Integration of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) in Agency Fire Management Plans. By Robert Plantrich, FMC inc.

The collection and analysis of climatic data is an integral component of fire management strategic and tactical planning. Decisions regarding firefighter safety and protection of values at risk are based upon weather information collected from the nationwide interagency fire weather station network and archived in the national Weather Information Management System (WIMS). Basic weather data, including temperature, humidity, dew point and wind speed is combined with fuel moisture calculations to determine fire danger index levels within the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS). Daily and long term fire danger risk assessments are measured using various fire danger indices from the NFDRS at the local and geographic area level. The NFDRS indices are utilized to determine various levels of staffing and resource availability for preparedness and initial attack on a daily basis. The most commonly used fire danger indices for fire planning are the Energy Release Component (ERC) and the Burning Index (BI). ERC is determined based upon inputs of weather variables, the fuel model and fuel moisture content of one, ten and one hundred hour time lag fuel moisture. BI is calculated by combining ERC with the influence of wind and slope. Since wind speeds can vary greatly on a daily basis, we often see significant fluctuations in the BI from day to day. ERC seems to provide a more stable indicator of overall fire danger levels as the fire season progresses and is closely related to the level and types of resources that should be dispatched for initial attack. However, BI should be closely monitored, since high winds can change a moderate BI fire danger rating to extreme within hours by drying fuels, increasing rates of spread and spot fire potential.

One of the most important components of our Fire Management Plans is the analysis of data for development of our "adjective fire danger classes" which we seen posted on fire danger signs along highways and in front of ranger stations. The development of these fire danger levels is not only for public information, but more importantly as a indicator to fire managers for decisions that need to be made on daily basis regarding initial attack resources, staffing levels, fire restrictions, area closures, prescribed fire and fire use, to name a few potential applications.

Fire danger levels need to be translated into specific actions and activities in the fire management plan that directly relate to the fire management objectives established in the plan. These are the two most important components of a fire management plan as they relate directly to the decisions and actions that will be taken in any given fire management situation. Firefighters, dispatchers, supervisors and managers should all be aware of, understand and utilize the information provided in the fire management plan regarding fire management actions and activities that are prescribed by the various fire danger outputs of the NFDRS.

These plans are often described as staffing plans, initial attack response plans, step-up plans or response plans. For our purpose we will call it a "Step-up Plan".

The step up plan identifies the process and procedures for determining the level of preparedness activities fire staff and fire suppression equipment on an incremental basis in response to increasing fire danger. As the fire season progresses, the temperatures get higher, vegetation gets drier and the potential for wildfires increases proportionally. The Step-up plan uses the Burning Index or Energy Release Component calculated by the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) for determining the level of fire danger. As the level of fire danger increases various fire management actions will occur automatically as defined within the fire management plan (without the development of an environmental assessment or staff meeting!!!). This also includes authorization of severity funding during periods of high to extreme fire danger for extra staffing, extended work hours (overtime) and weekends, emergency equipment rentals such as air tankers and helicopters to name a few potential funding applications. The following example demonstrates potential Step-up Plan activities that would be initiated at various fire danger levels.

AGENCY STEP-UP PLAN                                                                 

                                                                                                                   Fire Danger Rating 

Extreme

Very High

High

Moderate

Low

Data based upon Fuel Model U mixed coniferous forest. Data from Heber and Alpine AZ RAWS.

Fire Danger Level

Low ( ERC 0 to 10 )

Single Engine Initial Attack with Type IV IC, Fire Use Authorized (with Wildland Fire Implementation Plan), Fire monitored based upon FMZ objectives, Open Burning permitted, no fire closures or restrictions. Normal staffing levels and hours.

Moderate ( ERC 11 to 23)

Single Engine Initial Attack with Type IV IC, Direct Attack of Fire, Fire Use authorized. Open burning permitted, no fire closures or restrictions required. Normal staffing levels and hours.

High ( ERC 24 to 39 )

Initial Attack with Engine Strike Team accompanied by Type IV IC and STL. Hand Crew mobilized and on stand-by. Helicopter Use authorized for Initial Attack support. No open burning. Normal Staffing levels and hours. Fire Use Authorized if WFIP indicates the fire is in prescription.

Very High ( ERC 40 to 48 )

Initial Attack with Engine Strike Team accompanied by a Hand Crew, Type III IC and 2 Division Supervisors. Contract Helicopter and SEAT severity funding authorized. Type II SWFF crew funding authorized for IA standby. Severity funding authorized for staff overtime on extended shifts and 7 day coverage. Open burning prohibited. Fire restrictions enforced and area closures authorized. Step up fire prevention patrols, public contacts and media notifications. Maintain communications with Zone Dispatch regarding availability of additional resources and current fire status. Fire Use not authorized.

Extreme ( ERC 49 and above )

Initial Attack with Engine Strike Team accompanied by a Hand Crew, Type III IC and 2 Division Supervisors. Contract Helicopter and SEAT severity funding authorized. 2 Type II SWFF crews mobilized and on IA standby. Severity funding authorized for staff overtime on extended shifts and 7 day coverage. Fire restrictions enforced, open burning prohibited. Area closures enforced. Daily fire prevention patrols, public contacts and media notifications. Automatic request from Zone Dispatch for Air Attack, Air Tanker and Helicopter support. Type II team standby notification to Zone. Fire Use not authorized.

Note: Red Flag Warnings or Lightning Activity automatically move the adjective class to the next highest level for the following shift.

This is only an example of the types of fire program activities guided by a Step - Up Plan. Customize the Step - up Plan or whatever you would like to call it based upon your agencies program objectives, available resources and unique characteristics. If you would like assistance in the development of a plan for your area contact Fire Management Concepts Inc. at ForestFire.net.

References:

Deeming, John; Lancaster, J; Forsberg, M; Furman, R.W.; and Schroeder, M.J. 1972 . The National Fire Danger Rating System. USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-84, 165 p.