The Challenge
As demonstrated by the 2022 fire season, prolonged periods of severe drought, combined with multiple high-heat days with low dewpoints, increases the likelihood and intensity of wildfires—a pattern that is predicted to continue under climate change. In fact, the Northeast is experiencing changes in an extended fire season, with fires now happening year-round, not just in spring and fall. The demand for state resources to combat fires, including assistance to municipalities in combatting wildland fires in areas with a growing number of communities growing along the Wildland Urban Interface is increasing. Additionally, fire behavior, including intensity, is changing and therefore swift containment is becoming more difficult, demanding more resources. Increased likelihood and intensity of wildfires will increase the risk of potential loss of life for firefighters, first responders, and people living within the Wildland-Urban Interface and in proximity to DCR parks and reservations with high vulnerability to wildfire. This change in the wildfire behavior and season is demanding DCR to increase resources to its Fire Bureau so they can better respond to the increase demand, proactively address known hot zones, and to be able to partner more closely with municipalities to provide technical expertise and leverage resources.
Project Scope
The goal of this project was to procure vehicles and equipment to support state wildfire control such as UTVs outfitted with small tanks and pumps to be used for wildfire suppression and mower to maintain fire breaks. These smaller engine vehicles allow for less carbon emissions during fire suppression operations. The lighter weight vehicles allow for less impact on soils and vegetation during operations. The agility of a smaller tract UTV also allows for staff greater range and access to complicated areas during a wildland fire attack.
Weather Station Web Portal will allow DCR to link 14 weather stations across the state to provide real time fire weather data, severity, and current drought conditions to Federal, State, and Local users. This allows to link it to a national framework with our neighboring states which we have fire compacts with for planning and response activities.
Metrics
Metrics will be generated as equipment is utilized in the field. Metrics will include:
- Wildfire responses by DCR staff.
- Number of acres burned.
Results
All equipment was received by DCR on or before June 30, 2024 and has been put into service.
Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions
This project aligns with action 11: Wildfire Management Infrastructure Improvements, under the high vulnerability to Loss of Life or Injury due to Wildfire identified in the 2023 ResilientMass Plan. The project also addresses the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan and 2022 MA Climate Assessment Priority Impacts:
- Health Effects from Degraded Air Quality in the Human Health and Safety Sector.
- Damage or loss to homes and critical facilities in the wildland urban interface in the Infrastructure Sector.
- Forest Health Degradation in the Natural Environment Sector
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services in the Government Sector.
- Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions in the Economy Sector.
The project aligns with the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan goals:
- Resilient State Assets and Services
- Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
- Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities
Further Action
The demand for state resources to combat fires, including assistance to municipalities in combatting wildland fires in areas with a growing number of communities growing along the Wildland Urban Interface is increasing. Massachusetts will need to make an increase in its investments in staffing and resources to reduce the risk of potential loss of life for firefighters, first responders, and people and property within the Wildland-Urban Interface.