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Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics Managing Resources During Unplanned Ignitions Workshop (Fire Resource Advisors) Ogden, Utah - January 2009 Prepared by Suzanne Cable Moose Creek Ranger District - Nez Perce National Forest Today’s Discussion Includes
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Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics Managing Resources During Unplanned Ignitions Workshop (Fire Resource Advisors) Ogden, Utah - January 2009 Prepared by Suzanne Cable Moose Creek Ranger District - Nez Perce National Forest
Today’s Discussion Includes • Compilation of existing MIST information thanks to: • resources available on www.Wilderness.net • Provided by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center
Today’s Discussion Includes • Hints/suggestions for MIST success: some “art” to go along with the “science” • Some discussion of Wilderness specific issues • Where to go for more information & resources
What’s in an acronym? • Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques or Tactics (MIST) • Minimum Impact Management Tactics (MIMT) • Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics • Same objective, changing name • Key is Minimum Impact
What does MIST mean? A few definitions from various sources… • To minimize fire suppression impacts on the land while ensuring the actions taken are safe, timely and effective • The intent of MIST is to suppress a wildfire with the least impact to the land
What does MIST mean? • MIST is not intended to represent a separate or distinct classification of firefighting tactics but rather a mind set of how to suppress a wildfire while minimizing the long-term effects of the supression action • Ten years from now, which will be most noticeable… the effects of the fire or the effects of the firefighter?
What does MIST mean? My definition… • Techniques that will allow you to meet your fire management objective while using Resource (or Wilderness) appropriate methods resulting in the minimum impact necessary
Resource Benefits of MIST • Less water quality degradation • Less habitat destruction: aquatic and terrestrial • Less vegetation impacts • Less introduction of exotic species • Less soil compaction • Less erosion • Less visual impact – stumps, fire line, retardant stains
Wilderness Considerations 1964 Wilderness Act, Wilderness values: • “natural condition… • preservation of their Wilderness character… • untrammeled… • primeval character and influence… • managed so as to preserve its natural conditions… • generally appears to be affected by the forces of nature… • with the impact of man’s work substantially unnoticeable…”
Forest Service Manual: 2324.23 – Fire Management Activities. Conduct all fire management activities within wilderness in a manner compatible with overall wilderness management objectives. Give preference to using methods and equipment that cause the least: • Alternation of the wilderness landscape. • Disturbance to the land surface. • Disturbance to visitor solitude. • Reduction of visibility during periods of visitor use. • Adverse effect on other air quality related values.
2324.23 – Fire Management Activities. continued… Locate fire camps, helispots, and other temporary facilities or improvements outside of the wilderness boundary whenever feasible. Rehabilitate disturbed areas within wilderness to as natural an appearance as possible.
What helps MIST succeed? Skilled firefighters with the right tools, good leadership, and a willing attitude
What helps MIST succeed? Try to put yourself in the firefighters place – see if from their perspective
What helps MIST succeed? Be a good READ: build your credibility, gain experience on the line, maintain your FFT2 qualifications (if possible)
When does MIST apply? Anytime and anywhere people or tools touch the ground or are dropped from the air! • It includes all human activities:
What Size Fires Need MIST? • Type IV small incidents through Type I teams • Get help if you need it: other resource specialists, READ trainees
What’s the role of the READ related to MIST? • Represent your line officer by making sure that your Resource is protected while a fire event is being managed • Work with the IC and others fire personnel to implement
What’s the role of the READ related to MIST? • Ask questions and provide options/advice • Be there and be involved! • Participate in the AAR
Wilderness Specific Considerations • Think long term: don’t disregard prohibitions on motorized equipment and mechanical transport, but see the big picture • When moto/mech is approved, provide specific definition of what is authorized • Use when needed, but only when needed (chainsaws for fire suppression vs. firewood at spike camp) • Helicopter for emergency medi-evac vs. convenience for crew transport • Pumps for practice • Tracking for INFRA Wild of intrusions • Lack of skills or tools does not justify moto/mech
READ Tool Kit for MIST Success The Science Part: • Weather forecasts • Fire history maps • Forest fire behavior characteristics • Minimum Requirements Decision Guide (Wilderness) • Local requirements for MIST (in writing, signed) …Plus all the other things in your READ kit prepared in advance
READ Tool Kit for MIST Success The People Part (or Art): • A good relationship with your FMO, your Line Officer, other specialists on your Forest • A patient, but persistent attitude • Creative thinking • The ability to think long term • The ability to help make it happen
MIST Tactics Without compromising firefighter or public safety, MIST should be used for all fire activities, including: • Line construction or other containment actions (including escape routes & safety zones) • Crew and equipment transport, including heli-spot construction • Structure Protection and fuel reduction • Spike and coyote camps • Mop-up • Rehab work
Firefighter and Public Safety • It is a myth that MIST inherently compromises safety • MIST and safety are compatible with skilled firefighters • Support and commit to safety, but don’t allow safety to become an excuse for not using MIST • Know when “the safety card” is being played to prevent the use of MIST tactics
Firefighter and Public Safety How to know when it’s safe? • Ultimately, its not your call – one tactic does not fit all • But you can: • Offer options • Help crews obtain the skills they need • Help fill gaps in skills for next time
Fire Line Work with the IC and others to: • Use natural and existing barriers rather than line (rocks, roads, trails, rivers) • Locate line in minimal fuels • Use only the width and depth necessary to halt fire spread • Limb or fall only when necessary for safety and to prevent fire spread
Fire Line • Consider widening minimal line by burning fuels between the line and the fire (burn out) • Roll logs rather than buck, or reroute around logs • Scrape fuels from the base of snags • When building line, locate away from snags where possible • Consider explosives
As Fuels Increase: • Look for use of natural barriers • May need more intensive fireline • Consider use of more intensive burn-out tactics
Burn-outTactics Burning out can be effective, but requires a high degree of expertise
Burn Out Tactics • When applied from natural barriers, burn out may reduce the need to build handline • Burn out can be effective around private in-holdings and during structure protection • Fire behavior may depend on the time of day – some MIST tactics may be more successful at night/morning rather than during the day
Transport Considerations • How will crews and equipment get there: • Need for speed • Location • Look for options: • Driving to road access • Hiking on and off trail • Rappelling • Smokejumpers • What are the impacts of each option? • Long term vs. short term
Helicopter Operations During planning consider the objectives… • If primarily for crew support: • Use paracargo? • Use longline? • Or can you use stock?
Helicopter Operations If primarily used for crew shuttles: • Use natural openings • Avoid construction in high use areas • Are there other sites within reasonable walking distance? • Provide specific instructions for construction
Heli-spots Good heli-spots are found not made…
Heli-spot Construction • Flush cut stumps • Limit bucking and limbing • Use directional falling so trees will be crisscrossed in a more naturally appearing arrangement • Think rehab from the start • BE THERE!
Structure Protection MIST considerations: • Have plans in place and equipment cached • Consult with Heritage specialists on historic structures • How to not damage structures while protecting them? • How to best use water? • Keep track of what is installed and where for efficient removal
