No prescribed fire shall be set unless a prescribed fire
management plan has been prepared in advance and approved in writing by the
department. Prescribed fire plans shall address all the following requirements;
except that prescribed fire plans for natural ignitions will not include cost
estimates, preparation work descriptions, test fire procedures and the ignition
method or pattern. Additional requirements may be added to a prescribed fire
plan as needed to achieve unique fire objectives or to meet local
requirements.
(a) Fire unit
description: a narrative description of the physical and biological features of
the fire unit, including topography, fuels and vegetation.
(b) Vicinity map: a map at the appropriate
scale showing the relationship of the fire unit to the surrounding
area.
(c) Project map: a detailed
map at the appropriate scale of the project area, showing project boundary
(including distance between project and adjacent lands or property to be
protected), topographic features, potential hazards, control lines, ignition
pattern and other relevant information.
(d) Goals and objectives: a statement of the
goals and objectives to be accomplished by the prescribed fire. It should
include the purpose of the prescribed fire as well as measurable objectives
such as tons of fuel to be consumed, percent of mineral soil to be exposed or
percent of vegetative species controlled.
(e) Cost: an itemized estimate of the costs
involved for each segment of the prescribed fire: planning, ignition or firing,
mop-up, patrol and any other costs.
(f) Equipment and personnel: a list of
equipment and personnel, including personnel duty titles, needed on site and on
standby.
(g) Fire prescription: the
description of the acceptable range of fire weather, fuel and soil moisture,
fuel quantity and fire behavior conditions to achieve the desired
effects.
(h) Weather information:
an outline of prefire desired weather conditions and procedures for obtaining
spot weather information during the prescribed fire and for smoke dispersal
forecasts.
(i) Preparation work: a
list of required activities required to take place prior to ignition, including
but not limited to fire lines, special features to be protected and
installation of monitoring equipment.
(j) Protection of special features: a list of
instructions and actions to take to protect sensitive features within and
adjacent to the prescribed fire project site. Such features include but are not
limited to, historic and archeological sites, gas and oil wells, streams,
habitats Of threatened and endangered species that would be adversely impacted
by the prescribed fire, adjacent structures and fragile soils.
(k) Smoke management: identify potential
smoke affected areas and smoke management strategies to avoid such areas, and
to reduce and/or disperse emissions to minimize any adverse effect on the
environment, including human health and welfare. Also describe procedures to
comply with applicable State and local regulations.
(l) Prefire coordination and public
involvement: where applicable, establish responsibility for preburn
coordination with affected agencies, lessees and landowners. Assess the need
for public envolvement and media contacts in advance of the prescribed fire and
take action where necessary.
(m)
Fire day notification: establish responsibility for fire day contacts. List
individuals, lessees, agencies and public groups to be contacted, how contacts
will be accomplished and by whom.
(n) Public and personnel safety: a
description of safety and emergency procedures. List pertinent names and means
of contact. Identify emergency medical evacuation routes and
facilities.
(o) Communications: a
list of key communication contacts and telephone numbers.
(p) Briefing guidelines and "go" or "no go"
checklist: a description of the project procedures which should be reviewed
with those conducting the prescribed fire to make sure all involved personnel
are familiar with them. The checklist must be completed prior to ignition and
will describe the conditions beyond which the prescribed fire must not be
ignited. Provide the name of the individual who has the authority to issue the
"go" or "no go" command.
(q) Test
fire: a list of procedures for conducting a test fire to determine whether the
ground and atmospheric conditions meet the requirements established in the
prescribed fire plan.
(r) Firing,
containment, mop-up and patrol: a description of the method of ignition,
ignition pattern, containment, mop-up and patrol procedures. Include personnel,
equipment and standards for each action.
(s) Contingency: identify potential fire
escapes and specify actions to be taken should such an event occur. Designate a
person in charge of suppression action and identify the personnel and equipment
available for suppression.
(t)
Monitoring and evaluation: a description of the variables that will be
monitored and evaluated to determine if project objectives have been met.
Establish time frame guidelines and personnel and equipment
requirements.
(u) Rehabilitation: a
description of standards for site clean up and erosion control and for site
restoration, if needed.
(v)
Necessary support documentation: a listing of all documentation necessary to
support (as applicable) all elements of the prescribed fire plan.
(w) Required signatures and approvals: the
names and signature lines of the preparers of the prescribed fire plan and
those who have the authority to review and approve the plan and modifications
of the plan.