The long-term habitat impacts of the DOI USWFS merger

[Justabirdwatcher]

I'm kind of surprised nobody here is talking about the potential habitat impacts brought on by moving all the DOI (and potentially FS) fire programs into the new USWFS.

Does anyone here think that a stand-alone organization, focused primarily on wildfire suppression, will even come close to delivering the amount of prescribed fire on the ground that these agencies have in the past? There are literally hundreds of thousands of acres burned under prescription every year by agency fire personnel. Those burns are essential to so many habitats and wildlife that depend on them. Without that prescribed fire, many of those habitats would be completely lost, some forever. Call me a cynic, but I think we're about to see the single largest reduction in acres of wildlife habitat treatment in the history of the U.S.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

[Chrstn]

You raise a really important point, and it’s surprising more people aren’t talking about it
A suppression focused agency like the USWFS could easily sideline prescribed fire, even though it’s one of the most critical tools for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Prescribed burns aren’t just “extra work” they’re essential for species that depend on fire adapted habitats and for preventing catastrophic wildfires in the first place. If organizational priorities shift toward emergency response only, it’s hard to imagine prescribed fire receiving the same funding, staffing, or institutional support it does now under DOI and FS programs
Your concern about a historic reduction in habitat treatment is very realistic
Unless prescribed fire is explicitly protected and resourced in this new structure, the ecological consequences could be huge and long lasting.
Let’s hope decision makers recognize that wildfire management isn’t just about putting fires out it’s also about using fire wisely to keep landscapes alive

 

[kwyeewyk]

Cautiously optimistic as this moves forward, as of now changes are coming slowly, which is a good thing in this case. Mitigation efforts (prescribed fire, fuels reduction, community assistance) and post fire programs will continue under the new structure, with agency resource staff continuing to be involved/funded with designing and obtaining clearances for projects as has occurred in the past. Suppression has always been priority 1, and that won't change, but so far I've seen no indication that mitigation and post fire programs will take a hit.

It appears that very little will actually change this season, employees moved to the new agency will use a different log in for entering time sheets and get new email addresses, but will still be stationed with and serving the agency they moved from. Funding will be overseen by new people but process will stay the same for now.

The direction I've heard is keep doing everything the same way until new guidance is provided. All of the mitigation and post fire projects I'm involved with are continuing as normal. I do see some potential for benefits from the reorganization, if done properly, but time will tell. Unless someone high up starts throwing rocks in the gears, at this point it seems like the boots on the ground are making sure things are done somewhat logically for now.