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Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION, POLICY, AND LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Program Organization

1.3 Environmental Compliance

1.3.1 Fire Management Plan Compliance

1.3.2 Incident or Implementation Compliance

1.4 Resource Management Planning

1.5 Science

1.6 Climate Change

1.7 Collaborative Planning

2. FIRE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 Goals

2.2 Objectives

2.2.1 Wildland Fire Related Resource and Protection Objectives

2.2.2 Wildland Fire Related Operational Constraints and Direction

3. WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

3.1 Preparedness

3.1.1 Operational Plans

3.2 Management of Wildfires

3.3 Fuels Treatments

3.4 Post Fire Response – Emergency Stabilization/Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation

3.5 Air Quality/Smoke Management

3.6 Data Sources, Reports and Systems

4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

4.1 Monitoring the Fire Management Plan

5. APPENDIX

A. Additional Fire Management Direction

B. Agreements, Contracts, and Memorandums of Understanding
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1. INTRODUCTION, POLICY, AND LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING

1.1 Introduction 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Battle Mountain District (BMD) is part of the Desert Basin Fire 

Management Zone (DBZ), with direction and oversight shared between the Battle Mountain District and 

Winnemucca District Fire Programs.

The BMD boundary encompasses approximately 13.4 million acres of land in Lander, Eureka, Nye, and 

Esmeralda counties, of which, approximately 78 percent is managed directly by the BLM. This accounts 

for approximately 10.5 million acres in Central Nevada. The BMD is divided into two field offices, the Mt. 

Lewis and Tonopah Field Offices. The Mt. Lewis Field Office covers approximately 5.8 million acres 

mostly in Lander and Eureka counties, while the Tonopah Field Office incorporates approximately 7.6 

million acres within Nye and Esmeralda counties.

The BMD is located within the Great Basin. Climate varies significantly throughout the Great Basin by 

elevation, latitude, and several other factors. Higher elevations and latitudes tend to be cooler and 

receive more precipitation than the lower elevations and latitudes. Most of the Basin experiences a 

semi-arid or arid climate with warm summers and cold winters. Some areas of the BMD are high enough 

in elevation to experience alpine climates, and conversely, the southern portion of the district 

transitions into a Mohave ecosystem. Topography is typical of the Great Basin with broad valleys 

separating mountain ranges and elevations ranging from 3,300 feet to over 10,000 feet on BLM 

administered lands. Vegetation types range from Mohave Desert scrub and Joshua Trees, 

sagebrush/perennial grass communities, and salt desert shrub, to woodland communities composed 

primarily of pinyon-juniper, aspen, and mountain mahogany. Across the district there are also small, 

isolated patches of mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine in the higher elevations.

Public lands in the BMD are managed under a multiple-use philosophy. The multiple-use mission is to 

sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future 

generations. This is accomplished by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, 

mineral development, energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources 

on public lands, including multiple Designated Wilderness Areas as well as Wilderness Study Areas. 

Significant programs in solid minerals, recreation, range management, wildlife/fishery habitat 

management, wild horse management, hazardous fuels management, invasive species management, 

and emergency stabilization and rehabilitation exist within the BMD.

FMP Reader Instructions:

Where manuals and handbooks have been referenced, please remember to confirm whether additional 

direction has been issued since the most recent manual or handbook release in the form of Instruction 

Memorandums (available on the BLM Fire and Aviation Intranet here and on the Washington Office 

Intranet here).
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1.2 Program Organization 

The Battle Mountain District Division of Fire and Aviation (BMD) is part of the Desert Basin Fire 

Management Zone (DBZ). The DBZ provide fire management and oversight for the Battle Mountain and 

Winnemucca District fire programs. 

The BMD currently has direct suppression agreement with the Austin Ranger District of the United 

States Forest Service through a Service First Agreement and direct suppression responsibility for Bureau 

of Indian Affairs managed lands contained within the BMD boundary.

There are also numerous cooperators, including the Nevada Division of Forestry under a statewide 

agreement, and numerous local fire protection districts (See Appendix B for Agreements)

For additional information:

 Area maps for management specifications and jurisdictions (pages 4-10)

 Partnerships, Offset Protection, and Contract Protection (Section 3)

1.3 Environmental Compliance 

Impacts of the Fire Management Program have already been analyzed in the environmental documents 

that accompany the Shoshone-Eureka (SERMP) and Tonopah Management Plans (TRMP) and the 

Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 

Amendment (ARMPA). Inclusion of these decisions made in the Land Use Plans (LUPs) meets all National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act 

(NHPA), and mandatory Tribal Consultation requirements. 

o Shoshone-Eureka RMP

o Tonopah RMP

o Land Use Plan Amendment FEIS

See Section 1.4 for additional information on RMPs.

● Battle Mountain District Integrated Weed Management Plan EA (2009)

● No additional NEPA was completed

1.3.1 Fire Management Plan Compliance

● A Biological Opinion was issued to the BLM for all RMPs that showed concurrence with the 

BLM’s findings that the RMP actions would not adversely affect any listed, threatened, 

endangered or candidate species.
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● NHPA – All RMP(s) actions/decisions are in compliance with Section 106 of NHPA per the 

terms of the programmatic agreement between the BLM State Director and the State 

Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The Nevada SHPO stated that the RMP(s) were

consistent with the State Comprehensive Preservation Plan.

1.3.2 Incident or Implementation Compliance

This section documents the protocols and requirements of specific environmental and 

cultural resource laws in the development of the Battle Mountain District Fire Management 

Plan (BMD FMP). Specific consultations were initiated and completed during the 

development and implementation of the associated Resource Management Plans, as 

amended (see section 1.4 for list). The following documents provide additional restrictions 

and/or guidance.

● Nevada State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) Protocol agreement.

● United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Emergency Consultation Protocols.

● Tribal Consultation Protocols (BLM Manual 8100). 

1.4 Resource Management Planning

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) directs the US Department 

of the Interior (DOI), BLM to develop and periodically revise or amend its RMPs, which guide 

management of BLM-administered lands. The following RMPs provide the guidance for

implementation of Fire Management Activities within the planning area. 

● NV CA Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (2015)

● Shoshone-Eureka Planning Area Resource Management Plan Amendment (1987)

● Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for Fire Management for the ShoshoneEureka Planning Area (2002)

● Tonopah Resource Management Plan (2004)

1.5 Science

 

The BMD FMP is based on the SERMP and amendments, TRMP and the ARMPA which used a systematic 

interdisciplinary approach to integrate physical, biological, economic, and other sciences. Adaptive 

management practices using the best available science guides fire management in promoting human 
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safety as well as reducing hazardous conditions, conserving wildlife and its habitat, minimizing air quality 

impacts and meeting other desirable goals. 

Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy

Great Basin Fire Science Exchange

Firescience.gov

1.6 Climate Change 

Secretarial Order 3285 directs the BLM to consider climate change in all resource management planning 

activities. Impacts of climate change on the resources are mitigated in many of the Fire and Fuels 

management decisions. Policies, plans and adaptive management strategies that contribute to 

ecosystem resiliency, along with air, water and land health are in place. 

Fire management operations are to incorporate aspects of Environmental Management Systems and

DOI Climate Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by:

● utilizing green procurement, 

● reducing water and energy use at fire facilities, 

● fuel efficiency in the fire fleet and mechanized equipment,

● reducing waste generation during fire and fuels operations, 

● increasing use of renewable energy 

2. FIRE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

In addition to national level guidance and goals described in the 2009 Fire Management Policy and 

contained within the current Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) and 

other national policy, the following are locally adapted guidance derived from LUPS including RMPs and 

ARMPA. (See Section 1.4 Resource Management Planning for additional information)

Consistent with the National Fire Plan and Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy, respond to 

wildfires based on social, legal, and ecological consequences of the fire. The circumstances under which 

fire occurs and the likely consequences on firefighter and public safety, natural and cultural resources, 

and the values to be protected dictate the appropriate response to the fire within and next to agencyadministered lands.

Goals:

Shoshone-Eureka RMP Wildland Fire Management Goal:

Wildland Management Suppression: Administering appropriate response given potential consequences 

of fire.
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Wildfire Management Fuels Management: Protect, improve, and restore natural and cultural resources 

and community infrastructure through wildland fire management.

Vegetation Rangeland Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation: Stabilize and rehabilitate burned 

areas, need seedlings, or reseeded areas and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural 

resources and minimize the threats to life and property.

o Shoshone-Eureka RMP

NV/CA Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (AMRPA)

Special Status Species (SSS): Conserve, enhance, and restore the sagebrush ecosystem upon which GRSG 

populations depend in an effort to maintain and/or increase their abundance and distribution, in 

cooperation with other conservation partners. However, the SSS does not include species that are 

federally listed as threatened and endangered (T&E).

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nevada Natural Heritage Program

Special Species Status

2.1 Objectives

The following list of objectives is derived from the ARMPA, SERMP, and TRMP. They are divided into 

representative sections with the following categories: Common to All, Pre-suppression, Suppression, 

Fuels, and Post-Fire. 

2.2.1 Wildland Fire Related Resource and Protection Objectives

OBJECTIVES COMMON TO ALL

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

GRSG 

ARMPA VEG 5

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Reduce amount of GRSG habitat loss due to widespread wildfires and invasion by nonnative species.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 1

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Protection of human life is single, overriding 

priority. Setting priorities among protecting 

human communities and community infrastructure, 

other property and improvements, and natural and 

cultural resources will be done based on the values 

to be protected, human health and safety, and the 

costs of protection. GRSG habitat will be prioritized 

commensurate with property values and other 

critical or sensitive habitats to be protected, with 

the goal to restore, enhance, and maintain areas 

suitable for GRSG.
15

GRSG 

ARMPA VEG 13

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

In PHMAs and GHMAs, manage risks of GRSG

habitat degradation or loss from landscape stressors 

of drought, invasive species, and wildfire 

exacerbated by climate change to maintain existing 

GRSG populations and habitats.

GRSG 

ARMPA ???

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG Increase scientific knowledge of biological, physical, 

and sociological factors.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 3

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Protect post-fire treatments in SFA first, followed by 

PHMAs outside of SFA, and then GHMAs from 

subsequent wildfires

TON FM pg 

25

Tonopah 

FO N/A

To protect natural resources from unacceptable 

damage by fire in a cost-effective manner with a 

high regard for private property and safety. 

Promote resource management through prescribed 

fire to maintain the natural component of the 

ecosystem.

FM ARMPA SOP's District 

Boundary N/A

Protection of private property and natural and 

cultural resources, including preventing the 

destruction of cultural properties from suppression 

actions. 

FM ARMPA SOP's District 

Boundary N/A Protection of riparian areas from devastatingwildland fire effects. 

FM ARMPA SOP's District 

Boundary Habitat

Protection of all fisheries, including existing 

Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat and historical 

Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat. 

FM ARMPA SOP's District 

Boundary Habitat Protection of important wildlife habitat from devastating wildland fire effects. 

FM ARMPA SOP's T &E 

Habitat Habitat

Protection of threatened and endangered species 

habitat (where appropriate, and where the species 

does not rely on fire for part of its life cycle), as well 

as sensitive listed species habitat. 

FM ARMPA SOP's

Raptor 

Nesting 

Habitat

Habitat Protection of important raptor nesting habitat. 
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FM ARMPA SOP's

HMA 

Foaling 

Areas

Habitat Protection of Herd Management Area foaling areas 

during foaling season. 

PRE-SUPPRESSION OBJECTIVES

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 2

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Use pre-suppression efforts to reduce the size and 

impact of wildfires in SFA, PHMAs, and GHMAs.

SUPPRESSION GOALS/OBJECTIVES

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

FM ARMPA SOP's District 

Boundary Safety

Protection of human life, safety of wildland 

firefighters, and protection of human safety and 

health.

TON FM pg 

25

Tonopah 

FO

Fire 

Suppression

Wildfires that threaten resources such as critical 

watersheds, riparian areas, desirable range (salt 

desert shrub), sage grouse strutting grounds, 

sensitive plant species sites, cultural resource sites,

and sensitive forage plant species (bitterbrush and 

mountain mahogany) will be kept to minimum 

acres-utilizing suppression action which could 

suppress and/or divert the fire and be cost-effective 

and efficient.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 3

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Protect post-fire treatments in SFA first, followed by 

PHMAs outside of SFA, and then GHMAs from 

subsequent wildfires

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 4

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Use suppression to reduce the size and impact of 

wildfires in SFA, PHMAs, and GHMAs.

FM ARMPA WH&B 

pg 38 HMAs Habitat

Under the Proposed Action scenario, no prescribed 

fire or fire ignited by lightning, where

an appropriate management response is 

implemented, should be allowed to burn extensive 

areas of any given herd management area.
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FUELS

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

FM ARMPA Pg 8 Mt Lewis 

FO

Fuels 

Management

1. Restoring Fire as an integral part of ecosystems 

2. Using mechanical treatments such as green 

strips, shaded fuel breaks, and tree thinning to 

reduce wildfire fuel hazards. 

3.Improving diversity of vegetation

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 5

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Protect and enhance PHMAs and GHMAs and areas 

of connectivity that support GRSG populations, 

including large contiguous blocks of sagebrush, 

through fuels management and incorporation of 

the FIAT assessment (Appendix H).

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 13

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

In PHMAs and GHMAs, manage risks of GRSG 

habitat degradation or loss from landscape 

stressors of drought, invasive species, and wildfire 

exacerbated by climate change to maintain existing 

GRSG populations and habitats.

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 5

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Reduce the amount of GRSG habitat loss due to 

wide-spread wildfires and invasion by nonnative 

species.

POST-FIRE

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 6

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Retain, protect, and improve intact unburned 

sagebrush communities in burned areas by 

incorporating the FIAT assessment (Chambers et. al 

2014).

2.2.2 Wildland Fire Related Operational Constraints and Direction That Supports 

Accomplishment of Objectives

ACTIONS COMMON TO ALL

RMP Citation Map Function Objective

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 1 

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Support the conservation of GRSG habitat 

objectives (Table 2-2) through appropriate wildfire 

management planning, coordination, staffing, 

resource allocations, training, equipment, and 

management oversight.
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GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 2

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Prioritize fire operations and fuels management 

decisions in SFA first, followed by PHMAs outside of 

SFA in accordance with the implementation-level 

FIAT assessments, and then GHMAs for 

conservation and protection during fire operations 

and fuels management decision-making. When 

suppression resources are widely available, place 

maximum efforts on limiting fire growth in GHMAs 

as well.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 3

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

BLM planning units, in coordination with the 

USFWS and relevant state agencies, will annually 

review the GRSG landscape wildfire and invasive 

species habitat assessments (FIAT). Based on this 

review, revised actions to ameliorate invasive 

species must be incorporated into the assessment.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 4

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Compile relevant field office- and district-level 

information into the statewide GRSG Annual 

Operating Handbook for use by resource advisors, 

wildfire crews, and agency administrators. The 

handbook will contain GRSG maps (including 

habitat and fuels treatment maps) and lists of state 

and local GRSG resource advisors and their contact 

information, local guidance, and other relevant 

information for each field office and district, 

aggregated into a statewide document.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 5

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Coordinate and collaborate with federal, tribal, 

state, and local governments and associations 

sanctioned through either California or Nevada that 

meet fire standards for effective and efficient 

wildfire response

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 6

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Strengthen and improve interagency wildfire 

prevention statewide through targeted wildfire 

prevention messages, including providing education 

on GRSG habitat loss, updating interagency 

agreements, and conducting wildfire prevention 

workshops and demonstration projects.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 8

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG Create fire management plans to guide wildfire 

suppression in order to protect PHMAs and GHMAs.

FM 

ARMPA SOP's District boundary N/A

The Potential effects on the local grazing permittee 

will be considered on all prescribed fires and fires 

ignited by lightning, where an appropriate 

management response is taken. 

FM 

ARMPA SOP's District boundary N/A

Fire effects, the known fire ecology of the involved 

plant communities and specific sites, fire history, 

fire occurrence, fire behavior, and fuel loading will 

be compelling issues when preparing site specific 

burn plans for prescribed fires and wildland fires. 
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FM 

ARMPA SOP's District boundary Planning

Current standard operating procedures for 

environmental analysis will be followed. Fire 

planning at an activity plan level may require some 

level of environmental analysis. Both prescribed 

fires and lightning ignited fires (wildland fire use) 

would be used. 

FM 

ARMPA

Weeds 

pg 29

District 

boundary

Invasive 

Species

Weed risk factors and weed prevention would be 

part of the development and evaluation

of site-specific prescribed fires, wildland fire use, 

and mechanical fuels treatments. 

FM 

ARMPA

SSS pg 

31

District 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Burned or treated areas would be rehabilitated in 

order to increase species diversity and improve the 

habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA

SG 

ARMPA 

2015 

(Append

ix D)

N/A GRSG

With guidance from the SG LUPA, the following 

RDFs are required for fuels and fire management 

activities.

RDF WFM 1: Power-wash all firefighting apparatus 

including engines, water tenders, personnel 

vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV/UTV) prior to 

driving in or near GRSG habitat to minimize spread 

of invasive plant species.

SERMP

SG 

ARMPA 

2015 

(Append

ix D)

N/A Fire Planning

RDF WFM 2: Protect wildland areas from unplanned 

ignitions initiating on private lands, infrastructure 

corridors, and recreational areas.

RDF WFM 3: Limit risk of vehicle or human caused 

fire starts and spread of invasive species by planting 

perennial vegetation (e.g. green strips) along rightsof-way.

PRE-SUPPRESSION

RMP Citation Map Function Constraint /Action

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 3

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

BLM planning units, in coordination with the 

USFWS and relevant state agencies, will annually 

review the GRSG landscape wildfire and invasive 

species habitat assessments (FIAT). Based on this 

review, revised actions to ameliorate invasive 

species must be incorporated into the assessment.
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GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 4

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Interagency 

Coordination

Compile relevant field office- and district-level 

information into the statewide GRSG Annual 

Operating Handbook for use by resource advisors, 

wildfire crews, and agency administrators. The 

handbook will contain GRSG maps (including

habitat and fuels treatment maps) and lists of state 

and local GRSG resource advisors and their contact 

information, local guidance, and other relevant 

information for each field office and district, 

aggregated into a statewide document.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 5

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Interagency 

Coordination

Coordinate and collaborate with federal, tribal, 

state, and local governments and associations 

sanctioned through either California or Nevada that 

meet fire standards for effective and efficient 

wildfire response

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 6

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Interagency 

Coordination

Strengthen and improve interagency wildfire 

prevention statewide through targeted wildfire 

prevention messages, including providing education 

on GRSG habitat loss, updating interagency 

agreements, and conducting wildfire prevention 

workshops and demonstration projects.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 7

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

Identify and prioritize areas that are vulnerable to 

wildfires and prescribe actions important for GRSG 

protection, in accordance with FIAT (see Appendix 

H, USDI 2015) and further refined in the 

implementation-level FIAT assessments.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 8

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

Create fire management plans to guide wildfire 

suppression in order to protect PHMAs and GHMAs.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 9

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Interagency 

Coordination

Before the fire season, train GRSG resource 

advisors on wildfire suppression organization, 

objectives, tactics, and procedures to develop a 

cadre of qualified individuals. Involve state wildlife 

agency experts in fire operations through the 

following:

• Instruction with resource advisors during 

preseason

• Qualification as resource advisors

• Coordination with resource advisors before fire 

season

• Contribution to incident planning with 

information, such as habitat features or other key 

data useful in fire decision-making
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SUPPRESSION

RMP Citation Map Function Constraint /Action

Fire ARMPA SOP's WSAs

Light-hand-on-the-land tactics will continue to be 

used in wilderness study areas(WSAs) when 

suppression actions are required, in accordance 

with the Interim Management Policy and 

Guidelines for Lands under Wilderness Review 

(7/5/95). 

TON FM pg 

37

Tonopah 

FO

There will be no use of fire retardant in riparian 

areas, WSAs, sensitive visual resource management 

areas, and structure archaeology sites, unless such 

use is authorized by the Authorized Officer.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 10

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

Provide local GRSG habitat maps to dispatch offices 

and extend attack incident commanders to 

prioritize wildfire suppression resources and design 

suppression tactics. Ensure GRSG habitat maps and 

suppression strategies are uploaded and updated in 

WFDSs.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 11

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Interagency 

Coordination

Assign a resource advisor with GRSG habitat 

expertise or with access to

GRSG habitat expertise to all extended attack fires 

in or near SFA, PHMAs, and GHMAs

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 12

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

In advance of critical fire weather, station 

additional federal fire suppression resources to 

optimize a quick and efficient response in SFA, 

PHMAs, and GHMAs.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 13

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

During periods of multiple fires, ensure line officers 

prioritize decisions by coordinating with resource 

advisors.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 14

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

To the extent possible, locate wildfire suppression 

facilities (e.g., base camps, spike camps, drop 

points, staging areas, and helicopter bases) in areas 

to avoid disturbing PHMAs and GHMAs. These 

include disturbed areas, grasslands, roads and 

trails, or in other areas with existing disturbance or 

minimal sagebrush cover.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 15

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Document fire operations (e.g., disturbance) in 

PHMAs and GHMAs for potential follow- up 

coordination and restoration.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 16

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Fire 

Suppression

Use indirect attack tactics (including burn-out 

operations) when: Direct attack is not effective in 

stopping fires with the potential of becoming 

significantly larger due to fuel loading, weather 

conditions, and fire behavior. 

-If firefighter and public safety would be threatened 

or compromised.
22

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 17

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Heavy 

equipment 

use

Use retardant, mechanized equipment, and other 

available resources to minimize burned acreage 

during initial attack. As safety allows, conduct mopup where the black adjoins unburned islands, dog 

legs, or other habitat features to minimize 

sagebrush loss.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 18

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Heavy 

equipment 

use

Minimize unnecessary cross-country vehicle travel 

during fire operations in GRSG habitat.

FUELS

RMP Citation Map Function Constraint /Action

FM ARMPA Cultural 

pg 47

District 

boundary

Cultural surveys would be completed during the 

planning stages of prescribed fire and

fuels management treatment projects. No 

prescribed burning or other fuels management 

treatment would be authorized until specific 

impacts to cultural resources had been considered 

and mitigated. In keeping with BLM policy, 

proposed activities would be modified to minimize 

adverse effects on cultural resources.

FM ARMPA WH&B 

pg 38 HMAs WH&B

The peak foaling period is from March 1 through 

June 30. Burning should be restricted during this 

period in HMAs.

FM ARMPA AIR pg 

18

District 

boundary

The Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Air 

Quality and appropriate Environmental Protection 

Agency guidelines for prescribed fire would be 

followed. 

FM ARMPA AIR pg 

18

District 

boundary

Air quality modeling would be conducted in 

accordance with NDEP smoke dispersion and 

emissions modeling requirements at a level 

appropriate for the size of the planned fire. 

FM ARMPA Wetland

s pg 20

District 

boundary

Water 

Quality

Prescriptions and activity plans are to ensure state 

water quality standards are maintained. 

FM ARMPA Wetland

s pg 20

Perennial 

Water 

Sources

Water 

Quality

Where perennial water sources occur, vegetative

treatment methods other that prescribed fire are to 

be considered. 

FM ARMPA SSS pg 

31

District 

boundary Habitat

Each proposed project would be individually 

analyzed on a site-specific basis for possible impacts 

to sensitive species. Prescribed fire and wildland 

fire use prescriptions would include appropriate 

measures to protect or limit impacts to special 

status species as a standard operating procedure. 

Mechanical and/or chemical fuels treatments 

would be modified as necessary avoid impacts to 

these species.
23

TONOPAH 

RMP

FM pg 

37

Tonopah 

FO 

boundary

When identified as the least costly and/or most 

effective method, prescribed fire techniques will be 

used as a resource tool to meet vegetative 

objectives as stated in this AMP. Prescribed fire 

can be used to improve wildlife habitat, watershed 

improvement and other types of vegetative 

manipulation to meet vegetative objectives. In 

addition it can be used solely, or in combination 

with other fuel/vegetative manipulation 

techniques. When fire is used as a management 

tool, an approved prescribed bum plan and wildfire 

prescription must be prepared in advance of 

planned or unplanned ignition in accordance with 

BLM Manual 9214.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 19

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Review Objective SSS 4 and apply MDs SSS 1 

through SSS 4 when reviewing and analyzing 

projects and activities proposed in GRSG habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 20

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

In PHMAs and GHMAs, apply fuels treatments on a 

landscape level to modify fire behavior, intensity, 

complexity (fire patchiness), size, and effects in 

which fire management efforts are enhanced.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 21

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Establish and maintain fuel breaks to protect GRSG 

and its habitat to limit fire size and mitigate fire 

behavior to increase suppression effectiveness. 

When possible, establish fuel breaks next to roads 

or other previously disturbed areas.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 22

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Use a full range of fuels management strategies and 

tactics within acceptable risk levels across the range 

of GRSG habitat consistent with land use plan 

direction.
24

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 23

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

If prescribed fire is used in GRSG habitat, the NEPA 

analysis for the Burn Plan will address:

• why alternative techniques were not selected as 

a viable option

• how GRSG goals and objectives will be met by its 

use

• how the COT report objectives will be addressed 

and met

• a risk assessment to address how potential 

threats to GRSG habitat will be minimized. Allow 

prescribed fire as a vegetation or fuels treatment, 

and it shall only be considered after the NEPA 

analysis for the burn plan has addressed the four 

bullets outlined above. Prescribed fire can be used 

to meet specific fuels objectives that will protect 

GRSG habitat in PHMAs (e.g., creation of fuel breaks 

that would disrupt the fuel continuity across the 

landscape in stands where annual invasive grasses 

are a minor component in the understory, burning 

slash piles from conifer reduction treatments, used 

as a component with other treatment methods to 

combat annual grasses and restore native plant 

communities).

Allow prescribed fire in known winter range, and it 

shall only be considered after the NEPA analysis for 

the burn plan has addressed the four bullets 

outlined above. Any prescribed fire in winter 

habitat will need to be designed to strategically 

reduce wildfire risk around and/or in the winter 

range and designed to protect winter range habitat 

quality.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 24

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

In coordination with the USFWS and relevant state 

agencies and in accordance with FIAT (see Appendix 

H), develop a fuels management strategy for the 

BLM with large blocks of GRSG habitat. The strategy 

shall include an up-to-date fuels profile, land use 

plan direction, current and potential habitat 

fragmentation, sagebrush and GRSG ecological 

factors, and active vegetation management steps to 

provide critical breaks in fuel continuity. When 

developing this strategy, consider the risk of 

increased habitat fragmentation from a proposed 

action versus the risk of large-scale fragmentation 

posed by wildfires if the action were not taken.
25

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 25

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Design fuels treatments through ID team process to 

expand, enhance, maintain, and protect PHMAs and 

GHMAs. Fuel reduction techniques, such as 

prescribed fire, chemical, biological including 

targeted grazing, and mechanical treatments, are 

acceptable. Use green strips and fuel breaks to 

protect seeding.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 26

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

In coordination with the USFWS and relevant state 

agencies and in accordance with FIAT (see Appendix 

H), BLM will identify treatment needs for wildfire 

and invasive species management. Ongoing 

treatment needs will be coordinated on state and 

regional scales and across jurisdictional boundaries 

for long-term conservation of GRSG and its habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 27

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

On project completion, monitor and manage fuels 

projects to ensure long-term success, including 

persistence of seeded species and other treatment 

components. Control invasive vegetation posttreatment

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 28

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Design fuels treatments to protect sagebrush 

ecosystems, modify fire behavior, restore ecological 

function, and create landscape patterns that most 

benefit PHMAs and GHMAs and promote use by 

GRSG.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 29

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Train fuels treatment personnel on GRSG 

biology, habitat requirements, and identification 

of areas used locally

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 30

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Use burning prescriptions that minimize 

undesirable effects on vegetation or soils (e.g., 

minimize killing desirable perennial plant species 

and reduce risk of annual grass invasion) and 

incorporate FIAT assessment (Chambers et. al 2014) 

in PHMAs and GHMAs.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 31

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Ensure proposed sagebrush treatments are planned 

with interdisciplinary input from the BLM and 

coordinated with USFWS and state fish and wildlife 

agencies to meet GRSG habitat objectives (Table 2-

2).

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 32

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Design vegetation treatments in areas of high fire 

frequency to facilitate firefighter safety, reduce the 

potential acres burned, and reduce the fire risk to 

GRSG habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA Fire 33a

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

For Nevada BLM-administered lands establish 

project monitoring sites where fuels management 

projects are planned before implementation. 

Monitor treatment areas both pre- and posttreatment on a multiple-year basis to ensure that 

project objectives are achieved.
26

GRSG 

ARMPA SSS 18

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

A BSU (see Appendix A; Figure 2-2) that has hit a 

soft trigger due to vegetation disturbance will be a 

priority for restoration treatments consistent with 

Fire and Invasive’s Assessment Tool (FIAT) 

(Appendix J).

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 10

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

On public lands, where attributes, quality, or lack of 

GRSG winter habitat has been identified as limiting 

factor, emphasize vegetation treatments in known 

winter habitat to enhance quality or reduce wildfire 

risk around or in winter habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 22

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Treat sites in PHMAs and GHMAs that contain 

invasive species infestations through an integrated 

pest management (IPM) approach, using fire, 

chemical, mechanical, and biological (e.g., targeted 

grazing) methods, based on site potential and in 

accordance with FIAT (Appendix H). Treat areas that 

contain cheatgrass and other invasive or noxious 

species to minimize competition and favor 

establishment of desired species.

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 25

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Manage lotic riparian habitats in conjunction with 

adjacent terraces and valley bottoms as natural fuel 

breaks to reduce the size and frequency of wildfires 

in PHMAs and GHMAs.

GRSG 

ARMPA Veg 3

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

GRSG

Use BLM GRSG habitat maps, habitat objectives 

(see Table 2-2 for GRSG habitat objectives), 

ecological site potential, state and transition 

models, and concepts of resistance and resilience 

(Appendix H) to prioritize habitat restoration 

projects, including those following wildfire, to 

address the most limiting GRSG habitat vegetation 

components and to connect seasonal ranges.

Habitat restoration includes the following:

i. Restoring sagebrush canopy in PHMAs and 

GHMAs to meet GRSG habitat objectives (Table 2-2)

ii. Reestablishing perennial grasses and native forbs 

in PHMAs and GHMAs

iii. Reducing or removing pinyon or juniper in 

PHMAs and GHMAs to enhance seasonal range 

connectivity and to maintain sagebrush canopy and 

understory integrity

iv. Restore areas affected by wildfire and the 

continuing invasive annual fire cycle to meet GRSG 

habitat objectives (Table 2-2)

v. Prioritize restoration in areas that have not 

crossed an ecological threshold
27

POST-FIRE ACTION/CONSTRAINTS/DIRECTION

RMP Citation Map Function Constraint /Action

FM ARMPA Weeds 

pg 29

District 

Boundary

Fire suppression and rehabilitation efforts would be 

planned to minimize weed spread.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 35

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Prioritize post-fire treatments in PHMAs and 

GHMAs to maximize benefits to GRSG and its 

habitat. Focus post-fire treatments on replacing or 

reestablishing burned sagebrush habitat with the 

appropriate cover and structure to support GRSG 

habitat objectives (Table 2-2).

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 36

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

In post-fire rehabilitation plans in PHMAs and 

GHMAs, design re-vegetation projects to 

accomplish the following:

• Maintain and enhance unburned intact 

sagebrush communities when at risk from adjacent 

threats

• Stabilize soils

• Reestablish hydrologic function

• Maintain and enhance biological integrity

• Promote plant resiliency

• Limit expansion or dominance or invasive species

• Reestablish native species

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 37

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Implement post-fire treatments in PHMAs and 

GHMAs that emphasize stabilizing, rehabilitating, 

and restoring sagebrush ecosystems damaged by 

wildfires, including controlling invasive species.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 38

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Increase post-fire treatment activities in PHMAs 

and GHMAs through the use of integrated funding 

opportunities with other resource programs and 

partners.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 39

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Following post-fire treatments, monitor and 

implement management actions in PHMAs and 

GHMAs that promote healthy perennial grass, 

shrub and forb communities, and lentic (slowmoving freshwater) and lotic (rapid freshwater) 

riparian habitats so as to further restoration and 

ensure long- term persistence of seeded or preburn native plants, in accordance with GRSG 

habitat objectives (Table 2-2).
28

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 40

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Evaluate the potential for sagebrush island 

plantings based on ESDs in large burn areas that 

may lack sufficient sagebrush seed sources in order 

to ensure the reestablishment of sagebrush in 

GRSG habitat.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 41

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Monitor post-fire rehabilitation treatments on a 

multiple-year basis to ensure that project 

objectives are achieved.

GRSG 

ARMPA FIRE 42

GRSG 

ARMPA 

boundary

Vegetation 

Management

Use GRSG habitat objectives (Table 2-2) and 

emphasize the use of native plant species in postfire rehabilitation (e.g. re-seeding), recognizing 

that nonnative species may be necessary, 

depending on the availability of native seed and 

prevailing site conditions. Selected species shall 

maintain site ecological function based on pre-burn 

conditions and anticipated threat of invasive and 

noxious weed establishment. Use ESDs and state 

and transition models if available.

TON FM pg 

37

Field 

Office 

Boundary

Rehab

Wildfires, after they are declared out, will be 

evaluated by a rehabilitation team to determine 

the actual needs related to the rehabilitation. 

Corrective measures will be taken to prevent 

erosion and future resource degradation when it is 

feasible to rehabilitate areas damaged by actual 

suppression action. The rehabilitation team will 

also determine if any fire rehabilitation, including 

protection from grazing, is needed to re-vegetate 

the burned area and to protect the site from 

erosion and invasion by undesirable plant species. 

Emergency fire rehabilitation will follow procedures 

outlined in BLM Handbook H-1742-1 and the Battle 

Mountain District approved Normal Fire 

Rehabilitation Plan.

For Additional Information on Fire Management Protocols and Guidance, see Appendix A.

3. WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

3.1 Preparedness

3.1.1 Operational Plans

The following operational plans can also be accessed via Desert Great Basin Zone Fire Management 

SharePoint site under Fire Documents.

o Table of Organization

o Suppression agreements and contracts (Appendix B)

o Mutual Aid Agreements (Appendix B)
29

o Dispatch Operating Plan

o Preparedness Plans

o Fire Danger Operating/Preparedness Plan

o Initial Response Plan (Run Cards)

o Fire Prevention Plan

o Fire Danger Pocket Cards

o Energy Release Components

o Medical Emergency Plan

o Delegation of Authority

o Duty Officer

o Fire Management Officer

o Fire Staff

o Acting Fire Management Officer

3.2 Management of Wildfires

A full range of acceptable suppression strategies and tactics will be utilized in the management of 

unplanned ignitions on lands administered by the BMD, and those adjacent lands on which it has 

protection responsibilities. These duties will be performed in conjunction with other state, federal, and 

local fire suppression resources. The comprehensive mission of the fire management organization is to 

meet the objectives, and address the constraints described in Chapter 2. How the fire program meets 

these objectives is described in the following sections: Dispatch, Suppression, and Post-Fire 

Considerations.

Dispatch

The Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center (CNIDC) will be responsible for coordinating the 

acquisition of resources requested by an Incident Commander (IC). An IC will place all resource orders 

through the dispatcher, specifying what is needed, and when and where it is to be delivered. 

Communication on incident status, resource needs, weather conditions, and logistical needs will 

continue between the dispatchers, Duty Officer(s) and IC for the duration of the incident.

Suppression

There will be an initial response to all unplanned fires. A qualified IC will be responsible for the 

management of the wildfire incident. The IC will implement strategies and tactics in a manner that 

provides for the safety of firefighters, and the public as a top priority. Protection of human life will 

always be the overriding priority. Protection of property, natural resources, and critical and sensitive 

habitats from adverse effects of wildfire are also high priority management objectives. Prioritizations of 

suppression strategies are contingent on the aforementioned values at risk. Incident commanders will 

need to consider the following when responding to wildfires: Resource availability, fire location, 

suppression costs, current and predicted fire weather, fuels condition, drought, etc. An IC is 

responsible for completing the following tasks in the performance of their duties:
30

1. Informing and updating the Duty Officer on the fire situation.

2. Providing an incident size-up to dispatch.

3. Determine resource needs.

4. Assess safety concerns and mitigate hazards and risks.

5. Utilizing FMP guidance in determining management objectives, and the tactics required to meet 

objectives.

6. Managing all aspects of the incident until the fire is suppressed; or, the IC is relieved by another 

qualified Incident Commander.

The Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) will be used to identify future management actions 

if a wildfire cannot be controlled by initial attack forces. WFDSS is a web-based system that assists fire 

managers and analysts in making strategic and tactical decisions for fire incidents. WFDSS integrates the 

various applications used to manage incidents into a single system, which streamlines the analysis and 

reporting processes.

The need for a published WFDSS document will likely require an escalation in the incident management 

organization. Refer to Chapter 3.1 for guidance on utilization of incident management teams during 

periods of extended attack, multiple starts, and large fire situations. The District Manager, or other 

qualified Line Officers are responsible for coordinating with fire management personnel in the 

development of WFDSS products. An Agency Administer must provide clear oversight to incoming 

Incident Management Teams (IMTs) to ensure incident objectives comply with RMP and FMP objectives 

and constraints.

Post Fire Considerations

Monitoring, restoration, and rehabilitation of areas affected by fire suppression are required. These 

actions determine the need for and to prescribe and implement treatments to minimize threats to life or 

property or to stabilize and prevent further unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources 

resulting from the effects of a fire. Natural recovery is preferable, but managers regularly assist in 

returning ecosystems back to their pre-fire condition. This is especially true where GRSG habit has been 

adversely impacted by fire; or, where intact GRSG habitat should be retained, protected, and improved. 

Post-fire mitigations also extend to other cultural and natural resources. Timber, soils, wildlife, 

rangelands, and hydrological resources can be impaired as a result of wildfire. See the Post-Suppression 

section of Chapter 2 for objectives, and actions/constraints associated with restoring post-wildfire 

ecosystems.

3.3 Fuels Treatments

The hazardous fuels and vegetation management program in the BMD includes most aspects of 

vegetation management including hazardous fuels reduction, wildlife and range enhancements, and 

ecological restoration activities utilizing a variety of treatment methods and partners. To complete joint 

fuels projects, the program partners with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), Nevada Division 

of Forestry (NDF), Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), as well as local county governments
31

and adjoining BLM districts. Federal partners are directly involved in joint projects, while state entities 

generally provide cost sharing or funding opportunities and assistance with public outreach on 

cooperative projects. (See Fuels Treatments Map on page 33 for additional information)

Fuels projects within the district are prioritized based upon the current national priorities, tiered down 

to the district level. Currently, the Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) Project Planning Areas (PPA) 

are top priorities within the district. Additionally, the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas continue to 

be a priority for maintaining community protection investments.

Past projects within the BMD have been primarily associated with WUI protections. These fuel breaks 

have included mowing, green stripping, thinning, pile burning, and herbicide treatments. The intent of 

these WUI fuel breaks is to modify the fuel characteristics in a manner that allows suppression resources 

to actively engage a fire near a community under all but the most extreme fire conditions.

More recent fuels projects for the BMD have included landscape scale, non-WUI projects aimed at 

improving the resistance and resilience of the landscape to future fires, and improving overall land 

health. This has been accomplished using a variety of treatments including seeing, weed treatments, 

removal of conifer encroachment, and re-introduction of fire to the landscape.

In addition to past planning efforts, the BMD is initiating district wide planning documents with the 

intention of coordinating across jurisdictional boundaries to create a series of strategic fuel breaks and 

sagebrush ecosystem enhancement.

 FIAT Project Planning Areas (PPA):

o Antelope Valley 

o Bates-Callagan

o Cooks Creek

o Punchbowl

o Reese River-Yomba-Desatoya

o Western White Pine

 Non-PPA Priority Areas, Other Sage Grouse Habitat/Other High Value Resource Areas:

o Battle Mountains

o Fish Creek Mountains, Lander County

o Garden Valley

o Hot Creek Valley

o Monitor Valley

o Reese River Valley

o Reveille Valley

o Stone Cabin Valley

o Bi-State Sage Grouse Areas
32

 WUI Areas:

o Austin

o Battle Mountain

o Beatty

o Belmont

o Berlin

o Carvers-Hadley

o Crescent Valley

o Diamond Valley

o Dyer

o Eureka

o Gilman Springs

o Gold Point

o Goldfield

o Ione

o Kingston

o Lida

o Manhattan

o Scotty’s Junction

o Silver Peak

o Tonopah

o Yomba

 Plan(s) for Strategic Network of Fuels Breaks (Existing/In Progress):

 Austin WUI Fuel Break System

 Battle Mountain WUI Fuel Break System

 Carvers-Hadley WUI Fuel Break System

 Crescent Valley WUI Fuel Break System

 Diamond Valley WUI Fuel Break System

 Eureka WUI Fuel Break System

 Ione WUI Fuel Break System

 Lida WUI Fuel Break System

 Manhattan WUI Fuel Break System

 Sulphur Springs

 Yomba WUI Fuel Break System

 Planned:

o 3 Bars

o Boone Creek

o Grass Valley

o Antelope Valley

o Sagebrush Ecosystem Management

o Highway Fuel Breaks
33
34

3.4 Post Fire Response – Emergency Stabilization/Burned Area Emergency 

Rehabilitation

The BLM is required to initiate Emergency Stabilization (ES) and Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) 

actions after a wildfire occurs if deemed necessary by agency personnel, and planned actions are within 

BLM ES and BAR policy. For a better description of BLM ES and BAR policy, please see Departmental 

Manual 620 DM 3 and BLM ESR Handbook H-1742-1. 

For the BLM, three types of plans exist currently to plan these actions: 

1. Programmatic ESR Plans (PESRP) (formerly Normal Year Fire Rehabilitation Plans)

2. ES Plans

3. BAR Plans

The ES and BAR plans are completed in response to fires that occur within a given fire season and are 

usually combined into a single document. 

The PESRP is a programmatic ESR plan, with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) or 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is developed at the landscape level prior to wildfire 

occurrence. The PESRP contains a description of ESR treatments that would be implemented under 

normal conditions in the event of a wildfire and documentation of the potential treatment impacts. A 

PESRP should be prepared on a landscape basis at the District or Field Office level by an interdisciplinary 

team with public input. By addressing techniques and species that may be used, the process of 

developing the site specific plans will be made considerably easier. Because the PESRP is analyzed 

through the NEPA process, procedures for public review and comment will also apply, thus ensuring 

ample opportunity has been given to those that are interested to be involved in the process of 

developing the plan. The decision to prepare a PESRP is based on the size and diversity of the 

ecosystems involved, fire history (wildfire occurrence and size), resource values, and values-at-risk. 

State Directors may require that PESRPs be prepared for all or part of the public lands within their 

jurisdiction and have approval authority for PESRPs that cannot be re-delegated. 

3.5 Air Quality/Smoke Management

Promoting top air quality and management of smoke is of the utmost concern. BMD complies with state 

and federal ambient air quality regulations. For this reason, objectives for planned and unplanned 

ignitions were developed to moderate impacts to air quality. These mitigation measures should reduce 

impacts to air resources and local communities. This includes employing methods to reduce emissions 

by accommodating seasonal and local conditions as well as conducting fuels treatments to reduce air 

quality issues resulting from ignitions. The Bureau of Air Pollution and Control (BAPC) has jurisdiction 

over the district. In addition, the BMD does not have any Class 1 Airsheds within its district boundaries. 
35

For more information on the management of air quality and regulatory requirements in which the BMD 

must comply, refer to the following:

● State Smoke Management Plan

● BLM Manual 7300 and Handbooks 9211-1 and 9214-1 for additional BLM-wide guidance on 

Clean Air Act compliance.

● Blue Sky 

● FRAMES Smoke Portal

3.6 Data Sources, Reports and Systems 

● Fire Reporting 

o BLM H-9218-1, Fire Reports and Statistics Handbook, provides BLM policy on 

completing the DI-1202 Individual Fire Report for unplanned ignitions.

● Wildfire Decision Documentation

o BLM requires documentation of wildfire decisions. Systems and/or methods for this 

documentation are outlined in the annual updated Interagency Standards for Fire 

and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

● Records Management

o BLM Manual 1220, Records and Information Management, Appendix 2 GRS/BLM 

Combined Records Schedule contains requirements for documentation in the fire

program (e.g., fire reports and wildfire decisions). The Combined Records Schedule 

also indicates whether a record may be stored only in electronic format or if a 

hardcopy record is required.

● BLM GIS Data Standards

o BLM has established GIS Data Standards for the Fire Management Planning Areas, 

wildfire perimeters, and for fuels/vegetation treatments. Information about these 

standards can be found at the BLM National Data Standards Home under 

Established Data Standards and Datasets.

● Fuels Management Projects

o BLM H-9214-1, Fuels Management and Community Assistance Handbook, provides 

BLM policy for annual and out-year planning of treatments and activities as well as 

accomplishment tracking. 

● ES/BAR Project Planning

o Direction for BLM ES/BAR project planning, budgeting and accomplishment 

reporting is provided in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) for the Wildland Fire Program. 
36

4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

4.1 Monitoring the Fire Management Plan 

Review, maintenance, and update (when necessary) of the FMP will occur annually. The annual FMP 

review, maintenance, and update are separate processes. The FMP annual review is completed to 

determine if the FMP needs maintenance or a full update. The FMP maintenance may be completed 

and documented as part of the annual review process and records kept in office files. Any substantial 

update requirements found during the review will require a full update to the FMP – which requires 

transitioning to the most recent template and obtaining new signatures on the front page of the FMP. 

The front page of the FMP should only be updated with new signatures and a new approval date when a 

full FMP update is completed; FMP maintenance does not require new signatures on the front page.
37

5. APPENDIX

A. Additional Fire Management Protocols and Direction

National Wilderness Preservation System

Appropriate Management Response and Suppression Guidelines
38

 B. Agreements, Contracts, and Memorandums of Understanding

Annual Operating Plan for Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between BLM Battle Mountain 

District, Elko District, and Eureka County (2015)

Annual Operating Plan for Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between BLM Battle Mountain 

District, Elko District, and Lander County (2015)

Annual Operating Plan for Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between BLM Battle Mountain 

District and Nye County Emergency Management Services (2015)

Annual Operating Plan for Cooperative Fire Protection between BLM Battle Mountain District, Elko 

District, and Eureka County (2014)

Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between BLM Battle Mountain District, Elko District, and Eureka 

County

Memorandum of Understanding between BLM Battle Mountain District, Winnemucca District, Elko 

District and Cortez Inc.

Memorandum of Understanding between BLM Battle Mountain District, Elko District, Winnemucca 

District, and Newmont Gold Company

Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreement (DOI, NPS, BIA, 

USF&W, State of Nevada)