Wildland Management Issue -- Fires Term Paper

What are the pros and cons of controlled burning in Yellowstone?

The pros and cons of controlled burning in Yellowstone National Park have the same consequences -- uncontrollable fire. The pros of controlled burning are twofold. First, studies have proven the positive effects of controlled burning with regards to fire management. As previously stated, controlled burns remove debris from the forest floor that can be considered fodder for larger fires. In addition, controlled and natural burning allow fires to ecologically impact the park. In recent decades, a variety of research has been completed concerning the benefits of the burns on ecology, and controlled burning is proven to, in most cases, allow for positive change within the ecosystem.

Part II Recommendation Analysis

Based on the above information, fires in Yellowstone National Park, whether controlled or otherwise, are an issue of grave importance to park personnel. In order to appropriately deal with the issue, Yellowstone National Park's management team must put into effect an option combining both controlled burning and suppression. This will allow for the best results in terms of safety and ecology in the park as well as preventing major disasters like the fire of 1988 from reoccurring.

By implementing limited controlled or prescribed burning, forest management would allow for the removal of ground fodder that makes large-scale fires like the fire of 1988 more likely. A great deal of scientific research and experience has gone into planning when and where to burn, and forest managers can make sure to set fires or allow fires to burn during the most optimal conditions instead of during the unusually dry weather or other suboptimal conditions that allow disastrous forest fires to start and rage. Additionally, the controlled burning will have positive effects that allow Yellowstone National Park to survive in its natural ecological glory for decades, as the controlled or prescribed burning will yield positive results for the ecological system.In addition to the controlled or prescribed burning, this option includes a degree of suppression. Although fires should not be suppressed by 10 a.m. The morning after they are sited, as they were in the past, a team of capable professionals should monitor them. A concrete criteria for suppressing a fire should be adopted by the forest manager, and the team of professionals should be trained according to the criteria. The criteria will set out steadfast rules for determining when fires suppression will be needed and the proper steps for suppressing these fires.

With this backup option in place, Yellowstone National Park will be able to thrive safely for years. This option is better than others because it allows the safety and ecological benefits of controlled burning without the harmful effects of large-scale fire, as the backup team of professionals and concrete criteria for suppressing a fire will be in place.

Works Cited

National Park Service. "Evolution of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy." The National Park Service. 2001 January. 17 June 2008. http://www.nifc.gov/fire_policy/docs/chp1.pdf.

National Park service. "Wildland Fire in Yellowstone." The National Park Service. 28

June 2007. 11 June 2008. http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/wildlandfire.htm......