A helicopter drops incendiary devices to assist the burn (top left). Fire visible on a steep slope (bottom left). Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting students monitor fire activity in the burn area (lright).

Almond, NC – The U.S. Forest Service conducted a prescribed burn April 10^th, 2013 on about 800 acres in the Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest. Students from the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Forestry Conservation and Wildland Firefighting program were on hand to help burn out road line and watching for spot fires as the fire evolved throughout the day. They joined local USFS staff as well as the Asheville Hotshots and Davidson River Initial Attack Crew.

“I’m really excited to be here” said student Hilario Faria. “Seeing it first-hand today, I’ve learned a lot about fire behavior and how to work as an integrated team with other firefighters and leaders.”

Prescribed burns reduce the amount of fuel on the forest floor, preventing catastrophic wildfire and reducing risks to nearby communities. Burns also improve habitat for fire-adapted species.  Fire has been a part of these natural areas for thousands of years and played an important role in keeping forests healthy. Overall, prescribed burns allow the agency to safely use fire on its terms. The burns act as a cleaning agent, thinning out leaves and woody debris, and making neighborhoods safer and forests healthier.

Low- to medium-intensity prescribed burns offer benefits such as:

• Reducing woody debris and hazardous fuels that could contribute to high-severity fires.
• Reducing the frequency of destructive fires that could threaten communities.
• Healthier, more diverse and more resilient forests.
• Promoting more desirable fire-tolerant native plants, such oaks that provide food for wildlife.
• Restoring threatened plants and communities, such as table mountain pine and mountain golden heather.
• Reducing forest pests, such as southern pine beetle, and non-native plants.

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Pictures and article in-part by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist. Article text also from ‘Restoring Fire to the Mountains’ at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/home/?cid=stelprdb5407778