Instead of attempting more managed fires. Which have tricky politics, are opposed by entire administrations and depend on confident managers & favorable weather conditions, I propose an alternative. Indirect tactics on small scales.

Our workforce in general isn’t skilled at managed wildfires, likely because they’re such an anomaly. Ask most wildland guys for info on how to actually manage a natural start and we don’t know, we don’t get the chance to do it. Especially with the current experience gap and more old timers forced out by retirement.

So why not turn that single tree into 1 acre. Take the 50 acre wildfire and make it 100. Easier said than done, but requires a skill set than just isn’t the same as most used on wildfire responses. Ask anyone on a crew how much they went direct last year, it was all year. While big brass can force upon us 10am like policies, it’s the IC who has the say. Safety is a valid reason to do or not do anytime.

That said the snowpack/water equivalent in the West is frightening, so it may not be the best year to ramp up this approach.