This section will provide useful tools to help citizens get involved in fire management planning. Fire Management Plans (FMPs) are fundamental strategic documents that guide the full range of fire management-related activities in a given unit or area (e.g. specific National Forest, National Park, BLM Resource Area). This includes fire prevention, suppression, burned area rehabilitation, prescribed burning, wildland fire use, hazardous fuels reduction, and ecosystem restoration activities. There are few, if any, areas in land management that do not depend in some way on fire management planning and activities. Thus, citizens have tremendous opportunities to advance ecologically sound and socially progressive land management policies and practices by getting involved in developing Fire Management Plans (FMPs).

According to the 2001 Federal Wildland Fire Policy, "Every area with burnable vegetation must have an approved Fire Management Plan (FMPs). FMPs are strategic plans that define a program to manage wildland and prescribed fires based on the area's approved land management plan. FMPs must provide for firefighter and public safety; include fire management strategies, tactics, and alternatives; address values to be protected and public health issues; and be consistent with resource management objectives, activities of the area, and environmental laws and regulations. FMPs and programs will be based on a foundation of sound science." (2001 Federal Fire Policy, pg. 23)

FMPs must incorporate mitigation and burned area rehabilitation activities, fuels reduction and restoration activities, and all other fire-related programs and activities that contribute to natural resource and ecosystem sustainability.

One of the most progress aspects of the 2001 Federal Wildland Fire Policy is that land and fire managers must "Base response to wildland fires on approved FMPs and land management plans, regardless of ignition source or the location of the ignition. The management response to fires, regardless of source, must be based on the approved FMP. FMPs, based on the land management objectives of the area, guide the appropriate response through criteria and prescriptions." (2001 Federal Fire Policy, pg. 23)

Again, "FMPs, based on underlying land use or resource management plans, are the principal foundation for implementation of the 2001 Federal Fire Policy. High priority must be placed on completing FMPs…In some cases agencies may need to update, amend, or otherwise revise underlying land management plans. However, the existence of obsolete land management plans should not be reason for failure to complete or update FMPs." (2001 Fire Policy, pg. 26)

FMPs must address all potential wildland fire occurrences and include a full range of fire management actions. Agencies must involve their fire management partners and the public in developing FMPs.

Consequently, citizen involvment in fire planning can promote authentic community protection and ecosystem restoration projects, while preventing destructive fire suppression and fuels reduction activities. This section will provide tools to help citizens get involved in fire planning, and provide some examples of FMPs that have been developed to date.