Description

The San Carlos Apache Tribe has worked toward incorporating natural fire regimes into their strategic fire planning and management goals in order to maintain ecosystem resilience and diversity. In exploring this significant theme, this report addresses and encompasses the following key areas and objectives. Identify areas of fuels treatment effectiveness utilizing the following criteria: 1) Protect community and firefighter safety, 2) Reduce cost of catastrophic wildfire, 3) Fire management opportunities, 4) Limit negative effects to resources. Values at Risk - San Carlos Apache tribal values: 1) Natural and cultural, 2) Commercial timber, 3) Wildlife. Review three recent fires (Maggie, Trail, and Shorten) on the San Carlos Apache Reservation that have been managed for both resource benefit and multiple objectives by utilizing timber activities and hazardous fuels treatments to manage these wildfires for positive benefits. Recognize essential components necessary for a fire program to successfully plan and manage fires for multiple land management objectives in efforts to restore and maintain resilient and productive landscapes. Conclusion - Opportunities: 1) Increased community and firefighter safety, 2) Enhanced fire management opportunities, 2) Greater potential to reduce suppression cost and fire size, 3) Minimized negative impacts on resources.