Working Together: Fire Managers & Archaeologists

The southwestern United States consists of some of the greatest collections of archaeological sites across the world. Ruins, petroglyphs, sweat lodges, and abandoned logging camps are just some examples of the thousands of historical sites that dot the landscape. Not only are forest and fire managers required by law to protect these sites, but they present a great opportunity to understand and become a part of the living history of the land and human culture.

Similar to the archaeological sites that frequent the landscape, fire is a part of Southwest ecosystems. Many of the most recognizable tree species across the forest, such as quaking aspen and ponderosa pine, rely on fire in order to sustain themselves, as well as associated species, in a healthy manner.

Due to the widespread prevalence of both fire and cultural resources, archaeologists and fire managers must work together to locate and manage significant sites. However, different perspectives and approaches between fire managers and archaeologists can arise during fire management efforts that could result in the loss of cultural resources.

The complex relationship between fire and archaeology is sometimes problematic due to the destructive potential of wildfire, the inability to replace historical material, and lack of basic communication. Further, differences of opinions and limited understanding can generate conflict between archaeologists and fire managers during fire events that can limit managers ability to focus on science based decision making.

To improve fire management and protect cultural resources where possible, members of local archaeological communities and the Southwest Fire Science Consortium (SWFSC) board identified the need to help mitigate conflict during fire management by facilitating communication between fire managers and archaeologists. Together they developed a workshop to allow a platform for education and facilitate conversation and relationship building among resource staff.

The Southwest Fire Science Consortium and local archaeologists put together the Working together: Fire managers and archaeologist workshop in November of 2018. The workshop highlighted several successful relationships and facilitated relationship building between fire managers and archaeologist. The activities supplied tools for both resources to cooperatively enhance fire planning and focus on science based decision making surrounding cultural resources. Topics covered during the workshop included:

• Basic fire effects on resources
• The importance of fire on the landscape and importance of protecting cultural resources within that context
• How can fire managers and archaeologist effectively work together?
• How to build an inclusive planning process pre-fire
• and much more

Attendees also participated in a half day field trip to a historical site in Tucson. This allowed participants from local agencies, such as the Tucson Fire Department and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, to discuss the impact of potential fire suppression activities to the archaeological resources on site. Partial copies of the Joint Fire Science Program rainbow series fire and archaeology chapter were also provided, along with other useful materials.

During and after the workshop, several resources were produced to allow managers to digitally reference the tools and materials discussed and to allow the Southwest Fire Science Consortium to measure the success of the workshop.

Online resources produced include a short educational video highlighting the relationship between fire managers and archaeologists on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forest, and a collection of slides and notes from presentations during the workshop. These resources are a significant educational tool and are utilized regularly by visitors to the Southwest Fire Science Consortium website.

PDF`s of the workshop presentations can be found here:  http://www.swfireconsortium.org/2018/06/26/november-27-29-2018-working-together-fire-managers-archaeologists/ 

After the completion of the workshop, two surveys was dispensed to participants in order to gauge the success of activities. A total of 76 participants attended the workshop from nine different federal, state, and local agencies. Approximately 66% of participants reported archaeology based backgrounds and 30% of participants were active in fire management. Most identified a desire to better understand the relationship between fire and cultural resources or to improve communication between fire and archaeology staff. All 48 respondents of the first survey reported that they planned on sharing information they learned from the workshop with at least one person, while 77% of respondents reporting they planned on sharing with six or more people. In the second survey, released a year after the workshop, several of the participants noted that they were able to better communicate and involve either archaeologists or fire managers in the fire planning process. This clearly illustrates the far reaching nature of the workshop beyond those who attended.

Overall, 88% of the participants reported that they believed the workshop was successful and would help them improve relationships and management techniques in future fire events. The discussion and real world success stories were cited by many as the highlight of the workshop. Others felt that the recognition of their respective resource in the eyes of other managers was monumental in building a working relationship. Several of the responses also provided constructive feedback on elements of the event that could be improved. Potential changes for further fire and archaeology workshops and educational media include:

• Further focus on innovative fire management techniques used to protect cultural sites
• Providing a framework for start up fire and archaeology programs
• Maintaining long term relationships between resource managers

In an online follow up survey conducted in April 2020 via surveymonkey, 19 respondents answered questions about their experiences in the fire season that followed the workshop. It is likely that the low response rate was due in part to the pandemic, however, four self-identified as a fire manager or practitioner, and 15 as an archaeologist or resource advisor. Respondents listed their main concern and whether the workshop helped them address that concern; 89% responded that it did. Twenty-six percent of respondents felt the workshop helped them better plan for wildfire in relation to archaeology-fire issues during the past year “greatly,” while 63% said it helped “somewhat,” and 11% “not at all.” When asked to what degree the workshop helped them address issues that occur during wildfire or prescribed fire in relation to archaeology-fire issues, 32% responded “greatly,” 58% responded “somewhat,” and 11% responded “not at all.” Overall, the connections and discussions that occurred during the workshop were helpful in the first fire season participants experienced.

Bringing fire and cultural resource managers together is a great example of how the Southwest Fire Science Consortium facilitates better land management. By creating an educational and discussion based workshop, the Consortium was able to bring the two resources together and expose the importance of collaborative understanding and communication.

"I attended the conference with a manager from the Fire shop. While driving back, we had some interesting and good conversations on what we could be doing. One idea that came out of it is gathering data on specific cultural resources (rock art, wooden structures, etc.) that would be most impacted by a fire." - Archaeologist workshop participant

• List of downloadable PDFs of presentations and other materials from the workshop:  http://www.swfireconsortium.org/2012/11/15/wildland-fire-in-ecosystems-effects-of-fire-on-cultural-resources-and-archaeology/ 
• A webinar providing looking into evaluating and mitigating risks to cultural resources:  http://www.swfireconsortium.org/2018/06/26/november-27-29-2018-working-together-fire-managers-archaeologists/ 
• A Forest Service general technical report on the effects of fire on cultural resources:  https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/pubs/4041 7
• A short summary of potential effects of climate on archaeology by the National Park Service:  https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/archeology/2012/southwest.htm