Each year wildland fires burn millions of acres across the United States. After the disastrous fires of the year 2000, Congress appropriated funding initiatives through the land management agencies to address this issue. We have initiated several of these programs here in Dorchester County through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

Although we often hear of wildfires in the western United States, the eastern region gets little attention, so a wildfire threat is not recognized. However, this year alone, Blackwater responded to 18 wildfires to date. The wildland urban fire threat on the Delmarva is exemplified in the following fires that threatened residences this year.

• 3/10/02 - Cedar Creek – 1100 acres - threatened Toddville
• 3/10/02 - Prime Hook Delaware – 1200 acres - threatened 400 homes
• 4/26/02 - Shorters Wharf – 20 acres - threatened 9 residences

Rural Fire Department Assistance Grant Program

One of the programs initiated through Blackwater NWR was the Rural Fire Department Assistance Grant Program. Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD) with protection responsibilities serving 10,000 people or less adjacent to federal lands were given the opportunity to apply for grants for assistance. The funds would be used for wildland fire in the form of training, equipment, supplies, education, and prevention. In a cost share program, the federal government provided 90% of the funds and the VFD provided 10%.

In 2001, we met with 5 VFD’s and each submitted proposals. In the Northeast Region of the Fish and Wildlife Service, 20 grants were awarded. Dorchester County VFD’s were awarded 5 of the 20 grants. In 2002, 6 proposals were submitted by VFD’s. The funding for 2002 is not certain.

Communities at Risk

Another program initiated at Blackwater NWR is the Communities at Risk program. All communities at risk are listed on a national list on the Federal Register. The following are communities in Dorchester County that are considered Communities at Risk.

Communities -

• Robbins/Shorters Wharf
• Bishops Head/Crocheron
• Madison/Smithville Rd
• Maple Dam/Bucktown/Key Wallace

Wildland Urban Interface Projects

The final project initiated by Blackwater NWR, were the Wildland Urban Interface Projects (WUI). In 2002, WUI projects were submitted through the State. In 2003, WUI projects were submitted independently of the state. The projects could be on federal or private lands adjacent to a community at risk. Blackwater submitted proposals for 6 WUI projects. Four were selected and the other 2 were accomplished with other funding. The selected projects are listed below with the proposed acreage, treatment, and the current status.

One of the WUI projects proved successful on April 26, 2002. A wildfire started by fireworks threatened 9 residences on Shorters Wharf. These residences were protected from the fire because of the WUI project that was accomplished earlier in the year.