Wildland Fires & Fire Management Paperback / softback

The Forest Service and Interior agencies have initiated a number of steps to address key operational areas previously identified as needing improvement to help federal agencies contain wildland fire costs, but the effects on containing costs are unknown, in part because many of these steps are not yet complete.

First, federal fire-fighting agencies are developing a system to help them better identify and set priorities for lands needing treatment to reduce fuels, but they have yet to decide how they will keep data in the system current.

Second, federal agencies have taken some steps to improve how they acquire and use personnel, equipment, and other fire-fighting assets -- such as implementing a computerised system to more efficiently dispatch and track available fire-fighting assets -- but have not yet completed the more fundamental step of determining the appropriate type and quantity of fire-fighting assets needed for the fire season.

Third, the agencies have clarified certain policies and are improving analytical tools that assist officials in identifying and implementing an appropriate response to a given fire, but several other policies limit the agencies' use of less aggressive fire-fighting strategies, which typically cost less.

Fourth, federal agencies, working with non-federal entities, have recently taken steps to clarify guidance to better ensure that fire-fighting costs are shared consistently for fires that threaten both federal and non-federal lands and resources, but it is unclear how the agencies will ensure that this guidance is followed.

This book is an edited and excerpted version.