S. M. Zedaker, Secretary
1000 - Welcome: Fred Turck, Chair
1005 - Opening Comments: John Carroll, Deputy State Forester
Mr. Carroll provided a welcome, some background on the council, a history of fire use, and the fire use program of the DOF, and addressed the importance of professionalism and prescribed fire manager program. He added that legislative changes may be needed in Virginia, but that the primary mission and first objective of the council should be communication among prescribed fire users and stakeholders in Virginia.
1015 - Introduction to VPFC: Fred Turck
Mr. Turck provided his own welcome, and information on joining VPFC – simply filling out the application; he also asked those in attendance to take home an application for others. Fred provided a brief history of fire use in Virginia with some quotes about first peoples fire hunting and fishing. He addressed the Mission and Objectives of VPFC. He noted that the first important objective should be promoting public understanding of prescribed burning! He addressed the current members and introduced the Steering Committee organizations. Mr. Turck introduced the National Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils and noted that most of the states were in the eastern and southern US. He cited the most significant accomplishment of the PFCs was increased communication. He also provided the uniform objectives and benefits of the councils. Mr. Turck stated that air quality is national issue #1 and that many believe that EPA regulations may increase the likelihood of catastrophic wildfire. Organizations have been critical of the Smoky the Bear, prevent wildfires campaign, but that DOF will not allow Smoky to be beat up, and that there is a need to separate the good fire/bad fire issues. He cited the # 2 issue as population growth because of the increased stress on professionals ability to manage our natural resources. He noted that housing density has increasing dramatically. The # 3 issue is Climate Change and the new CO2 regulations. #4 was the need for Public Education, the problems of a misinformed public, and the fact that perception is reality. Mr. Turck listed the many barriers to increasing prescribed fire area and frequency; and the list was quite lengthy, but noted that fire is the common denominator for many Natural Resource Managers. He stated that policy, science and politics must be blended to allow PB to continue. Question: What is the VADEQ rule for debris burning? In Hanover Co., we cannot burn piles has the DEQ banned pile burning? Exemption for forestry burning? Tom Ballou ( DEQ) answered that areas in the state have a ban from May 1 to Sept 30 tied to ozone, Prince George is part of an area, Roanoke….and the sites are listed on the DEQ website. Suggestion: Iowa had a big problem with prescribed burning and put together an education program for volunteer fire departments. Cindy Huber was to address some of these issues.
1050 - Cindy Huber USFS: Air Quality Challenges in Virginia:
Ms. Huber introduced herself and the VA DEQ folks and provided some background on her career. She noted that we needed to communicate with the VADEQ and introduced Tom Ballou and Tom Foster. She outlined the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) – and addressed the potential conflicts with more prescribed burning. She emphasized the need to participate in air quality programs, Ms. Huber stated that the EPA and DEQ recognize importance of fire. Questions: What is the basis of NAAQS. She stated that we have a good record in VA of smoke issues/incidents. She noted that there was a “SMOC” interagency federal group looking at prescribed burning issues. She stated that in a recent inventory for PM 2.5 - wildland fire (including prescribed fire) contribution to pollution was < 3%. Question: when was the inventory done? Answer: every 3-yrs or 1 yr depending on sources of pollution. Ms. Huber provided the Clean Air Act and State Regulations for regional haze. Question: Do the standards for different regions take into account the natural vs. anthropogenic sources? Answer: Huber emphasized the need to project an increase in prescribed burning. She noted that the EPA sets the limits and approves state implementation plans. The EPA identifies Non-attainment and Maintenance areas and that the NAAQS are only based on human health. The standards do account for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and these biogenic emissions do contribute to air quality. However, we do not get higher standard even though background for VOCs is high. She stated that VOCs are less of a problem than NOX limited areas in the state. Ms. Huber noted that States and Tribes develop air pollution implementation plans, develop open burning regulations, and local ordinances. And that everyone must comply with state air quality regulations, but not local regulations, Question: Must the Federal agencies comply? Answer: Yes, but Mr. Turck noted that they do not have to comply with 4PM rule. She noted that localities cannot supersede state air quality regulations. Question: On the basis of fire danger severity can counties ban prescribed fire? Answer: State Forester can do it. - Fred Turck. Ms. Huber presented limits on PM 2.5 for the NAAQS: annual = 15 ug/m3, 24-hr = 35ug/m3, O3 = 0.075 ppm and stated that fire emissions do contribute to precursors. The Non-Attainment Areas were listed as: 260 entire counties for 03, 30 partial counties, and 144 counties were listed as Maintenance Areas. EPA to expand O3 monitoring and the EPA will find more areas that exceed NAAQS in the future. Virginia has only NoVA that exceeds PM 2.5. Huber stated that the VA Open burning regulations were updated March 18, 2009. There is a forest management exemption, the fire must be attended at all times and permission is needed if it is < 1,000 ft from home. To obtain the forestry exemption, a burner must comply with SMG/P by VADOF and notify the DOF regional office. Question: Is it that you must prepare a burn plan, but do not have to submit to DOF? Answer:? Huber added that in the new open burning regulations, there is a model local ordinance and if there is an Air Quality Alert you cannot burn! USFS has a no burning on “Orange Days” rule. Huber reiterated a need to do a better job of documenting P-burns. She listed the important things to consider: Name, county, date, acres burned (actual), fuel type, fuel Loading, 10hr FM, and method of firing. Question: Should these data be reported to the DEQ? – Answer: (Tom) Yes VADEQ interested in burners doing so. Question: Where does current data come from? Answer: (Tom F). Different classes of fires: open burning for land clearing, p-burns for NR, agriculture still another category. For debris burning there is no actual inventory, only estimates. The acres of each are applied to a model of fuel load and emissions. The VADOF does not collect data. Some counties collect data. Forest management burns are exempt from local non-attainment bans. Huber stated that the VAPFC should also do training using latest smoke dispersion tools/models: VSMOKE, PB-Piedmont (at night), HYSPLIT from NOAA, also BlueSky which accounts for cumulative effects on a regional basis and is used to determine effects of prescribed burning on global climate change. Huber showed a movie of burning on earth over a year from Google Earth data (Chris Justice – Source?). Question: Who with DEQ do we notify? What specific information is needed? Answer: Regional offices should be notified of burns, but they are not sending data yet. A discussion ensued about data only notification. Fred commented that the DOF collects data only on the burns they are involved in, the bulk of burning 10 years ago, but not now. The DOF keeps a burn log on a daily basis, the feds also keep records, but we need to do better job of capturing acres of NIPF burning. Huber mentioned that the Forest Service Southern Research Station is conducting research aimed at helping states develop tracking of P-burns. Ed Stoots asked why can’t VAPFC create a burn information capture system on-line? Fred Turck answered that that is why we are here, to do some of those things.
1230 - LUNCH – Presentation DEQ - Tom Ballou.
Tom mentioned that the DEQ forecasts air quality and current conditions by area, of which there are 5 in state. Individuals can sign up to get email forecasts. Northern VA, Hampton Roads, Richmond, Roanoke, Winchester are the areas. Question: What about the effects of out of state pollution on Shenandoah? Answer: DEQ combines the out of state and in state ozone and NOX source problems in looking at nonattainment. Also all new regulations on power plants are regional assessments not just state and local.
1240 - FRED –
Mr. Turck showed the VAPFC website. The website is a portal to other fire programs; it also contains information on how to join, history of fire use…
Mr. Turck then presented the prescribed burning Fire Message Campaign supported by the Southern Group of State Foresters and initiated by a Tri State group -FL, GA, SC. The idea is to speak with one voice. The group obtained a grant from the National Fire Plan. Their deliverables are: A Survey Template, Design, Branding and Creative Services, Media production – TV/Radio – Print Production Brochures/Billboards… He mentioned that Tall Timbers got the contract and that the final report is due in the Fall of 2009. The public has a concern relative to PB: do we really know what we are doing? Mr. Turck stated that we need a unified public message. To identify needs, a focus group was used to determine if our message on fire needs to change. The dominant frame now is Smokey, and benefits vs. risk. They found that we need a new frame: the forest as a frame! The researchers mocked up messages to focus groups, and did intercept interviews in Atlanta, Columbia, and Tallahassee. They found that when you show fire, people think fire prevention, regardless of message. Only 25% of the focus groups people identified message with prescribed burning. The researchers concluded that we need to offer something the public are seeking: a close association with nature, and then pitch fire after they are into the forest care message. This will transmit a positive message, and they will be ready to take action. Turck introduced the “visit the Forest” concept. Like a grocery store message: you must walk by other stuff to get milk/beer which is located in the back of the store. So you pick up groceries you may or may not need in the store. Visit My Forest – Take a Forest Break – embed messages about fire. The web connection for the project goes to state forests; where to hike, camp…in area code specified. Audience then becomes an ally of fire. There is a need to develop a long-term relationship with audience, then, hook them into fire use. There is also an Adopt an Acre program to promote good fire. We should rethink how we deliver our natural resource management messages.
1315 - Steering Committee Reports –
Mark Puckett – DGIF – Mark reported that prescribed burning still an uphill battle in VA; encroachment into rural areas by subdivisions is large problem; especially for the 1,000 ft issue. DGIF is also loosing experienced people. He mentioned that the agency is reorganizing and loosing people to retirement with experience as a result. One bright spot is a leadership development program. The Quail Action Plan specifics include burning and this dictates a need for DGIF positions to facilitate burning for private landowners. The Virginia Quail Council and VAPFC go hand-in-hand and should work together. Mr. Puckett stated that agencies are going more to contract burning/work, because they are short on personnel and there are not enough good burn days.
Rick Myers – DCR – Mr. Myers described what DCR does now. He likened prescribed burning to a hammer in carpenter’s hand; the most important tool. DCR’s burning program was formed largely in partnership with Nature Conservancy. They have many preserves with most unusual habitats that need fire to maintain. Examples presented were: Zuni Pine Barrens – a long leaf pine preservation area with lots of rare plants and animals; Cowbane Prairie which now looks like a unique wet prairie; Difficult Creek a Piedmont base-saturated soil (greenstone), a shortleaf pine savanna, and Grassy Hill which features smooth coneflower; and Big Spring Bog, another high base soil which has 15 rare plants in Grayson Co. Mr. Myers cited the DCR burn program as about 850 acres on preserves, and 1,000ac total, including state parks. He also mentioned that the DCR has an excellent Prescribed burning Manual that was written in 2009.
Shep Zedaker – VT – VT Forestry Department now offers only one fire class, 3 credit hours, required for forestry majors. He mentioned that through the good graces of the VDOF, students get S130/190 and red cards, and also can sit for PBM certificate. He mentioned that VT has a Wildland Fire Crew and described their capabilities. He described research conducted at VT including invasive plants and fire, herbicide –fire interactions, vista management, and barriers to burning on NIPFL. Dr. Zedaker described many opportunities for interaction/cooperation with other federal/state agencies in VA through the VAPFC.
Sam Lindblom - TNC – Mr. Lindblom described the TNC and its mission. He stated that the TNC has been using fire to manage its properties since 1961. The TNC started a fire staff in 80’s and now have 40 fire managers and 100 qualified burn bosses. The TNC burns or assists other groups with 100,000 ac of burning per year. The TNC goal is to try to conserve biodiversity and Mr. Lindblom described the need for fire and partners to work together. He mentioned that the TND used to focus on “last of the least” but now has more of an ecosystem function approach. Sam stated that they planned 3,000+ acres of prescribed burning for 2010 on TNC land. They/their staff still need IQCS more qualifications but are better /more fully qualified than many organizations. He said that burn capacity building is still needed, as is Science/Research which they contribute to. He mentioned a need to reach advocacy groups environmental, industry….big lands in the west, wilderness groups. The TNC wants to produce credible data to inform advocacy groups.
Barry Garten – USFS – AFMO – Mr. Garten described the USFS-J/GWNF Fuels Management Program. He introduced Steve Croy, ecologist and Carol Croy, wildlife specialist, Tom Ledbetter – FMO, Mike Quesinberry – Fire & Timber manager and Blue Team FMO. Garten provide GW-J facts: largest forest in South, active burn program – 18-20,000 ac per year, mostly spring burns ( 80%) but are doing Summer burn experiments. He expressed a need for partnerships and described one with the TNC for Worm Springs Mt., the NPS partnerships with the Shenandoah NP using GW resources, and with DOF on wildland fires. He mentioned the need for non-native Invasive species population impact assessments. The GW-J wants to improve condition classes with more summer burning. Mr. Garten also expressed a need to thank Fred for all his work in organizing the VAPFC!
Don Savedge – NPS – Mr. Savedge introduced Jeff Koenig, Missy Forder also from SNP. He described the “Mountains to Sea Park” Group which conducts burns on Appomattox, Assateague, Booker T. National Parks/Battle Fields. He mentioned that the park does lots of training and will help others if needed. The NP Group did 500 acres this past year. He described the Table Mt Pine P-burn they did and showed video of extreme fire behavior; a stand replacement fire. He mentioned that the park and park group does Fire Effects monitoring at a more detailed level than usual. They also have out-reach programs: Barb Stewart has conducted seminars for teachers, park neighbors, and is the regional fire communication specialist. Ms. Stewart works with the Advanced Master Gardener program, providing alternative for dealing with yard waste; what to do beside burn it.
Tim Craig – FWS - Zone FMO – Mr. Craig described the Fish and Wildlife service as having more acres of P. burns on a national scale than anyone. He mentioned the Great Dismal Swamp, Chinkateague… 14 refuges in the state with burns on 9 of them. He stated that partnerships are important and described joint burn crews with NPS, TNC. He mentioned that the South One fire was a big issue for them, that they conduct logging activities and site prep burns, and need fire to prep land for RCW re-introduction. He described the James River property RCW re-introduction and how important it was to maintain the ability to burn after logging. Question: how many acres of burn? Answer: with partners between 6,000 – 2,500 per year. Mr. Crain noticed a change in the weather in the past few years with dryer relative humidity which presents a need to change burning prescriptions.
Emilie Cooper – American Forest Foundation – Ms. Cooper mentioned Project Learning Tree and Conservation Solutions which the AFF supports. She stated that the VPFC was missing consultants, and that a private land owner focus needed. She described Forest and Families Magazine and the Prescribed Fire Council article in this past issue. The magazine regularly publishes bulletins on fire. She mentioned that the AFF offers other services: expertise in hosting tree farm tours/events, prescribed fire associations/coops to conduct burns. She mentioned that the AFF regularly comments on Local County resolutions and has programs which promote education and that they sign on to a support paper. THe AFF is currently evaluating liability insurance needs for private woodland owners for prescribed burning.
Dan Goerlich – SAF- Dan mentioned his professional membership, their use of fire as forest professionals, and the VA SAF’s interest in VPFC.
Dan Hammond – ACF and VA Quail Council – Asked members to come to a VA Quail Council meeting/field tour of research which will feature 10 years of pine management for quail using prescribed burning and herbicides.
Robert Dennis - Army Corp of Engineers – Mr. Dennis mentioned that the ACE conducts lots of prescribed burns on their properties in Virginia and that they need VAPFC to help with burning concerns.
Fred Turck – DOF- Fred closed the meeting by reiterating the PBM Course and certification. He pointed out the Orange Book and the new Guide to Prescribed Burning in Virginia. Fred asked for help in beefing up the new guide and asked VPFC members to take the book home and return comments. He mentioned that he was grateful for our attendance and asked for continued involvement.
1515 - Adjourn
The mission of the Virginia Prescribed Fire Council is to foster cooperation among all parties in Virginia with an interest or stake in prescribed fire for the purpose of optimizing burning opportunities for the benefit of natural ecosystems and wildlife and to reduce the risk of damage from wildfires. This will be accomplished by encouraging the exchange of information, techniques and experiences among practitioners of prescribed fire in Virginia and by promoting public understanding of the regional importance and benefits of prescribed fire.
Consider becoming a member of the Virginia Prescribed Fire Council (English; Word format).