Fire Management: A Tribal Governmental Function

By EF Mouss

August 4, 2012

As fire season threatens a good portion of the grasslands and woodlands in the Creek Nation and other parts of Indian Country, many of which contain homesites and valued eco-system protection, such as watersheds, restricted land owners are becoming more concerned about protection of their pastures and livestock and other properties.

Many rural areas are left unprotected from these potentially devastating fires; and dependent upon volunteer firefighters for rural protection. As a restricted rural Indian land owner, it is my concern that our governments do not take our jurisdictional responsibilities seriously.

The National Government takes fire seriously and as any rural resident will tell you, fire knows no boundaries. In Oklahoma today, the following fires have been reported, the tallying of the loss will follow. What responsibility does our tribal government have for fire Management? It is a responsibility of a responsible government.

Fires reported are:
Oklahoma Fires: 2 Acres: 28,949 * New fires: 0 Fires contained:0
Bluegill (Okmulgee Field Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 149 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is one mile east of Drumright. Structures are threatened.
Townley Road (Oklahoma Department of Forestry): 28,800 acres at 95 percent contained. This fire is five miles northwest of Indiahoma. Structures are threatened.

Source: National Interagency Fire Center – www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm