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Post Wildfire Recovery Programs

PWRP decorative banner: photos depicting PWRP position.

 

Wildfire Rehabilitation Efforts and Treatment Selection

There are three phases of rehabilitation following wildfires on federal lands:

  1. Fire Suppression Damage Repair
  2. Emergency Stabilization – Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
  3. Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

Fire Suppression Damage Repair

A series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Emergency Stabilization – Burned Area Emergency Response

A rapid assessment of burned watersheds by BAER team is conducted to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on federal lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flow, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: seeding, mulching, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; and prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and protect critical cultural resources.

Long-Term Recovery and Burned Area Rehabilitation

In some cases, DOI may provide additional funding to improve burned areas and achieve desired conditions for up to five years after containment. Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) supports the healing process and provides a “bridge” to long-term recovery. Allocation of BAR funds involves a rigorous and competitive process to evaluate projects to ensure the most critical areas receive treatment first.

These are non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.

Rehabilitation Activities

What BAER May Do What BAER May Not Do
Install water or erosion control devices ---
Plant for erosion control or stability reasons. Replant commercial forests or grass for forage.
Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites. Excavate and interpret cultural sites.
Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas. Replace burned pasture fences.
Install warning signs. Install interpretive signs.
Replace minor safety related facilities. Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads, trails. Repair roads damaged by floods after fire.
Remove critical safety hazards. ---
Prevent permanent loss of threatened and endangered habitat. Replace burned wildlife habitat.
Monitor BAER treatments. Monitor fire effects.
Implement early detection and rapid response treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities Treat pre-existing noxious weeds

Post-Fire Rehabilitation Activities on Federal Lands

NEED HEADER Suppression Activity Damage Repair Emergency Stabilization (BAER) Rehabilitation (BAR) Restoration
Objective Repair damages Prevent/minimize damages Repair damages Repair/restore damages
Damages related to Fire suppression Post-fire events Fire Fire
Urgency Before incident closeout 1-12 months 1-3 years 3+ years
Funding type Fire operations (suppression) Fire operations (emergency stabilization) DOI-Rehab, USFS- Regular program Regular program

 

Policy and Authorities

Source: DOI
Title Category
DOI Manual, 620 DM 7 (Wildland Fire Management, Post-Wildfire Recovery) Policy and Authorities
US Fish and Wildlife Service Fire Management Handbook Policy and Authorities
Department of the Interior Manual: 620 DM 7 Policy and Authorities
Post Wildfire Recovery Project Resources for the BLM ESR Handbook Policy and Authorities
Standard Operations Guide, National BAER Team 2017 Policy and Authorities
Source: Federal Government, General
Title Category
Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) Policy and Authorities
Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement Policy and Authorities
Source: USDA, Forest Service
Title Category
Forest Service Manual 2520 BAER Policy and Authorities
Source: NWCG
Title Category
NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 Policy and Authorities
NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 Policy and Authorities
NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1 Policy and Authorities
Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement Policy and Authorities

For More Information

Contact Information here

See also NIFC BAER website.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks