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County Collaborative issues wildfire position statement

December 20, 2022 by Michael Howell

by Michael Howell

Steve Schmidt and Wayne Rusk, co-chairs of the Ravalli County Collaborative, stopped by the Bitterroot Star on Monday to talk about the collaborative’s recently released position paper on wildfire suppression.

The Collaborative is a diverse group of volunteers appointed by the Ravalli County Commissioners to promote the wise use and management of public natural resources by local, state and federal agencies within Ravalli County. The group, struggling for some time now over complex and often controversial issues, has commented regularly on Forest Service activities over the last few years. On December 12, the advisory group issued a “Fire Position Statement” beginning with a quote attributed to Fire Adapted Bitterroot Joint Chief’s project FY22: 

“The Bitterroot Valley has 300,920 priority area acres identified by the Montana Forest Action Plan and 5 of the top 10 fire sheds facing the most wildfire risk in Montana… This threat, combined with unprecedented growth and new home construction that extends to the boundary of the Bitterroot National Forest, highlights why we need action across all ownerships.”

In its statement, the Collaborative acknowledges that “naturally occurring wildfires, as well as prescribed burns, are an important part of renewing degraded forest ecosystems” and supports “the wise, adaptive management practices associated with returning our forests to fire-dependent and fire-adapted landscapes.”

The key to diverse and abundant forest wildlife, “is a complex of plants of varying ages, heights, and species,” according to the position paper. “Wildfire historically contributed to such forest complexity. As forest stands regenerate, so do wildlife habitats.”

What changed things, according to the group’s statement, was “decades of fire suppression” that left thousands of acres of over-stocked forest heavy with 

fuels to the point that fire behavior changed, leading to “unnaturally large and intense wildfires.”

Getting back to a historic fire regime can be achieved through proper management, according to the Collaborative. They advocate the use of mechanical thinning, fuel reduction, and prescribed burning to reduce the extent of damages caused to natural resources by catastrophic wildfire; increase the effectiveness of suppression actions; improve forest health, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem function; and reduce the risk to fire fighters and private landowners in the Wildland Urban Interface “through integrated cross boundary project planning and implementation.”

The management recommendations in the Collaborative’s statement are heavy on planning and wildfire preparedness and the need to integrate actions between private landowners, fire districts, county, state, and federal governments. 

“A current updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is vital to identify priority management and funding needs,” according to the position paper. “Careful consideration, planning, and prioritizing is required to strategically implement forest fuel treatments given the enormity of the current condition of our forests, potential effects of a changing climate and very limited funding.”

The Collaborative considers transportation management in the WUI to enhance wildfire suppression, access and landowner safety important and advocates for the use of the Montana Forest Action Plan as “a valuable tool to identify priority areas for forest management.”

They believe all available management tools should be used to help minimize the risks to human life and property and enhance fire fighter safety within the WUI and that the forest should be managed “to limit high severity wildfires outside the range of natural variability to protect rare habitats and existing old growth stands, and restore the role of frequent low- to moderate- intensity fires in fire-dependent ecosystems.” 

“Changing climate conditions will inevitably change our western forests in ways yet discovered. Therefore, managing our forests will require a considerable adaptive management approach intended to increase forest resilience and allow room for forest ecosystems to evolve with changing conditions. All treatments will require thorough and well-funded monitoring plans,” it states. 

The group considers mechanical thinning and periodic prescribed burning the principle tools available to reduce forest fuels to restore historic fire regimes and stimulate healthy ecosystems, and advocates use of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning to reduce fuel loads in and adjacent to old growth stands where appropriate. 

The advisory group promotes a diverse mosaic within the ecosystem. They recommend that “overstocked forested communities within and adjacent to the WUI use mechanical thinning followed by prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads,” stating these treatments will be needed regularly to maintain fire resilience.

“In some wildlands, well beyond the WUI, allowing wildfires to burn naturally may be an appropriate response. Considerations may include tree species/forest types, old growth, fuel density, and protection of backcountry infrastructure,” it states.

While forest thinning and prescribed burning may help restore forest ecosystems and aid in wildfire suppression, it states, forest management projects in the WUI alone may not be sufficient to reduce high intensity, high severity wildfires and prevent damage to private property. 

“Private landowners should consider fuels mitigation and maintain defensible spaces within their home ignition zones,” it states. “Managers should carefully consider the burned site potential to regenerate naturally. The loss of some forest stands is not always harmful as open areas and meadows may follow. Wildlife species and abundance naturally changes as their habitats change. A diverse and mosaic landscape of forest types and associated ecosystems can strengthen wildlife populations and improve ecosystem function and diversity.”

Schmidt and Rusk emphasized that the collaborative was made up of a lot of people with diverse interests including a retired wildlife biologist, a retired realtor, a retired justice department official from the Forest Service, a retired Forest Service District Ranger, a retired Forest Service recreation specialist, a logger, a county commissioner and a county planner.

Schmidt said that the commissioners’ intent and design in setting up the advisory board was to get representatives from different perspectives. 

“We are not all of like mind, sometimes quite divergent,” said Schmidt.

Rusk said, “When you do that it requires more give and less take than a simple majority. In some cases a lot has been given but something big has also been gained. Consensus. We are willing to give enough to get some consensus.” He said that give and take is especially important in Ravalli County due to the wildlife threat and the need to do something rather than stop things from being done. 

“We are trying to address this pivotal and timely issue by sparking a community discussion,” said Rusk. “Our orientation is to encourage more community dialogue about how we might use fire as a management tool.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steve Schmidt says

    December 22, 2022 at 5:19 PM

    To see the complete Fire Position Statement go here: https://montanaforestcollaboration.org/app/ravalli-county-collaborative/

  2. hsabin says

    December 21, 2022 at 5:41 PM

    The Forest service is its own worst enemy. Prescribed burns remove a lot of dead wood that can add to a conflagration if a fire starts naturally and if winds are present to drive the fire to different locations and should e encouraged. If homeowners live close to an area that is heavy with dead wood and doesn’t have a significant fire ignition zone protection around their homes, then they should invest in some type of fire protection spray for their homes and properties as wind will take fire where ever it desires. Having no trees within 100 feet of a home is critical for protection from a house being burned.

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September 30 @ 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Beer & Brats at the Barn

Free family event. Come meet the draft horses at 1 Horse At A Time Draft Horse Rescue. Take a horse drawn carriage ride or get a feeling for what's it's […]

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 30 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

Alcoholics Anonymous meets Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Stevensville Fire Station training room, 156 Kinsman Drive at 7PM

  • There are no events on this day.
August 28
August 28 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

John Birch Society

August 29
August 29 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Event Series

Breaking Bread

August 29 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

August 30 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

August 30 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Science Squad

August 30 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Event Series

Quantum Group of the Bitterroot

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

August 31 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Event Series

TOPS

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 1 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Event Series

Coffee with the Mayor

September 1 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Model Railroad Club

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 2 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Event Series

Open House

September 2 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Event Series

Open House 1H@AT

September 2 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 3 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Lone Rock Community Network Meetings

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 4 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Art for Kids

September 4 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

John Birch Society

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 5 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Event Series

Breaking Bread

September 5 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

August 30
August 30 @ 12:00 PM - September 6 @ 3:00 AM Event Series

Plein Air at the Fair

September 6 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Science Squad

September 7
September 7 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Event Series

TOPS

September 7 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Knit & Crochet Club – NVPL

September 7 @ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Event Series

Yarn, Darns & Needle Charms: Knit & Crochet Club

September 7 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Event Series

Golden Age Club

September 7 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Health & Wellness Education with Dr. Cage ND

+ 2 More
September 8
September 8 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Square Dancing

September 9
September 9 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

GFWC Bitterroot Woman’s Club Monthly Meeting

September 9 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 10
September 10 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Event Series

Accordion Club

September 11
September 11 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

John Birch Society

September 12
September 12 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library Quarterly Meeting

September 12 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Event Series

Breaking Bread

September 12 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 12 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Stevensville School Board

September 13
September 13 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Science Squad

September 14
September 14 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Event Series

TOPS

September 14 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Event Series

Medicare 101 Education Event

September 14 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Event Series

Medicare 101 Workshop

September 14 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

Bingo and 50/50 raffle

September 14 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Eagles Bingo

+ 3 More
  • There are no events on this day.
September 16
September 16 @ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Eco-Friendly Green Home Tour

September 16 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Wings Programs Volunteer Orientation

September 16 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 17
September 17 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Lone Rock Community Network Meetings

September 18
September 18 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

John Birch Society

September 19
September 19 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Event Series

Breaking Bread

September 19 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Event Series

Corvallis American Legion Post 91

September 19 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Event Series

Corvallis American Legion Post 91

September 19 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 20
September 20 @ 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

North Valley Library Board Meeting

September 20 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Science Squad

September 21
September 21 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Event Series

TOPS

September 21 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

How to Use Your Android Phone

  • There are no events on this day.
September 23
All day Event Series

Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns

September 23 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wings Programs Art in the Barn

September 23 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 24
September 24 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Event Series

Accordion Club

September 24 @ 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Ravalli County Recycling

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 25 @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Bison Archeology in Glacier National Park – Watch Party

September 25 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

John Birch Society

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 26 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Event Series

Breaking Bread

September 26 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 27 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Science Squad

September 27 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Event Series

Quantum Group of the Bitterroot

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 28 @ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Event Series

TOPS

September 28 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Event Series

Eagles Bingo

September 28 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

Bingo and 50/50 raffle

September 28 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

BINGO

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 25
All day

Creative Tech/Media Fall Classes

September 30 @ 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Beer & Brats at the Barn

September 30 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Stevensville AA

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The Bitterroot Star Newspaper Co: ISSN 1050-8724 (Print) ISSN 2994-0273 (Online)
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