a campaign for forest management. fuel for thought forest density has increased 30% since 1953...
TRANSCRIPT
A Campaign for Forest Management
FUEL FOR THOUGHT
• Forest Density has Increased 30% Since 1953
• Forest Mortality at a 50 Year High• 73.5% of NFS Lands Need
Restoration (15 million acres!)• 85% of Annual Forest Mortality is on
NFS Lands
“High Forest Mortality and Low Timber Removal Rates in the Western States Promise Hazardous Fuel Accumulations and Big Fires” U of I Policy Analysis Group
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(ba
r) A
cres
Bur
Mil
lion
n
1960-64 66-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90-94 95 -99 2000-04 05-09
Tho
us (
line
) us
and
Fir
es
Acres Burned Number of Fires
Wildfires in U.S., Acres Burned and Number of Fires, 1960-2009
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Annual Average During Period
1,750,000 Acres Burned in idaho in 2012
Over 90% was on Federally Managed Lands
PUBLIC SUPPORT FORACTIVE FOREST
MANAGEMENT
59
79%
5%15%
70%
5%
72%
6%
25% 22%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Thinning and harvesting trees helps Don't know Wildfires are natural
Thinning and Harvesting Trees Helpsto Reduce the Risk of Wildfires
“Please tell me which one of the following statements most accurately describes your view aboutforest management and wildfires.
Thinning and harvesting trees helps to reduce the risk of wildfires, so we should manage ourforests in order to minimize the impacts
ORWildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, so we should leave forests alone and let them burn
when fires start unless homes, buildings and communities or people are endangered.” (Q29)
May 2004Nov. 2007June 2010
18%17%
32%31%
22%
Loss of wildlife habitat
Damage to watersheds and water qualityJune 2010
“Loss of Wildlife Habitat” Remains theLeading Concern about Wildfires
“What are you most concerned about when you consider the consequences of wildfires?” (Q28)
34%
16%16%
13%14%
23%
8%
7%7%
6%
6%7%
0%
580% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Loss of homes and property
Loss of forests and wood products
Loss of scenic opportunities or recreationopportunities
Smoke into the atmosphere
Nov. 2007
May 2004
The Cost of Wildfire
• TAX DOLLARSFederal Firefighting Costs (Suppression Only):
$1,740,934,000 in 2013 and $1,902,446,000 in 2014
Taxpayers spent $164.3 million in 2013 and $214 million dollars in 2012 fighting wildfires fighting wildfires in Idaho alone.
• HUMAN HEALTH & SAFETYIn an active fire year, wildfires in Idaho emit the same wildfires in Idaho emit the same
amount of carbon dioxide into the air we breathe amount of carbon dioxide into the air we breathe as as 4.7 million cars4.7 million cars
Target Your Efforts
