1935

The Forest Service adopts a policy directing fire managers to put out all human-caused fires by 10 a.m. the following day

1968

The National Park Service allows some natural fires to burn and starts using prescribed burning

1905

U.S. Forest Service is founded under the Department of Agriculture

2018

The federal government spends a record-breaking $3.1 billion on wildfire suppression

1988

1.2 million acres burn in and near Yellowstone National Park

1910

The Big Burn scorches 3 million acres of Montana and Idaho

1944

Smokey Bear campaign launched by the Forest Service to aid wildfire prevention efforts

1972

The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness adopts the Forest Service’s first Wilderness Fire Management Plan

1995

The Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy recognizes wildfire as a natural occurrence with a fundamental role in forest management

1905

U.S. Forest Service is founded under the Department of Agriculture

1910

The Big Burn scorches 3 million acres of Montana and Idaho

1935

The Forest Service adopts a policy directing fire managers to put out all human-caused fires by 10 a.m. the following day

1944

Smokey Bear campaign launched by the Forest Service to aid wildfire prevention efforts

1968

The National Park Service allows some natural fires to burn and starts using prescribed burning

1972

The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness adopts the Forest Service’s first Wilderness Fire Management Plan

1988

1.2 million acres burn in and near Yellowstone National Park

1995

The Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy recognizes wildfire as a natural occurrence with a fundamental role in forest management

2018

The federal government spends a record-breaking $3.1 billion on wildfire suppression