night
9/22/2022
Interior Deputy Secretary Beaudreau announced that over $5.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support fuel management projects in Nevada.
Interior Department Invests Over $3.3 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Advance Wildfire Resilience in Alaska
An airtanker drops red retardant on a wildland fire at sunset
9/21/2022
The Interior Department announced that it has invested over $3.3 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support fuel management projects in Alaska.
Interior Department Invests Over $6.8 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Advance Wildfire Resilience in Oregon
A wildland firefighter managing a fire with large orange flames
9/21/2022
The Interior Department announced that it has invested over $6.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support fuel management projects in Oregon.
Interior Department Invests Over $3.5 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Advance Wildfire Resilience in Idaho
Fire burning tall tan grass with brown smoke flowing into the air
9/21/2022
The Interior Department announced that it has invested over $3.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support fuel management projects in Idaho.

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