GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PREPARE FOR TOUGH FIRE SEASON

National Fire Plan Is Helping Coordination Efforts at Federal and State Levels

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2002-Fire officials at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predict a severe wildland fire season this year across the country, but federal wildland fire agencies, their partners and communities are getting prepared for the season ahead.

“All signs indicate we are in for a severe fire season and our teams are working together to ensure proper planning, training and preparation to protect our forests and communities," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "We are implementing an extensive plan, including increasing personnel and equipment, to help mitigate the risks and stop fires while they are small and less expensive to manage.”

As part of cooperative efforts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior have increased the number of firefighters that can be hired by nearly 6,000; obtained more than 600 new pieces of equipment, including wildland fire engines; and contracted 4 large airtankers and 31 helicopters.

“Drought conditions across the country are an indication that we could be in for a very tough fire season,” said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. “The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior will be working closely with our state partners and local communities to coordinate our wildland firefighting efforts. This collaborative approach will help us reduce wildfire risk to communities and restore and maintain land health within fire-prone areas.”

NIFC--the nation's support center for wildland firefighting--reports eight out of the 11 geographic areas experiencing above average conditions, including Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, the southern areas of Utah and Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and the eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. Less-than-normal fire activity is expected in the northern portions of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

To further prepare for wildfires currently burning in Arizona and New Mexico, Veneman and Norton announced a total of $8.5 million for the southwest to help prepare for the season, which is expected to be much more dangerous and last longer than usual due to the low fuel moistures and extended drought conditions in the area.

Predictive services provided by NIFC reflect the severity of the conditions across the country. Near-record dry conditions dominate Arizona and New Mexico, where wildland fire activity is expected to increase through June.

Severe fire conditions in the southern parts of California and Nevada, Utah, Colorado may bring about earlier-than-normal fire activity.

As the summer progresses, the drought-stricken southern Great Basin will experience an early and active fire season.

Drought conditions prevail along the eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine resulting in above normal fire potential for late spring through fall.

Even with additional firefighting resources and a record of effectively suppressing 95 percent of wildland fires upon initial attack, managers expect some fires will become large, costly and dangerous due to potentially severe burning conditions throughout the West. The top priorities of firefighter and community safety will guide suppression efforts.

During the past year, National Fire Plan funds assisted 6,600 local fire departments, and trained more than 10,000 state and local firefighters to increase their response preparedness. The National Fire Plan also funded 11,500 community-based hazardous mitigation projects, and Firewise workshops that included 953 community leaders to help communities and neighborhoods take steps to reduce the risk of losses to private property because of wildland fire.

Veneman and Norton recently established the Interagency Wildland Fire Leadership Council to improve the implementation of the National Fire Plan and collaboration between the two agencies and its numerous partners.

The National Fire Plan, adopted in Fall 2000, is a cooperative, long-term effort of the USDA Forest Service, Department of the Interior and the National Association of State Foresters to manage the impact of wildfires on communities and the environment. In fiscal year 2002, Congress appropriated more than $2.26 billion for the National Fire Plan and base program funding. Allocations include nearly $1.6 billion for the Forest Service and more than $678,000,000 for the Department of the Interior.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho, is the nation's support center for wildland firefighting. Seven federal agencies call NIFC home and work together to coordinate and support wildland fire and disaster operations. These agencies include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, National Weather Service, and Office of Aircraft Services.

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