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Type: Conference Paper
Author(s): R. F. Wambach
Publication Date: 1970

From the text...'Let me over-simplify (or overstate) my argument to make my point. Foresters have tended to identify only two types of fires: (1) wildfires, which are bad and should be prevented or put out expeditiously, and (2) prescribed fires, which are good and should be used more extensively by progressive silviculturists and forest managers. What this classification system ignores is the variability in resources, values, and uses of the forest. Until we incorporate this resource variability into our fire managemant systems we will not be operating at the proper level of sophistication. We must delineate areas where fire cannot be tolerated (e.g. important recreation sites, excellent timber growing sites, sensitive watersheds, etc.) and on these sites apply the economically optimum level of fire prevention and suppression,. In other areas, where resource values are lower, we might best serve society's needs by utilizing a less expensive form of extensive (rather than intensive) fire protection. In still other areas, where fire may be an important component of the natural ecosystem (e., parts of certain wilderness areas, prime game ranges, etc,), we may wish to indulge in fire prevention and control only to the limited extent of protecting human life and property. Fire specialists must participate in multiple-use planning. They must influence and be influenced by multiple-use plans.'

Citation: Wambach, R. F. 1970. Comments on 'impact of fire control practices on ecosystem development, The Role of Fire in the Intermountain West. Missoula, MT. University of Montana, School of Forestry,[Missoula, MT]. p. 137-142,

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Alaska    California    Eastern    Great Basin    Hawaii    Northern Rockies    Northwest    Rocky Mountain    Southern    Southwest    International    National
Keywords:
  • British Columbia
  • Canada
  • ecosystem dynamics
  • education
  • fire control
  • fire protection
  • forest management
  • Montana
  • multiple resource management
  • public information
  • recreation
  • watersheds
  • wilderness areas
  • wildfires
Tall Timbers Record Number: 13539Location Status: In-fileCall Number: A13.32/2:R64 1970 andAbstract Status: Okay, Fair use, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 38917

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.