"Become familiar with your local Wildfire Center’s Fire Management Plan because it should show areas where the fire management objectives call for “modified responses” – aka let-burn-but-keep-an-eye-on-it approach. Hold fire managers accountable to letting fire burn where the objective is to let it burn. Tell them there will be no sneaking in to put out fires in those areas just because fire crews are on overtime."
I can tell you from experience that this is critical for the enforcement of modified fire management policies.
Back in 2015 a lightning strike started a fire deep in the Wilmore Wilderness Park in early June.
Within hours of the fire being reported, an Immediate Action by Alberta Wildlife was taken to put the fire out. Firefighters were ready to start work, as there was nothing else to do. "Fortunately", the efforts to kill the fire one day one were not successful.
Parks sat back and made media bites regarding the progress to extinguish the fire.
Trying to put this fire out didn't sit well with many. We felt that the vast research done in this area showing the negative effects of a century of fire control was competent, and this area needed to burn.
I dug up the Wilmore Fire Mangagement Plan, and low and behold, this area was in a designated "Natural Fire Zone". Wildfires are to be allowed to burn!
It took many calls to various government departments, and probably most importantly letting the public know through social media. Alberta Parks and Alberta Wildfire fought to divert attention away from the Park's Wildire plan, claiming the fire must be put out for the caribou, for the grizzlies, for the White Pine.... Then relented.
Those within the government either were ignorant or complacent in ignoring the fire policy. It took public knowledge and shaming to allow this fire to burn.
I am happy to report the fire covered over 14000 hectares, and the sheep, goats, caribou, bears and plants are loving it!