In reading around the Network, A post by Phillip, on his Hog Blog made me remember that about this time last year, I was tracking a couple of wildland fires in areas I hunt. There was some concern whether we were going to have access to our traditional area for our Fall Deer hunt in Wyoming. Forest management has moved towards re-introducing periodic fire cycles to areas that have had fire excluded for a number of years. The result, is big blowups, similar to the 1910 fire that spread across North Idaho.
Many people thought a similar fate would occur withthe the Yellowstone fire of 1988.
What occurred after that fire,  surprised many as the burned areas began their succession. I found an outstanding summary of the fires cause, spread and result in The 1988 Forest Fires of Yellowstone National Park, by Dr. Robert J. Ruhf

Since then land managers and wildlife managers have put more effort into managing for low intensity natural fires in the wild areas of the Western States. When I opened my e-mail I found now the University of Idaho is now even offering a degree program in Fire Ecology

The Friday Letter
A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends
July 6, 2007

Dear Friends,

This fall semester, the University of Idaho will offer the nation’s first fire ecology and management bachelor’s degree through the College of Natural Resources. The program will help to meet the growing demand for highly trained fire professionals who can make sound decisions about fire prevention, suppression and management. Students pursuing this degree will learn about fire ecology and management in both forests and rangelands.

The impact of fire, especially in the West, is staggering. This summer, we’ve already seen the impact of wildfires at Lake Tahoe and in Utah. The 2007 fire season quickly is heating up toward what could be a record burn year. Scientific projections show that the size, severity and cost of fires will continue to increase, especially in the forests and rangelands of the northern Rocky Mountains. In 2006 alone, some nine million acres burned around the nation and the U.S. government spent $1 billion on fire suppression.

The University of Idaho has offered a fire research program for 30 years. The new fire ecology and management degree program will extend our leadership in this area and help the state and region achieve a sustainable future in natural resources.

Tim White
University of Idaho
Office of the President
Moscow, Idaho 83844-3151
Phone: 208-885-6365
Fax: 208-885-6558

I hope we can continue to learn more about the role of fire in keeping the wildlife habitat of the Western States compatible with productive and recreational uses. This may mean altering some of our fall hunting plans because of fires as we allow natural caused fires to run their course when appropriate. I think it is a small price to pay to prevent larger devastating, life threatening fires, like those that spread across north Idaho in 1910.