Central Coast Rx Fire Council
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“By suppressing fires in all the conditions we can, we’re saving the landscape for the worst conditions. We won’t say that’s our policy, but by our actions, we are selecting for only the most extreme fires. We need to choose good fire over bad fire, and if we understand (fire) spread, we can make better choices.”

Mark Finney, USFS Fire Researcher

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"We need to be fighting them and we need to be lighting them at the same time."  
                                                     
    
USFS Regional Chief
              


​                                          Wildfires Cost Too Much

We spend billions every year to suppress all fires.  

The 2016 Soberanes Fire in Monterey County is the most expensive wildfire in history at $262 million in firefighting costs alone.  90% of the fire effects in the 132,000 acres burned during the Soberanes Fire was low to moderate intensity, beneficial rather than destructive.

It is safer and more cost effective to protect communities, both human and biological, by proactively and safely control burning when and where fire is beneficial.



California Emergency Fund Fire Suppression Expenditures



The Wildfire Problem Is A Fuels Problem.

Current fire suppression policy forces fires to burn under emergency fire season conditions that should be planned as projects conducted by professionals when safe to do so.  

The California State Fire Plan, National Fire Plan, and the Western Governor's 10 Year Cohesive Strategy provide the framework to accomplish hazardous fuel reduction on both federal and State Responsibility Areas with Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP'S) as guiding documents.
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                      Prescribed Fire Is Cost Effective

        "$1 spent on prescribed fire treatment saves $10 in suppression costs."

                                                                                                                                  Pacific Forest Trust


The cost effectiveness of prescribed fire justifies the acceptable risk of burning under preplanned prescribed conditions with fire protection resources pre positioned and equitably allocated through the Incident Command System.  

A shift in National and State fire policy is needed that equally prioritizes and funds  prescribed management ignitions and wildfire suppression events.  

Planned prescribed fire is necessary to effectively protect life and property and reduce costs and losses.

A proactive fire policy supported by willing leadership is needed that changes the fearful  "all fire is bad" mentality into proactive Good Fire and prescribed fire fuel management.

Protection of communities, life and property, watersheds, natural resources, and recognition of fire and it's native and beneficial role in the ecosystem is paramount.

The Central Coast Rx Fire Council promotes and invites open dialogue and collaborative community action in support of pro active wildland and Wilderness fire policies and wildfire preparedness.



Integrated Fire Management

Integrated Fire Management is the approach to fire management that measurably reduces fire threats on the landscape, and costs and losses to communities both human and biological.
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Climate Change

Climate change and natural varying weather cycles produce droughts and dry conditions in forest areas across the nation.  These conditions lead to more high intensity wildfires that are difficult to control and cause catastrophic damage.  With changing environmental conditions, it is even more important to increase carbon storage, and restore balance to the ecosystem by reducing unnatural fire fuel conditions to lower fire intensity, especially near communities.


Fire Resilient Fire Adapted Communities

Fire resilience is the ability of communities, both human and biological, to survive and live with fire as a necessary component of public and firefighter safety along with environmental protection of the landscape, species, and watersheds.

Living with fire in a functional fire adapted landscape ensures healthy humans, homes, wildlife, and natural resources.  


Central Coast Rx Fire Council

The Central Coast Rx Fire Council works with fire agencies and Air Pollution Control Districts to ensure success, safety, and compliance for prescribed fire projects.

We collaborate with the Northern California Rx Fire Council, the Southern Sierra Rx Fire Council, Fire Safe Councils, and with state, federal, local agencies, and elected officials in a coordinated effort to build dialogue toward mutual trust, confidence, and legal and operational capacity for cooperative prescribed controlled burn programs across jurisdictions and ownerships.

Wildland fire threat is a policy problem needing strong leadership, community cooperation, and full legislative, agency, and firefighter union support to recognize the threat and achieve an acceptable level of public safety using all available solutions.

We are getting ready for the next fire.


                                      
Why Forest Fires Seem Like They Are Getting Out of Control

Our Approach To Wildfires Is All Wrong

The Way We Pay for Wildfires Could Be Making Them Worse


Fighting Fire With Rx Fire

Native Knowledge Used To Combat Fires

Living With Fire: Integrated Fire Management

Degrees of Damage:  Managing The Burn





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