Last Updated January 24, 2005
National Fire Plan
Providing a long-term investment to help protect communities, natural resources, and, most importantly, the lives of firefighters and the public
The National Fire Plan of the Forest Service is a long-term commitment based on cooperation and communication among federal agencies, states, local governments, tribes, and interested members of the public. The plan laid the foundation for a long-term program to reduce fire risk and restore healthy fire-adapted ecosystems in the nation's forests and rangelands.
On May 23, 2002, the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, along with 17 western governors, signed a 10-year Comprehensive Strategy Implementation Plan–A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment. The plan set the performance requirements for delivery of the 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy that recognizes the need to invest in long-term solutions to reduce excessive and hazardous fuels. The goals are to collaboratively promote community assistance, reduce hazardous fuels, and maintain and restore fire-adapted ecosystems.
During 2002, the second year of National Fire Plan Implementation, the United States endured the second largest fire season in a half-century. Wildland fires burned 7.2 million acres, or nearly double the 10-year average.
Despite challenging conditions, and with assistance from Congress and the American public, communities were protected, fire risk was reduced, burned lands were stabilized or rehabilitated, and healthy fire-adapted ecosystems were restored. Firefighters were successful in suppressing more than 99 percent of all wildland fires. Of the more than 73,000 fires reported, only 610 escaped to become large fires of over 300 acres.
The introduction of the Healthy Forests Initiative in August 2002 expedited the attainment of National Fire Plan goals. It directs the agencies to improve regulatory processes to ensure more timely decisions, greater efficiency, and better results in reducing the risks of catastrophic wildland fires by restoring rangeland and forest health.
Firefighting effectiveness has been increased with the addition of aircraft and equipment including engines, helicopters, air tankers, bulldozers, water-foam tenders, and tractor plows.
Project Examples
- Treatment of 2.26 million acres of hazardous fuels on federal land—167,673 more acres than in Fiscal Year 2001.
- Treatment of 458,456 acres through insect and disease suppression projects and treatment of 6,039 acres for invasive plant control.
- Treatment of 1.3 million severely burned acres through rehabilitation.
- Completion of 1,070 projects including bioenergy feasibility studies and community economic development planning.
Application and Financial Information
In Fiscal year 2002, the Forest Service and the
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) awarded contracts
for more than $329 million. This total
includes $70 million for hazardous fuels treatment,
emergency stabilization, and rehabilitation.
The Forest Service and DOI established a joint action plan to enhance procurement and meet the National Fire Plan contracting goals. The five fire management agencies reviewed their contracting and assistance procedures. The report of this study identifies obstacles and recommends steps to overcome them.
Under P.L. 93-638, the Bureau of Indian Affairs awards funds to tribes for hazardous fuel treatments and rehabilitation.
Eligibility, Uses, and Restrictions
Based on the joint study by the five federal
wildland fire management agencies, a review
team identified areas of improvement to remove
barriers, improve accountability, and better use
contracting services. Specific targets for contracting
are evolving through work on a 10-Year
Comprehensive Strategy Implementation Plan.
For more details, contact your Regional Forest Service office. The listing for Regional Offices can be found at www.fs.fed.us/contactus/regions.shtml; or contact your state forester's office, which can be found on the National Association of State Foresters website at www.stateforesters.org and go to the Directory of State Foresters.
Contact
Corbin Newman, National Fire Plan Coordinator
Forest Service, Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 205-1332
E-mail: cnewman02@fs.fed.us
Internet
www.fireplan.gov
