Survey identifies prescribed fire training needs in the Southeast

USFWS Rx fire — Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge conducted a 704-acre prescribed fire April 4, 2014 in the southeast corner of the refuge near I-75 and SR 29. Firefighter Connor Bowden uses a drip torch to ignite a portion of the project. Photo Credit: Paul Stevko – USFWS

A survey was conducted in January, 2021 to assess the state of both National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and non-NWCG prescribed fire training in the Southern geographic area. It was developed, distributed, and analyzed by a work group formed by the Southeast Regional Strategy Committee of the Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability.

The online survey was completed by 955 practitioners, private landowners, and others within all 13 Southern states.

The complete 34 page analysis of the responses is posted, but below are some observations and recommendations.