Fire management is one of the tools refuge managers use to ensure that abundant and healthy vegetation exist for wildlife. In fact, fire has been used to manage Blackwater's wetlands for over 60 years. Among the goals of the Blackwater NWR Fire Program are:

• to reduce the risk of loss of human life and property due to wildfires
• to stimulate the growth of vegetation beneficial to waterfowl and other wildlife through the use of prescribed fire
  
• to increase the overall health of the wetlands

Take a moment to learn more about the Blackwater NWR Fire Program by following the links on the left and discover for yourself the role that prescribed burns have played in keeping the Blackwater ecosystem healthy and productive.

Read our Fire Program report (30KB PDF file) to learn about the history of fire at Blackwater Refuge, as well as to learn about wildfire suppression, fire frequency and behavior, fire effects, and fire management objectives at the Refuge.

In addition, be sure to read the 2005 Scientific Review of the prescribed fire program at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area (391KB PDF file).

Credit: USFWS Fire From the Air

Credit: USFWS Marshmaster

Seasonal Job Opportunities with the Blackwater NWR Fire Program

A seasonal fire crew of 4-6 firefighters is hired annually during our fire season, which typically runs November thru April. Positions are a mix of GS-4 and 5 ratings. Housing is provided on the Refuge at the fire station. Prescribed burns are conducted in marshland, woodlands, and grasslands. Fuel model types are primarily 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11. Hiring procedures begin in June and end by late October. Application information can be requested by contacting the Refuge at 410-228-2692, ext.130. Applications can be sent directly to the Refuge office at: 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613. Thank you for your interest in the Blackwater NWR Fire Program.

1. Prescribed burns have been used to promote the growth of wetland vegetation and to enhance the long-term viability of wetlands. However, relatively little research has been conducted to quantify the effects of fire on marsh vegetation. From 1998 to 2002, Conception Flores and Dixie Bounds conducted a prescribed fire study entitled, Evaluation of vegetative response to fire exclusion and prescribed fire rotation on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area.

2. A scientific review of the prescribed fire program at Blackwater NWR and Fishing Bay WMA is available for viewing. This document was complied from many sources and includes Ms. Flores' and Ms. Bounds' research.

Scientific Review of the Prescribed Fire Program at Blackwater NWR and Fishing Bay WMA
PDF (400 KB)