Thesis on "Wildland Recreation Management National Fire Plan and Community Preparedness"

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[EXCERPT] . . . .

National Fire Plan & Community Preparedness

What is National Fire Plan

Importance of Community Preparedness

Fire Wise

Recent Efforts and Challenged

Political Considerations

Current Applications

Year Implementation Plan

Project Wildfire

Developing Community Plans

Future Issues and Concerns

Lack of Concern and cooperation in some communities

Making the Message Personal

Lack of Personnel and Resources

Need for Education and Efforts to Foster Social Responsibility

Common elements of Success

Overcoming Obstacles

Fostering Higher Levels of Supp

National Fire Plan & Community Preparedness

Every year millions of dollars of property and thousands of acres of U.S. forest succumb to fire damage. As the population the United States increases, more people are moving into fire-prone areas. This places their lives and property at-risk; it also increases the likelihood of wildfires caused by human activity. To help mitigate this problem, the National Fire Plan was developed. This research will explore the role of the National Fire Plan and its subsidiary programs in helping to mitigate this growing problem.

Introduction

What is the National Fire plan?

The National Fire Plan was the result of an unusually active fire season in 2000 (

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Forests and Rangelands, 2007a). Although fires are an important part of many wild ecosystems, as people begin to live closer to these wild areas, the problem becomes one of achieving balance. In the interest of protecting private and public property in areas near the wildland/urban interface, the National Fire Plan was developed. This effort focuses on the development of community level efforts to help protect urban areas from the threat of forest fires.

Fire prevention and mitigation happens first on a community level. In a large forest fire, national resources are quickly diverted to the scene, but they are second responders. The first ones on the scene are those that are immediately affected. The National Fire Plan is a response to the need for coordinated, rapid community response. It also serves as a coordinating entity for long-term strategic planning in the community. Coordination and cooperation are the keys to a successful fire prevention and mitigation program.

Several programs have been set up under the auspices of the National Fire Plan. These programs are FireWise, FireFree, and FireWiseCommunities. Firewise and Firewise Communities emphasize the need to cooperation between various community-level agencies, homeowners, and emergency response. The focus of the program is on community education and awareness of the hazards around various homes and what can be done to reduce the risk of fire (FireWise, 2009; Firewisecommunities/USA, 2009). One of the most important tasks of these programs is so coordinate responsibility in the various areas of fire protection. The following will examine these programs in detail.

Literature Review

Significant fires are measured in terms of acres burned, the value of natural resources, property and lives lost. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), more than have of the listed significant fires have occurred since 1990 (Jakes, Kruger, & Monroe et al., 2004). Many of the most recent listed fired burned in the wildland/urban interface. When human activities mix with high amounted of vegetative fuels, the results can e disastrous. These new high-price fires have creased a need to focus not only on building materials, but to focus on reducing fuels near structures (Jakes, Kruger, & Monroe et al., 2004). A combined approach is needed to help limit the risk to homes and lives near the wildland/urban interface. Fire fighting used to focus on saving natural resources, now firefighters must turn their attention to saving dwellings near fire zones. The following will examine literature regarding community-based efforts to help mitigate these risks to life and property.

Recent Efforts and Challenges

In 2003, a survey of administrators of regulatory and voluntary wildfire risk reduction programs in the U.S. was conducted. The primary concerns of the chosen programs were vegetation management on private lands (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). The survey examined the program's organization. goals, obstacles, and perceptions about their effectiveness (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). The results of this study revealed that education was the foundation of many of the programs. Education and public outreach were primary goals and objectives of the program. Several methods were identified for achieving the goals of publication and outreach. Among those were mailings, public events, websites, listed of fire-resistant plants, demonstration homes and gardens, radio, television and newspaper ads, and videos (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). In addition, programs were presented through local schools with the addition of a fire science program (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). The goal of these programs is to inform persons living in fire-prone areas about the importance of fire-safe landscapes and the creation of a defensible zone around their homes (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005).

In many of the survey respondents, fire-mapping and identification of at-risk zones played a major role in identifying and reducing risks (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). Mapping included an assessment of fuel loading, topography, fire history, climate, housing density and the local infrastructure for fire fighting (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). Hazard severity ratings were developed in some locations. Homeowner assistance was made available in a majority of the areas surveyed, with programs to assist home owners in free clearing and disposal of debris (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). Only half of the managers surveyed indicated that their programs contained a regulatory component (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005).

The key obstacles facing managers were limited resources and negative attitudes on the part of residents (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). Public apathy and a lack of technical staff were key obstacles in the programs. Budget constraints were also found to be problematic in some areas. Property owners were often unwilling to clean up debris and fuel on their property (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005). To overcome these obstacles, many of the managers indicated that they would involve private property owners in pre-collaborative planning sessions. They also indicated that they would enlist the aid of local news media in helping to garner public support (Reams, Haines, & Renner et al., 2005).

The Bureau of Land Management has launched efforts in several fire-prone western states to help reduce vegetative fuel and restore the fire-resilient species that once inhabited the areas (BLM, 2005). These initiatives include planting sagebrush and slickspot peppergrass in fire-prone areas in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The BLM also treated many areas in these states for fuel build-up (BLM, 2005). BLM projects only address problems on public lands. Although, they have a tremendous impact on state land, they do nothing to address the problems cited by local community fire managers regarding homeowner apathy towards similar projects in communities near the wildland/urban interface.

Political Considerations

In the past, politics dictated a hierarchical structure for fire management in the western United States. At the top of the chain was the U.S. Forest Service. Under this structure, states played a supporting, rather than a lead role (Davis, 2001). The adoption of the National Fire Plan takes a bottom-up, rather than a top-down model of fire prevention and mitigation. This represents a change in the political climate that dictates authority in the fire arena.

These changes recognize that a generalized approach does not address every circumstance that exists in every community (Davis, 2001). The bottom-up approach of the National Fire Plan provides the ability to adapt to the individual needs of the communities that will be affected the most. However, this creates a situation where it may be unclear who has the ultimate decision making authority. The problem is that under Federal law, the U.S. Forest Service still has the ultimate authority over the decisions of states and communities. When the various entities clash, it can leave the community indecisive about what actions to take or to whom to listen. This political situation may represent an underlying cause in the reluctance of homeowners to take action around their property, as indicated in the survey conducted by community fire managers.

Several community level initiatives have had to find a way to overcome political challenges and make their communities safe. The North Central Research Station highlighted some of these cases in a 2003 report. The community of Gunflint Trail in Minnesota is one such community. The community has a history of big fires due to their proximity to a large forest. Gunflint is an example of the success that can occur when individuals collaborate with community resources. The community has developed a program to provide fire suppression sprinklers installed on the tops of houses (NCRS, 2003). Gunflint is a community that demonstrates resilience and the ability to overcome the fire challenges that they face, but they can only accomplish this through solid partnerships.

Another example of a community effort is the town of Waldo, Florida. One landowner is credited with turning a big fire away from the town of Waldo through efforts on his own property to control vegetation and fuel accumulation (NCRS, 2003). This… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Wildland Recreation Management National Fire Plan and Community Preparedness" Assignment:

“

10-12 Page Research Paper APA Format

Page 1-2 Topic Question and Outline (* outline is needed)

Outline to have 5 sections

I Introduction;

II Literature Review:

III Current Applications:

IV Future Issues and Concerns:

V Conclusion

Under each heading there should be 3-5 subtopics indentified.

I have given you links to various Research studies as well and information links to use. Others are fine as well.

TOPIC: Wild land recreation management- National Fire Plan and Community Preparedness

QUESTION (This can be reworded if you can keep the general idea)

The National Fire Plan has resulted in a variety of community-level efforts to increase wildfire preparedness and management: This paper will take a look at the National Fire Plan and the effectiveness of Programs such as Firewise, FireFree, and Firewise Communities USA to provide model programs for communities to reduce their risks of wildfire.

PAPER STRUCTURE & OUTLINE

Introduction

1. What is National Fire Plan

2. Importance of Community Preparedness

3. Fire Wise http://www.firewise.org/ ; FireFree- http://www.firefree.org/; FirewiseCommunities USA- http://www.firewise.org/usa/index.htm

Literature Review (links to studies provided with 2 studies to be e-mailed)

1.Partners in Wildland Preparedness (article will be e-mailed)

2. Goals, obstacles and effective strategies of wildfire mitigation programs in the Wildland*****“Urban Interface (article e-mailed)

3. http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nifc/snapshots0/2005.Par.64322.File.dat/05-13-05.pdf

4. The West In Flames: The Intergovernmental Politics of Wildland Suppression and Prevention by Charles Davis http://publius.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/31/3/97 or http://publius.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/31/3/97

5. Home Owners, Communities, and Wildfire: Science Findings from National Fire Plan http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_nc231.pdf#page=16

Current Applications

1. http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/success/index.cfm

2. http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/plan/index.shtml

3. http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/sevilla-2007/contributions/doc/cd/SESIONES_TEMATICAS/ST5/Stutler_Ligthall_USA.pdf

4. http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/plan/documents/10-YearStrategyFinal_Dec2006.pdf

5. http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/communities/index.shtml

Future Issues and Concerns

1. need

2. need

3. need

Conclusion

Possible Sources to use

National Fire Plan

http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/

http://ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/pristine/2004/nc_2004_jakes_001p.pdf

http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/NFP/index.shtml (side bar)

Case Studies

With links to individual programs

http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/4804/focus/fire/community_preparedness/cp_case_studies/

NOTES:

Social concerns about wildland fire and fuels management are drawing increased attention as wildland fires and fuels management efforts reach people*****s back yards.

five key questions, involving collaboration in fuels treatment, communicating risks, evaluating the social acceptability of fuels treatment, the role of private landowners, and evaluating the social impacts of wildfire. Although wildfire research related to these questions is extremely limited, there is general social science data that answers each one. For the second part of our study, looking at community preparedness for wildfire, we found that a remarkably growing body of research into actions by individual communities is contributing to theories explaining community preparedness.

Since the since the implementation of the

National Fire Plan what has been the response of How have communities

preparedness for wildland fire

Communities are taking a variety of actions to improve wildland fire

preparedness,

- from enacting codes,

- standards, and zoning that restrict develop

- ormandate fuels reduction to demonstration projects to educate homeowners about fuels

management

What we looked at: The National Fire Plan has resulted in a variety of community-level efforts to increase wildfire preparedness and management. Yet experts know little about what communities are accomplishing. In a series of case studies across the U.S., we identified the steps 15 communities are taking to increase wildfire preparedness and the social conditions necessary to implement and sustain those steps.

Why: As more communities are exposed to wildfire risk, local leaders are searching for ways to be proactive in minimizing potential losses from wildfires. By determining the actions some communities have taken to improve wildfire preparedness, we can help others identify ideas that could work for them, or areas where they might need improvement.

What we found: Communities can improve their chances of success by focusing broadly on maintaining or improving the sustainability of their ecosystems, rather than focusing on managing vegetation that fuels wildfires. It is helpful to have a government agency involved in preparedness efforts. And communities need to draw on all their resources, including the talents of individuals and organizations, as well as their full range of social networks.

In recent years there have been a number of initiatives to provide assistance to

communities for wildfire management. For example, the National Fire Plan has

supported community-level wildfire preparedness by providing financial support to

communities to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface and improve

utilization of materials removed through treatments, and by providing funding to

rural and volunteer fire departments to improve training, communication, supplies,

and equipment. Programs such as Firewise, FireFree, and Firewise Communities

USA provide a collaborative forum for communities to reduce their risks of wildfire.

While these and other programs provide the impetus for many communities to

actively engage in wildfire preparedness, we know little about what is actually being

accomplished in term of preparedness or of the conditions that need to exist in

communities to support such programs. In a series of case studies conducted in 15

communities across the U.S., we identified (1) the steps taken by communities to

increase their wildfire preparedness, and (2) the social conditions necessary to

implement and sustain these steps.

As more communities are exposed to wildfire risk, they are searching for ways

they can be proactive in minimizing potential losses from wildfires. By identifying

what actions our 15 communities are taking to improve wildfire preparedness, other

communities can identify ideas that could work for them or areas where they might

need improvement.

We found that regardless of the *****wealth***** of communities in terms of natural,

human, social, physical, or financial capital, there is something every community can

do to increase their wildfire preparedness. In addition communities can improve their

chances of success by focusing broadly on maintaining or improving the

sustainability of the ecosystem, rather than focusing more narrowly on fuels

management. It also helps greatly to have a government agency involved in the

effort. Agency employees bring knowledge and skills to the process, and access to

sources of funding. Finally, efforts to improve community wildfire preparedness

need to draw on all the resources in the community, including the talents of

individuals (referred to as human capacity) and the networks and existing

organizations and associations in the community (referred to as social capacity).

There is a role for managers, decision makers, and the general public in

community preparedness for wildfire. While it is critical to have public agency staff

involved, they cannot do it on their own. While it*****s important for different locallybased

associations and groups to be involved, they cannot do it on their own. While

landowners and homeowners need to take personal responsibility for wildfire

preparedness on their property, they cannot do it on their own. Wildfire preparedness

is an area where collaboration and partnerships will make or break the effort

A team of scientists visited communities across the U.S. to identify their efforts to increase wildfire preparedness and the resources necessary to support their work. The resulting case studies, listed below, have helped direct and generate support for wildland fire preparedness activities in communities across the country.

In western Montana, the Forest Service has used them in training sessions with community leaders and agency administrators. Residents of the Applegate community have distributed their summary to members of the Oregan State House and Senate to show they have taken responsibility for wildland fire preparedness.

Several communities distribute the summaries to new property owners to help them understand the fire history of their homes and preparedness actions the community has taken. State resource managers in Minnesota give the summaries to residents and vacationers alike.

The summaries have also been the basis of workshops for the National Fire Protection Association, the National Academy of Public Administration, the American Planning Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

View the summaries:

*****¢ Florida

o Palm Coast

o Waldo

o Wedgefield

*****¢ Minnesota

o Gun Flint Trail

*****¢ Mississippi

o Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge - Nearby Communities

*****¢ Montana

o Red Lodge

*****¢ Nevada

o Incline Village

*****¢ New Jersey

o Berkeley Township

*****¢ New York

o Long Island

*****¢ Oregon

o Applegate Valley

o Bend

*****¢ South Dakota

o Spearfish

*****¢ Texas

o Bastrop

*****¢ Washington

o The Colville Reservation

o Roslyn

*****¢ Wisconsin

o Barnes-Drummond and Northwestern Wisconsin

Catastrophic wildland fires are on the rise in the United States. At the same time, more people are settling in fire-prone areas. This places more people and homes at risk, and complicates fire management efforts, both in terms of fighting fires and working to reduce hazards before fires begin. However, fire is also a natural phenomenon that can play an important role in maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems. As more people are drawn to live in scenic wooded areas, determining how fire and communities can best co-exist is an increasing concern.

We focus on the human dimension of fire management to help devise practices and policies that will be most successful in protecting people, property and natural ecosystems. Fire management involves constant interaction with people, often under trying circumstances. Our scientists study people*****s perceptions of wildland fires and of fire management practices, which often vary from region to region. We also look at human settlement patterns across the U.S. to help managers plan for fire-management needs.

We provide insights, knowledge and tools for fire managers to improve their success in dealing with people. This helps guide fire-management policies and helps managers determine where to most effectively target their resources for fuels management.

Our efforts are concentrated in four study areas:

*****¢ Fuels Management

*****¢ Defensible Space

*****¢ Wildland Urban Interface

*****¢ Post-Fire Restoration

Research Summary

*****¢ The Public and Wildland Fire Management: Social Science Findings for Managers

Research Summaries are in pdf format and require specialized software to view or print them. You may download free Adobe Reader software from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

have two of the literature reviews that I will be e-mailing as soon as I get a confirmation

*****

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