You've probably seen plenty of dramatic photos and videos showing trees, shrubs, or grasslands ablaze. But did you know that — technically — the plants themselves aren't really on fire? What you see burning is the gas that is produced by wood or other fuel when heat is applied. And in spite of the frightening reputation of this powerful force of nature, wildland fire is actually necessary to the health of many ecosystems, and can be one of a land manager's most helpful tools. If these fire facts have ignited your curiosity and you want to find out more, check out these fire websites. BLM Fire Education Specialist Jump to Another Topic John Owens RESOURCES NATIONAL WEB PAGES National Fire Plan Website for a cooperative, long-term effort of the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters to manage the impact of wildfire on communities and the environment; includes interactive Fire Plan maps. http://www.fireplan.gov/ BLM Fire and Aviation BLM fire policy and research gateway; includes information on firefighter safety, collaboration among firefighting organizations, and air vehicles used in firefighting, a fire photo gallery, and links to BLM State fire and aviation office pages http://www.fire.blm.gov/ Firewise Interagency information on protection from wildfire for people who live or vacation in fire-prone areas of North America; includes "Firewise for Educators" http://www.firewise.org/ National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) The ultimate "go to" site for information on wildland fires, how they're controlled, and how to protect homes and property; includes current fire and weather information, definitions of scientific terms, statistics, description of the Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, and links to Federal agency fire program websites and other sources of information; noteworthy subsites include: NIFC Prevention & Education includes online and downloadable prevention information and educational materials http://www.nifc.gov/preved/index.html NIFC Current Wildland Fire Information A gallery of photos of recent fires; locations of geographic "hot spots"; a fire-term glossary; information on firefighting gear; fire rehabilitation information; and many other topics http://www.nifc.gov/information.html NIFC Coordination Center Information on incident management teams, national trouble spots, and situation reports; includes the "National Interagency Mobilization Guide" and other reference materials and links http://www.nifc.gov/news/nicc.html NIFC Wildland Firefighter Safety Detailed information on firefighter safety training and standards http://www.nifc.gov/safety_study/index.htm BLM/U.S. Forest Service Joint Fire Science Program The science behind wildland fire management, including extensive background information http://www.nifc.gov/joint_fire_sci/programinfo.htm Share the Adventure! Exploring Wildland Fire BLM Environmental Education Electronic Field Trip, November 2002 Explains the science behind the news of wildfires. Includes students reports from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Florida. http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/teachers/fieldtrip/index.html Fire in Wildhorse Basin Interactive Website Case study of the Wildhorse Basin of Wyoming. INcludes description of the sage/juniper habitat, the mule deer, and the sage grouse, Activities focus on prescribed burning and wildfire. http://www.blm.gov/education/whb/ Fire's Role in Ecocystems: A Hot Topic BLM Environmental Education Electronic Field Trip, October 2005 Web-based interactive program on the role of wildland fire in ecosystems. Includes an "ask the experts" segment with BLM fire specialists answer student questions. http://www.efieldtrips.org/Fire/ STATE AND FIELD OFFICE SITES BLM-Alaska Fire Service Information on fire's effects and how to protect your home and community; includes dramatic photos http://fire.ak.blm.gov/ BLM-Arizona Fire and Aviation Overview of State fire and aviation activities, including historical fire information - http://www.az.blm.gov/fire/index.htm BLM-Colorado National Fire Plan Overview of fire plan accomplishments, including mechanical fire treatment fact sheets http://www.co.blm.gov/fire/index.htm BLM-Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Fire Management Plan A strategy for managing and prioritizing wildland fire and prescribing fuel hazard reduction on more than 500,000 acres in Colorado http://www.co.blm.gov/gsra/firemgntblcontent.htm Western Great Basin Coordinating Center Information from the primary logistical support center within Nevada, including online training and publications http://www.nv.blm.gov/wgbcc/ BLM-Winnemucca, Nevada, Fire Program Overview of area fire activities, including rehabilitation; includes photos, maps, and historical information - http://www.nv.blm.gov/winnemucca/fire/ BLM-Carson City, Nevada, "Fire's Natural Role" Article summarizing how the Federal government uses fire in managing the public lands - http://www.nv.blm.gov/carson/Fire/2_fire's_natural_role.htm BLM-Carson City, Nevada, "Defensible Space: It's Up to You!" Article, with photos, about making homes and property more "survivable" in the event of a wildfire - http://www.nv.blm.gov/Winnemucca/fire/defspace/default.htm BLM-New Mexico Wildland Fire Information Current fire and weather information, including maps and numerous links to other fire information sources http://www.nm.blm.gov/fire/fire.html Northwest Interagency Coordinating Center Background information on the NWCC and general fire information for the Pacific Northwest; includes fire map, news releases, visitor information, job-related information and links to fire restriction and closure information http://www.or.blm.gov/nwcc/ Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group Information on interagency coordination group providing leadership in interface and wildland fire management to enhance firefighter safety and protection of life, property, and natural resources in Oregon and Washington - http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/fire/pnwcg/index.html BLM-Oregon Northwest Fire Prevention Interagency "one-stop-shopping" for current information on public-use restrictions, area access closures, and fire prevention messages http://www.or.blm.gov/nwfire/ BLM-Burns Interagency Fire Zone Includes printable firefighter pocket cards and fire prevention information http://www.or.blm.gov/Burns/Fire/firepg_index.htm BLM-Lakeview, Oregon, Fuels Management Information on the role of fire in natural environments and the use of prescribed burning http://www.or.blm.gov/Lakeview/Prescribedfire/index.html BLM-Utah Fire Rehabilitation Information on the job of restoring fire-ravaged rangelands from the effects of wildfire, including background and case studies http://www.ut.blm.gov/FireRehab/rehab1.html .

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