A Brief Look at Federal Wildland Fire Policy & WFDSS One Approach to Successful Implementation Dan O’Brien NWCC Fire Analyst March 31, 2008

Resource Protection Emergency Ops: High Priority Well-developed “vocabulary” Generally well-understood Resource “Benefit” Management activity: Low priority Vocabulary not well-developed Not well-understood Choose one, regardless Of changes in fuel Or weather Or length of remaining fire season Or values at risk Or any other objective consideration Prior to Federal Wildland Fire Policy Implementation

Mgmt Strategy Perimeter Control Monitor Incident Objective Least Cost + Loss Fire Reintroduction Ecosystem Mgmt Measure of Success Fire goes out Fire goes out with minimal human intervention = + + =

Federal Wildland Fire Policy Direction Consider: Strategic LRMP/FMP Objectives & Requirements Current and forecasted weather Current and projected fire behavior Values at risk Based on Incident location: Set measureable Incident objectives Defined by site specific issues Tier to the LRMP strategic objectives & requirements Decide on a Course of Action informed by: Clear mgmt objectives Appropriate, & timely, analysis Knowledge that objectives, and course of action, can and should change to meet changing conditions In this dynamic decision environment, WFDSS frames decision space and facilitates documentation.

To be successful Articulate what’s being accomplished in the short, and long, term: –Investments today can translate into future net savings: Improved firefighter safety Reduced fire protection costs; Reduced BAER costs

To be successful Evolve our vocabulary; For example: –Use a perimeter control strategy to achieve specific resource benefit objectives. –Employ measurable objectives “Contain fire within the wilderness boundary” “[At FIL 3 or lower], consume hazardous fuels across ____% of the _______ Creek drainage” –Employ achievable objectives Reflect topography, fuels, expected fire weather & fire behavior AND available resources

OR-UPF-FMU 1: Developed Forest Protect all public and forest developments and infrastructure Unplanned ignitions will not be utilized to accomplish resource objectives at FIL 3 and greater. Protect historic Tokatee Ranger Station Protect PacCorp substations and powerlines Utilize direct control strategy unless safety will be compromised OR-UPF-FMU 2: Wilderness Unplanned ignitions may be used to accomplish resource objectives at all FILs Maintain the appearance of a landscape unaltered by human activities Contain the fire within the wilderness boundary Utilize minimum impact tactics FMUs & objectives are fictitious

Based on analysis, decisions can, and should, change to meet changing conditions Time Decision #1: Contain incident within established perimeter; Protect community of Carlton; Allow fire to back through beetle-killed stands in Blue Creek. Decision #2: Prioritize and protect mgmt action points at the head of fire; Continue to hold line and protect community of Carlton; Keep fire from crossing Hwy 27. Decision #3: Secure fire’s edge west of Hwy 27; Monitor fire’s progress as it moves north into High Mt. Wilderness; Secure all other sections of the perimeter. Fire exceeds initial decision space Resources prioritized to other incidents. Favorable weather change; fire moved to safer location. S Agency AdministratorIncident Mgmt Teams WFDSS analysis & documentation KDL Strategic DirectionTactical Implementation Deliberation

In WFDSS, use decision support tools appropriately In IA decision-space with a high probability of success, further analysis isn’t needed. In extended attack, or in short-term or low complexity Type 2 or 3 incidents, deploy tactical analysis tools: Basic Fire Behavior Short-term Fire Behavior Flammap FARSITE Decision: Resource Protection / Fire Suppression

Using Decision-support Tools Decision: Achieve resource objectives / Monitor Deploy strategic analysis tools (FSPro) early for small, low complexity incidents. Use tactical analysis tools as necessary to develop MAP protection scenarios based on developing weather patterns; game fire intensity, spread, and spotting potential.

Wildland Fire Policy allows dynamic decision-making to meet changing conditions Use WFDSS to frame decision-space and document decision rationale. Questions?