Sounds impossible? It is not. My friend, Barbara Sparhawk found one USFS Ranger District which has achieved this goal. The leading cause of human fires is abandoned campfires, which have seen a tremendous increase down here on the South Coast.
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“Over the last three years, we have had a specific, written goal of reducing human-caused wildfires on the district to zero for an entire calendar year,” said Quentin Johnson, fire management officer for the Tusayan Ranger District. “Given that the district receives millions of visitors each year because it is located immediately adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park, we knew this would be an incredible challenge.”
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The district’s success in 2014 was due largely to focused fire prevention efforts beginning almost 15 years ago that have chipped away at the leading cause of human fires on the district – abandoned campfires. Specifically, district fire prevention specialist Bob Blasi worked to gain compliance in dispersed camping areas and issued citations when necessary. With increased early-morning patrols, an extensive signing program, visits to local schools, Smokey Bear’s presence at local events, and a consistent prevention message for more than a decade, Blasi was able to systematically reduce the number of abandoned campfires and, therefore, the overall number of human-caused wildfires.
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“Because of the support of fire managers, Kaibab National Forest leadership, the community and public, we have been able to go beyond just re-introducing fire into the ecosystem, to take it to the next level and demonstrate how when fire is managed responsibly, it becomes an integral part of obtaining desired forest health,” Blasi said. “This is the proof in the pudding. The more fire treatments we are able to successfully implement, the better chance we have of reducing and ultimately eliminating unwanted human-caused fire in our part of the forest.”
While focused fire prevention efforts have decreased the number of abandoned campfires in the Tusayan area, the challenge of eliminating all human-caused fires will continue. Each fire season brings a unique set of challenges including millions of new visitors to a popular tourist destination.
“If I were to designate one goal for the future, it would be that this record never last 50 years again,” Blasi said. “Eliminating human-caused fires is attainable through education, prevention and good stewardship.”
Do we know what the number one cause of fires is in the Los Padres? Target shooting is the trendy response. Abandoned campfires? Seems to me the #1 cause is work related activities/accidents. Do you know?
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!! Let’s do it, make that committment and step up the patrols. Signs don’t do enough, people don’t read or can’t anymore.
I’m really delighted I found this, and you’ve posted it for all, and that such perseverance exists. I read that and thought, Damn…if Grand Canyon can do it we can.
Holycowgirl taking the problem by the reins; great find. And, thanks to Big Sur Kate for being the voice of the community. Now, what agencies and councils can we get on board to help getting the word out?
Nola, I already did a presentation to the BSMAAC and got them on board, created a committee for overuse, and we had our first meeting. We have the Board of Supes on board, the USFS, the MCSO, and the CHP. The biggest issue is man-power/finances. The USFS is pursuing a tactic which has been used in other places, but it will take a few years to completely implement.
In the mean time, the USFS is doing a terrific job of patrolling and handing out tickets – step one. It is also working very hard with media, websites, and other outreach programs. We are on our way, finally. If we can just keep the momentum going!!
bigsurkate