United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2005-04-26 monographic deposited born digital 27 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-627T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T P0b002ee18037c186 f:d05627t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T GAO-05-627T Cost control Emergency preparedness Forest management Interagency relations Intergovernmental relations Land management National forests Property Radio frequency allocation Strategic planning Technical assistance Wilderness areas Wildfires Wildland fires Forest Service/Dept. of the Interior LANDFIRE System Testimony A22721 Wildland fires are increasingly threatening communities and ecosystems. In recent years, they have become more intense due to excess vegetation that has accumulated, partly as a result of past suppression efforts. The cost to suppress these fires is increasing and, as more people move into fire-prone areas near wildlands, the number of homes at risk is growing. During these wildland fires, effective communications among the public safety agencies responding from various areas is critical, but can be hampered by incompatible radio equipment. This testimony discusses (1) progress made and future challenges to managing wildland fire, (2) measures to help protect structures, and (3) the role of technology in improving responder communications during fires. It is based on two GAO reports: Wildland Fire Management: Important Progress Has Been Made, but Challenges Remain to Completing a Cohesive Strategy (GAO-05-147, Jan. 14, 2005) and Technology Assessment: Protecting Structures and Improving Communications during Wildland Fires (GAO-05-380, Apr. 26, 2005). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T.pdf GAO-05-627T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-627T Testimony GAO-05-627T; Wildland Fire Management: Progress and Future Challenges, Protecting Structures, and Improving Communications; Cost control Emergency preparedness Forest management Interagency relations Intergovernmental relations Land management National forests Property Radio frequency allocation Strategic planning Technical assistance Wilderness areas Wildfires Wildland fires Forest Service/Dept. of the Interior LANDFIRE System