[CVRC] Wildland Fires of 2002 Summary from NIFC

[Paul Cavnar]

The following report may be of interest to you....
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html

Wildland Fires of 2002 Summary- 
A Season of Challenge and Accomplishment
November 15, 2002

As of November 15, 71,160 fires burned about 7.1 million acres; 
nearly double the 10-year average.  Firefighters were successful 
in suppressing 99 percent of all fires during initial attack. Of the 
more than 70,000 fires reported, only about 610 escaped to 
become large. 

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority on every fire. 
The fire community extends its condolences to the families of 
those 21 people who died in the line of duty during this intense 
fire season. 

Aircraft accidents this season led to grounding some large air 
tankers. Yet fire managers adapted to the changes and overcame
the loss of air tankers without major impacts to firefighting efforts.
 
About 45 percent of the country reported moderate to extreme 
drought conditions early in the season. Nearly 50 percent of the
nation's landmass continues to be in a moderate to extreme 
state of drought. 

This season will be remembered for its large timber fires. Colorado, 
Arizona and Oregon recorded their largest fires in the last century. 
Firefighters were successful in protecting 98 percent of all threatened
structures in the wildland/urban interface. While hundreds of 
communities were evacuated, thousands of residents forced from 
their homes, and more than 100,000 structures threatened by large 
fires fire, firefighters are credited with protecting homes, businesses,
recreational structures and other outbuildings. 

The national level of preparedness and response rose to the highest 
level possible five weeks earlier than ever before. The country remained
at that level for a record-setting 62 days. 

By early July, 28,000 firefighters and support personnel were assigned 
to fire suppression activities, which is the maximum number of civilian 
resources available. Military resources were then requested. Eight 
C-130 military cargo planes were converted to Modular Airborne 
Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) to assist with fire suppression efforts. 
Later in the month a battalion of about 600 Army troops traveled to 
Oregon to assist on the Monument fire. 

In early August, NIFC submitted the request for international assistance
to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In response, Canada sent 40 
Type 1 crews for a total of 800 people, along with 117 mid-level managers.
New Zealand and Australia responded by sending 50 fireline and aviation 
managers to help fill outstanding requests on large fires in Oregon. 

In the midst of this extreme activity, the agencies were successful in 
treating 2.1 million acres of federal land. 

When the smoke clears Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER)
efforts kick in. BAER teams throughout the country are working diligently
to rehabilitate millions of acres of burned land for a quicker recovery.