National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Background and Progress Update – March 2012 Dan Smith, Fire Director, National Association of State Foresters Ann Walker, Forest Health Program Director, WGA 1

What is the Cohesive Strategy? A national, collaborative approach to addressing wildland fire across all lands and jurisdictions Developed with input from wildland fire organizations, land managers and policy- making officials representing all levels of governmental and non-governmental organizations 2

Why is it Important? Wildland fire management is complex and involves a wide range of stakeholders Risks to communities and firefighters are increasing Effectively addressing these issues requires a united, comprehensive effort 3

Background 2009 FLAME Act: ◦ Directs Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to develop Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations: ◦ Articulate potential approaches ◦ Estimate costs of each approach ◦ Describe trade-offs associated with each approach 4

Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) WFLC provides oversight and governs the Cohesive Strategy effort ◦ Intergovernmental committee of federal, state, tribal, county and municipal government officials Wildland Fire Executive Council ◦ Delegation from WFLC for completion of FLAME Act tasks & Cohesive Strategy Cohesive Strategy Subcommittee 5

Governance and Engagement 6

Vision “Safely and effectively extinguish fire, when needed, use fire where allowable; manage our natural resources; and as nation, live with wildland fire.” 7

Cohesive Strategy Principles ◦ Engages stakeholders, managers, and scientists ◦ Based on best available science ◦ Emphasis on partnerships and collaboration ◦ Balances long-term goals and near-term outcomes ◦ Approach needs to be a “from-the-ground up” effort 8

National Goals: Restore and Maintain Landscapes: Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances in accordance with management objectives. Fire-adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property. Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions. 9

A Phased Approach 10 Phase I (finalized March, 2011) National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Phase II (In review – April, 2012) Development of Regional Strategies and Assessments Phase III (current – February, 2013) Regional & National Risk Analyses Regional & National Action Plans (National Trade-Off Analysis and Implementation)

Phase I – National Strategy Fourteen forums were held nationwide Building upon previous reports: Call to Action; Mutual Expectations; “Missions” Report; 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy; 2009 QFR Developed foundational documents:  A Pathway Toward a National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy  Report to Congress: The Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act of

Regions Three regions have been identified for Phase II and III by WFLC ◦ Northeast ◦ Southeast ◦ West 12

Phase II National Report developed from the three Regional Assessments ◦ Implement a collaborative planning process and analytical protocol ◦ Regions identify for themselves alternative management strategies Regionally determined alternative strategies will be utilized in Phase III 13

Phase III Identify Specific Regional Alternatives Continue and Expand Outreach within and among the Regions, utilizing the Communications Framework Continue to identify immediate opportunities Complete Regional & National Science-based Risk Analysis Reports Complete Regional and National Action Plans ◦ Risk analyses will inform a national strategy to mitigate wildland fire risks to communities and landscapes. 14

Phase III Public Outreach Regional & National Action Plans (Earlier referenced as the National Trade-Off Analysis &Implementation) Risk analyses will inform a national strategy to mitigate wildland fire risks to communities and landscapes. Implement National Cohesive Strategy 15

National Science and Analysis Team Leadership & Representation: Danny Lee – Team Lead (USFS) Tom Quigley – Contractor (USFS) Cheryl Renner – WGA delegate Keith Smith – NASF Jim Smith – The Nature Conservancy 16

Information & Resources WGA Cohesive Strategy Workshop WFLC Support document Web podcasts: NASF, WGA, & IAFC Cohesive Strategy updates available at: Dan Smith Ann 17

Questions 18