Recommended by:
Approved by: Jim Thomas, Fire Management Officer Date
Approved by: Pete Karp, Uinta Forest Supervisor Date
Tom Tidwell, Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor Date


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I: Introduction 3
Section II: Current Fire Management Policy and Forest Plan Direction 4
A. Current Fire Management Policy 4
B. Land and Resource Management Plan Direction 5
1. Forestwide Goals 5
2. Forestwide Direction 6
Section III: Scope of Fire Management on the Forests 8
A. Fire Management Goals 8
B. Fire Program Elements 8
1. Wildland Fire 8
2. Prescribed Fire and Mechanical Treatments 9
C. Description of Fire Management Units 9
1. Strategic Management Goals of the FMUs 10
2. Fire Management Guidelines for Resource Management 11
D. Fire Management Situation 11
1. Ignitions 11
2. Weather 11
3. Fire Season Determination 12
4. Fuel Conditions Influencing Fire Behavior 12
5. Fire Regime and Condition Class 13
6. Control Problems 14
Section IV: Procedures for Wildland Fire Mgmt, Prescribed Fire and Mechanical Fuels Treatment 15
A. Widland Fire Use 15
B. Wildland Fire Suppression 15
1. Preparedness Actions 17
2. Initial Attack 22
3. Extended Attack 23
C. Prescribed Fire 23
1. Prescribed Fire Planning 23
2. Burn Plan Requirements and Approvals 24
3. Prescribed Burn Project List 24
D. Mechanical Treatments 24
1. 2001 Mechanical Treatment Project List 24
E. Smoke Management 24
1. Class 1 Airsheds 25
2. Smoke Sensitive Areas 25
3. Permits 25
Section VI: Organizational and Budgetary Parameters 26
A. 2001 Budget 26
B. Organizational Chart 26
C. Cooperative Agreements 26
Section VII: Monitoring and Evaluation 27
A. Annual Monitoring Requirements 27
B. Other 27
Section VIII: Appendices 28

Note: The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests are each currently in the process of revising their Land and Resource Management Plans. Both Forests have draft plans in place and are expected to have final decisions by late spring 2002. Additionally, NFMAS re-analysis has recently begun for the two Forests. Therefore, this document will substantially change following the completion of the Forest Plans and the NFMAS analysis.

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

The mission of the Fire and Aviation Management is anchored on stewardship and wildland fire protection. We manage fire-adapted forests and grasslands for safe, healthy, and resilient conditions. We protect lives and property from the threat of wildland fire. We will deliver a safe and effective fire management program that is balanced and integrated.

This Fire Management Plan (FMP) is a strategic plan that defines a program to manage wildland and prescribed fires according to our mission. The FMP will integrate elements of the National Fire Plan (NFP), national fire policies (FSM 5101 and 5108), and the more specific fire management guidance found in the Uinta Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) and Wasatch-Cache LRMP.

The FMP supports a full range of fire management actions consistent with the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache LRMPs to ensure adequate fire suppression capabilities and support fire reintroduction efforts. The direction in the FMP will help achieve resource management objectives as outlined in the LRMPs. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) tiers to the LRMPs approved in 1989 for the Uinta National Forest and 1985 for the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and the Utah Fire Amendment (2001).

The FMP has been prepared in compliance with the Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and Program Review, and the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management policy and Implementation Procedures Reference Guide (FSM 5101, 5103, and 5108). This policy requires such plans to recognize both fire use and fire protection as inherent parts of natural resource management.


SECTION II: CURRENT FIRE MANAGEMENT POLICY AND FOREST LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN DIRECTION

A. Current Fire Management Policy
Current fire policy presents some significant departures from previous policies. The following flowchart summarizes the concepts of the current wildland fire management policy.



This flowchart shows all fires as either wildland or prescribed fires. Fire management can follow one of three pathways, depending upon the level of land management planning completed, resource values affected, or fire cause. This approved FMP will allow the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache NFs to exercise the full extent of management options. These options range from monitoring with minimal on-the-ground actions to intense suppression actions on all or portions of the fire perimeter. The appropriate management response is developed from analysis of the local situation, values-to-be-protected, management objectives, external concerns, and land use.

Prescribed fire differs very little from how it has been managed under previous policy. When conditions described in the Prescribed Fire Plan occur and the necessary resources are available, the fire is ignited and the Plan implemented.

In either situation, wildland or prescribed fire, if the desired objectives cannot be met, a new strategy must be selected through the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA) process.

B. Land and Resource Management Plan Direction
The FMP contains operational fire management procedures to implement the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache LRMPs. The FMP is the primary link between the Forest Plan and field operations. Other documents that support this FMP include: Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests Preparedness Plan; Fire Management Plan for the Lone Peak Wilderness, Mount Timpanogos Wilderness, and Mount Nebo Wilderness (1996); Ashley and Wasatch-Cache National Forests High Uintas Wilderness Fire Management Plan (1999). The following documents provide additional guidance for fire activities not covered in the FMP: Annual Operating Plan (for Fire Management between the USFS Uinta National Forest, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest, Caribou National Forest; The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office; National Park Service, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Golden Spike National Historic Site; Bureau of Indian Affairs, Uintah and Ouray Agency; and The State of Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands; also representing Juab, Utah, Wasatch, Tooele, Rich, Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Morgan, Weber, Salt Lake Sanpete and Summit Counties); Salt Lake Interagency Fire Center Annual Operating Plan; Utah County Sheriff/Uinta National Forest Fire Dispatch Annual Operating Plan; Fire Department Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between Uinta National Forest and Fire Emergency Services Division Utah County Sheriff; Salt Lake Interagency Fire Center Mobilization Guide; and Utah Smoke Management Plan.

1. FORESTWIDE GOALS
Fire Management on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests will be responsive to the goals outlined in the LRMPs:

a. Uinta
&Mac183; Emphasize the fuel management aspect of the fire management program through application of hazard reduction activities, primarily prescribed burning and/or removal of hazardous fuels through personal use firewood programs.

&Mac183; Manage for fire protection in an economically efficient manner, based on resource values and risks to property and human life.

&Mac183; Use fire to reduce unnatural fuel accumulations in wilderness areas by allowing fire to play its natural role in the ecology of wilderness ecosystems.

b. Wasatch-Cache
&Mac183; Provide a balanced fire management program which is cost efficient commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, values, and resource management goals and objectives.

&Mac183; Provide for an active, cost efficient fire prevention program that is directed towards specific areas and causes.

&Mac183; Maintain fire suppression capabilities which allow an appropriate suppression response to all wildfires.

&Mac183; Provide for the use of prescribed fire to protect, maintain or enhance the Forest resource.


2. FORESTWIDE DIRECTION
The following Forestwide direction includes excerpts from the LRMPs. Refer to the LRMPs for complete wording and intent on fire management standards and guidelines.

a. Uinta
&Mac183; Zone 1 (Land below 7,500’ elevation) – Detect and report wildfire visible from I-15 within 10 minutes of ignition 95% of the time. Detect and report all other wildfire within 30 minutes of ignition 80% of the time.

&Mac183; Zone 2 (Land above 7,500’ elevation) – Detect and report wildfire in pole and reforested stands before it exceeds 0.25 acre 80% of the time. The remaining fires will be detected and reported before they exceed 1 acre 70% of the time.

&Mac183; Conduct fire suppression activities to dispatch equipment and on-duty personnel within 5 minutes of notification.

&Mac183; Prescribed fire will be used to benefit other resources where the risks, costs, and benefits warrant.

&Mac183; Allow lightning ignitions to burn within wilderness areas to allow fire to play its natural role in the ecology of wilderness ecosystems when, (1) available fuels and other conditions promote wilderness benefit; and (2) fire location does not pose a hazard to resources outside the wilderness area.

b. Wasatch-Cache
&Mac183; Zone 1 – Wasatch and Logan Fronts
Plan to suppress fires at <10 acres
Maximum allowable fire size is 500 acres due to air and watershed values
Suppression action will be based on protecting watershed, critical big game winter range, and off-site damage potential
No dozers on slopes >40%
Prescribed fire will be planned to minimize airshed pollution and risk of escape

&Mac183; Zone II- Bear River Mountains, North Slope of Uinta Mountains, and Stansbury Mountains below ~10,500 feet
Plan to suppress fires at <100 acres
Suppression action based on resource loss versus suppression cost

&Mac183; Zone III – Upper elevation of Bear River Mountains, Uinta, and Stansbury Mountains above ~10,500 feet
Plan to contain fires at <100 acres
Suppression action based primarily on minimizing suppression cost
Dozers will not be used

&Mac183; In designated Wilderness Areas suppress all wildfires. Fire suppression will protect wilderness values and be limited to: hand tools; helicopters, powersaws, marine pumps, and aircraft-cropped retardant only with Forest Supervisor approval; demobilization by primitive methods unless potential impact on the wilderness resource would be adverse.

&Mac183; Prescribed fire may be used to protect, maintain or enhance the Forest resource.



SECTION III: SCOPE OF FIRE MANAGEMENT ON THE FORESTS

A. Fire Management Goals
The goals for Fire Management on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests have been expanded from those outlined in the LRMP. They are closely aligned with both national and regional fire management goals and new fire policy direction. The following are the management goals that will guide development of this FMP:
&Mac183; Every fire management activity is undertaken with firefighter and public safety the primary consideration.

&Mac183; Fire management program activities are integrated into land management planning alternatives, goals, and objectives to fully complement one another in support of an ecological approach to resource management.

&Mac183; Fires are managed using the full range of wildland and prescribed fire options to protect, enhance and restore resources and developments.

&Mac183; Fire managers collaborate with other federal and state land management agencies, air regulators, and the public to coordinate fire management activities that may impact private or non-forest lands and/or public health.

&Mac183; Reduce wildland fuel hazards around developed areas, along interface boundaries, and other high value areas.

B. Fire Program Elements
The scope of fire management options that can be implemented on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests are displayed below and are further developed in this FMP.

1. WILDLAND FIRE
An appropriate management response will be implemented for each wildland fire. The response will safely manage wildland fires at minimum cost consistent with land and resource management objectives and fire management direction while providing for public and firefighter safety.

a. Wildland Fire Suppression
Consistent with Forest Service policy, fire managers will make an initial attack fire suppression response on any human caused wildland fire where fire use for resource benefit is not allowed.

b. Wildland Fire Use
Wildland fire use will be a strategy on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache where wildland fire use plans are approved. Currently, fire use plans are approved for the High Uintas Wilderness (Wasatch-Cache), and Lone Peak, Mount Timpanogos, and Mount Nebo Wildernesses (Uinta).

2. PRESCRIBED FIRE AND MECHANICAL TREATMENTS
Prescribed fire and management of natural and activity fuels is used on the Forests to establish and maintain fuel profiles that contribute to cost-efficient fire protection and sustainability of ecosystem values. Prescribed fire and mechanical treatments will focus on treating vegetation that is outside proper functioning condition (Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in Fire-Adapted Ecosystems: A Cohesive Strategy, USFS, 2000; Sub-Regional Assessment of Properly Functioning Conditions for Areas Encompassing the National Forests of Northern Utah, USFS, 1998) on fuels in the wildland-urban interface, and vegetation in short fire-return intervals (<35 years).

C. Description of the Fire Management Units
The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests lands’ are covered by 4 Fire Management Units (FMU): (1) Urban Interface; (2) Oakbrush outside the Urban Interface; (3) Wilderness Areas outside the Urban Interface; and (4) Forested. A 5th FMU that was used in fire budget analysis (NFMAS) is no longer applicable – it covered the BLM lands that the FS provided fire protection. Starting in 2001, the BLM has resumed fire management responsibility for this parcel. Descriptions of the four applicable FMUs are below:

&Mac183; FMU 1: Urban Interface
249,440 acres
This FMU represents the Urban Interface that exists from Ogden to Spanish Fork along the Wasatch Front. The Wasatch Front is dominated by rugged terrain, steep, narrow cayons, and high peaks. Vegetation is predominantly mixed brush (oak, maple) mixed with sagebrush and grass, and isolated patches of Douglas-fir and aspen on north-facing slopes. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, characterized by cirque basins and exposed, sharp, rocky ridges. There is a moderately high number of human-caused fires occurring in this location.

&Mac183; FMU 2: Oakbrush
319,900 acres
This FMU represents the oakbrush that is outside the Urban Interface FMU. Terrain varies from steep, angular faces and canyons, to low rolling hills and swales with open sagebrush flats. Areas may be covered with stands of aspen, pinyon-juniper and dense thickets of mountain mahogany, maple, and oak.

&Mac183; FMU 3: Wilderness
271,831 acres
This FMU represents the Wilderness Areas that are not included in the Urban Interface FMU. The wilderness terrain is typically remote with steep, narrow canyons and high peaks. Alpine vegetation is typically found at the higher elevations, while dense oakbrush, sagebrush, grass and pockets of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir can be found at the lower elevations. Relatively few fires are reported in the FMU.

&Mac183; FMU 4: Forested
1,206,831 acres
This FMU represents most of the forested vegetation on the Forests. Terrain varies from steep, narrow canyons to broad, open flats. Productive stands of lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir dominate the landscape with significant areas vegetated with aspen mixed with grass and sagebrush. At higher elevations, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir are the predominant trees with occasional pockets of white fir.

[Insert Figure 2. Map of the FMUs]

1. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT GOALS OF THE FMUS

&Mac183; FMU 1: Urban Interface
This FMU contains significant values at risk from wildland fire. Most of the Forests’ sensitive watersheds (i.e., highly susceptible to erosion), viewsheds from population centers, popular recreation areas, municipal drinking water sources, developed ski areas, and wildland-urban interface areas are located within this FMU. The first priority for fire management in this FMU, and all FMUs, is the safety of personnel and the public, including adjacent landowners. Strategic management goals specific to this FMU include:
&Mac183; Suppress all wildland fires using the appropriate management response with the intent of minimizing the loss of natural resources and improvements, and controlling fire spread onto private property.
&Mac183; Reduce hazardous fuels accumulations by mechanical treatments, primarily, and prescribed fire.
&Mac183; Develop and maintain cooperative agreements and working relationships with local fire agencies, and adjacent landowners to encourage hazardous fuel reduction in the wildland-urban interface.

&Mac183; FMU 2 and FMU 4: Oakbrush and Forested
These FMUs have less concentrated significant values at risk compared to FMU 1. The cost of suppression in these FMUs may exceed the value of the resource to be protected. The environmental impact of fire suppression may have more negative impacts that the effects of the fire. The first priority for fire management in this FMU, and all FMUs, is the safety of personnel and the public. Strategic management goals specific to these FMUs include:
&Mac183; Suppress all wildland fires using the appropriate management response. Base the suppression decision on safety, resource values, costs, and burning conditions.
&Mac183; Reduce hazardous fuels accumulations and enhance ecosystem health by prescribed fire, primarily, and mechanical treatments.

&Mac183; FMU 3: Wilderness Areas
This FMU is characterized by enhancement of wilderness values. Current Forest Plan direction only allows Wildland Fire Use in the following Wilderness Areas: Lone Peak, Mount Timpanogos, Mount Nebo, High Uintas. Follow the existing Wildland Fire Use Plans for managing natural ignitions in these areas. In all other areas not covered under a Wildland Fire Use Plan, fire suppression using the appropriate management response is required. Strategic management goals specific to this FMU include:
&Mac183; Ensure fire suppression activities are conducted to minimize suppression impacts and permit reintroduction of naturally occurring fire (where covered by Wildland Fire Use Plans).
&Mac183; Fire Managers, Wilderness Managers, and Line Officers will work together on fires to maintain wilderness values while assuring firefighter safety.
&Mac183; Decisions will be guided by the "minimum tool" concept of wilderness management.
&Mac183; Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) will be used on all wilderness fires. Suppression techniques that have the least long-term impact on wilderness resources will be favored.

2. FIRE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Refer to Appendix B for the Resource Advisor’s Guide. By using a Resource Advisor in conjunction with an Incident Management Team or Fire Use Management Team impacts to resources should be mitigated.

D. Fire Management Situation

1. IGNITIONS
Table 1. Cause of ignitions by FMU from 1985 to 1994 on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests.
Number Human Starts Number Lightning Starts % Human % Lightning
FMU1: Urban Interface 181 52 78 22
FMU2: Oakbrush 46 19 28 72
FMU3: Wilderness 30 44 41 59
FMU4: Forested 242 229 51 49

2. WEATHER
The climate on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests is characterized by a typical continental climate, with large daily and seasonal temperature changes. Elevations across the Forests vary from a low of about 3,000 feet to almost 12,000 feet at Bald Mountain. Precipitation is variable from year to year, but on average ranges from 12 -15 inches annually at the lower elevations to over 60 inches on the higher peaks. Drought seasons occur on a regular basis. Recent drought years include: 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2001. The average frost-free period is about 120 days in the lower elevations, and the average growing season is 100 days. February and April tend to be the wettest months, with the summer and early fall to be the driest months.

High intensity thunderstorms occur in the summer, some with rain, and others dry. Winds are common with thunderstorms and the area has a great deal of wind activity in the canyons with up canyon in the day and down canyon at night, which can make fires active 24 hours a day, and slow control efforts. Lightning storms and resulting fires occur mainly in late June through early September. Temperatures range in the summer with highs in the 100 degrees in lower valleys and highs in the mid 80's in the high elevations. Summertime prevailing winds are generally from the southwest, except where modified by local topography.

3. FIRE SEASON DETERMINATION
NFMAS analysis currently defines the fire season from June 1 through October 15. By early June, small fires (typically human-caused) start occurring at the lower elevations. As fuels continue to dry, and lightning storms start moving through the area, more fires become possible at all but the highest elevations. Large fires are often associated with dry fine fuels, dry large fuels, and strong winds.

Fire season normally ends with the first significant snowfall of the year. This snowfall can occur anytime from late September through mid November. Often, a short cold snap and storm occurs in September, only to be followed by another few weeks of warm and dry weather. This scenario, combined with hunters and others recreating has been responsible for numerous fires.

3. FUEL CONDITIONS INFLUENCING FIRE BEHAVIOR
The Forests have a diversity of vegetative conditions due in part to the breadth of elevational change. This variety of vegetation types associated with elevation dictates that fire season progresses with snowmelt as the fuels green then cure and become available to burn. Ranging from sage/grass to alpine, each community becomes available to burn at different times, and in a given year, may not be flammable because of live herbaceous and live woody fuel moistures and precipitation that keeps duff and litter damp.

The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests are similar to most other Forests in the Rocky Mountains: fire exclusion has altered fuel conditions. Fuels are typically heavier than what occurred historically. This results in more uncharacteristic severe fire behavior, especially at the lower elevations. Most of the fuels on the Forest exhibit a wide range of fire behavior, depending on the weather and the season of the fire.

The following describe specific fuel condition problems on the Forests:

&Mac183; Gambel oak - The lack of fire in some areas of the Gambel oak zone means clones are aging and spreading to fill clonal interspaces. As oak ages, it experiences dieback from endemic pests that increases dead fuel load. These defoliators and pathogens cause branch and tip dieback, but rarely kill a shrub or whole clone. Late frosts during the early growing season have also contributed to fine dead fuel loading. The increase in the spatial nature of these woody fuels means fires burn more intensely and severely when they do occur. Fires in oakbrush, especially along the Wasatch Front, typically cause the most suppression problems in terms of public and firefighter safety, risk of escape, values and resources at risk, and extreme fire behavior.

&Mac183; Cheatgrass(Bromus tectorum) - Cheatgrass is an introduced, invasive species moving into brush and sage/grass communities. The species is a prolific seeder, easily invades disturbed areas, and cures early in the growing season, encouraging frequent and large wildfires. Consequently, an increase in cheatgrass can alter the fire regime by increasing fire frequency over what historically occurred.

&Mac183; Subalpine fir/white fir - Tree and stand mortality in the late 1980's and early 1990's from a combination of insects and disease have added to the dead fuel load and increased crown fuel loads until dead needles fall off and snags fall over. Fuel conditions like this exist in conifer/aspen and mixed conifer stands. This increase in ladder and crown fuels provides the means for a surface fire to progress to a more intense crown fire.

&Mac183; Sagebrush/grass - Fire exclusion and suppression have lead to an increase in woody shrub species such as sagebrush and a decrease in fine grass and forb fuels. The combination of larger woody fuels and missed fire cycles suggests fires will now be more intense when they do happen.

&Mac183; Douglas-fir (with true fir later successional stages) - The fire regime in Utah’s Douglas-fir sites historically was frequent underburning every 15-25 years with infrequent stand-replacement events at approximately 150-200 years. Fire exclusion has allowed for an increase in a true fir, subalpine fir, white fir understory that creates ladder fuels. Rather than a surface burn, fuel conditions in areas historically dominated by Douglas-fir now contribute to a crown fire.

&Mac183; Aspen - Aspen stands are on the decline in the entire Intermountain West due to a lack of disturbance to regenerate the stands and grazing pressure. On seral aspen sites, succession to conifers such as subalpine fir, Douglas-fir and Engelmann spruce results in a more flammable fuel profile. Given a stand-replacing event, aspen should regenerate on the site, but the increase in conifer fuels presents the hazard of a more severe fire event, with potentially unacceptable post-fire effects to soil and aspen sprouting.

4. FIRE REGIME AND CONDITION CLASS
The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache NFs have not developed forest-scale data on fire regimes and condition classes. Based on regional-level data, most of Region 4 is in Fire Regimes I (0-35 year fire return interval; low severity) and III [(35-100+ years; mixed severity) Course-scale Spatial Data for Wildland Fire and Fuel Management [Online] (1999, November). Prescribed Fire and Fire Effects Research Work Unit, Rocky Mountain Research Station (producer). Available: www.fs.fed.us/fire/fuelman [1999, December]. Fuels in Fire Regime I are mostly classified as Condition Class 2 (fire regimes have been moderately altered from their historic range). Fuels in Fire Regime III are mostly classified as Condition Class 1 (fire regimes are at or near the historic range). A more thorough analysis of fire regimes and condition class on the Forests will be completed within the next year.

5. CONTROL PROBLEMS
The terrain across the Forests varies considerably. The northeast end of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (High Uintas Mountains) is characterized by rolling topography with continuous stands of timber. The Wasatch Front (from the Idaho border to Nephi, Utah) is characterized by steep canyons covered in dense oakbrush and maple.

Mountain ranges dominate the rest of the forest. Although these ranges provide substantial fuel breaks at the upper elevations, the low to mid elevation slopes contain steep slopes, and canyons where fires can make significant runs posing hazards to firefighters.

The intermix of private lands, much of it developed, is extensive on the two Forests. This poses special fire management challenges. Cooperation with state and local agencies is critical for fire management on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests.


SECTION IV: PROCEDURES FOR WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT, PRESCRIBED FIRE AND MECHANICAL FUELS TREATMENT ON THE FORESTS
Wildland fire and prescribed fire will be managed according to the FS Fire and Aviation Management mission statement, current fire management policy, and current LRMP direction.

A. Widland Fire Use
Wildland fire use refers to the management of naturally ignited wildland fires to accomplish specific, pre-stated resource management objectives in predefined geographic areas. Wildland fire use for resource benefit is emphasized in the current national fire policy.

Refer to the following Wildland Fire Use Plans in Appendix C for managing wildland fires for resource benefits on the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests: Fire Management Plan for the Lone Peak Wilderness, Mount Timpanogos Wilderness, and Mount Nebo Wilderness; and Ashley and Wasatch-Cache National Forests High Uintas Wilderness Fire Management Plan. For wildland fire use implementation direction, refer to the Wlidland and Prescribed Fire Management Policy – Implementation Procedures Reference Guide, and Wildland Fire Implementation Plan (1998) and the Utah Fire Amendment (2001).

B. Wildland Fire Suppression
The level of suppression response intensity will range from aggressive initial attack to a combination of strategies to achieve confinement. Energy Release Component (ERC) is considered the appropriate fire danger indicator to determine initial attack suppression response. The following graphs shown in Figures 1 and 2 should be used to help determine the appropriate management response.


Figure 1. Ranges of appropriate management responses based on objectives, relative risk, complexity, and defensibility of management boundaries.

This chart can be used to estimate appropriate methods to implement desired/necessary strategies. To obtain this estimate, lines must be drawn to connect the top and bottom variables and the left and right variables. Where the two lines intersect is a potential management response for the defined conditions.

For those situations indicating a suppression-oriented response, a range of responses dealing with only suppression actions is available. The following chart (Figure X) illustrates how the range of suppression-oriented appropriate management responses can vary.


Figure 2. Range of suppression-oriented appropriate management responses.

Suppression will be needed and desired in situations including, but not limited to the following:
&Mac183; The fire is human-caused.
&Mac183; The fire is located in an area approved for Wildland Fire Use, but the conditions indicate that a fire for resource benefit is not within the described parameters or capabilities (as defined in the Wilderness Fire Management Plans, see Appendix C).
&Mac183; The fire is located in FMU1: Urban Interface.

1. PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
The Fire Preparedness Levels are based upon the Energy Release Component (ERC) of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) weather station located at Pleasant Grove. This Preparedness Level is calculated for the pleasant Grove RAWS station using the oak brush fuel model (F2A2) given a five-day mean. The five-day mean will be calculated using the previous 4 days observations and the next day’s forecasted. The Preparedness level Break points will be calculated using Fire Family Plus for the time period May 15 thru September 15 from 1970 to the present. These values will be updated once a year.

The following table is excerpted from the 2001 Preparedness Plan (Appendix D) and illustrates the Preparedness Level breakdowns and management direction at each level.

Level Description Management Direction/Considerations
I PG ERC < 16 A. Situation Normal – No Specific Action Required.
II PG ERC > 16
A. Dispatch alert Zone FMOs of large fire potential. The Duty Officers will coordinate with the Dispatch Center Managers to have the Dispatch Centers staffed according to Preparedness levels.

B. Zone staffing according to Zone Preparedness Plans.

C. (*) With HI of 5+ the Duty Officers and Dispatch Center Managers have the option of either extending the duty day after 1800 &/or working the 6th & 7th days as appropriate, for suppression and prevention personnel.
III PG ERC > 38
(80% = 37.98) A. Continue from level II as appropriate.

B. Automatically dispatch the initial attack helicopter and crew to confirmed smoke on FS lands.

C. With HI of 5+, automatically dispatch ATGS and Hill Field Air Tanker to confirmed smoke on FS lands.

D. (*) Duty officers and Dispatch Center Managers extend suppression and prevention resources duty day after 1800 hrs &/or working 6th & 7th day as appropriate, with high human caused risk or LAL 4+.

E. The UIFC Manager, South Zone FMO and Fire Staff Officer will discuss initial attack and pre-positioning strategies and staffing for suppression, prevention and dispatch responsibilities.

F. The SLIFC Manager will notify the Oversight Committee Representatives when the Preparedness level reaches Level III. The Center Manager and the Oversight Committee Representative will discuss initial attack and pre-positioning strategies and staffing for suppression, prevention and dispatch responsibilities.
IV PG ERC > 49
(90% = 48.51) A. Continue from levels II & III as appropriate.

B. Replace all out of position suppression forces with militia on P-codes.

C. Automatically dispatch ATGS and Hill Field Air Tanker to confirmed smoke on FS lands.

D. (**) Request prepositioned Helicopter and Rappel Crew at Provo. (in addition to the Ogden Ship)

E. (**) Extend duty day after 1800 for all suppression and prevention resources.

F. (**) Zone FMOs and Fire Staff Officer assess the need for additional fire prevention units and order accordingly.

G. (**) Request prepositioned 20 person crew.

V PG ERC > 65
(97% = 64.68) A. Continue from levels II, III, IV as appropriate.

B. (**) Request a second prepositioned 20 person crew (one crew in North Zone one in South Zone)
*Requires financial assistance from the R.O. for O.T. over preprogrammed O.T.
** Requires financial assistance from the R.O./W.O.

a. Fire Prevention

The fire prevention objective is cost-effective reduction of fire suppression costs and damages from person-caused fires to levels commensurate with resource management objectives. The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache are in the process of developing a Fire Prevention Plan. When it is completed, it will be included as Appendix E to this FMP. The Fire Prevention Plan will address public information and education, press releases and public service announcements, fire restrictions and closures, and sign-posting.

1. Special orders and closures
District Rangers or the Forest Fire Management Officer may propose closures and restrictions for special fire danger situations. These closures and restrictions will be coordinated with the other districts, the Forest Law Enforcement Officer, Public Information Officer, State and County agencies, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Notification of pending closures and restrictions will be done at least 48 hours prior to the closures and restrictions going into effect. Notification will include adjacent forests, cooperators, and public relations personnel.

Public relations personnel will facilitate distributing fire closure and restriction information to the local media. Prevention technicians will post signs and initiate public contacts.

Refer to Appendix F in this FMP for the Northern Utah Annual Operating Plan and fire restrictions and closures are covered in that "Appendix A - Operating Plan for the Implementation of Fire Restrictions/Closures in Utah."

We need to describe the situations that set up special actions for high intensity prevention activities. We should briefly explain when/why/where we do special orders and closures locally (if they are more descriptive than what is included in the Northern Utah AOP).

b. Annual Fire Training Activities

1. Qualifications and needs assessment
The policy and guidelines in the FSH 5109.17 Wildland Fire Qualifications Handbook provide for standardization of Forest training requirements and documentation.

The following position needs for the Forests were determined in 1999: PSC2, ASGS, ATGS, DIVS, SOF2.


c. Fire Season Readiness

1. Annual Preparedness Reviews
The Forest Fire Management Officer, in conjunction with zone FMOs and AFMOs, annually conducts readiness inspections for all suppression modules. This should be scheduled by July 15th after all modules are fully staffed and training has been completed. Areas that are covered include safety drills, knowledge of standard fire orders and watch-out situations, suppression skills, station maintenance, training records, and equipment knowledge and maintenance. Zone FMOs and AFMOs should conduct periodic station and module inspection.


2.Fire Season Staffing
Established on-dates for fire modules are based on NFMAS funding levels. Fire season staffing refers to the period from June 1 through October 15. The Fire Management Officer shall assure that the zone FMOs provide coverage needed for supervision of fire activities.

During the fire season, staffing shall be in conformance with the following:

&Mac183; Minimum daily tour: coverage will be provided 7 days per week, with at least 8 qualified persons per day on each zone from 0930 to 1800.

&Mac183; All personnel working on the unit will follow the National Rest and Recuperation Guidelines; one day off after every 14 days worked, or 2 days off after every 21 days worked.

&Mac183; When the adjective rating is Extreme, or during times of severity funding, regular days off may be cancelled in keeping with the R&R guidelines stated above.

&Mac183; Extended work time may be authorized by Forest FMO or zone FMOs beginning at an adjective rating of High and during Red Flag conditions.

&Mac183; Additional staffing is authorized for in-season holidays, 3-day weekends, opening weekend of hunting season and during other times when abnormal fire problems are anticipated.

&Mac183; Staffing beyond daylight hours will require 2 individuals per unit.

&Mac183; Salt Lake Interagency Dispatch Center and Uinta Dispatch will be staffed 7 days a week from June 1 through October 15.

3. Fire equipment and supply caches
The Uinta and Wasatch-Cache maintains a fire cache at Salt Lake Interagency Fire Center. The District fire caches will be used to outfit firefighters and for normal day-to-day activities. For large and multiple fire situations that exceed the normal cache stocking levels, the Forest will utilize the Great Basin Cache in Boise, Idaho for restocking and supporting going fires.

The Forests’ cache is the responsibility of the Fire Cache Manager. All resource orders will be placed on a resource order through SLIFC or Uinta Dispatch. The Forests’ Cache Manager will record a list of serial and property numbers of all accountable fire cache items.

d. Detection
The Forests are committed to prompt fire detection for timely suppression response to wildfires and management of wildland fires for resource management where allowed. The Forest will implement and maintain a sufficient detection program to achieve the fire management direction in the LRMPs.

e. Fire Weather and Fire Danger

1. Weather Stations
The Pleasant Grove RAWS is the only station used for calculating fire preparedness indices for the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests. The Pleasant Grove RAWS is located at 5200 feet, is situated at a west aspect, the average annual precipitation is 16.37 inches, and the station is located in oakbrush (NFDRS "F" model) fuels. The RAWS is located in Forecast Zone 424.


2. NFDRS
Identify weather thresholds and NFDRS thresholds for prevention/preparedness actions. Discuss the process for developing thresholds used for prevention, initial response, large fire actions, prescribed fire, staffing, etc.


f. Forests’ Direction for Suppressing Wildland Fire
Discuss policies or direction unique to the administrative unit for safety, engine configuration, staffing, etc. Describe drawdown levels and drawdown resources. Identify the levels below which firefighting resources are no longer viable.

g. Aviation Management
Discuss the aviation management program for the Forests. Identify and describe the aviation management lines of authority. Describe how aircraft are managed. If there is an Air Ops plan on the unit, include it as an Appendix G.

2.INITIAL ATTACK
Initial attack is an aggressive suppression action consistent with firefighter and public safety and values to be protected.

a. Setting Initial Attack Priorities
Describe how initial attack priorities are made. Include references to net value change tables, sensitive watershed maps, wildlife habitat, timber maps, archaeological sites, fuels maps. Any known safety hazards should be identified (and that map referenced).

b. Criteria for Initial Attack
Define the criteria that should be used to define the level of response warranted consistent with Forest plan and FMP guidance based on conditions.

c.Response Times
Identify typical response times by resource type, FMU, etc.

3. EXTENDED ATTACK AND LARGE FIRE SUPPRESSION

a.Transition Criteria
Establish specific timeframes (shifts/burning periods) and or size that define the transition between initial attack and extended attack and when a WFSA must be prepared and a new strategy selected.

b. Complexity Decision Process
Explain how the ICT transition to Type II and/or Type I will occur.

C. Prescribed Fire
Forest Plan guidelines provide for the application of prescribed fire to accomplish resource management objectives to reduce fuels and to benefit natural resources.

1.PRESCRIBED FIRE PLANNING
The goal of current prescribed fire planning is to develop projects as the end result of programmatic assessments such as watershed or landscape analyses. Individual projects may be developed based on site-specific needs, although use of programmatic assessments is considered more efficient.

Project level NEPA is required for all prescribed burn projects. Public involvement in the NEPA process should attempt to involve all interested publics and forest users including recreational users, livestock operators, local landowners, outfitters and state and local officials.

a.Fire Behavior and Fire Effects Monitoring
The NEPA document and the burn plan should both have quantifiable resource objectives that can be monitored. Fire behavior information will be recorded for each burn to correlate fire behavior with fire effects. A project specific monitoring plan is required for each burn. One-, three-, and five-year post prescribed fire monitoring is occurring through the Fuels Crew on the Forests to record fire effects data.

b.Required Documentation
The project file for each burn project should include the following minimum information:
&Mac183; Signed NEPA document
&Mac183; Signed Burn Plan, with any signed amendments
&Mac183; Copy of Smoke Permit
&Mac183; Prescribed Fire Report, 5100-29T
&Mac183; Map of the burned area at the 1:24,000 scale. Burns >50 acres will be mapped by GPS unit or digitized from paper maps to be input into the Forests prescribed fire data layer
&Mac183; Standard cost accounting including personnel, equipment, and other significant costs (document partners and their share of the project)
&Mac183; Narrative of the prescribed burn, noting any significant events


3. BURN PLAN REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVALS
Explain procedures for review, approvals.
List requirements for Burn Plans (from Implementation Guide?) and provide a copy of the locally used format in the Appendix H.

4. 2001 PRESCRIBED BURN PROJECT LIST
The following prescribed burn projects are planned for the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache for 2001:
&Mac183; Strawberry – NEPA for prescribed burning
&Mac183; White River – prescribed burn
&Mac183; Cascade Springs – prescribed burn
&Mac183; Cache-Aspen – prescribed burn
&Mac183; Upper Setting – prescribed burn

B. Mechanical Treatment
Mechanical treatments may be used in any management area outside of Wilderness. Equipment use may be restricted by soil stability, slopes and soil compaction concerns.

1. 2001 MECHANICAL TREATMENT PROJECT LIST
The following mechanical treatment projects are planned for the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache for 2001:
&Mac183; Strawberry – NEPA for mechanical treatment
&Mac183; Wasatch Front Fuels Treatment – assessment for mechanical treatment
&Mac183; Soapstone Fuel Break – mechanical
&Mac183; Sundance Fuel Break – mechanical on private land

C. Smoke Management
Prescribed fires are subject to all state and federal air quality requirements. Prescribed burns will be developed with consideration of these requirements and will attempt to minimize smoke impacts. Refer to the Utah Smoke Management Plan (Utah Division of Air Quality - 2000) in Appendix I for specific actions related to smoke management for prescribed burning and wildland fires.

1. CLASS I AIRSHEDS
There are no Class I airsheds on the forest. Most burning activities occurring on the Forests would not affect Class I airsheds. Class I airsheds in Utah include: Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Park.

2. SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS
There are smoke sensitive areas located on the Forests. All of Salt Lake and Utah Counties, plus a small area encompassing Ogden are all non-attainment areas for PM-10. Mitigation measures will be used to not further degrade air quality in these non-attainment areas.

3. PERMITS
Permits must be obtained from the Utah Division of Air Quality for all prescribed burning and wildland fire use fires. Procedures are fully described in the Utah Smoke Management Plan, Appendix I.


SECTION VI: ORGANIZATIONAL AND BUDGETARY PARAMETERS

A. 2001 Budget
The Forests request funding based on NFMAS. In FY2001, we received 100% of MEL funding due to the National Fire Plan. Requests for severity staffing and equipment may be made when fire weather conditions are critical.

A copy of form 5100-2 showing actual current funding levels and MEL funding levels is found in Appendix J.

B. Organizational Chart
WCUorgchart01.doc

C. Cooperative Agreements
Describe interagency coordination needed to implement the FMP. List key interagency contacts by function. Discuss local agreements in place. Include major cooperators, like State and other fed agencies as well as local VFDs if applicable. Include agreements in Appendix K

SECTION VII: MONITORING AND EVALUATION

A. Annual Monitoring Requirements
According to the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache LRMPs, the following monitoring is required:

1. UINTA
Activity, Practice, or Effect to be Measured Monitoring Technique Reporting Frequency Variation Causing Further Evaluation
Suppression policy and fire size Review individual fire reports Annually When 5-year average exceeds 220 ac/year in Zone 1
Prescribed fire Field estimates of effects As needed on project basis N/A
Fuels inventory (tons/acre) Photo comparison and field transects Annually N/A
Natural ignitions allowed to burn in Wilderness Areas Field estimates of effects As fires occur that are allowed to burn in the Wilderness Noncompliance with wilderness fire standards and guidelines

2.WASATCH-CACHE
Activity, Practice, or Effect to be Measured Monitoring Technique Reporting Frequency Variation Causing Further Evaluation
Adequacy of fire prevention program Measure of number and size of person-caused fires Annually 20% increase in cumulative 5-year average
Number of wildfires and acres burned Frequency by size and acres Annually 20% increase in cumulative 5-year average
Fuel loading (tons/acre) Field measurements Annually Exceeding fuel level guidelines by 10%

B. Other
1. MANAGEMENT ATTAINMENT REPORTING (MAR)
Reporting requirements currently include MAR reports for:
-Fire Prevention Capability
-Hazardous Fuel Reduction
-Brush Disposal

2. FUELS MONITORING
The Fuels Crew monitors prescribed burns for several years noting vegetation composition, etc., etc.,
Bob – could you provide a little write-up on what the fuels crew does
SECTION VIII: APPENDICES

A. Definitions

B. Resource Advisor Guide

C. Wildland Fire Use Plans

D. Preparedness Plan

E. Fire Prevention Plan

F. Northern Utah Annual Operating Plan

G. Air Operations Plan

H. Burn Plan Format

I. Smoke Management Plan

J. 5100-2 (NFMAS Outputs)

K. Cooperative Agreements