The word "fire" refers to the natural phenomenon that occurs
whenever a combustible fuel comes into contact with oxygen at an
extremely high temperature.
Fire is the byproduct of a chemical reaction in which fuel stored in a
combustible fuel is converted to a gas. A fire's flame refers to the visual
indication of light that occurs once the gas is heated, and is evidence
that a fire has taken place.
The Fire Triangle was developed by natural scientists as a simple way of
understanding the factors of fire. Each side of the triangle represents
one of the three ingredients of fire – oxygen, heat, and fuel –
demonstrating the interdependence of these ingredients in creating and
sustaining fire. Remove any of these three factors from the triangle, and
a fire will die.
Prescribed Fire refers to the controlled application of
fire to wild land ecosystems under specified environmental
conditions that help restore health to fire-adapted
environments.
By reducing hazardous fuel accumulations on the forest
floor, encouraging the new growth of native vegetation, and
maintaining the many plant and animal species whose
habitats depend on periodic fire, prescribed burning helps
reduce the catastrophic damage of wildfire on our lands and
surrounding communities.
Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have
in preventing the outbreak and spread of wildfires. But
because prescribed fire is fire, fire management experts
must be extremely careful in planning and executing a
prescribed fire.
Fire is one of nature's most essential agents of change,
and mankind has often used fire in this capacity.
The earliest European settlers to North America
recorded native peoples' use of fire for clearing land,
hunting and gathering activities, and in warfare.
By reintroducing fire into the ecosystem in a controlled
setting, we can recreate the effects of natural fire, give
balance back to communities that need fire, and prevent
the extreme losses of uncontrolled, unwanted wildfire.
When fire is started by natural causes, determined to
be beneficial, and not located in an area of human
habitation, it is sometimes allowed to burn naturally,
under careful monitoring. Fire managers must have
extensive training and years of experience to qualify for
the position.
Airborne firefighters parachute from planes to attack
wildfires in remote and inaccessible areas when they
first begin. They are often supported by para-cargo
drops of personal gear, food, water, and specialized
equipment to help suppress blazes.
Hand crews, usually consisting of 20 men and women,
serve as the infantry of wild land fire forces. Their main
responsibility is to construct a "fire line" – a strip of land
cleared of flammable materials – around wildfires to
control them.
Dr. Kome Onokpise
Dr. Dreamal Worthern
Dr. Hank Bass
Mr. Ted Willis
Mr. Earl Hankerson
Mrs. Josie Gaines
Mrs. Connie Newman
Jillian Blair
Chalonda Jasper
Mrs. Annie