NASF has been working on updating existing and offering new educational materials. Four new additions to our product line are available today! You can now show your Smokey Bear pride and remind others to prevent wildfires by sporting the new window cling and car magnet. If you are a tree lover or know someone who [read more]
Sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the USDA Forest Service, and the Advertising Council, the national Smokey Bear Awards recognize outstanding service in the prevention of human caused wildfires and to increase public recognition and awareness of the need for continuing wildfire prevention efforts. The Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) Program Committee [read more]
Today, through the adoption of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress included a provision that would allow for the transfer of aircraft no longer needed by the Department of Defense to the Forest Service for wildland firefighting purposes. NASF applauds the steps taken by Congress to improve the nation’s ability to respond to wildland [read more]
This week the U.S. Senate passed its version of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. Among its many amendments was the reauthorization of the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act. The amendment was sponsored by Senator McCain (R-AZ). In August, NASF sent a letter in to Senators McCain, Feinstein and Nelson, sponsors of the Wildfire [read more]
The Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) Program Committee is pleased to invite nominations of deserving candidates for the 2013 Smokey Bear Awards. Sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), and the Advertising Council, the national Smokey Bear Awards recognize outstanding service in the prevention of human caused wildfires and [read more]
The Department of Interior has announced that Roy Johnson has been appointed as the new Director for the Department's Office of Wildland Fire as of October 21. Roy has been serving as the Acting Director since early this summer and did a tremendous job leading the agency through a busy fire season. Roy has spent [read more]
A bi-partisan group of U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would transfer 14 surplus C-27J Spartan aircraft from the Department of Defense to the U.S. Forest Service to be used as air tankers. The Senators introduced legislation on Wednesday known as the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 2012 (S. 3441) ”to help replenish the [read more]
The NASF Fire Committee, chaired by Florida State Forester Jim Karels, has released the 2012 National Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report produced in collaboration with the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils. When applied appropriately in fire-dependent ecosystems, prescribed fire maintains forest health and function, provides habitat for wildlife populations, enhances soil and water conservation, and [read more]
A bill introduced by Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico to speed the conctracting of air tankers to fight wildfires has passed out fo the Senate and is on its way to the House. Currently there is a requirement that Congress be notified 30 days before certain contracts are awarded, [read more]
A recently tested unmanned aircraft could help the West Virginia Division of Forestry fight wildfires. The plane has a GPS system, cameras and the ability to locate and analyze a fire, information that is relayed immediately, without a pilot. Real world use is still five or 10 years away, said the testing group.
