U.S. Forest Service (FS) 2013 Fire Season Key Messages

U.S. Forest Service (FS) 2013 Fire Season Key Messages

Note: All news media requests for information and interviews about the impacts of sequestration on fire management are to be directed to the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-4623.

Wildfire Response

• The FS will respond vigorously to wildfire with an array of assets that include about 10,000 firefighters and 900 engines. The FS has been planning to have available for wildfire suppression up to 25 Large Airtankers; up to 3 Very Large Airtankers; up to 3 Water Scoopers; and up to approximately 125 heavy, medium, and light helicopters on exclusive use contracts and up to approximately 300 heavy, medium, and light helicopters on call-when-needed contracts.
• Safe aggressive initial attack is often the best suppression strategy to keep unwanted fires small and costs down. The FS suppresses almost 98% of wildfires on initial attack.
• Firefighter safety: FS wildfire management strategies are based on the “5 Rights” to limit unnecessary exposure and expenditures. That is: the right plan in the right place at the right time with the right assets for the right duration.

Accelerated Restoration for Resilient Landscapes

• America’s forests are a sustainable, strategic asset in achieving and enhancing U.S. water and air quality, economic vitality, and community safety. Covering a third of the country’s landmass, forests store and filter more than half of the nation’s water supply and absorb 20 percent of the country’s carbon emissions. But they are in dire need of extensive restoration because of cumulative impacts from wildfire, insects and disease, and drought.
• Drought conditions are adding to the escalating crisis. This year, more than 60 percent of the contiguous U.S. is currently in a moderate or worse stage of drought, with 20 percent of those areas experiencing exceptional drought conditions. Because of these climate conditions, 26 states were recognized as natural disaster areas in 2012.
• Forests provide clean drinking water to more than 180 million people from coast to coast. Unfortunately, 29 percent of America’s forested watersheds have been identified as having high or very high wildland fire potential.
• The FS recognizes the need for accelerated restoration and have made significant recent improvements in the pace and scale of its projects. On National Forest System lands, approximately 80 million acres are in need of restoration treatments. Last year, more than 3.7 million acres of restoration treatments were completed on watersheds, forest and wildlife habitats.
• The FS is on pace to increase acres treated and harvest a projected 3 billion board feet by 2014 --- an increase of 20 percent of mechanically treated acres.

Fire-Adapted Communities

• Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on all fires. Regard for human safety and management of risk guide all fire management decisions and actions.
• Millions of people live near wildlands where fires naturally occur. The FS helps communities prepare for and live safely with fire and become fire-adapted communities. Resources are available at
• Most wildfires are caused by people. The FS will continue to fully suppress all human-caused wildfires and actively promote fire prevention.

May 1, 2013 1300 MT