Fire Restrictions & Closure

 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

 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. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

 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

 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

 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  State and Private Forested State Code Annotated  Local County State Code Annotated State Constitution

 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

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

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

Tribal Tribal Order Tribal Chairperson NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

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

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

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 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  Geographic Agency Administrators  Northern Rockies Coordinating Group  Geographic Restrictions Coordinator  Area Agency Administrator/Chairperson

NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training  Lead Area Agency Administrator/Chair  Area Restrictions Coordinator  Area Media Coordinator

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

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

Fire Danger Restrictions Closures Prevention activities not working Drawdown of resources NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training Multiple Or Large Fires

NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training  Campfires prohibited except as exempted by agency  Smoking prohibitions

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.

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.

CRITERIASTAGE 1STAGE 2CLOSURE ERC (3-day avg.)90-94 th percentile95-97 th percentile98 th percentile Live Fuel Moisture ≤100≤75≤ hr Fuel Moist. ≤14≤13≤12 * Thresholds for fuel moistures will vary by restrictions area. NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

 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

Implementation Restrictions Coordinator documents decisions. Agencies complete, sign, fax/ documents to Restrictions Coordinator. Written permits for exemptions/exceptions/waivers. Notification to internal employees. Public notification and signage on affected agency jurisdiction(s).

NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training

NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training  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  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.

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

 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

 Burning allowed by a burn permit is usually banned by resolution, but can be an ordinance (MCA or ).  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.

NRCG Fire Prevention & Education Committee: Fire Restrictions & Closure Training 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 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 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  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.

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.

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

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

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