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Northern Rockies Coordinating Group

Northern Rockies Coordinating Group. 2013 Season. Fire Restrictions & Closure. Fire Prevention & Education Committee. Objectives. Define fire restrictions and closure program, including its purpose. Provide consistent information across the Northern Rockies regarding restrictions:

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Northern Rockies Coordinating Group

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  1. Northern Rockies Coordinating Group 2013 Season Fire Restrictions & Closure Fire Prevention & Education Committee

  2. Objectives • Define fire restrictions and closure program, including its purpose. • Provide consistent information across the Northern Rockies regarding restrictions: • Initiation • Implementation • Rescission NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  3. Objectives NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Distinguish between fire restrictions and burn bans. Explain the importance of frequent inter-agency, inter-area coordination. Direct stakeholders and the public to current restrictions information.

  4. Restrictions and Closures Fire restrictions and closures impose limitations on the general public and private industry and should be implemented only after other fire prevention measures have been taken. In general, fire restrictions should be considered when high to extreme fire danger exists and is predicted to persist, human-caused fires are increasing, and current fire activity is impacting available suppression resources. Closures within an Area should only be implemented under the most severe conditions. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  5. Fire Restrictions Each jurisdictional agency has the authority to implement restrictions and closures within its boundaries. Restrictions process begins with recommendations from local fire officials from each agency. Within each Area, the Area Restrictions Coordinators assist cooperating agencies with the initiation, implementation and rescission of restrictions. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  6. Authorities • State and Private Forested • State Code Annotated • Local County • State Code Annotated • State Constitution NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training • U. S. Department of the Interior • Code of Federal Regulations • Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 • USDA Forest Service • Code of Federal Regulations • Tribal • Code of Federal Regulations • Treaties • Tribal Constitution • Ordinances

  7. Enabling Documents • U. S. Department of the Interior • Manager: “Fire Prevention or Special Order” • USDA Forest Service • Forest Supervisor: “Special Order” • Tribal • Tribal Chairperson: “Tribal Order” • State and Private • State Forester/Governor: “Proclamation” • Local • County Commission: “Resolution/Ordinance” NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  8. Enabling Documents U.S. Dept. of Interior Fire Prevention or Special Order Field Office Manager Refuge Manager Superintendent NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  9. Enabling Documents Insert jpeg of document USDA Forest Service Special Order Forest Supervisor NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  10. Enabling Documents Tribal Tribal Order Tribal Chairperson NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  11. Enabling Documents State and Private Proclamation State Forester/Governor NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  12. Enabling Documents Local Resolution/Ordinance County Commission NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  13. Area Boundaries NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  14. Multiple Jurisdictions • Within each restriction Area, there are multiple jurisdictions that may not follow county lines. • This phenomena may result in multiple difficulties during the process, highlighting the importance of coordination and communication prior to a jurisdiction implementing restrictions. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  15. NRCG Guide/Area Plans • Local cooperators develop • Area Restrictions Plans, • tiered to the NRCG Guidelines. • Update & validate annually. • Includes a communications strategy. • Phone contacts: • Agency Administrators • Restrictions Coordinators • Interagency Fire Managers • Media Contacts NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  16. Roles & Responsibilities • Geographic Agency Administrators • Northern Rockies Coordinating Group • Geographic Restrictions Coordinator • Area Agency Administrator/Chairperson NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  17. Roles & Responsibilities • Lead Area Agency Administrator/Chair • Area Restrictions Coordinator • Area Media Coordinator NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  18. Coordination & Communication LCES Provide accurate, consolidated restrictions information for the media, general public, partners, volunteers & employees. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Coordinate the restrictions and closure process among Area partners.

  19. Pre-season Activities Before Fire Season • Review & validate the plan. • Develop documents in template format. All partners should plan and implement fire prevention campaigns, utilizing key messages and enforcement patrols. Utilize Area fire prevention working groups, if available. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  20. Process • Multiple • Or • Large Fires NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  21. Stage I Restrictions NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Campfires prohibited except as exempted by agency Smoking prohibitions

  22. Stage II Restrictions NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Campfires prohibited except as exempted by agency Smoking prohibitions Off-road vehicle prohibitions Acts prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

  23. Process NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Initiation • Public awareness campaigns. • Restrictions Coordinator initiates discussions. • Coordinate timing (restrictions, rescissions, media releases) across all entities.

  24. Decision Criteria * Thresholds for fuel moistures will vary by restrictions area. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  25. Decision Criteria Current fire activity impacting resources. High/increased # of human-caused fires. Adverse fire weather conditions/risks are predicted to continue. Life safety is jeopardized. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  26. Process NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Implementation • Restrictions Coordinator documents decisions. • Agencies complete, sign, fax/email documents to Restrictions Coordinator. • Written permits for exemptions/exceptions/waivers. • Notification to internal employees. • Public notification and signage on affected agency jurisdiction(s).

  27. Website: www.firerestrictions.us NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  28. Website: www.firerestrictions.us www.firerestrictions.us NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  29. Outreach • Cooperative Extension - local county agents • Local Government Center - contacts for county commissioner & city officials • County Fire Councils - contacts for all fire managers in the county • Northern Rockies Coordinating Group – contacts with a variety of agencies and fire personnel • Agency Fire Prevention and Education Specialists – contacts with public • Non-profit / Community Groups • FireSafe Montana - local firesafe councils • Firewise - local firewise communities • Keep Montana Green • Ready Set Go • Recreation User Groups • Sporting Goods Stores • Chamber of Commerce Organizations NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  30. Signing/Posting • Signed orders/proclamations provide authority. • Restrictions Coordinators ensure consistency and work with Media Coordinators. • Sign posting should include agency sites in the field and locations throughout the community. • Media press releases and community contacts. • Electronic “trap lines” and posting to website. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  31. Enforcement • Jurisdictions have to be signed; the public needs to know. • The signs should be posted prior to enforcement. • Adequacy of resources for enforcement patrols. Wildfire Prevention Guide PMS 456, June 1998 NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  32. Rescission Plan restrictions for long-term fire danger. Do not react to small fluctuations in risk, weather and fire danger. When danger subsides, Area Restrictions Coordinator will work with Media Coordinator to distribute information. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  33. Burn Bans in Montana NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Burning allowed by a burn permit is usually banned by resolution, but can be an ordinance(MCA 7-33-22 or 7-5-108). Typically based on high fire hazard areas; some counties restrict based on air quality. Typically authorized by Principal Executive Officer (county commission); may be delegated.

  34. Exemptions to Restrictions Standard • Written into agency’s/tribe’s enabling documents. • Mitigation measures should be included. • Do not absolve liability or responsibility for fire. • Exemptions valid for both Stage I and II. • Specific locations where campfires will be allowed. • With a written permit. • Device fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. • Where activity is authorized by written posted notice. • Officer or rescue/firefighting force on official duty. • Land within city boundary. • Others unique to agency/tribe. • Use of sheepherder stoves and/or river pans (w/ mitigation). NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  35. Exemptions to Restrictions Standard • Exemptions valid for Stage II only • Operating generators (w/mitigation measures). • Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails. • Emergency repair of public utilities . • Emergency repair of railroads. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  36. Exemptions to Restrictions Special/Case-by-case • Need determined by individual agency/tribe. • Include mitigation measures. • Include vehicle requirements. • Coordination and communication are critical. • For industrial operations. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  37. Small-scale Closure NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training • Isolated areas where public and/or firefighter safety is a concern. • On-going incident • Extreme fire conditions • Coordinate with all Area agencies/tribes. • Coordinate with adjacent Areas. • Exemptions authorized by Agency Administrator/Tribal Chair and/or the Incident Commander.

  38. Small-scale Closure NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  39. Large-scale Closure NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training • Geographic Agency Administrators assess. • May involve multiple units and/or jurisdictions. • Evaluation guidelines may include: • Potential loss of life due to extreme fire conditions • Potential for extreme fire behavior • Stage II restrictions not effective in reducing # of human-caused fires • Critical shortage of firefighting resources across the geographic level • Standard exemptions noted on closure documents.

  40. Helpful Tools • Desk reference guide • Restrictions stages wallet card/signs • Frequently asked questions (FAQs) NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  41. Other Insert any agency-specific or area-specific information here! To be utilized by the presenters. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

  42. Comments/Questions “When you partner with a partner you can do great things.” --Bullwinkle NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

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