Wildfire Mitigation
Use of fire as a management tool has been limited in recent forest management.In tandem with the effects of climate change, this has led to more severe wildfires and decreased regeneration of fire-adapted species such as oaks and hickories.
Prescribed Burning
Fire has been an important part of the Southern Appalachians for thousands of years, and, through both naturally occurring wildfires and intentional fire used by Native Americans, has helped cultivate our diverse forest ecosystems. Government agencies, NGOs, and private landowners are working to bring prescribed (or controlled) fire back to our landscape. Controlled fire can be a great tool to encourage desirable species, mitigate non-native invasive plants, and reduce fuel loads. Here in Western North Carolina, the Southern Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Association and NC Forest Service are helping landowners conduct prescribed burns to improve forest resilience.
FireWise
As development has increased in WNC, more homes have been built in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), or the area where homes meet with undeveloped vegetation. Homes in the WUI have an increased risk of wildfire exposure. Additionally, Hurricane Helene resulted in an immense amount of debris on the forest floor, increasing the risk of severe wildfire and bringing future wildfires to the forefront of our community’s mind. FireWise USA and the North Carolina WIldfire Mitigation Program provide information to help mitigate risks associated with wildfire in the WUI. This poster from the NC Forest Service demonstrates the qualities of a fire-resistant home in the WUI, with information on how you can make your home more resilient.