National Fire Plan Success Story
The Lower Buffalo Wilderness Prescribed Fire - Reducing Fuels and Rehabilitating Landscapes
Buffalo National River, Arkansas
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2007
The Rea Valley Volunteer Fire Department assisted NPS Fire Management with implementation of the Lower Buffalo Wilderness Prescribed Fire. NPS photo by J. Michael Johnson.
During the first and second weeks of March 2007, Buffalo National River (BUFF) fire management staff and their partners successfully completed the largest prescribed fire project in hard leaf litter in the National Park Service. Ten units totaling 16,872 acres were treated with prescribed fire to reduce fuels, protect adjacent communities, and restore a natural ecological process to the Lower Buffalo Wilderness.
Long deprived of natural fire, fuels had accumulated in the wilderness to a point that neighboring communities could be threatened in the event of a wildland fire. In addition, the values the wilderness had been established to protect - native ecosystems and natural processes - were degenerating from the lack of fire. Wilderness vegetation was changing more rapidly than at any other point in its history. Rehabilitation of the post oak savannas and cedar glades required restoration of the natural fire regime to create openings, restore forest health, and allow native plants and animals to recover.
In consideration of smoke management concerns, the treatment was accomplished in two phases. The first phase - Turkey Mountain - consisted of 500 acres and was completed during the first week of March. This established a "black line" from which to implement the remaining operation the following week. Safety was the utmost priority, and the entire project was completed without incident.
Firefighters from Indiana, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arkansas worked together to implement the prescribed fire plan in a safe and efficient manner. The Rea Valley Volunteer Fire Department, a local partner, assisted by providing their fire station for use as incident command post, and standing by for initial attack, if needed.
The Lower Buffalo Wilderness prescribed fire project involved careful planning and implementation as well as cooperation with numerous partners. The result was successful treatment of a landscape designated by Congress as important to protect, and reduction of fuels to forestall a severe wildland fire. The project was a classic example of the National Park Service Fire Management Program's importance to the management of public lands.
Contact: Tony Collins, Prescribed fire Specialist, phone: (870) 741-5446 ext. 276.