Innovative Technologies
New Fuels Planning Project
Science Synthesis and Integration: This research/management partnership provides decision support for the management of the dry forests of the Interior West. Support is available in the form of research information and new tools for fuels specialists involved in project planning. The four key areas of the project include:
- Wildland Fire Behavior and Forest Structure
- Environmental Consequences
- Economics
- Social Science (Public involvement and effective communication)
The Applied Wildland Fire Research in Support of Project Level Hazardous Fuels Planning Project provides decision support in the form of research information and new tools for project-level fuels planning. Their goal is to improve access and use of research information. The synthesis represents the collective judgment of the most knowledgeable scientific experts in forest, wildlife and plant ecology, fire behavior, fire ecology, social science and other fields.
Setting up a fire shelter
Research and development of new technologies for use in all aspects of public land management is a long-standing practice of many federal agencies. Over the years, new technology development has resulted in a broad range of innovative and practical applications -- from improved fire shelters for firefighters to accessible picnic tables for use by people of all physical abilities.
Today, the daunting task of protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of catastrophic fire has renewed interest in developing new methods to use the large volume of biomass -- fuels such as small-diameter trees and shrubs and other woody materials -- that is removed from the forests to make firefighting safer, reduce the risk to homes, and better protect the nation's natural resources.
Wheelchair-friendly surfaces use cost-effective wood chips.
Developing and implementing financially efficient and environmentally effective uses of woody biomass will help reduce hazardous fuels. Examples include heating schools with wood chips or pellets, surfacing recreation trails and playgrounds with bricks made of wood fiber, and using small roundwood logs for the construction of recreation facilities including kiosks, gazebos, and signs.
Similarly, new equipment or new applications of existing equipment can lead to safer and more efficient methods of firefighting. There are many new and exciting technologies that will all serve to better protect communities and the environment:
Creative Uses of Wood
The Forest Products Laboratory, a division of the Forest Service Research Staff, uses science and technology to conserve and extend the use of our nation's forest resources.
Efficient Forest Management Practices
The U.S. Forest Service Forest Management Service Center (FMSC) provides mensuration, statistical, modeling, biometric, sampling, and analysis skills to the Forest Service and also cooperates and works in partnership with other government agencies (federal, tribal, and state), research, colleges and universities, forest industry, consultants, and individuals in the United States and other countries.
New Equipment Development and Evaluation
The Forest Service operates two centers that specialize in the development and evaluation of new fire equipment and technologies - the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) and the San Dimas Technology and Development Center (SDTDC).