| Description |
1 online resource (iii, 54 p.) : ill., col. maps |
| System Details |
System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
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Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (viewed on Dec. 3, 2011). |
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"November 2011." |
| Summary |
Wildland fires can result from both natural and human causes. Human-caused wildland fires are of particular concern in Arizona, especially within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border because this is a primary area of entry for illegal border crossers and GAO has previously reported that illegal border crossers have been suspected of igniting wildland fires. Over half of the land in the Arizona border region is managed by the federal government, primarily by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and four agencies within the Department of the Interior. These agencies collaborate with state, tribal, and local entities to respond to wildland fires. GAO was asked to examine, for the region, the (1) number, cause, size, and location of wildland fires from 2006 through 2010; (2) economic and environmental effects of human-caused wildland fires burning 10 or more acres; (3) extent to which illegal border crossers were the ignition source of wildland fires on federal lands; and (4) ways in which the presence of illegal border crossers has affected fire suppression activities. GAO reviewed interagency policies and procedures; analyzed wildland fire data; and interviewed federal, tribal, state, and local officials, as well as private citizens. GAO recommends, among other things, that the agencies develop strategies for selecting fires to investigate and establish a risk-based approach for utilizing law enforcement resources. In their comments on a draft of this report, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior generally agreed with these recommendations. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-12-73." |
| Subject |
Border security -- Mexican-American Border Region.
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Wildfires -- Mexican-American Border Region.
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Forest fires -- Mexican-American Border Region.
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Fire management -- Mexican-American Border Region.
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Interagency coordination -- Mexican-American Border Region.
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Noncitizens -- Environmental aspects -- Arizona.
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| Indexed Term |
fires 'wildland fires' border Arizona 'Border Region' |
| Added Author |
Mittal, Anu K.
|
| Added Title |
Federal agencies could better utilize law enforcement resources in support of wildland fire management activities |
| Running Title |
Wildland fire in the Arizona border region |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-12-73 |
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