Kisatchie National Forest

 

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Kisatchie Fire Management

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     Fire Management, especially the use of prescribed fire, has been an important part of Kisatchie National Forest Management since the establishment of the Forest in 1929. Native Americans and early settlers in the area recognized the importance of fire. The eclusion of fire from ecosystems often has disastrous results such as catastrophic fires and loss of key species. Reintroduction of fire to fire-dependent ecosystems, such as those on the Kisatchie National Forest, is an essential part of thoughtful forest management.

Beyond reduction of wildlife threat, prescribed fire is essential to the restoration of Longleaf Pine habitat - an imperiled ecosystem that is dependent on fire. Other benefits include: protection of private property and homes, improvement of habitat for many threatened, endangered and other key species; control of invasive species; and improvement of forage.

The Kisatchie National Forest is a national leader in the implementation of prescribed fire as well as mechanical treatments of hazardous fuels. Fire has been integrated into the landscape of the Kisatchie. Maintenance of this desirable condition requires continuous treatment due to rapid regrowth of fuels in our productive climate and soils. Repeated burning is necessary to replicate natural conditions of "fire regimes" and to protect the considerable investment in prescribed burning over the years.

Population growth and development within the Kisatchie National Forest have increased the threat of wildland fire in the "Wildland-Urban Interface", complicating forest management and firefighting efforts.

The Kisatchie is pioneering new partnerships with private industry to mechanically treat heavy hazardous fuel buildup around private property in the "Wildland-Urban Interface". Biomass produced from these treatments is utilized for industrial energy production with potential to be developed as synthetic fuels. While the risk of catastrophic wildfires is still significant, the Kisatchie remains in better condition than many adjacent private lands and many National Forests because of consistent efforts to reduce fuels. Maintenance of this condition through repeated treatments is essential to protect communities and fire-dependent ecosystems. Fire dependent ecosystems on the Kisatchie National Forest, if left untreated, quickly build up high levels of hazardous fuels. This buildup presents a threat to habitat, natural resources such as timber, and private property - including homes. Increasing population and development near forest boundaries presents a challenge to wildfire management. Consequently, accumulation of hazardous fuels is identified as one of the "Four Threats" to National Forests.

REPORT WOODS ARSON (318) 443-2558

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