2012 annual wildfire report

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently published the 2012 annual wildfire report.  According to the report this past year was the worst on record over the last 13 years, if  one considers the average wildfire size.  The average  wildfire was more than 85 acres per incident and reinforces the idea that the size of the wildfires is increasing over time and therefore increasing the overall fire burden on our nation.

Graph 1: US Annual Wildfire Activity 2000-2012

It is important to note that this report was based only on data collected by the National Interagency Fire Center and does not acccount for all wildfires.  Many of the wildfires handled at the local or county level are recorded in another data base known as the National Fire Incident Reporting system that is managed by the US Fire Administration.

Comments

[WLphire]

I think we need to continue moving in this direction. Fewer fires with more acres per fire. What we should focus on is less destructive fires. Fires affecting structures. As we, as a country, continue to build in the WUI there needs to be a shift in thinking. Reduce those fires that destroy homes and increase the size of fires that are no threat to homes. In most cases wildfires are burning in areas that need fire from an ecological stand point. These fires need to be managed. Our prescribed burning programs are but a pittance of the acres that need fuel reduction to reduce catastrophic fire destruction. Let fires burn! Fewer fires, more acres, less homes affected. That is what I believe.