A Campaign for Forest Management

FUEL FOR THOUGHT Forest Density has Increased 30% Since 1953 Forest Mortality at a 50 Year High 73.5% of NFS Lands Need Restoration (15 million acres!) 85% of Annual Forest Mortality is on NFS Lands

“High Forest Mortality and Low Timber Removal Rates in the Western States Promise Hazardous Fuel Accumulations and Big Fires” U of I Policy Analysis Group

rned (bar) Acres Bur Million n Thou s (line) usand Fires Acres BurnedNumber of Fires Wildfires in U.S., Acres Burned and Number of Fires, Annual Average During Period

1,750,000 ACRES BURNED IN IDAHO IN 2012 Over 90% was on Federally Managed Lands

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT

59 79% 5% 15% 70% 5% 72% 6% 25% 22% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Thinning and harvesting trees helpsDon't knowWildfires are natural Thinning and Harvesting Trees Helps to Reduce the Risk of Wildfires “Please tell me which one of the following statements most accurately describes your view about forest management and wildfires. Thinning and harvesting trees helps to reduce the risk of wildfires, so we should manage our forests in order to minimize the impacts OR Wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, so we should leave forests alone and let them burn when fires start unless homes, buildings and communities or people are endangered.” (Q29) May 2004 Nov June 2010

18% 17% 32% 31% 22% Loss of wildlife habitat Damage to watersheds and water quality June 2010 “Loss of Wildlife Habitat” Remains the Leading Concern about Wildfires “What are you most concerned about when you consider the consequences of wildfires?” (Q28) 34% 16% 13% 14% 23% 8% 7% 6% 7% 0% 58 0%10%20%30%40% Loss of homes and property Loss of forests and wood products Loss of scenic opportunities or recreation opportunities Smoke into the atmosphere Nov May 2004

The Cost of Wildfire TAX DOLLARS Federal Firefighting Costs (Suppression Only): $1,740,934,000 in 2013 and $1,902,446,000 in 2014 Taxpayers spent $164.3 million in 2013 and $214 million dollars in 2012 fighting wildfires fighting wildfires in Idaho alone. HUMAN HEALTH & SAFETY wildfires in Idaho emit the same amount of carbon dioxide into the air we breathe In an active fire year, wildfires in Idaho emit the same amount of carbon dioxide into the air we breathe as 4.7 million cars

Target Your Efforts

Betty Munis Idaho Forest Products Commission