 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FIRE HISTORY |
|
| The use of fire as a means for cooking, heating, and hunting was one of the first major developments of human civilization. Fire is one of nature's most essential agents of change, and mankind has often used fire in this capacity. |
|
"The Great Barbecue" |
|
| The earliest European settlers to North America recorded indigenous peoples' use of fire for clearing land, hunting and gathering activities, and in warfare. However, post-Columbus settlers did not understand fire as a natural process, and sought to suppress fire wherever it occurred. Once fire was prevented from fulfilling its role in various North American ecosystems, an abnormal abundance of fuel began to amass. In addition, the huge increase in human traffic brought on by late 19th Century immigration brought new human activity to these areas, meaning more human ignition sources were introduced to previously sparsely populated areas. This created one of the most devastating wildfire periods in American history – the great fires of the 1880's. The number and intensity of wildfires in this decade were so vast, natural scientist Stephen Payen referred to it as, "The Great Barbecue." In 1905, fire suppression became the official U.S. government policy, institutionalized with the creation of the USFD in 1905. The USFD has since revised its policy, and has been working to change the public perception of wildfire and to raise awareness for the controlled introduction of fire into the nation's ecosystems. |
|
Its Legacy |
|
| The effects of the government's long standing policy of total fire suppression, have had a devastating effect on our wildland ecosystems. By eliminating fire as one of nature's cleaning agents, we have allowed a century's worth of fuel to accumulate, meaning when fire is introduced in these areas – natural or otherwise – the result is often catastrophic wildfire: fire that burns at an intensity and temperature much too high to leave behind the beneficial post-burn effects that most ecosystems are adapted to. Ecosystems that were dependent on fire to thin the forest canopy and cultivate the forest floor have been transformed, and sunlight-dependent native plant species have been overtaken by the shade-tolerant. The net effect is that fire suppressed ecosystems become less diverse, denser with overgrowth, and littered with dead plant material. |
|
A Solution |
|
| The legacy of fire suppression has reminded us of nature's fine balance, and the serious costs of interfering with its processes. By reintroducing fire into the ecosystem in a controlled setting, we can recreate the effects of natural fire, give balance back to fire-dependent communities, and prevent the catastrophic losses of uncontrolled, unwanted wildfire. |
|
|
 |
|
 View Animation |
|
A Forest WIthout Fire |
|
 |
|
| Normal forest 1909 |
|
 |
|
| Overgrowth begins 1928 |
|
 |
|
| Overgrowth continues 1938 |
|
 |
|
| Overgrowth continues 1948 |
|
|
|
|
