Wednesday, November 5, 2003
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Wednesday, November 5, 2003 |
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Could Georgia burn? As recent California wildfires show, overgrown and unmanaged forest under the right conditions can become a problem. With today’s wildland urban interface issues it is more critical than ever that we manage our forests wisely. Georgia may not normally have the intensity of the fires experienced in California, but the same urban interface problems exist. Simply, the wildland-urban interface is where homes, subdivisions and other developments are built along the edges or intermingled with undeveloped and unmanaged forests and rural lands. The problem comes when these unmanaged lands are deprived of periodic fire. They become overgrown and the forest understory becomes choked with brush and fuel (leaves, pine needles, limbs and brush) loads increase creating a highly volatile situation. Risk of destructive wildfires effect both the forest and human developments. A loss of either can be devastating. Georgia has one advantage over California — prescribed fire. The Georgia Forestry Commission, professional consulting foresters and other land managers encourage and assist forest landowners across the state with prescribed burning. Prescribed (fire) burning is the controlled use of fire to achieve forest management objectives, to reduce hazardous fuel levels, to control unwanted vegetation, improve aesthetics and improve wildlife habitat. Many Georgians have not as yet become totally intolerant to fire; however, people don’t like smoke. As fire sensitive areas become more populated so does the intolerance to the use of fire as a management tool because of the smoke and concerns for air quality. When fire is removed from the landscape the natural course of nature is changed, producing hazardous situations for both the land, property and people. This is why forest management is necessary. Homeowners can protect their homes and property from wildfire by practicing Firewise techniques. The simplest practices put into place could save your home. Clearing brush and maintaining green space can go a long way to protecting property from wildfire. More information can be found at www.firewise.org. Developers can benefit from Firewise practices as well. Creating and maintaining green space buffers and interface zones between residential developments and forestlands can make a significant difference in wildfire protection. For more information on managing your forest, conducting a prescribed burn on your property, or more information on Firewise practices, contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission office at 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.
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