Effects of Fire on Cultural Resources
Fire is one of many ecological and cultural processes that affect cultural resources and the contexts in which they are located. Cultural resources are material and non-material representations of contemporary, historic, and prehistoric lifeways. Sites that contain cultural resources and the environment surrounding a resource are the contexts for these artifacts, structures, ceremonies, and other meaningful objects and activities.
Prehistoric and historic cultural resources are nonrenewable resources of many of the environments where wildland fires and prescribed burning occur. The effects of prescribed burning on cultural resources are variableand can be direct or indirect. The extent of fire damage on any cultural resource depends on the source materials, fire behavior, and environmental context, among other factors. The effects of fire on archaeological resources that have been examined include effects on archaeological dating techniques.
Our ability to interpret the significance of a cultural resource is diminished anytime it is altered by fire, therefore cultural resource protection is a crucial component of fire management. Carefully planned prescribed burns can minimize adverse impacts to cultural resources. The effects of wildfires on cultural resources can occur as a result of suppression activities as well as during post-fire restoration. Resource advisors on can advise fire management officers on the location of and measures for protecting cultural resources. Many firefighter courses include some training for managing cultural resources during fires. Fire managers need to be aware of guidelines for protecting cultural resources as well as federal legislation that has been established to protect cultural resources.
- Definition of Cultural Resources : Cultural resources and related terms are defined. Examples of cultural resources in the South are given.
- The Effects of Prescribed Burning on Cultural Resources
- Fire Effects on Archaeological Materials : Prehistoric cultural resources are discussed with review of research on the ways fire affects prehistoric items.
- Fire Effects on Archaeological Dating Techniques : Fire has the potential to interfere with several common techniques for determining the dates when artifacts were produced that is an important component in attempts to reconstruct the history and meaning of cultural resources from the prehistoric and hist
- Guidelines for Protecting Cultural Resources : Outlines procedures land managers can use to protect cultural resources.
- Federal Legislation Related to Fire and Cultural Resources : Provides a table listing legislation that governs the protection and management of cultural resources.
- Previous Research About Fire Effects on Cultural Resources : Reviews the disciplines involved in the study of fire and cultural resources and methods used by scientists in their studies.
- Standard Protocol for Resource Advisors in Federal Fire Management Operations : Describes the role of resource advisors.
- Training for Managing Cultural Resources : Lists specific courses that train resource managers how to handle cultural resources in relation to fire.
Encyclopedia ID: p791
