Misplaced Pages

#9990

69-774: It is largely located within the Daniel Boone National Forest , the original area of which was located to specifically include this rugged strip of land. Several significant natural areas in Kentucky are located within the escarpment zone. These include the Red River Gorge Geologic Area, Natural Bridge State Park , Cumberland Falls , Big South Fork National Recreation Area , and others. 37°50′2″N 83°36′28″W  /  37.83389°N 83.60778°W  / 37.83389; -83.60778 This Kentucky state location article

138-451: A back fire is the term given to the process of lighting vegetation in such a way that it has to burn against the prevailing wind. This produces a slower moving and more controllable fire. Controlled burns utilize back burning during planned fire events to create a "black line" where fire cannot burn through. Back burning or backfiring is also done to stop a wildfire that is already in progress. Firebreaks are also used as an anchor point to start

207-402: A fuel ladder and begin an active crown fire . Predictions show thinned forests lead to a reduction in fire intensity and flame lengths of forest fires compared to untouched or fire-proofed areas. Aerial ignition is a type of controlled burn where incendiary devices are released from aircraft. There are two basic causes of wildfires . One is natural, mainly through lightning, and the other

276-666: A grand counsel of the Cherokee Nation to purchase all land from the Kentucky River to the Cumberland River, including large part of modern-day Kentucky and Tennessee , an area known as the Transylvania Purchase. In anticipation of this purchase, Boone and a party were dispatched on March 10, marking and clearing trails in the newly acquired lands, and eventually founding Fort Boone, near

345-429: A line of fires along natural or man-made features such as a river, road or a bulldozed clearing. Head fires, that burn with the prevailing wind, are used between two firebreaks because head fires will burn more intensely and move faster than a back burn. Head fires are used when a back burn would move too slowly through the fuel either because the fuel moisture is high or the wind speed is low. Another method to increase

414-553: A long-term cumulative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. One working example is the West Arnhem Fire Management Agreement, started to bring "strategic fire management across 28,000 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi) of Western Arnhem Land" to partially offset greenhouse gas emissions from a liquefied natural gas plant in Darwin , Australia. Deliberately starting controlled burns early in

483-424: A million visitors per year. Across the forest, developed recreation sites have a combined capacity to accommodate 15,830 visitors at-a-time, in addition to the capacity of dispersed recreational activities such as hiking , mountain biking , rock climbing , boating and horse riding . Within the forest's boundaries lie three state managed parks, Buckhorn Lake , Cumberland Falls , and Natural Bridge . There

552-500: A purchase area, and therefore, in view of the fact that the prices of land now prevailing are very reasonable, there is a favorable prospect for making large purchases... Land acquisition began in 1933, based largely on the purchase of 48,000 acres (19,000 ha) from Stearns Coal and Lumber, 27,000 acres (11,000 ha) acres from Castle Craig Coal, and 22,000 acres (8,900 ha) from the Warfork Land Company. By

621-406: A unique evolution with fire, quickly replacing damaged buds or stems in the case of danger . They also carry their seeds in capsules which can be deposited at any time of the year . During a wildfire, the capsules drop nearly all of their seeds and the fire consumes the eucalypt adults, but most of the seeds survive using the ash as a source of nutrients. At their rate of growth, they quickly dominate

690-482: A way that benefited humans and wildlife in forests and grasslands by starting low-intensity fires that released nutrients for plants, reduced competition for cultivated species, and consumed excess flammable material that otherwise would eventually fuel high-intensity, catastrophic fires. The use of controlled burns in North America ended in the early 20th century, when federal fire policies were enacted with

759-627: A wick at the end that is used to ignite the lines of fire. Safe zones are established to ensure personnel know where the fire cannot cross either because of natural barriers like bodies of water or human-made barriers like tilled earth. During ignition, the Burn Boss relays information about the fire (flame length, flame height, the percent of ground that has been blackened) to the Communications Officer who documents this information. The Communications Officer relays information about

SECTION 10

#1732772439010

828-573: A year, and contains several widely recognized areas which are protected in their own right, including state parks, trails, wilderness areas, and landmarks. As of 2017 the Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses 708,000 acres (287,000 ha) of federally owned land within a 2,100,000-acre (850,000 ha) proclamation boundary. The land within the proclamation boundary contains both publicly and privately owned land, along with thousands of miles of marked boundary lines between

897-557: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Daniel Boone National Forest The Daniel Boone National Forest (originally the Cumberland National Forest ) is a national forest in Kentucky . Established in 1937, it includes 708,000 acres (287,000 ha) of federally owned land within a 2,100,000-acre (850,000 ha) proclamation boundary. The name of the forest was changed in 1966 in honor of

966-449: Is a land management tool. Fire was a part of the landscapes of Ontario until early colonial rule restricted indigenous culture in across Canada. During colonization, large scale forest fires were caused by sparks from railroads and fire was used to clear land for agriculture use. The public perception of forest fires was positive because the cleared land represented taming the wilderness to an urban populace. The conservation movement, which

1035-480: Is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology and has been used by indigenous people across the world for millennia to promote biodiversity and cultivate wild crops. Colonial law in North America and Australia displaced indigenous people from lands that were controlled with fire and prohibited from conducting traditional controlled burns. After wildfires began increasing in scale and intensity in

1104-531: Is generally rugged, hilly and mountainous, with reliefs of as much as 200 feet (61 m) in the north and 2,000 feet (610 m) toward the south. Administratively, the forest is divided into four ranger districts: Cumberland London, Redbird, and Stearns. The Daniel Boone National Forest includes land across 21 Kentucky counties, namely: Major river systems include the Licking River , Kentucky River , and Cumberland River , all of which flow into

1173-436: Is home to 54 species and subspecies of mammals , 194 of birds , 44 of reptiles , 41 of amphibians , and 150 of fish . Notable animals that inhabit this forest frequently seen by visitors include black bear , coyote , bobcat , white-tailed deer , wild turkey , gray squirrel , muskrat , quail , opossum , ruffed grouse , rabbit , red and gray fox species, raccoon and mourning dove . Other species present are

1242-471: Is human activity. Controlled burns have a long history in wildland management. Fire has been used by humans to clear land since the Neolithic period. Fire history studies have documented regular wildland fires ignited by indigenous peoples in North America and Australia prior to the establishment of colonial law and fire suppression. Native Americans frequently used fire to manage natural environments in

1311-428: Is of an overall good quality, but is impacted by activities related to mining, and exploration for oil and gas. The area averages 46 inches (1,200 mm) of rainfall annually, with thunderstorms occurring an average of 46 days per year. Due to shallow soil, heavy rains may result in severe local flooding, and conversely, many tributaries may become completely dry during periods of little rainfall. Air quality in

1380-639: Is one designated National Recreation Area , the Big South Fork , located in the southwest corner of the forest, and one National Recreation Trail , the Sheltowee Trace , which stretches almost 290 miles (470 km) from northern Kentucky to Pickett CCC Memorial State Park near Jamestown, Tennessee . There are two designated wilderness areas , Beaver Creek , consisting of 4,877 acres (1,974 ha) set aside in 1975, and Clifty Wilderness , consisting of 12,646 acres (5,118 ha) near

1449-501: Is seen as one component of shifting cultivation , as a part of field preparation for planting. Often called field burning, this technique is used to clear the land of any existing crop residue as well as kill weeds and weed seeds. Field burning is less expensive than most other methods such as herbicides or tillage, but because it produces smoke and other fire-related pollutants, its use is not popular in agricultural areas bounded by residential housing. Prescribed fires are broadly used in

SECTION 20

#1732772439010

1518-456: Is used by farmers for plant health reasons under several restrictions in cross-compliance regulations. In the north of Great Britain , large areas of grouse moors are managed by burning in a practice known as muirburn. This kills trees and grasses, preventing natural succession, and generates the mosaic of ling (heather) of different ages which allows very large populations of red grouse to be reared for shooting. The peat-lands are some of

1587-601: The Kentucky Senate , that the name was officially changed by Lyndon B. Johnson to Daniel Boone National Forest on April 11. The same year, some 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) of the Redbird Unit were added. The Daniel Boone National Forest contains around 40 commercial species of trees, and as many non-commercial species of trees and shrubs. These include mixed hardwoods such as oaks and hickories , in addition to white and yellow pine . Because much of

1656-713: The Ohio River . Four reservoirs are located within the forest, administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers . These are Cave Run Lake , Buckhorn Lake , Lake Cumberland and Laurel River Lake . Taken together, at normal water levels these reservoirs comprise 63,850 acres (25,840 ha) of water. The forest additionally encompasses thousands of miles of smaller streams , many of which flow only after heavy rain. About 12,500 acres (5,100 ha) are classified as riparian zones , while 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) are classified as floodplains or wetlands . Water

1725-671: The Red River Gorge . The Red River Gorge itself is a designated National Natural Landmark , along with the Rock Creek Natural Research Area . Hunting is also popular as a recreational activity. One location, the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area, representing 7,610 acres (3,080 ha) near Cave Run Lake, was created as a partnership between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and

1794-544: The Yellowstone fires of 1988 occurred, which significantly politicized fire management. The ensuing media coverage was a spectacle that was vulnerable to misinformation. Reports drastically inflated the scale of the fires which disposed politicians in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana to believe that all fires represented a loss of revenue from tourism. Paramount to the new action plans is the suppression of fires that threaten

1863-400: The germination of some trees and reveals soil mineral layers which increases seedling vitality. In grasslands , controlled burns shift the species assemblage to primarily native grassland species. Some seeds , such as those of lodgepole pine , sequoia and many chaparral shrubs are pyriscent , meaning heat from fire causes the cone or woody husk to open and disperse seeds. Fire

1932-423: The sawmills of Louisville , Nashville , Frankfort and Cincinnati , only to be overtaken as rail extended into the area around the turn of the century. The industry reached its peak in 1907, with almost one billion board feet of lumber production. The forest was additionally harvested to provide charcoal for the developing iron industry, and as the railroad advanced, to produce crossties , and lumber for

2001-548: The soil , damaging it physically , chemically or sterilizing it. Broadcast burns tend to have lower temperatures and will not harm the soil as much as pile burning, though steps can be taken to treat the soil after a burn. In lop and scatter burning, slash is left to compact over time, or is compacted with machinery. This produces a lower intensity fire, as long as the slash is not packed too tightly. The risk of fatal fires that stem from burning slash can also be reduced by proactively reducing ground fuels before they can create

2070-520: The woodchuck , red-cockaded woodpecker , mink , bald eagle , Virginia big-eared bat , Indiana bat and gray bat . Venomous species include the copperhead , timber rattlesnake , and southern devil scorpion . Fish species include rainbow trout , large and smallmouth bass , bluegill , crappie , and muskie . The Daniel Boone National Forest provides a range of recreational activities, including approximately 100 developed recreation areas and 600 miles (970 km) of trails, that see more than

2139-493: The 20th century, fire control authorities began reintroducing controlled burns and indigenous leadership into land management. Controlled burning reduces fuels , improves wildlife habitat , controls competing vegetation, helps control tree disease and pests , perpetuates fire dependent species and improves accessibility . To improve the application of prescribed burns for conservation goals, which may involve mimicking historical or natural fire regimes, scientists assess

Pottsville Escarpment - Misplaced Pages Continue

2208-611: The Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky, where he stayed until March 1771. Boone set out on a failed attempt at settlement in 1773, and then again in 1774, where he served as an officer in Lord Dunmore's War . On March 17, 1775, the Transylvania Colony , founded by Henderson, and for which Boone was employed, reached an agreement (over the objections of the governors of Virginia and North Carolina ) with

2277-675: The Daniel Boone National Forest. Among the first Europeans to enter the area was the French René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in 1669. He was later followed by the party of the English Thomas Walker in 1750, who would go on to make the first European discoveries of the Cumberland Gap , Cumberland River, and the pass through Pine Mountain Several others made expeditions in the area over

2346-584: The US Forest Service, and is an area where hunters are permitted to use only comparatively primitive weapons, such muzzleloaders , bow and arrow , or crossbows . Controlled burning A controlled or prescribed (Rx) burn is the practice of intentionally setting a fire to change the assemblage of vegetation and decaying material in a landscape. The purpose could be for forest management , ecological restoration , land clearing or wildfire fuel management. A controlled burn may also refer to

2415-409: The age of a stand or the assemblage of species. To minimize the impact of smoke , burning should be restricted to daylight hours whenever possible. Furthermore, in temperate climates, it is important to burn grasslands and prairies before native species begin growing for the season so that only non-native species, which send up shoots earlier in the spring, are affected by the fire. Back burning or

2484-400: The area was intensely logged prior to federal land protections, much of the forest is of low quality, although areas of younger growth is of a higher quality, having been always a part of protected lands. As of 1985, when the forest service published their environmental evaluation of the area, about 92% of the land was considered "tentatively suitable" for the production of timber. The area

2553-480: The area, E. Murray Bruner published in 1914 an extensive report covering 900,000 acres (360,000 ha) of land in Kentucky, and concluded in part: Because of the general rugged topography of this section and very great influence it exerts upon navigation of the Kentucky River, it is very essential that its protection from extensive clearing be assured. For these reasons the section is eminently desirable as

2622-522: The building of bridges in addition to rail cars . In 1900, Congress appropriated $ 5,000, and again in 1907, $ 25,000 for the investigation of areas in southern Appalachia , for potential purchase as a national forest. These efforts were further strengthened in 1911 by passage of the Weeks Act , which allocated millions in additional funding. As part of the Forest Service 's examination of

2691-426: The composition of plants from non-native species to native species. These controlled burns occur during the early spring before native plants begin actively growing, when soil moisture is higher and when the fuel load on the ground is low to ensure that the controlled burn remains low intensity. Controlled burns reduce the amount of understory fuel so when a wildfire enters the area, a controlled burn site can reduce

2760-615: The confluence of Station Camp Creek and the Kentucky River. This became the fledgling Transylvania Colony, until being eliminated in 1778 by the Virginia House of Delegates , becoming Kentucky County, Virginia , and by 1792, the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Up to the beginning of the 20th century, the Daniel Boone and surrounding forest were the subject of extensive logging, with logs sent downstream for processing in

2829-592: The context of woody plant encroachment , with the aim of improving the balance of woody plants and grasses in shrublands and grasslands. In Northern-India, especially in Punjab , Haryana , and Uttar Pradesh , unregulated burning of agricultural waste is a major problem. Smoke from these fires leads to degradation in environmental quality in these states and the surrounded area. In East Africa, bird densities increased months after controlled burning had occurred. Controlled burns on Australian savannas can result in

Pottsville Escarpment - Misplaced Pages Continue

2898-497: The created of a prescribed burn program as well as training and regulation for controlled burns in Ontario. In British Columbia , there was an increase in the intensity and scale of wildfires after local bylaws restricted the use of controlled burns. In 2017, following one of the worst years for wildfire in the province's history, indigenous leadership and public service members wrote an independent report that suggested returning to

2967-529: The dry season results in a mosaic of burnt and unburnt country which reduces the area of stronger, late dry season fires; it is also known as "patch burning". Health and safety, protecting personnel, preventing the fire from escaping and reducing the impact of smoke are the most important considerations when planning a controlled burn. While the most common driver of fuel treatment is the prevention of loss of human life and structures, certain parameters can also be changed to promote biodiversity and to rearrange

3036-404: The explorer Daniel Boone . The terrain of the forest is generally rugged, and includes multiple prominent water features. It is home to a range of plant and animal species, although many areas still bear evidence of industrial logging and other practices which took place mostly prior to federal protection. It is a popular recreational and tourist destination which serves a million or more visitors

3105-490: The fire has cleared non fire-adapted, competing species. Pyriscent species benefit from moderate-intensity fires in older stands; however, climate change is causing more frequent high intensity fires in North America. Controlled burns can manage the fire cycle and the intensity of regenerate fires in forests with pyriscent species like the boreal forest in Canada. Eucalyptus regnans or mountain ash of Australia also shows

3174-529: The following decades with mixed success. Around 1760, Daniel Boone reached an understanding with Richard Henderson for the exploration and preparation of the wilderness beyond the Appalachian Mountains , so that it may be more easily settled by those who sought to move westward. Boone made an expedition in 1767 into the area of modern-day Prestonsburg, Kentucky , and then in 1769, he set out with five others on an extended expedition through

3243-505: The forest is considered "excellent", due to the comparatively sparse population and lack of industry. The majority of air pollution results from the 128 average annual forest fires, in addition to controlled burning , the residential burning of coal , and dust from unpaved roads . By the early 16th century both the French and the British had laid claim to the land that would become

3312-525: The goal of suppressing all fires. Since 1995, the US Forest Service has slowly incorporated burning practices into its forest management policies. Fire suppression has changed the composition and ecology of North American habitats, including highly fire-dependent ecosystems such as oak savannas and canebrakes, which are now critically endangered habitats on the brink of extinction. In the Eastern United States, fire-sensitive trees such as

3381-412: The impact of variation in fire attributes. Parameters measured are fire frequency, intensity, severity, patchiness, spatial scale and phenology. Furthermore, controlled fire can be used for site preparation when mechanized treatments are not possible because of terrain that prevents equipment access. Species variation and competition can drastically increase a few years after fuel treatments because of

3450-412: The increase in soil nutrients and availability of space and sunlight. Many trees depend on fire as a way to clear out other plant species and release their seeds. The giant sequoia , among other fire-adapted conifer species, depends on fire to reproduce. The cones are pyriscent so they will only open after exposed to a certain temperature. This reduces competition for the giant sequoia seedlings because

3519-475: The increasing prevalence of climate change. As drought conditions worsen, North America has been facing an abundance of destructive wildfires. Since 1988, many states have made progress toward controlled burns. In 2021, California increased the number of trained personnel to perform controlled burns and created more accessibility for landowners. In the European Union, burning crop stubble after harvest

SECTION 50

#1732772439010

3588-516: The indigenous practice of prescribed fire. This was done against scientific evidence that supported prescribed burns as a natural process. At the loss to the local environment, colonies utilized fire suppression in order to benefit the logging industry. The notion of fire as a tool had somewhat evolved by the late 1970s as the National Park Service authorized and administered controlled burns. Following prescribed fire reintroduction,

3657-432: The intensity of the fire or prevent the fire from crossing the area entirely. A controlled burn prior to the wildfire season can protect infrastructure and communities or mitigate risks associated with many dead standing trees such as after a pest infestation when forest fuels are high. In the developing world, the use of controlled burns in agriculture is often referred to as slash and burn . In industrialized nations, it

3726-474: The intentional burning of slash and fuels through burn piles. Controlled burns may also be referred to as hazard reduction burning , backfire , swailing or a burn-off. In industrialized countries, controlled burning regulations and permits are usually overseen by fire control authorities. Controlled burns are conducted during the cooler months to reduce fuel buildup and decrease the likelihood of more dangerous, hotter fires. Controlled burning stimulates

3795-415: The land and a new, like-aged eucalyptus forest grows. Other tree species like poplar can easily regenerate after a fire into a like-aged stand from a vast root system that is protected from fires because it is underground. Native grassland species in North America and Australia are adapted to survive occasional low intensity fires. Controlled burns in prairie ecosystems mimic low intensity fires that shift

3864-518: The largest carbon sinks in the UK, providing an immensely important ecological service. The governments has restricted burning to the area but hunters have been continuing to set the moors ablaze, releasing a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere and destroying native habitat. The Maasai ethnic group conduct traditional burning in savanna ecosystems before the rainy season to provide varied grazing land for livestock and to prevent larger fires when

3933-448: The loss of human life with leniency toward areas of historic, scientific, or special ecological interest. There is still a debate amongst policy makers about how to deal with wildfires. Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo of Oregon and Idaho have been moving to reduce the shifting of capital from fire prevention to fire suppression following the harsh fires of 2017 in both states. Tensions around fire prevention continue to rise due to

4002-425: The mop up has finished, the Burn Boss declares the controlled burn over and local fire authorities are notified. There are several different methods used to burn piles of slash from forestry operations. Broadcast burning is the burning of scattered slash over a wide area. Pile burning is gathering up the slash into piles before burning. These burning piles may be referred to as bonfires . High temperatures can harm

4071-481: The prescribed burn is divided into several roles; the Burn Boss, Communications, Suppression and Ignition. The planning process begins by submitting an application to a local fire management office and after approval, applicants must submit a burn plan several weeks prior to ignition. On the day of the controlled burn, personnel meet with the Burn Boss and discuss the tactics being used for ignition and suppression, health and safety precautions, fuel moisture levels and

4140-581: The red maple are increasing in number, at the expense of fire-tolerant species like oaks. In the Anishinaabeg Nation around the Great Lakes , fire is a living being that has the power to change landscapes through both destruction and the regrowth and return of life following a fire. Human beings are also inexorably tied to the land they live on as stewards who maintain the ecosystems around them. Because fire can reveal dormant seedlings, it

4209-493: The speed of a back burn is to use a flank fire which is lit at right angles to the prevailing wind and spreads in the same direction. In Ontario, Canada, controlled burns are regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and only trained personnel can plan and ignite controlled burns within Ontario's fire regions or if the Ministry of Natural Resources in involved in any aspect of planning a controlled burn. The team performing

SECTION 60

#1732772439010

4278-572: The time the area was officially declared the Cumberland National Forest in 1937, the tract spanned 409,567 acres (165,746 ha) of federally owned land across 16 Kentucky counties. Both Daniel Boone and Henry Clay were originally put forth in the 1930s as potential namesakes. However, it was not until 1966, following, among other things, a resolution to the United States Department of Agriculture by

4347-461: The traditional use of prescribed burns to manage understory fuel from wildfires. The government of British Columbia responded by committing to using controlled burns as a wildfire management tool. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality began requiring a permit for farmers to burn their fields in 1981, but the requirements became stricter in 1988 following a multi-car collision in which smoke from field burning near Albany, Oregon , obscured

4416-620: The two. Most privately owned land, accounting for about 1,378,410 acres (557,820 ha) is held by individuals and ranges from 100 acres (40 ha) to 300 acres (120 ha) in size. The forest is formed by two main areas: a 140-mile (230 km) wide strip of land along the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau , and the Redbird Purchase, located on the east of the Cumberland Plateau. The terrain

4485-492: The vision of drivers on Interstate 5 , leading to a 23-car collision in which 7 people died and 37 were injured. This resulted in more scrutiny of field burning and proposals to ban field burning in the state altogether. With controlled burns, there is also a risk that the fires get out of control. For example, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire , the largest wildfire in the history of New Mexico ,

4554-420: The weather (wind direction, wind speed, temperature and precipitation) for the day. On site, local fire control authorities are notified by telephone about the controlled burn while the rest of the team members fill drip torches with pre-mixed fuel, fill suppression packs with water and put up barricades and signage to prevent pedestrian access to the controlled burn. Driptorches are canisters filled with fuel and

4623-436: The wind speed and wind direction so the Burn Boss can determine how the direction of both flames and smoke and plan their lines of fire accordingly. Once the ignition phase has ended in a section, the suppression team "mops up" by using suppression packs to suppress smoldering material. Other tools used for suppression are RTVs equipped with a water tank and a pump and hose that is installed in a nearby body of water. Finally, once

4692-480: Was spearheaded by Edmund Zavitz in Ontario, caused a ban on all fires, both natural wild fires and intentional fires. In the 1970s, Parks Canada began implementing small prescribed burns however, the scale of wildfires each year outpaces the acreage of land that is intentionally burnt. In the late 1980s, the Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario began conducting prescribed burns on forested land which led to

4761-604: Was started by two distinct instances of controlled burns, which had both been set by the US Forest Service , getting out of control and merging. The conflict of controlled burn policy in the United States has roots in historical campaigns to combat wildfires and to the eventual acceptance of fire as a necessary ecological phenomenon. Following colonization of North America, the US used fire suppression laws to eradicate

#9990