SGSF Forest Protection & Fire Committee
The Southern Group of State Foresters established the Fire Committee to bring a unified perspective to the uniqueness of Southern wildfires. The Committee works together to improve efficiency and promote effective means to protect rural and urban communities. Collectively, they strive to develop regional perspectives and a single voice on Southern fire issues.
A wildfire threatens a neighborhood in North CarolinaThe Committee faces multiple challenges such as population increases, arson, catastrophic wildfires, and development. Becauseof the population density in the South, "human caused" fires are the leading cause of wildfires.
Because of climate conditions, wildfire is a year round problem in the South, with increased intensity in the spring and fall. Few of these fires become catastrophic because of top notch prevention, Firewise and suppression programs.
The majority of forestland in the South is privately owned and it is the responsibility of state forestry agencies to suppress all wildland fires occurring on these lands.
The South's extensive network of roads, dense forest, and population, has lead to the development of homes and other structures throughout most of the forested areas which places the structures at risk to wildfires.
Various types of vegetative growth often necessitate prescribed burning. The growing season in the region can make the use of mechanical treatment of undergrowth, vegetation impractical and uneconomical. Prescribed fire has been a successful management tool in reducing undergrowth vegetation and reducing fire risk.
With the consolidation of forest industry agencies, their assistance to states in suppressing wildfires is diminishing across the region. Rural volunteer firefighters provide much needed assistance to state forestry agencies in protecting homes and structures in the Wildland Urban Interface.
For further information on wildfire in the south: