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MINIMUM IMPACT SUPPRESSION TACTICS (MIST) Wilderness Fire Resource Advisor Training April 24-26, 2007 Duluth, MN Chris Holbeck Environmental Planning and Partnerships Specialist Dept BAER Team Leader Voyageurs National Park

Effective Strategies and Tactics Role of the WRA Why READs are Necessary

Putting out the fire shouldn’t cause more damage than the fire itself

GENERALLY Personnel, and equipment carry exotic plant seeds Decontaminate gear coming and going Water operations impact wetland and riparian areas Pick a hardened area for filling bladder bags Know what retardant is used before the fire Fueling stations always spill Use adequate spill containment Excavators are better than dozers Map locations of potential impacts Work with your FMO & Ops staff to develop a Pre Suppression Plan

LINE CONSTRUCTION Let it burn, it’s wilderness after all Burn out from natural barriers Scratch rather than dig, find a rake Lean toward wet line, water drops, sprinklers Use the tactics, and equipment with the least impact, pair the width & depth of the line to fires behavior Blast it, it creates more natural appearing fire-lines and stumps. It’s also non tool Remove ground fuel, but don’t disturb the soil

Line Construction continued Minimize cutting of trees, burned trees, and snags, move the line instead Cabin cut stumps and ends for esthetics Scrape around tree bases rather than cut the tree Check critical resource maps and avoid, arch sites, cultural heritage sites, wetlands, T&E locations

MOPUP Develop a reasonable mop up strategy with Operations +/- 100ft Protect unburned islands in the interior Wet mop or cold trail the perimeter Obstruct access to the line to prevent equestrian and OHV traffic Protect habitat trees, manage hazard trees

AVIATION MANAGEMENT Heli Spot Exotics from the Heli Base Saw damage Trailing Heli Base Soil Compaction Exotics introduction Haz Mat spills Water Acquisition Aquatic exotics Bank erosion Use of Retardant Contamination Acidification Work with your FMO & Air Ops staff to develop a Pre Suppression Aviation Plan

ICP, Spike Camps, Drop Points Overnight crews in non wilderness Select a previously disturbed area that will accommodate the intended use Avoid lake side, stream, side or other wet areas. Pre hardened surfaces are best, harden the surface if you have to Get a camp manager Contain your waste Use LNT, if you have to create a spike camp

Document Impacts

SAFETY Considerations for the WRA LCES, 18 Watchouts & 10 Standard Orders. Use natural openings for safety zones Create a black spot Burn more rather than clear more Identify unique hazards to your area Work into wilderness from the edge Don’t go direct

On the Home Unit, or as READ to the IMT Find the Pre Suppression Plan Consult Resource Specialists on location of sensitive resources Attend and Speak at Planning Meetings and Morning Briefing Meet with Ops Sec Chief, Division, Crew Boss and Squad Boss Develop written procedures and guidelines and integrate in IAP Call for more READs

READ for Squad, Crew, or Division Find the Pre Suppression Plan Consult Resource Specialists on location of sensitive resources Attend Planning Meetings and Morning Briefing You work for the Agency Administrator Consult the agency Rep on your level of authority

Why READs are Necessary Prevent Avoidable Suppression Impact Document Location and Type of Impacts Transition to Rehab or BAER Apply Land Manager Specific Fire Management Philosophy

Suppression Impacts Paradise Fire