- Author
- National Academy of Public Administration
- Title
- Wildfire Suppression: Strategies for Containing Costs.
- Distribution
- FOR MORE INFORMATION on this report or to download a copy CONTACT: The National Academy of Public Administration, 1100 New York Avenue, Northwest, Suite 1090 East, Washington, DC 20005-3934. Telephone (202) 347-3190, Fax: (202) 393-0993. To address a general inquiry, please email: academy@napawash.org. Website: http://www.hrm.napawash.org/
- Keywords
- wildland fires | costs | methodology | fire suppression | case histories | planning | fire fighting | management engineering | management information systems | computer models | decision making | technology transfer | budgets
- Identifiers
- origin, scope, and methodology of the study; case study results; recommendations for containing wildfire suppression costs; community responsibility strategy; icident management efficiency and accountability; cost-effective applications of science, technology, and information management; challenges to key stakeholders
- Abstract
- The cost of suppressing wildfires in the United States exceeded $1 billion in 2000 and will do so again in 2002. And even more is being spent on other wildland fire programs. Annual National Fire Plan appropriations now surpass $2 billion on a regular basis. Given the congressional request, the Academy Panel focused on why wildfire suppression costs are increasing and what could be done to contain them. The Panel began its work by examining the cost-related decision-making on six large fires that burned in the summer of 2001. We found that cost-control mechanisms were in place during the management of these fires, but that some opportunities remain for improving efficiency and accountability for costs in fighting large wildfires. Accordingly, the Panel has recommended that these opportunities be pursued. Nevertheless, the Panel concluded that the only way to significantly contain rising suppression costs is to strike at their controllable root causes. The two primary ones are the massive accumulation of hazardous fuels in the nations wildlands and the increasing community development occurring in and near them. The dangers continue to mount, as illustrated by the current fire season. In 2002 to date, four states set records for the largest fires in recent history, 21 firefighters lost their lives, several air tankers and helicopters crashed, thousands of homeowners evacuated, hundreds of structures were destroyed, and 6,400,000 acres burned.Without prompt and sustained action to strike at the causes of these fires, wildfire damages and costs will continue escalating. The Academy is pleased to present this report to the Congress, the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior.We believe the reports recommendations are practical, effective, and consistent with the Presidents Management Agenda, which directs Federal agencies to address the urgent management challenges facing them.