Integrating Freshwater Protection and Restoration into Wildfire Risk Reduction, Fire-Fighting Strategies, and Post-Fire Recovery Programs  

Integrating Freshwater Protection and Restoration into Wildfire Risk Reduction, Fire-Fighting Strategies, and Post-Fire Recovery Programs   

2University of Minnesota; emily.fairfax@gmail.com 

3National Wildlife Federation: MarrsA@nwf.org 

4Foundation for America’s Public Lands; Tomer.hasson@americaslands.org 

5National Forest Foundation; asharp@nationalforests.org 

Panel Presentation

Warming temperatures, persistent drought, and aridification are key drivers increasing the risk and severity of wildfires. New science is revealing the important role wetlands, healthy riparian systems, and beaver-complexes play before, during, and after fires. When in healthy condition, the saturated soils, braided stream channels, and vegetation associated with these freshwater systems do not readily burn. Thus, they can slow fire movement, provide refuge for wildlife and wildland firefighting crews, and serve as natural firebreaks. After a fire, freshwater systems filter out sediment, ash, and other pollutants that are left in a fire’s wake, decreasing the amount of sediment that ends up in reservoirs and water treatment facilities. Fire refugia can also aid in wildfire recovery by sustaining vegetation and facilitating seed germination, which can support reforestation efforts post-fire.  

This panel will explore the most current science as it relates to the nexus between wildfire risk mitigation and riparian system restoration and conservation efforts, with a focus on beaver-modified riverscapes and wetland complexes. The panel will also touch on efforts underway within the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management regarding developing more formal guidance and training processes to support integrated stream restoration and wildfire risk reduction processes, and near-term opportunities for practitioners to work with these federal agencies to advance collaborative projects designed to reduce wildfire risk while enhancing the health of aquatic ecosystems. A spotlight of this discussion will include an overview of an active effort funded by the Foundation for America’s Public Lands to model wildfire behavior responses to aquatic restoration and managed wetland projects that can inform federal agencies' approaches to better aligning wildfire risk mitigation efforts where aquatic co-benefits may be better realized. The panel will also include interactive elements, seeking to learn more from the audience about potential projects where wildfire risk mitigation efforts could be incorporated into planned riparian treatments to unlock new financial resources previously unavailable for more traditional wildfire risk mitigation efforts.