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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406709
Research Project: Biological Control and Habitat Restoration for Invasive Weed Management

Location: Pest Management Research

Title: The new wildfire season

Author
item BURSON, DEANNE - Texas A&M University
item DONOVAN, VICTORIA - University Of Florida
item BALDWIN, CAROL - Kansas State University
item BAUMAN, PETE - South Dakota State University
item TREADWELL, MORGAN - Texas Agrilife Extension
item TWIDWELL, DIRAC - University Of Nebraska
item WEIR, JOHN - Oklahoma State University
item Wonkka, Carissa

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2023
Publication Date: 6/1/2023
Citation: Burson, D., Donovan, V., Baldwin, C., Bauman, P., Treadwell, M., Twidwell, D., Weir, J., Wonkka, C.L. 2023. The new wildfire season. Extension Publications. RWFM-PU-410 June 2023. p. 1-6. https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/the-new-wildfire-season/01t4x000008HLJ1AAO

Interpretive Summary: As human population increases, wildfires are more frequent, larger, and occur at all times of the year. The Great Plains ecoregion is particularly vulnerable to increased wildfire risks. Obtaining adequate resources to effectively suppress wildfires will likely be a challenge for the Great Plains states moving forward because they may be less equipped to handle the increase in wildfire activity than historically at-risk regions. A future with wildfire is inevitable, but with long-term planning, the wildfires and subsequent damages can be reduced. Tactical solutions are essential in the Great Plains to coexist with fire.

Technical Abstract: As human ignition pressure increases, wildfires are becoming more frequent and expanding seasonally and spatially. The Great Plains ecoregion is particularly vulnerable to these extended wildfire risks. Obtaining adequate resources to effectively suppress wildfires will likely be a challenge for the Great Plains states moving forward because they may be less equipped to handle the increase in wildfire activity than historically at-risk regions. A future with wildfire is inevitable, but with long-term, strategic planning, the extent to which wildfires and subsequent damages occur can be lessened. Tactical solutions are essential in the Great Plains to achieve a more sustainable coexistence with fire.