what is the role of the government in controlling forest fires in the United States?

what is the role of the government in controlling forest fires in the United States?

The forest fires are a severe problem in the United States that has affected the economic growth of the country. The statistics of the country state that these fires destroy about six to fourteen hectares of forests hence destroying the economy. Poor management of the woods by the community and the government is the primary of the forest fires. The issue of forest fires can be controlled, and the strategies need to be addressed (Lee, 2020). The theme of forest fires also requires a redirection of the country resources to the management of wildfires. The funds can be utilized in research to understand the causes of fires and management strategies. Forest fires management policies is also another strategy that can be used to ensure that the issue of fires is controlled for better results. The United States has five agencies that focus on the management of wildfires Lee, D. K. (2020). These agencies include the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. Since the issue of fires is a continuing problem, there is a need for strategies implementation to control these fires. The essay will answer the question: what is the role of the government in controlling forest fires in the United States?

Questions (write as questions with question marks):

Some of the questions that the research proposal will answer is: what is the role of the government in controlling forest fires? The other question that will be addressed by the essay is how the government can involve the community in managing fires?

What are the strategies that can best work for the government of the United States to confront the issue of a forest fire?

Relevance (2 – 3 sentences):

The issue of fires in the United States has impacted and led to the destruction of the economy. Despite the many resources that have been utilized to control these fires, the issue is still affecting. The tree species in the forests are essential in the industries in making products. Once fires destroy these trees, then the country suffers deficiency in products.

Methods (Choose all that applies)

The use of scenarios is the data collection method that has been used to gather information on the severe impact of forest fires. The first literature review is the one presented by that shows the negative health impacts of forest fires and how they can be addressed (Kochi et al., 2010). According to the scenario presented in the article by Scott and other authors, the expenses related to world fires include sixteen per cent of the capital of the United States. These expenses reduce the resources that were needed for other programs like habitat restoration, research and recreation. According to the article, the government of the United States is coming up with the strategies that can be utilized to sustain the forest ecosystem without incurring a lot of expenses. The information collected from other studies that have been conducted provides the necessary information to answer the research questions (Stephens et al., 2016). The article presents studies that have been conducted on the barriers of modification to policies to enhance forest resilience. These forest fires have significant impacts on the community, land management agencies, the government and firefighters. The information form the article also presents the challenges towards proper management of forests. The primary problem that is identified by the report is the failure of adequate planning through conducting the environmental review (Boston, 2012). According to the research conducted, there have been numerous legal issues between the agencies and the stakeholders. These legal issues have contributed to the loss of resources that would be utilized by the agency to suppress forest fires in the United States. Planning and environmental review have been identified by the research as significant components when handling the forest fires in the United States. The other challenge that has been detected in the study is the limitation by the United States federal agency through the decision making process. The agency lacks sufficient incentives that will enhance long-term goal in suppressing the forest fires (Stephens et al., 2016). According to the literature offered, the policies made in ensuring the suppression of forest fires should be based on weather and fuel conditions. The decisions are influenced by the public and the political pressures and therefore affecting the management processes. The policy-making methods are not motivated and thus constraining the forest fires becomes complicated. The other challenge that is identified by the literature that affects the forest restoration is planning for specific species. The endangered species require allocation of more resources to address the issues affecting the species. These species are vulnerable and therefore call for attention from the government to address the issues that affect them. One of the vulnerable forest species that are mentioned in the study is the ponderosa pine and the conifer forest in the California region. Addressing these issues include planning and implementation, outreach and collaboration and legal procedures should be included (Stephens et al., 2016). The government of California should be in the forefront to ensure that there are enough resources that can be used to protect the forests. The mentioned activities can be handed in the duration of time through collaboration between the government and the agencies.

Timeline (this should be between 2 and 4 years, identify major activities, bullets are fine):

Several activities should be considered that would mitigate the issue of forest fires. These activities would reduce the health issues that are associated with world fires. The government of the United States should incorporate these activities, and these activities take different durations of time. Some of these activities that can be strategized on include:

ü Involving research activities

ü Outreach activities should be incorporated and building awareness

ü Ensuring a funding fix to ensure availability of resources

ü Enhancing land rules that mitigate the fires that occur

based on research, the government has a significant role to play to research the methods that can be used to reduce forest fires. The study should be detailed and should be taken by professionals who understand the impact of fires (Noss et al., 2006). The strategies decided through research should be accommodative of the community, and they should not cause harm. Based on this reason, the research process should take enough time to come up with solutions to address these issues.

Based on the outreach activities, the government should be collaborative with the community. There should be community campaigns that promote the protection of forests from the fires. These campaigns of creating awareness should take about one year. The campaigns are to develop a knowledge of the causes of forest fires and how to solve the problem.

The other activity that will be taken is budgeting and planning (Moore et al., 2003). This activity will involve the collaboration of the stakeholders involved in mitigating forest fires. For instance, the government and agency officials will make decisions on the funding that reduce wildfires. Another activity that will be included in the establishment of land rules to control and mitigate forest fires. These rules will be used as a guideline to ensure that those who contribute to the forest fires are held accountable. The activity can take a timeline of six months that will ensure that the rules are decided and implemented for better results. The government then should consider a follow-up to ensure adherence to these land rules and regulations.

Budget (Identify major line items, bullets are fine):

Budgeting has been mentioned that ensures that there are enough resources. The government and the agencies work together to ensure the availability of these resources (Rideout et al., 2016). These funding should be available to budget for:

Employing enough staff to clear the bushes that result in increased fires

Funding the campaigns that would raise awareness about the fires

Applying law staff who would ensure that the lawbreakers are punished according to the law

For education programs on the causes of forest and prevention of these fires

Funding for motivation that would improve performance and reduce negligence that results in fires

Buying equipment that is used in putting off fires once they occur.

Based on buying the equipment, the operations management require the necessary tools that should be used to control the fires. When the fires emerge, the fire extinguishing personnel fail to reach the place of the accident because of the lack of resources. In budget planning, there should be ensured that the operations management have the right tools to perform (U.S Forest Service, n.d). Based on education, the government need to offer education programs that train on the management of the forests. These programs can be offered to the staff and the community, and these programs reduce the forest fires in the United States.

As mentioned earlier, enough staff is required that would ensure that performance in all areas is promoted enhancing better results. Based on funding the campaigns, the personnel involved needing to be provided with the required resource.

Implications (2 – 3 sentences, include citations if appropriate):

The work shows that there is a need for the government to put more effort to ensure that the forest fires are mitigated in the United States. The primary cause, as mentioned in the research proposal, is poor management by the government. However, it is necessary for the government of the United States to consider applying the suggestions provided since the significant impact will be experienced. For instance, proper budgeting will ensure enough allocation of resources to be utilized in controlling forest fires. Proper budgeting will ensure that the personnel have the resources required. The funding will enhance awareness in the community and hence control the forest fires (EDF Environmental Defense Fund, n.d). Using the community in the management of forest fires is the best strategy. Collaboration, as mentioned between the government and the community since teamwork is the key to success. The community become ambassadors of the environment. They control each other and ensure that they punish those who can cause fires. Challenges faced in controlling forest fires can be avoided through proper budgeting. Funding ensures that a large number of people in society are addressed on the issue of environmental fires. The implications of the research procedure in the future are that it will enhance knowledge to the scientists. Also, the government will gain knowledge of the effective approaches that can be utilized for better results to be achieved in controlling forest fires. The government of the United States can use the information in this deserve to modify the policies. As mentioned from the report, the policies against forest fires gave been influenced by politics and public participation. The policies that are made should also be implemented. The law of the United States also gathers information and understands the issues that should be addressed. Those individuals who are culprits in the cause of the forest fires should face the law.