acres, cost more than $1.5 million in fire suppression, and impacted the DCR,
private land, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Gamelands, Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and Nature Conservancy land. Due to the
remoteness of the area, no evacuations were in place and no communities
were threatened, however roads were closed due to low visibility and the NC
Division of Air Quality issued a code red air quality alert. Though the cost to
Seymour Johnson AFB in lost training has not been quantified, the wildfire
caused a cessation in Seymour Johnson AFB flight training activities at the
DCR.
project successfully completed a 65,000 acre water management capability
plan for DCR and part of Alligator River NWR. The restoration and water
management will lessen the risk, severity, and duration of future wildfires at
and around DCR.
Findings
Existing Tools
North Carolina Forest Service
The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), fire departments and communities
across the state are working together to prevent, prepare for and lessen the
impact of wildfires. At a national level, the agency is leading an interagency
group to prepare for large fire events.
The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), fire departments and
communities across the state are working together to prevent, prepare
for and lessen the impact of wildfires.
Wildfires impose health and safety risks for the surrounding
communities, create smoke impacts, can cause extensive property
damage, and can require resources from local fire departments and
other emergency response units.
A Memorandum of Understanding for wildfire suppression is maintained
between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NCFS, and Dare County Fire
Departments.
Community Wildfire Protection Plans
The NCFS works with local emergency management, partner agencies, and
fire departments to develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).
The CWPPs are holistic fire management plans that evaluate wildfire hazards
and provide preparedness, mitigation, and prevention recommendations at
the fire district level.
Hydrologic Restoration Project
The Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Air Force
conducted a large‐scale hydrological restoration project at Alligator River
NWR. The project restored the flow of water to land previously drained for
agriculture and improved water management. Participants involved in the
Background Report
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