Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled the new Southeast FireMap, a fire mapping tool for the Southeastern U.S. that enables resource managers to improve their regional or local approaches to managing wildfire risk and fire management needs through targeted prescribed burns and training.
Fire management helps improve forest ecosystem health, increases timber values, reduces the risk of wildfire damage to life and property, reduces ticks and other pests, protects drinking water, and renews healthy ecosystems supporting wildlife habitat, especially in fire-dependent longleaf pine forests.
Terry Cosby, acting Chief for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are very excited about this new tool.
The SE FireMap version 1.0 decision support tool will map all detectable fires, including managed prescribed burns and wildfires, across nine states. The map and associated tools aim to improve fire management in urban and rural communities through remote sensing and will track both prescribed fire and wildfires.
Those interested in longleaf pine forest management opportunities can visit the Longleaf Pine Initiative page or contact their local USDA service center.