Prescribed Fire Specialists Advisors

8/9/2019 Prescribed Fire Specialists Advisors

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USDA – Forest ServicesPrescribed Fire specialists advisors

National programmein fuel treatment and prescribed fire

Draft report

Lisboa

March 2006



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U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Fire Advisor ReportExecutive Summary

Prescribed fire is fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest vegetation (fuels)

under select weather conditions in order to maintain control and in a specific manneraccomplish predetermined and well-defined management objectives.

In 2005 the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture (General Directorate of Forest Resourcesand UTAD) requested, through the American Embassy and the Luso-AmericanFoundation for Development (FLAD), that five Prescribed Fire Specialists from the U.S.Forest Service be sent to Portugal in March of 2006 for one month in order to:

a) Provide training and support to both prescription development and burningoperations in long-needled pine stands and Mediterranean-type shrublands.

b) Enhance the skills and knowledge of prescribed fire crews with hands on experience.c) Provide analysis of prescribed fire plans.

d) Give support regarding prescribed fire planning for public and private lands with thecooperation of various forest owner associations and municipality forest offices.

A five person team consisting of Art Torrez (Chief of Party), Robert J. Serrato, MikeCrook, John Caffin, and Tom Fitzpatrick, were selected and sent to Portugal. The teamwas distributed across North and Central Portugal, and were based in Manteigas,Bragança, Amarante and Vieira do Minho. The main objective was to enhance thecapabilities of Portuguese Forestry Technicians in planning and conducting prescribedfire operations. The Portuguese Forest Services had already developed a goodfoundation for a National Program on Prescribe Fire.

Primary Recommendations• Establish a National Fuels and Prescribed Fire Program to reduce fire hazard

and damage. Build the organization needed to support implementation.

• Increase the number of trained and full time “Sapadores Florestais” in order tofully implement a National Fuels and Prescribed Fire Program.

• Define the training, experience, and qualifications for three key prescribed firepositions: Burn Boss, Ignition Boss, and Holding Boss.

• Provide standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training for allpersonnel engaged in Prescribed Fire operations to reduce the risk of death,injury, and cost.

•

Provide additional equipment and support for the Prescribed Fire Operations. Alist is attached at the end of the document.

• Establish a process that provides current site specific fire weather predictions.

• Refine Prescribed Fire prescription parameters (regional limits).

• Require that all escaped Prescribed Fires be investigated.

• Create a permanent/long term national public education program about thebenefits of Prescribed Fire. Involve communities in all fire education programs.

• Provide incentives for private landowners to encourage the use of PrescribedFire and Fire Prevention.

• Ensure that land ownership data is shared with those requiring it for prescribe fireproject implementation

• Establish a resource sharing protocol (Interagency and interregional movementfor accomplishment of large scale objectives/ contingency resources needs).



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MADRP – DGRF Initiative

Supports: U.S. Forest Services;FLAD - Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento;USA Embassy

Project team (Portugal):Project leader: Paulo Mateus (DGRF/Circ. Florestal do Norte)

Institutional support: Tiago Oliveira (Gab. MADRP) Research cooperation: Hermínio Botelho (UTAD – Dep. Florestal)

Paulo Fernandes (UTAD – Dep. Florestal)

DGRF Liaison unit: Miguel Galante (DGRF/Div. Def. Floresta Contra Incêndios)

Local Rx fire responsible: António Salgueiro (Minho)(Burning fronts) Robalo Simões

Paulo DiasSilvério CarvalhoPaulo Mateus (Tâmega)José Manuel BarbosaManuel Rainha (Nordeste)Edgar BragadaPaulo Albino (Serra da Estrela)José Manuel Rocha da SilvaCarlos Sequeira

Project team (USA – Forest Services):Chief of Party: Art Torrez (Riverside, California)

Robert J. Serrato (Gelndora, California)Mike Crook (Duluth, Minnesota)

John Caffin (Atlanta, Georgia)Tom Fitzpatrick (Baker City, Oregon)



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1. Introduction

Prescribed fire (Rx fire) is fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest vegetation(fuels) under select weather conditions in order to maintain control and accomplishpredetermined and well-defined management objectives. Prescribe fire is used in theUS as a tool for fuels management and treatment, which should be incorporated inlandscape fuels treatment planning together with other techniques such as grazing andmechanical operations.

In 2005 the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture (General Directorate of Forest Resourcesand UTAD) requested, through the American Embassy and the Luso-AmericanFoundation for Development (FLAD), that five Prescribed Fire Specialists from the U.S.Forest Service be sent to Portugal between February 21st and March 22nd in order toenhance the skills of the Portuguese technicians on this fuel treatment technique.

The mobilization of the Portuguese public and private entities in the use of prescribedfire techniques was another major objective to be achieved with this mission.

2. Mission objectives

Action was developed in North and Central Portugal, based in four burning fronts (Serrada Estrela, Nordeste, Tâmega and Minho).

The main objective was to enhance the capabilities of Portuguese forestry techniciansin planning and conducting prescribed burning operations.

The mission role was defined in four domains:

a) To provide training and support to both prescription development and burningoperations in long-needled pine stands and Mediterranean-type shrublands;

b) To enhance the skills and knowledge of fire crews through field experience;

c) To provide analysis on prescribed fire plans

d) To give support regarding prescribed fire planning for public and private lands withthe cooperation of various forest owners associations and municipality forest offices.

Calendar (main actions):

21st February: Arrival of the American Rx fire specialists in Portugal22nd February: Reception with the Minister of Agriculture;

Reception at the American Embassy23rd February: Start of the work in the field2nd March: Mission follow-up meeting (Manteigas)14th March: Conclusion of the work in the field15th March: Media Rx fire action in Marão with the presence of the Minister of

Agriculture, State Secretary of Rural Development and Forests andGeneral Director of Forest Resources.

16th March: Mission balance meeting (Vila Real)17th March: Workshop on Prescribed fire training at UTAD (Vila Real)20th March: Press conference at American Embassy

21

st

March: Meeting with the Minister of Agriculture22nd March: Departure from Portugal



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3. Operational goal

The operational goal for this mission was the application of prescribed fire to 250 ha ofshrublands, in each burning front, for the purpose of creating fuel breaks (1 st and 2nd order) at the landscape scale. These operations were to be conducted on statemanaged properties.

The operations in each burning front were leaded by a Portuguese and a Americanprescribed fire specialist.

Burning fronts USFS DGRFSerra da Estrela (Manteigas) John Caffin Paulo AlbinoNordeste (Bragança) Tom Fitzpatrick Manuel RainhaTâmega (Amarante) Mike Crook Paulo MateusMinho (Vieira do Minho) Robert Serrato António Salgueiro

Burning fronts

Due to weather conditions, prescribed burning operations only occurred on 8 days. Atotal accomplishment for this period was 100 ha, with the following distribution:

Burning fronts Rx burned areas (ha)Serra da Estrela (Manteigas) 25Nordeste (Bragança) 15Tâmega (Amarante) 16Minho (Vieira do Minho) 44



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4. Public-private activities

Our efforts in mobilizing the Portuguese public and private organizations in the use ofprescribed fire, resulted in public-private actions both in field operations and consultingin Rx fire planning at 17 municipalities.

A total of 21 public-private meetings were held. The purpose of these meeting includedtraining, information sharing, issues and concerns about the Prescribe fire program. Thetarget audience consisted of technicians, “Sapadores Florestais” and Fire fighters. Alsoin attendance were various other dignitaries like Civil Governors, Natural Park Services(ICN), Mayors, land owners and shepards. The table below summarizes the meetingsheld

Entities # meetingsICN (Natural parks) 1Municipal Services 12

Forest owners Associations 6Tapada Nacional de Mafra 1Reforestation Comission 1

5. Media involvement

This cooperative mission with the US Forest Services prescribed fire advisorsgenerated wide attention in the media (national, regional and local level). Theoperations that took place on the March 15 th in Amarante (Serra do Marão) and Seia(Serra da Estrela) were covered by the national public television (RTP).

The results of the mission were presented at the Workshop on training in Prescribe fireheld in UTAD (Vila Real) and at the Press Conference held at the American Embassy.



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Conclusions

The current conditions in Portugal present a large fire problem, facing fuelsmanagement. The problem has been analysed through multiple reports in the recentyears. Prescribe burning is recommended as one possible alternative for effective fuel

reduction and management.The majority of the fuel types found in Portugal are suited for prescribed fire use.

There was a good participation and enthusiasm from all the different public and privateentities regarding prescribed fire. A total of 51 public and private entities participated,involving a total of 236 people at an operational level. This type of cooperation andenthusiasm will be an important key to the success of a National Prescribe FireProgram.

The Portuguese Forest Services already has a good foundation for a NationalPrescribe Fire Program. This foundation needs to be built on slowly as it takes time todevelop an organisation with the necessary skills, training and equipment to meetanticipated programmatic goals.

The implementation phase will require time to further develop the required capabilities inthese four main operational areas - Planning, Organizing, Training and Equipment -, asidentified at the mission balance meeting, in the attached document (“Moving towards aNational Prescribe Fire Program”).



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Attachment

Moving towards a National Prescribed Fire Program



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Moving towards a National Prescribed Fire Program

The following goals and recommendations were the output of a “brainstorm” sessionheld during the mission balance meeting.Considerations from Portuguese and American participants in the mission made therelevant contributions for this strategic document.



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Organization

GoalDevelop the organization needed to implement a National Prescribed Fire and FuelsManagement Program.

Recommendation• Create a dedicated Fuels and Prescribed Fire organization.

• Increase the number of Sapadores Florestais needed to implement theprogram.

• Establish dedicated prescribe burning specialists such as Burn Boss, in eachregion.

• Ensure Burn Bosses are trained, experienced, and qualified to suppresswildfires as well as conduct prescribed fire operations.

•

Create a task force to analyze and recommend the optimum configuration ofdedicated personnel and equipment needed to implement the programnationally.

• Ensure all escaped Prescribed Fires are investigated. Define escapedprescribed fires as those with:

1) Where there is a risk of liability/lawsuits

2) When private land is damaged

3) When people have been injured or a fatality has occurred

• Ensure managers/supervisors are involved in the Prescribed Fire Program.Have them visit a specified percentage of Prescribed Fire Projects annually

while the projects are underway. Having proper oversight and managementsupport and involvement is very important.

• Provide insurance for personnel engaged in prescribed fire operations.



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Planning

GoalIdentify ways to improve and support the National Prescribed Fire and Fuels Program.

Recommendation• Require that escaped Prescribed Fires be reported and investigated. Ensure

that investigators are not from the local area and will provide an honestevaluation.

• Standardize Burn Plans, including burning parameters, contingency plans,medical plans, organizational plans, operational plan, and maps.

• Ensure that state agencies share land ownership/parcel data between stateagencies and other private entities that need the information to efficientlyimplement prescribed fire operations.

• Strategically prioritize Prescribed Fire Projects nationally

• Identify and make known the process for burn plan approval

• Streamline the burn plan approval process

• Ensure Burn Bosses can obtain current and site specific fire weatherinformation prior to igniting a burn. Install automated weather stations in theforest to improve forecasts and to better classify the fire danger rating.

• Provide financial incentives (such as grants or tax breaks) for privatelandowners to encourage fuel management activities on their lands.

• Develop a web based single source Prescribed Fire information sharing pointof contact. One spot where everyone can access information.

• Create a National Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management public educationprogram that explains the benefits of prescribed fire.

• Establish a process where Prescribed Fire personnel and equipment can bereadily shared.

• Establish a process to monitor the effects and success of prescribed fireprojects to ensure the objectives are being met and to identify problems orissues.

• Establish a process to ensure media and other visitors to prescribed fireprojects will be escorted in order to keep them safe from harm and to preventdisruption of work.

• Involve community special interest groups (such as hunters) in PrescribedFire and Community Protection plans.

• Establish an After Action Review Process to be conducted every day on everyPrescribed Fire in order to continuously improve the operation.

• Integrate Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management Strategies and Plans withCommunity Protection Plans. Ensure every community has a protection plan.Prescribed fire placement strategies to consider include:

1. Fuel breaks on ridge tops to isolate drainages and prevent fires fromcrossing from one creek or river drainage into another, keeping fires

smaller and protecting communities.



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2. Fuel breaks (either mechanical or through the use of prescribed fire) alonghigh fire occurrence areas, including select roadsides and pastures.

3. Consider working with private landowners to burn their pastures for themin order to have more control over how and when the burn would beexecuted.

4. Fuel breaks around homes and structures immediately adjacent to theforest.

5. Prescribed burn under trees in select areas in order to protect the treesfrom being killed by a wildfire.

6. Consider physically closing high use areas/roads during the worst periodsof extreme fire danger (usually less than ten days per year).



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Training

GoalImprove Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management Training for all personnel involved inPrescribed Fire Operations, including Forest Engineers, Technicians, Sapadores, and

Bombeiros.

Recommendation• Ensure all Prescribed Fire Personnel receive training for:

1. Basic fire fighter (basic fire suppression, basic fire behaviour, basicIncident Command).

2. Additional beneficial training; Firing Methods and Procedures, WildlandUrban Interface (Mandatory for Burn Boss, Ignition Boss, Holding Boss).

3. Provide annual fire safety refresher training (LCES) and make attendancemandatory

• Develop a fire/prescribed fire exchange program USA – Portugal.

• Build a training structure, based in standardize training curriculum. Full-timeteachers in training centers. (ex. Including live burning)

• Evaluate personnel prior to being certified (skills and performance) for thefollowing positions; Burn Boss (credential technician), Ignition Boss, HoldingBoss by qualified person/trainer (certification process; ex. NationalInteragency Wildfire Coordination Group Task books).

• First aid/medical training provided for prescribed fire personnel.

• The Burn Boss needs to have the experience to transition from prescribed fire

to fire suppression.



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4. Equipment

GoalProvide the quantities and types of equipment necessary to implement an effectiveprescribed fire program.

Recommendation• Personal Protective Equipment:

1. Hard Hats2. Shroud (for ears and neck protection)3. Gloves4. Safety Glasses5. Appropriate Clothing (Nomex clothing)6. Leather Boots7. Ear Protection8. Portable First Aid Kit

• Additional Operational Equipment:1. Drip Torches2. Fusee’s (road flares)3. Programmable portable radios4. Approved fuel containers5. Portable Pumps6. Gravity Socks7. Collapsible water tanks8. Light weight small diameter

9. Personal Portable Weather Observation Equipment (Kestrel 4000 orbetter, Belt weather kit)

10. Remote Automated Weather Stations

• Apparatus:1. Upgrade existing large water capacity engines.2. Increase the number and distribution of tractors capable of creating fuel

breaks.

In order to implement a national prescribed fire and fuels management programPortugal should increase the number and availability of personnel and establishan organization which can effectively support and manage the program havingthe sole responsibility of prescribed fire implementation.

The program is on the right track, has extremely dedicated, hard working, andmotivated employees who should be recognized and commended for theirefforts.

Documents

Prescribed Fire Specialists Advisors