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National Fire Policy Evolution: Transformation and Implementation Strategy Update

The document showcases the evolution of the National Fire Policy, emphasizing modifications in the interagency strategy for federal wildland fire management as of December 2008. It elucidates the evolving opportunities in fire management and provides a road map for current and future engagements. The text lays a solid foundation for discussions on wildland fire decision support, management plans, and operational guides. Notable changes include the management of wildland fires based on Land/Resource Management Plan objectives and the assessment of each fire through a comprehensive decision support process utilizing the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS). The involvement of various agency directors, undersecretaries, and representatives ensures a collaborative approach in implementing the updated policy. Previous test outcomes have indicated benefits of increased flexibility and transparency, leading to recommendations for further policy modifications and enhanced communication strategies. The aim is to eliminate barriers between wildfire and prescribed fire, reflecting changes in terminology and aligning strategies with existing federal policies.

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National Fire Policy Evolution: Transformation and Implementation Strategy Update

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  1. Modification of Interagency Strategy for the Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy December 2008 Evolving Fire Management Opportunities

  2. National Fire Policy Evolution • Road map for today: • National fire policy evolutions • Link to R1 doctrine/what it means to us (fire season 2009)? • Lays a foundation for our meeting as we cuss and discuss wildland fire decision support and fire management plans/operational guides

  3. National Fire Policy Evolution • Modification of Federal Wildland Fire Policy: • “Wildland fires can be managed for one or more objective(s) based on Land/Resource Management Plan direction.” • “When two or more wildland fire burn together they will be handled as a single wildland fire and may be managed for one or more objectives based on the Land/Resource Management Plan direction as an event moves across the landscape and fuels and weather conditions change.”

  4. National Fire Policy Evolution • “Every wildland fire will be assessed following a decision support process that examines the full range of responses. The system currently being developed and prototyped is known as the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS)

  5. National Fire Policy Evolution • Agency Directors for NPS, FWS, BLM, BIA, USGS • Under Secretary USDA • Chief, USFS • Associate Deputy Secretary, DOI • US Fire Administrator • Designated tribal representative • Western Governors • National county representative • National Fire District representative

  6. WFLC Decisions Summer 2008 Allow limited test of modifications to the 2003 Implementation Strategy for the 1995 federal Wildland Fire policy on the following forests: R01: Lolo and Bitterroot NF R02: White River NF and Grand Valley Ranger District of the GMUG R03: Gila and Kaibab R04: Payette, Salmon R05: Klamath, Sequoia, Sierra R06: Wallowa-Whitman

  7. Outcomes of the Test • Test forests and DOI units indicated that the increased flexibility in managing unplanned ignitions was very helpful. • More fire on the landscape achieving benefits • Opportunities to be more transparent with cooperators, stakeholders and the public • Lessons learned for implementation • Need simple terms • Need aggressive communication and education program – both internal and external • Recommendations to go further in modifying policy • Eliminate Wildland Fire Use as a category

  8. Issues Needing Resolution

  9. Next Steps • Development of implementation strategy/guidance • Distribute in early CY 2009 • Incorporate into “Red Book” in 2010 • Each agency to implement as capability allows – land management plans and management capacity • Begin use of WDFSS as tools, data, and training allow

  10. Implementation Strategy Changes for 2009 • Eliminate the distinction between wildland fire use and wildfire. • Wildland fires will be differentiated by whether the ignition is planned or unplanned. • Wildfire = unplanned • Prescribed Fire = planned • Recommendations from 2008 “test” will be included in new implementation strategy • Changes will be consistent with the 2001 Federal Wildland Policy language • Implementation strategy will clarify terminology

  11. Issues Needing Resolution

  12. What does it mean to NR? • “Our response to wildfires on national forest system lands in the Northern Region involves actions and expenditures that are commensurate with the values at risk and are consistent with agency policy, land management plans and fire management plan direction.” • Responses drip with common sense

  13. What does it mean to NR? • Fire Season 2009 – changes to our FMPs/ops plans? (and on what scale)? • How do we manage the need for skills and abilities regarding long duration fire management? • 10% of the region has burned since 2000, representing a changed condition, how do we incorporate these changes into our responses? • What is possible under existing/pending Land Use Plans?

  14. What does it mean to NR? • “We have never been limited by policy, only by our ability” – wise fire person, 2008 • Discussion/question/answers

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