Approximately 84% of places identified by scientists as important for global conservation are estimated to be at risk from changes that have created too much, too little or the wrong kind of fire.
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The palmetto Acoelorraphe wrightii recovers quickly after fire, giving it
a competitive advantage over many other plant species in this fire-
dependent Caribbean pine savanna
© Ron Myers |
The Nature Conservancy’s approach to addressing this issue is called Integrated Fire Management. This term has been used by others to refer to various aspects of fire management. Our definition of this term includes the integration of science and society with fire management
technologies at multiple levels. It implies a holistic, comprehensive approach to address
fire issues that considers biological, environmental, cultural,
social, economic and political interactions.
Integrated Fire Management includes eight steps:
- Assessment & Analysis of Situation & Issues
- Fire Management Goals & Desired Ecosystem Condition
- Laws, Policy & Institutional Framework
- Prevention & Education
- Fire Use
- Preparedness and Response
- Restoration, Recovery, & Maintenance
- Adaptive Management, Research & Information Transfer
These steps can be applied everywhere we work, in ecosystems that are fire-dependent as well as those that are fire-sensitive.
Resources for Prescribed Fire Practitioners
In the U.S., Nature Conservancy fire staff safely perform prescribed burns on about 100,000 acres per year, and support the planning and implementation of burns on hundreds of thousands of acres per year, in conjunction with partners. We are also working with partners to develop ecological fire management capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Global Fire Initiative develops and oversees standards and qualifications for these fire staff, and monitors fire-related risks to the Conservancy and its employees and volunteers. The Conservancy’s fire management standards are outlined in our Fire Management Manual. We have also compiled a number of fire management resources, including information on communicating with and educating the public, smoke management, physical fitness and equipment. The fire administration pages contain examples of agreements and reporting forms, and Nature Conservancy annual prescribed burning statistics.
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