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SpatialNews.com Press Release
 Wireless News - Business News - Feature Columns
US Forest Service Firefighters and Equipment Continue to Support Los Alamos Efforts“Right now, firefighter and public safety is our first priority,” Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck said. “We have the best trained and equipped wildland firefighters in the world, and under these extreme weather conditions, they are doing the best they can. Nothing however, is worth risking their safety or the safety of the Los Alamos area residents.” Management of this incident is a cooperative effort among federal, state and local agencies. “This has been a seamless operation and I commend the dedicated men and women who are working so hard in this firefighting effort,” Dombeck said. “Local area business, agencies and groups are commended for their provision of shelter to evacuees in the city of Los Alamos and neighboring communities.” Extreme weather conditions such as high winds, and low relative humidity create an extreme burning condition that sometimes prevent firefighters, aircraft and engines from stopping the forward movement of fire. Because of these conditions it is often difficult to prevent structural salvage when there is an unacceptable risk to human life. Prescribed fire has numerous beneficial effects when carefully and professionally managed. U.S. Forest Service applications of fire, both naturally ignited and prescribed, consider the effects of smoke on air quality, the lives and resources at risk, and the benefits to the land it is entrusted. The Forest Service’s prescribed fire program has increased significantly over the past three fiscal years. In fiscal 1997, the Forest Service accomplished nearly 900,000 acres of prescribed fire fuel treatments, up from 600,000 acres in 1996. In fiscal 1998 and 1999, 1.4 million acres of prescribed burns were accomplished each year. Over the pas five years less than one percent of Forest Service prescribed burns escaped. A prescribed fire is carefully and precisely planned and executed operation. There are numerous checks and balances that must be accomplished. Wind speed and direction are the most important factors considered in planning a prescribed fire. Current and forecast weather conditions as well as fuel characteristics are also taken into account when planning a prescribed fire. Over the long term, the benefit of prescribed fires far outweigh the risk of fire exclusion. |
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