Division of Forestry Strategic Direction
Statewide Forest Strategy 2010
Statewide Forest Assessment 2010
Forest Sustainability Framework
Statewide Forest Plan 2004
A14. Issue: Control of fire affects forest composition.
Comment #: 1
While the statement is basicly true, it should not be addressed in a statewide plan. Local conditions vary greatly.
Comment #: 2
I bid #13
Comment #: 3
Yes!
Comment #: 4
Fire does more harm than good.
Comment #: 5
Fire in all cases is not ban and may often be a benefit. Except for the added polution I would be in favor of more controled burning
Comment #: 6
What is being asked here?
Comment #: 7
I believe more owners would burn if they had the resources to feel confident about it.
Comment #: 8
We need more prescribed burning - not just for wildlife mgmt - but also for forest regeneration and biological diversity!!!
Comment #: 9
This issue is so minor it doesn't warrant discussion. You might do your homework better on prescribed burns. They have had a habit of backfiring (no pun intended).
Comment #: 10
Controlled burns are a necessary part of maintaining certain types of eco systems
Comment #: 11
Too many people are scared to use prescribed burns, in particular foresters.
Comment #: 12
Fire is not all bad; a great management tool.
Comment #: 13
We're due. . . But maintaining the existence of these ecosystems should be considered important to preserving biodiversity. Provide museum yards and private property are increasing.
Comment #: 14
Why is fire preferable to other methods of removing flammable material - methods that use forest products rather than burning them (and burning releases carbon back into the atmosphere).
Comment #: 15
This will be critical for the regeneration of red oak. Private landowners must have access to this forestry tool!
Comment #: 16
Perhaps allowing fire to play a more active role in our roests would produce healthier forests and significantly impact human development within forestland!
Comment #: 17
We probably need controlled burns to preserve certain ecotypes
Comment #: 18
Use it as a tool to manage for today and the future. We shouldn't always look back. How do we know the past was the best and only way to do things?
Comment #: 19
Agree for the rare ecotypes
Comment #: 20
Not applicable to much of the state
Comment #: 21
This is dangerous
Comment #: 22
Nev. Las Alomos?
Comment #: 23
Controlled burns are excellent.
Comment #: 24
More fire!
Comment #: 25
Fire should be used and perhaps more often as a tool for forest management. Let burn policys should be developed for natural areas and other areas mechanical treatment s are prevented.
Comment #: 26
Fire ok only run limited situations such as barrens restoration
Comment #: 27
Oaks in S WI and Deer DNR has been slow to use fire as a tool exc for wildlife mgmt. This work needs attention
Comment #: 28
Yes, use controlled fire where appropriate.
Comment #: 29
While lightning strikes could present a problem during periods of high aridity, I can't believe that fire can be of any benefit to the medicine to heavy growth forest.
Comment #: 30
Just don't have another new Mexico debacre
Comment #: 31
This is an important issue. We try to have controlled burns on our property but weather conditions are not always cooperative. The state has to provide more help to landowners to accomplish this.
Comment #: 32
Peole accept liability by building in such areas
Comment #: 33
Forests need to be managed by cutting to reduce the fuel load so we don't end up like the western states.
Comment #: 34
Shift more personnel and equipment into prescribed burn projects.
Comment #: 35
I agree we don't want a yellowstone five like this summer.
Comment #: 36
This issue and fragmentation must be considered together
Comment #: 37
Controlled fire should be use to maintain certain prairies. It should also be sued in certain instances to suppress possible catastrophic fires.
Comment #: 38
Agree (with the first two sentences), but Disagree (with the last sentence).
Comment #: 39
Use some controlled fire to maintain some of this habitat type. Use public land and expand this program to include private forest owners. Of course the forest composition has changed as a result of human interventions over the last 100+ years. This is reality. Still nice to save some old growth just to look at. Economic factors need to govern todays forest. What about the historic impact of Indians and fire (setting them). This is human intervention yet we here nothing about this. I think Indians set way more fires than realized. This determined the savanna, barren, ect. Types common throughout pre-white Wisconsin. They realized this improved game populations.
Comment #: 40
OK in some areas of the state - not in the central sands country.
Comment #: 41
At best only a very limited number of firest would be needed or tolerated.
Comment #: 42
Fire can also be used as a silvicultural tool. Lets use it when it can safely be used to a forests benefit.
Comment #: 43
We need to have more areas burn.
Comment #: 44
I'd like to see more fire used up, in oak and jack pine types. But Michigan's past experience w/jack pine and the Kirtland's warbler was not good. And as more of the state becomes maple-basswood, opportunities for using fire will decline. All of the good PR about fire and restoration would disappear overnight if we have a drought in w. central WI and manage to torch the landscape between Black River Falls and WI Rapids.
Comment #: 45
See above.
Comment #: 46
See comment to A13 above.
Comment #: 47
Controlled fire is probably the best tool we have for managing some stands of forest land.
Comment #: 48
Controlled burning should be discontinued and not a part of the forest plan.
Comment #: 49
Again, can we establish a forest fire control policy that attempts to suppress whenever manmade property lies in its way? As out in Western U.S., people are tending to move into more remote areas and into the areas that wouldn't have been critical to stop fires in before. If we try to protect man's bldgs. And stop all fires, we will end up with real problems when dry and windy conditions eventually case a real conflagration.
Comment #: 50
Rather than fire and the challenges it presents as a management tool, (Remember the Southwest: Summer of 2000) (Mesa Verde et al.) Seek alternatives - grazing by sheep, goats, Scottish cattle to control exotics and invasive species.
Comment #: 51
Controlled burning as a mgt. tool seems like a good thing - ? for clear cutting.
Comment #: 52
Controlled fire is a useful tool; but the emphasis is on control. The wildland-urban interface in WI precludes foolish notions of 'let-burn' areas.
Comment #: 53
Harvest can also mimic fire.
Comment #: 54
What's the point? This subject is a tough one. I do not believe controlled burns should be used. I have seen two of them get out of control in the last two years. One almost came on to my property. Your profession isn't good enough to do this.
Comment #: 55
Controlled burns should be used more.
Comment #: 56
(Controlled fire) is a good thing.
Comment #: 57
Fire needs to be carefully controlled. We are still learning the fire in Yellowstone is providing new learning about the ecosystem.
Comment #: 58
Why hasn't the devastating effect of deer browsing on forest regeneration been mentioned in this section of the survey? I have some beautiful old red oak on my land, but all seedlings are browsed so heavy that the result is a deformed bush. Once the old growth is gone I can guarantee there will be no more red oak. I personally think this is a more important issue than any of the 14 listed!
Comment #: 59
Don't burn if you can harvest instead. Don't waste trees/wood by burning if harvest is feasible.
Comment #: 60
Controlled burns are needed and should be encouraged.
Comment #: 61
Vague question - I support use of fire to maintain ecosystems.
Comment #: 62
Biodiversity issue?
Comment #: 63
Only agree with controlled burns with useable timber standing logged off the site or prairie brush site and then not during nesting or birthing periods.
Comment #: 64
This is probably true but controlled burns such as in New Mexico and Washington State as frightening!
Comment #: 65
A more professional, matter-of-fact, competent and confident approach would be helpful in alleviating fears.
Comment #: 66
This would help wild turkey habitat.
Comment #: 67
It mimics very poorly. The kind of fire that is "useful" in reducing canopy is stand-replacing. I've seen lots of management fires, but none have been stand-replacing. It sure would be nice if fire managers actually had to produce definitive statistics demonstrating that their practices actually worked as claimed. See also p. 1y
Comment #: 68
I think controlled burns are ok.
Comment #: 69
Yes - but lack of fire is not necessarily bad!
Comment #: 70
Your use of controlled fire has not changed much over the years. In fact, recent trends and decisions from air quality have DECREASED the use of fire, as a tool. I suspect this won't change much, due to work loads, priorities, and the laiability associated with an escaped burn (I.e. Eau Claire a couple of years ago).
Comment #: 71
See comments
Comment #: 72
The control we have on fires now in comparison with years ago is very good in certain aspects but this is the reason there are no good blueberry swamps that regenerate anymore and also wild cranberry bogs.
Comment #: 73
highland blueberrries are easier to push tehm marsh berries just let it be
Comment #: 74
As stated above and in the issue (A14) outlines.
Comment #: 75
I agree that controlled burns are a very useful management tool. I would like to see it used more often in regenerating oak stands.
Comment #: 76
"Controlled" until they oft-times become "uncontrolled".
Comment #: 77
We need to consider fire as an important tool in forest mgt. Presently our fire prevention arm is counterdicting our mgt. Arm on this issue. If used properly fire can be a very effective and economical mgt. Tool.
Comment #: 78
I don't think fire is the answer to work on harvest, but would do some good on pine havens - blueberry swamps.
Comment #: 79
Consider fire burns after clear cutting or selective cutting
Comment #: 80
each forest should have contingency plans for when a natural fire starts and how it will be managed rather than automatically deciding it must be extinguished
Comment #: 81
Promote oak savanna and pine barrems
Comment #: 82
Another Yellowstone?
Comment #: 83
The danger of controlled fires are greater than the benefits. I see no need to use this technique.
Comment #: 84
Fires suppression must cotinue - controlled burns are a ligitimate tool in some places.
Comment #: 85
Fire as a tool for prairie eco-systems has been successful, but fire in small growth tree forests is probably more destructive than beneficial.
Comment #: 86
Fires would be the very last means for any forest ecosystem, fires cannot be 100% controlled in all areas.
Comment #: 87
For prairie preservation or oak regeneration I see fire as a good tool.
Comment #: 88
"Issue: Control of Fire Affects Forest Composition" (Should read ahead) This trend nerds education - fire is also a good tool
Comment #: 89
We need more controlled burns.
Comment #: 90
"prairie, oak savanna and pine barrens" - for these ok.
Comment #: 91
See above.
Comment #: 92
I believe that "controlled burns" are a good forest management tool.
Comment #: 93
Controlled burns are best
Comment #: 94
Are we ready to investigate the use of fire as a tool to help maintain jack, red, white pine and some oak types?
Comment #: 95
This is true and probably should be in greater use.
Comment #: 96
Fire Control staff should be utilized to conduct more prescribed burns, and to offer statewide training of DNR staff active in fire mgt.
Comment #: 97
Disagree because "more planning" is not the answer. Move to the action phase: -Economic incentives for env. Efforts. *Aggressive voluntary cons. program *Tax incentives for propt. owners *Encourage human value systems changes favoring environment
Comment #: 98
More controlled burning needs to be done!
Comment #: 99
But I think other human land use activities does more to affect forest composition, structure etc.
Comment #: 100
Your description is confusing. The topic is 'control of fire' but the last sentence of the description is talking about 'controlled fire' and these controlling fire and using controlled fire are 2 very different things. But I do strongly agree that control of fire affects forest composition.
Comment #: 101
The Dept. should continue to safely use fire as a mgmt. tool to maintain fire dependent ecosystems
Comment #: 102
Fire is necessary to control fuel buildup and also to restore native plant communities.
Comment #: 103
To manage many ecosystems we need to impliment significantly more prescribed burning on the landscape
Comment #: 104
Controlled burns are ecologically beneficial and can be conducted in a safe and efficient manner. I encourage this "management tool" to be used wisely.
Comment #: 105
guess I should have read through it once.
Comment #: 106
Prescribed fire is an important forest management tool and should be addressed as it is essential to the future of Wisconsin forests.
Comment #: 107
What about the early successional thriving species- animals and plants?
Comment #: 108
As stated above fire is and should be continued as a management tool.
Comment #: 109
Many of the early successional forests are being lost due to the intensive fire suppression activities carried out in Wisconsin.
Comment #: 110
Expand treatment to include fauna, not just flora.
Comment #: 111
This is so seldom used it shouldn't be considered. I'm talking big picture.
Comment #: 112
The issue of northern red oak and native stands of red and white pine, as fire dependent species is also important
Comment #: 113
Really important to keep ecosystem requirements from getting lost in the property considerations regarding fires.
Comment #: 114
See A10.
Comment #: 115
not "fifires"
Comment #: 116
Prescribed burns can be an effective management tool that mimics natural processes and should be used where it is ecologically beneficial and socially acceptable.
Comment #: 117
I definitely think that more fire control of forests is needed. Look into methods that will allow fire to be used in delicate areas (near private proberty, etc.) Try and get private land owners to buy into some of these management techniques. maybe there are ways they can benefit.
Comment #: 118
Conventional wisdom says forest fires must be controlled. Look where conventional wisdom has the forest today.
Comment #: 119
In order to encourage diversity, fire needs to remain in the system.
Comment #: 120
In order to encourage diversity, fire needs to remain in the system.
Comment #: 121
Prescribed burning is good, but often from my experience it does not have the same effects on a forest as would a natural wildland fire.
Comment #: 122
I believe that more controlled fire is required to fulfill certain forest management prescriptions.
Comment #: 123
As mentioned above, fire suppression is extremely important in maintaining different types of diversity in the state, with careful applications and education of the public, these types of ecosystems could return to Wisconsin.
Comment #: 124
As mentioned above, fire suppression is extremely important in maintaining different types of diversity in the state, with careful applications and education of the public, these types of ecosystems could return to Wisconsin.
Comment #: 125
Despite what I said above, I think the affects of fire/no fire on the forest community should be discussed.
Comment #: 126
see A13
Comment #: 127
This is a great tool, especially in WI. where you can't really let a wildfire run it's course.
Comment #: 128
This is part of the plan. All fires need be carefully controlled to avoid the disaster out west.
Comment #: 129
Our prescribed fires are not large enough to do anything significant on the landscape, but lend to more patchiness and aid in recovery of small patches. We need to convince the public to embrace fire and allow us to burn right through privat lands adjacent to publicly held lands.
Comment #: 130
Information on how to do this seems to be lacking from the public domain. How does one mimic the effect of fire without actually burning anything?
Comment #: 131
Yes, but on a very limited basis. The citizens are not going to conduct prescribed fires (or at least they shouldn't)
Comment #: 132
See comments above.
Comment #: 133
Allowing natural fires to burn in wildlands, and using prescribed burns in other areas, should be a priority. The goal should be to return to and emulate natural fire patterns and cycles as much as possible.
Comment #: 134
Allowing natural fires to burn in wildlands, and using prescribed burns in other areas, should be a priority. The goal should be to return to and emulate natural fire patterns and cycles as much as possible.
Comment #: 135
This could also be included with A12
Comment #: 136
Fire suppression should be greatly reduced, and allowing wildland fires along with controlled prescribed burns should be increased.
Comment #: 137
Our controlling of forest fires has harmed forest ecosystems (consider the case of San Juan National Forest in Colorado).
Comment #: 138
keep to confined areas
Comment #: 139
What's a juxtaporition?
Comment #: 140
Forget suppression.
Comment #: 141
I like the use of controlled fire to restore prairie, oak savanna, and pine barrens. I understand there are training and certification programs for fire restoration techniques? It would be good to know this information. Perhaps more volunteers would participate if more knew.
Comment #: 142
I am concerned that we are removing fire as an ecological process in our forests. More areas need to burn, but in a controlled manner.
Comment #: 143
Controlled burning is a very useful and economically feasible maintenance tool. This issue must be continually studied to improve our ability to use fire most effectively and safely.
Comment #: 144
see comment above
Comment #: 145
Control fires need to be more limited.
Last Revised: Monday July 30 2007
RSS