Draft Conservation Action: Education and Outreach for Prescribed Fire

Rule: All areas within 2.5 mi of Top 30% pine areas Reason: Education/outreach about prescribed fire near pine ecosystems to 1) “Reduce public anxiety about smoke and the wildland fires that cause it by increasing understanding about current conditions, the ecological role of fire, the use and expected outcomes of prescribed fires, and smoke management activities” and 2) “Increasing public acceptance of fire management strategies” (Olson et al 2014). 2.5 mi radius is based on 25 mile smoke screening distances for Southern Ecosystems (U.S. Forest Service, 2012) and 1% rule for critical areas (http://www.bugwood.org/pfire/smoke.html)