# Presentation: 533421

## BLANK SLIDES

## OPTIONAL INSERTS

## NWCG Messaging Project

***Wildland Fire Education Working Team***

**Notes:**
WELCOME; INTRODUCTIONS

NOTE TO PRESENTER: YOU MAY WANT TO SELECT “MASTER VIEW” AND REPLACE THESE TEMPLATE PHOTOS WITH PHOTOS FROM YOUR AGENCY. PHOTOS WERE SPECIFICALLY SELECTED TO SHOW PEOPLE IN AESTHETIC NATURAL SETTINGS, WITHOUT SCENES OF FIRE THAT CAN INVOKE NEGATIVE FEELINGS AMONG THE AUDIENCE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO INCLUDE SCENES OF FIRE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SELECT PHOTOS THAT SHOW RE-GROWTH, RESPONSIBLE FIRE USE, AND/OR POSITIVE IMPACT OF FIRE.

## Agenda

- Introduction
- Messaging Project Overview
- Key Messages
- Role of Wildland Fire
- Current Conditions
- Wildland Fire Management
- Partnerships for Wildland Fire Safety
- Materials & Resources
- Discussion

**Notes:**
Wildland fire management agencies and organizations share common goals: to enhance personal safety and reduce loss of life while preserving and enhancing the health of forests, rangelands, prairies, and wetlands. To that end, we encourage those who live or recreate in wildland areas to be aware of the role of wildland fire in ecosystems, actions that land management agencies are taking to reduce risks and realize benefits of wildland fire, and the need for partnerships among agencies, tribes, residents, and communities to understand and prepare for wildland fire. 

For those representing federal, state, local or tribal originations: We’re going to discuss how we talk about wildland fire. Though communication of fire issues is extensive throughout the wildland fire community, our messages have not been consistent. For the public to truly understand the role of wildland fire, we must communicate clearly and consistently across all agencies. Can you imagine the impact we would have if all of you at this conference (500+) would have on our publics if the same clear, consistant message was told about the role of wildland fire in our ecosystems?

We now have interagency messages that have been developed by an interagency team and approved by the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group – the fire directors for the nation’s land management agencies.

We’ll learn how the messages were developed, then review the messages and discuss how we can incorporate them into our communication. Finally, we’ll touch on the additional resources being developed at the interagency level.

For those less familiar with fire ecology: We’re also going to look at the natural role fire plays in our environment. We’re also going to discuss the current conditions of our wildlands and a few things that land management agencies are doing to manage fire in those wildlands.  Finally, we’re going to talk about the importance of partnerships among agencies, tribes, communities and individuals who live, work, or play in wildland areas.  

Before we get started, is there anything in particular you would like to learn from this discussion?

## National Wildfire Coordinating Group

- Organization
- Federal and state representation
- Working teams (13)
- Advisory Groups (2)
- Task Groups (1)

**Notes:**
PASS OUT “WILDLAND FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES BROCHURE” AND/OR “WILDLAND FIRE: A NATURAL PROCESS FACT SHEET” IF AVAILABLE.

The NWCG is an interagency group comprised of a parent group and 16 other groups/team with special fire responsibilities. The parent group consists of the federal fire directors and a National State Representative.

## National Wildfire Coordinating Group

- Goals
- Continuity and standards for training equipment, qualifications, and operational functions
- Collaborative efforts among agencies
- Avoid duplication
- Products

**Notes:**
PASS OUT “WILDLAND FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES BROCHURE” AND/OR “WILDLAND FIRE: A NATURAL PROCESS FACT SHEET” IF AVAILABLE.

The Organization as a whole strives to assure “Continuity and standards for training equipment, qualifications, and operational functions.

Products examples include: this messaging product; standard PD’s; training courses and guides; PMS, Qualifications, etc.

## NWCG Wildland Fire Education Working Team

**Wildland Fire Education Working Team**
***	******VISION:*** All people understand and overwhelmingly support the role of fire in ecosystems.
***	******MISSION: ***To provide leadership in the development, implementation and continuity of national level wildland fire education programs.

**Notes:**
As you may know, the Wildland Fire Education Working Team is one of several working teams under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The WFEWT is responsible for developing interagency tools and materials for educating key audiences about wildland fire. A key example is the training and coordination of the Prevention and Education teams.

Emphasize External and Internal Audiences

## NWCG Wildland Fire Education Working Team

- WFEWT Messaging Task Group
***GOAL:***** **The public is aware of the role of fire in ecosystems
- Task Group and Working Team Membership
- USDA Forest Service
- U.S Dept. of Interior agencies (BIA, NPS, FWS, BLM)
- National Association of State Foresters
- The Nature Conservancy

**Notes:**
A key task group for the WFEWT was charged with making the public aware of the role of fire in ecosystems. Members included representatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy. This group followed a systematic approach to message development and worked with a communications firm to bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to wildland fire communication. This helped the team focus on the ultimate audience for our message: the public.

## Messaging Project Overview

- Evolution of Products: Communicator's Guide, Wildland Fire Brochure, Nat’l Messages, Fact Sheet
- Next Year’s Products: PSAs, integration w/ other WTs; newsletters; periodic communications

**Notes:**
Emphasize involvement with local sme’s.

National Messaging Evolution: Communicators Guide (ecological, social and policy aspect of Wildland Fire, Community Education, School Programming); Wildland Fire Brochure (Robin is handing out; fire ecology, fire use and benefits) and finally, to the subject of this presentation, the National Messaging Project.

Nat’l Messaging Chronology: Contract with communications firm (drafted Nat;l Message Themes  for Role of Wildlland Fire in Ecosystems, Agency Actions, Partnerships, and personal responsibilities for those living in fire prone ecosystems; Contacted agency SMEs to review compiled message themes; comments provided, finalized w/ NMTG; directives issued by directors; fact sheet developed; ppt developed and here we are today. 

Future Products: develop PSAs; integrate nat’l messages into firewise materials and distribution to other NWCG WTs; byline articles in Agency News Letters; develop periodic communications to be distributed by FMTG/EA/TBD across agencies and partner organizations (product will include information about new resources, availability of current resources, and upcoming professional training (Emphasis on Internal Audiences)

## Fire Regime and Condition Class

**Notes:**
NOTE: THIS SECTION IS BEST DELIVERED BY EXPERIENCED FIRE STAFF.

## Fire Regime Overview

**FR I**
- 0 to 35 years
- Low severity
- Ponderosa Pine and Dry Douglas Fir Habitat Type

**FR II**
- 0 to 35 years
-  mixed severity
- Grassland, tall grass prairie
- Shrublands
- Some Chaparral

**Notes:**
These are important ecological definitions in the interagency community. FR is used to define/establish the priority for project funded nationally. FRCC is an important indicator for success and used as such as a performance measures for the Government Performance and Results Act.

2. The higher the fire regime, the longer the fire return interval and more severe fire occurs naturally.

## Fire Regime Overview

**FR III**
- 35 to 100 years
- Mixed Severity
- Wet Douglas Fir Habitat Types
- Woodlands
- Bosque
- Chaparral

**FR IV**
- 35 to 100 years
- Lethal severity
- LPP & Jack Pine
**FR V**
- >200 years
- Lethal severity
- Alpine Fir Habitat Types, Boreal Forests

## Fire Regime Condition Class

**FRCC1**
- Within Historic Range of Variability
- Maintenance treatments
**FRCC2**
- Altered
- One fire cycle skipped

**FRCC3**
- Severely altered
- Several fire cycles skipped
- Mechanical treatments required

**Notes:**
Condition Class is defined in terms of departure from the historic fire regime, as determined by the number of missed fire return intervals with respect to (1) the historic fire return interval, and (2) the current structure and composition of the system resulting from alterations to the disturbance regime.

The higher the # the more altered (missed fire cycles occurred & unnatural vegetation accumulated) on a landscape or patch scale.

## Example

- Rocky Mountain Region – Dry Douglas Fir Habitat Types
- FR1
- FRCC 1
- Information/Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
This park-like stand of Ponderosa pine stand is generally considered the model for the desired future condition based on a historic range of variability.

When ignition occurs, this stand structure and composition burns at low severities, generally a surface fire that is easier to control.

Considerations: smoke (relatively frequent smoke, low volume, short duration) in FRCC1, sustainability; hydrological functions/sediment in normal range

Mitigation: landscape and stand level treatments, Rx Fire, WFR, Mechanical treatments, 

Adaptations: thick bark, open grown stands, deep roots, high open branching, flammable needle cast 

## Example

- Southern Rough
- FR 1
- FRCC 1
- Information/Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
Most Rx fire accomplishments come from the south!

These ecosystems are  extremely fire dependent. 

Long-leaf requires fire to release it from the grass stage, (breaks down dense tuft of needles in grass stage; fire extinguished by moisture in dense tuft) stands are open grown with high open crowns. Trees have thick bark.

Considerations: smoke (relatively frequent smoke, low volume, short duration), sustainability

Mitigation: Rx fire, mechanical, dormant and growing season burns to favor needle grass; 

## Example

- Rocky Mountain Region - Alpine Fir Habitat Type
- FR 4
- FRCC 1
- Information/ Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
These vegetation mosaics generally occur in the fire regime.

Mixed Severity and Lethal fires are natural and are difficult to mitigate on a landscape level

Mitigation:  fuel breaks, landscaple level treatments, strategic locations of treatment units; WFU

Considerations: When fire occurs it most likely will be severe in nature regardless of FRCC; Fuel breaks, home ignition zone, smoke duration in natural vs. FRCC 3 environments, mechanical treatment close to home.
These vegetation mosaics generally occur in the fire regime.

Mixed Severity and Lethal fires are natural and cannot be mitigated on a landscape level

Mitigation:  fuel breaks, landscaple level treatments, strategic locations of treatment units; WFU

## Example

- Tall Grass Prairie
- FR 2
- FRCC 1
- Information/ Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
High intensity, fast spreading, wind dominated fires occur in this ecosystem. 

Person-caused fires are a big concern (in Oklahoma)

Mitigation: Rx fire, mowing, firewise mitigation in the home ignition zone.

## Example

- Lake States Mixed Forest
- FR 3 (?)
- FRCC 3
- Information/Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
NOTE: QUESTION MARKS ON SLIDES INDICATE DIFFICULTY TO DETERMINE FIRE REGIME AND CONDITION CLASS.

Mixed Conifer/Hardwood Forest of the Lake States

FR 3 (?); FRCC 3; fire regime is difficult to determine due to the # of disturbances occurring after European settlement. 
Jack, Red and White Pine are fire adapted Red Pine is similar to Ponderosa Pine and Jack Pine is a cousin to Lodgepole pine. Eastern Larch behaves much like W. Larch, it is fire resistant and depends on fire for survival.
Balsam Fir is similar to Douglas Fir, it develops in unnaturally dense understories when fire is excluded from these stands. 

Considerations: smoke (relatively frequent smoke, low volume, short duration) in FRCC1 fuel breaks, firewise; home ignition zone emphasis; mechanical treatments, 

## Example

- Lake States Mixed Hardwoods
- FR?
- FRCC?
- Information/ Education
- Considerations

**Notes:**
NOTE: QUESTION MARKS ON SLIDES INDICATE DIFFICULTY TO DETERMINE FIRE REGIME AND CONDITION CLASS.

Do we know what the FR and FRCC are. Its been difficult to determine FR/FRCC due to a history of disturbances: indigenous burning, settlements, agriculture, etc.

Are there severe fires in these vegetation types?

We do know that leave fall in the fall starts a new fire season in the Midwest. Person caused fires occur for a variety of reasons. Fire severity may not be an issue, but the emotions of the public are no less than the western fires. Homes and lives are threatened at fire suppression, prevention, fuels and WUI programs are making a difference.

Considerations: fuel breaks, Firewise mitigation in the home ignition zone, fire prevention to reduce person-caused fires

## ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PRESENTERS

## Partnerships

***BlueSkyRAINS***
- Web-based, automated smoke prediction system
- Estimates, tracking, and forecasting
- Fire managers, air quality agencies, & ***general public*** can view
- Developed by EPA R10 & USFS PNW Lab

- _http://blueskyrains.org_

**Notes:**
An example tool for coordination is BlueSkyRAINS , a Web-based, automated smoke prediction system

In this way, land managers, regulators, and the general public can view the potential smoke impacts from regional burning activities. Never before have all these capabilities been brought together.
Allows estimates of smoke produced, tracking of actual smoke produced, coordination of Rx fires, and forecasts smoke movement
Fire managers, air quality agencies, & general public can view potential smoke impacts from regional burning activities
Developed by EPA R10 & USFS PNW Lab
System operating at hhtp://blueskyrains. org

BlueSkyRAINS is a powerful tool for interagency planning and cooperation that is changing the way smoke and fire are managed. 

Fire managers can now estimate how much smoke would be produced from a fire, track the actual smoke produced, and forecast smoke movement for several days. 

BlueSky is used to coordinate and plan prescribed burning across land ownerships. 

 BlueSky has been used to help determine firefighting strategies and warn nearby communities of potential health impacts.

Eight workshops sponsored by Station scientists introduced BlueSky to over 150 managers and regulators from 10 states and 5 regional and local air agencies.

BlueskyRains- Who’s been Involved?
Washington – Ecology, DNR
Oregon – Depts. of Forestry & Ag
Idaho – DEQ, Ag
Montana – DEQ
British Columbia – MoWLAP
Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Nez Perce Tribe
Other Feds – BLM, BIA, USF&W, NOAA
Universities – WSU, UW

## Artwork Resources

- Additional photos provided by WFEWT

## Artwork Resources

- Additional photos provided by WFEWT

## Artwork Resources

- Additional photos provided by WFEWT

- Pocosin

## Artwork Resources

- Additional artwork is available via the following websites
- www.nifc.gov
- Photo Gallery
- www.fs.fed.us
- Photo and Video Gallery
- www.firewise.org
- Enhanced Media, Photos