Fire management notes / U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

30 Pages·1993·2.7 MB·English

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
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United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest Service Management
Notes
Volumes 53-54
No. 2
1992-93
Fire United States
Department of
Agriculture
Management
Forest Service
Notes
Volumes 53-54
An international quarterly periodical
No. 2
devoted to forest fire management
1992-93
Contents
3 People—Fire Managers Must Talk With Them 17 Smokey Bear 1993 Campaign
Arthur W. Magill
25 NWCG Information Resource Management
8 Public Involvement in Fire Management Working Team
Valerie Chambers Stephen F. Pedigo
12 Behind the Scene With a Fire Information Officer 26 Wildland Firefighters, Thank Jerry Jeffries—
Maryjane Cavaioli Recipient of the GEICO Public Service Award for
Fire Safety—for Many of Your “Lucky Stars”
15 Another First—Human Resource Specialist Training Doris N. Celarier
at NARTC
Melanie Goss
18 Smokey and the American Cowboy—Eastward Ho!
Rick Higginbothan and Marvin Dablemont
20 Continuing Success Story of Training Wildland
Firefighters
Denny Bungarz and Richard C. Wharton
23 Partnerships—Making Them Work in Times of
Limited Resources
Glenn A. Carowan, Jr.
Fire Management Notes is published by the Forest Service of the U S. Department of
Short Features Agriculture, Washington, DC. The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the
publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required
by law of this Department.
7 Fire Management Notes—Looking for a Few Subscriptions may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U S Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Good Ideas
Send suggestions and articles to the Chief. Forest Service (Attn: Fire Management
Doris N. Celarier
Notes), P.O. Box 96090, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20090-6090.
Mike Espy, Secretary Francis Ft Russ
10 Handtool Sharpening Gauge U.S. Department of Agriculture General Manager
Bob Hensler F. Dale Robertson, Chief Doris N. Celarier
Forest Service Editor
14 Elena Rios and Her Brush With Fire Mary Jo Lavin. Acting Director Enid Hodes
Fire and Aviation Management Donna Paananen
Doris N. Celarier Contributing Editors
U S. Department of Agriculture programs, services, and employment are open to all on
the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or
disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any U.S.
Department of Agriculture-related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of
Front Cover: Forest Service firefighter-artist Elena Rios' charcoal and Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.
conte crayon drawing entitled "Burning Snag." Rios, a member of the Los Disclaimer: The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the
Padres Hotshots in Santa Barbara. CA. synthesized a variety of information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official
endorsement of any product or service by the U.S Department of Agriculture. Individual
firefighting experiences in this drawing. (See article, page 14.) Photo
authors are responsible for the technical accuracy of the material presented in Fire
credit: Ed Gornowski. Los Padres National Forest. Management Notes
2 Fire Management Notes
People—Fire Managers Must
Talk With Them
Arthur W. Magill
Research forester, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station,
Forest Fire Laboratory, Riverside, CA
Fire managers know the wildland- Fire Safety Messages Effectively? various state and local officials along
urban interface fire problem is a Fire Management Notes, a long- with fire managers and fire prevention
“people” problem, but recognizing the established magazine directed to the personnel, about fire safety in the
problem and addressing it in ways that the wildland firefighting community wildland-urban interface and to
are apt to cause interface residents to and distributed to 3,000 offices or encourage groups to take action to
change their behavior are two different individuals, offers a clue about improve safety. Even though more
things. The interface fire problem interests and values. Articles in Fire than 50 such persons were invited, less
demands that managers deal with Management Notes suggest that than 10 attended. The majority of
people in special ways. Fire preven¬ manager interests have been tradition¬ attendees were fire people, so the fire
tion in the interface, like recreation ally captured by “things” such as safety message was discussed among
management, depends upon managers planning, interagency coordination, those already familiar with it—
knowing who they are serving and fire behavior, suppression, enforce¬ firefighters talking to firefighters.
being involved in effective two-way ment, strategies and tactics, and Are We Delivering Our Message
communication with them. Lives and various technological devices. In Effectively? Fire managers and other
property protection depend on it. articles about the wildland-urban natural resource professionals tend to
interface that beg for discussion of "talk" more about public involvement
Putting Out Safety Information— how managers communicated with than they involve themselves in it. For
Does It Help Much? people, there are only hints and the most part, evidence of this
glimpses of how managers and preference by managers is subtle and
Fire managers recommend to
communities interact and the relative is depicted by actual behavior as
people who move into the wildland-
success of those exchanges (Bailey contrasted with professed behavior.
urban interface that they fireproof or
1991; Manning 1990). In a major For example, one fire manager wrote
build firesafe homes and protect them
article reporting survey findings on in Fire Management Notes about
with defensible space (Davis 1990;
problems, solutions, and priorities of wildland-urban interface problems and
McLean 1992). They stress the need to
fire managers, communication with how to solve them. He rightly advo¬
avoid building with wood shingles,
the public wasn't even a survey item cated educating the people living in
open-furred roofing, fiberglass
(Phillips and George 1991). Fire fireprone areas about the need for
skylights, unscreened soffit vents,
Management Notes has published one building firesafe structures and
unboxed eves, and overhanging decks,
article in which the methods and creating defensible space (Bailey
as well as landscaping with fireprone
success of a program to communicate 1991). However, his focus was more
vegetation and having vegetation and
the wildland-urban interface fire on resolving interagency problems,
debris next to buildings (Bradshaw
safety message was reported (Jolly knowing your counterpart in other
1987). Yet, they are continually
1991). In fact, the category of “com¬ agencies, and improving interagency
frustrated by residents who apparently
munication” (other than information communication than on involving the
do not hear or heed their warnings and
systems) was included for the first public. Improving interagency
recommendations. Why, when taking
time in the index of volume 52 (1991). operations is a valid goal, but greater
action to protect their homes from
Are We Delivering Our Message emphasis on working directly with the
wildfire seems obvious, do most
to the People We Need To Commu¬ public may be more important.
people fail to comply with firesafe
nicate With? In 1988, a workshop, Another fire professional empha¬
procedures?
“Firesafe California: Survival by sized giving attention to firefighter
Design,” was held to educate groups training, equipment, mutual aid and
What Are the Barriers?
such as homeowners, architects and cooperation, subdivision and home
Are We Adequately Educating landscape architects, builders, design, new building materials, and
Fire Managers How To Communi¬ developers and realtors, bankers, research—if it included educational
cate the Wildland-Urban Interface insurance carriers, planners, and programs on subdivision and home
1992-93 Volumes 53-54, Number 2 3
design (Bethea 1987). Sociological tion that flooding is a frequent event and fires—attract considerable
research, ironically, was considered (Craik 1970). Some people deny the attention, while more mundane
unnecessary, even though to develop environment is hazardous, others events—those involving nonfatal
the educational programs that were become accustomed and less aware of injuries—-may be given little attention.
championed such research is basic. the hazards, and some accept the Added to the various barriers to
In a lire manager's proposal hazards believing technology will achieving the desired behavior is the
outlining roles for management, staff, ultimately eliminate them (Preston and fact that over half of the people in the
and the public, the responsibility to others 1983). Even with knowledge of United States move every 5 years
“get the public involved" is relegated environmental hazards, some people (Laska 1990). Thus, if fire managers,
to community leaders (Bailey 1991). will purchase homes in areas subject by chance, succeed in changing the
Again, this recommendation suggests to earthquakes and floods (Sims and behavior of homeowners in an area,
that fire managers would rather not Baumann 1983). Home size, architec¬ new ones will move in, and efforts
deal with the public, but abdicate that ture, and location apparently are much must be repeated.
responsibility to somebody else, in more important to them than the Industry. Developers, builders,
this case, community leaders. hazards of the areas. These are a few architects, and landscape architects,
examples of the bewildering noncha¬ like any good entrepreneurs, continu¬
Behavior—What Blocks Making lant behavior fire managers confront ally seek new and better ways to turn a
Changes? when trying to convince homeowners, profit. Clearly, they are aware that
developers, and builders to use people want nice homes in attractive
Homeowners. Communicating
firesafe principles in the wildland- locations. All of the professionals are
with homeowners about impending
urban interface. people first, so they are subject to the
disaster is not easy. People tend to
Several conditions serve to increase same foibles and misconceptions as
respond poorly to warnings and be
the difficulty of conveying fire safety homeowners with regard to underesti¬
oblivious to events that can have a
messages. The formula, “education mating or not recognizing interface
disastrous influence on their property
causes awareness causes desired fire hazards. Apparently, developers
and lives. For example, people who
behavior,” is a myth: Information sent and “spec" builders are aware that
experiment with drugs do not
may not be received, and if received, it home size, architecture, and location
"choose" to become drug addicts.
is not necessarily followed (Sims and are important to homeowners. They
They assume “they will not get
Baumann 1983). For example, people recognize that people move to the
hooked,” that “nothing like that could
who have experienced hurricanes were interface to escape urban problems, to
happen to me" (Duster 1970). Duster
found to develop higher “thresholds” enjoy the “freedom" of the country,
also identified this attitude in soldiers
of tolerance than those who have not, and to gain environmental quality
on the battlefield who, when all about
and experienced people are less likely including a good view and surround¬
them are dying, simply “know" they
to respond to warnings (Sims and ing trees and shrubs. These construc¬
will survive.
Baumann 1983). Of course some tion professionals pursue the opportu¬
Many people who live in areas of
information is received and used, but nity to gain a profit by providing
high environmental hazard, much like
the evidence indicates minimal attractive homes in the wildland-urban
Duster's soldiers, deny the danger,
exchange and consequent behavior. interface. Unfortunately, homes that
although there is a range in denial
People also have been found satisfy the locational, architectural,
intensity and coping mechanisms.
"acutely aware of persistent hazards" and landscape dreams of potential
Some occupants of flood plains, for
like smog and crime, but infrequent buyers are too often those that
example, believe they are excluded
events, such as floods and earth¬ contribute to the interface fire prob¬
from flooding—"it can’t happen to
quakes, tend to elicit less awareness lem.
me"—whereas others’ behavior
(Preston and others 1983). Further¬ Government. Community plans
demonstrates coping with the percep¬
more, sensational events—like floods frequently do not address the interface
4 Fire Management Notes
fire issue, and local governments have Why, when taking action to protect owners and potential homeowners,
been unable or unwilling to enact their homes from a wildfire seems because they are the ones seeking
ordinances that control development obvious, do most people fail to better living conditions and providing
and construction (National Fire comply with firesafe procedures? the basis for an industrial profit
Protection Association 1987). The motive.
unwillingness of governments to enact Lack of favorable response to
fire legislation may be related to an that fire managers should seek, for warnings of environmental hazards,
avoidance by politicians to be associ¬ their support would appear essential to including fire (as pointed out earlier)
ated with actions that may be viewed the success of fire safety programs. has been discouraging (Perry and
unfavorably by their constituency Send Credible Messages. Lindell 1990; Sims and Baumann
(Sampson 1991). People—whether homeowners, design 1983). Nevertheless, a few factors
Insurance Companies. Claim and construction professionals, or have proven useful for warning of
payments for property destroyed by public officials—are more likely to be imminent hazards. Effective warnings
wildfire cost insurance companies enticed to participate in fire safety are—
millions of dollars each year. Most of programs if the following conditions • Clear
these losses could be avoided if are met: • Specific for the desired response
homeowners followed the “proper • Clear messages given by credible • Derived from a credible source
mitigating measures to protect their individuals who specify necessary • Reinforced locally
homes from the threat of wildfires” actions • Conveyed by a positive message
(Riley 1991). Riley suggests that • Messages reinforced locally— on primetime television. Prime¬
insurance companies should evaluate a preferably by background leaders time television is espoused to be
structure's risk to determine rate cost. or influential groups the most effective medium,
Lower rates could be charged Listeners may regard media if the message is positive (Sims
homeowners who reduce risk by warnings as "informational" only, and Baumann 1983).
adapting to firesafe road designs, unless they are perceived as coming Knowledgeable people are most
architectural designs, and building from an authoritative source (Sims and likely to respond favorably to environ¬
materials or do not live in high-risk Baumann 1983). Fire managers should mental threats, but programs that use
areas. be considered the credible authorities fear to emphasize risk and danger
on interface wildfires. They are without adequate explanations tend to
How Do We Overcome the especially effective as authorities if be unsuccessful (Perry and Lindell
Barriers? they have established themselves as 1990). People may endure economic
credible authorities in a community losses, high stress, greater health risks,
Identify Community Leaders.
by— and severe disruptions in their lives as
Gaining the support of community
• Becoming directly involved with a result of floods, fires, or other
leaders has definite merit, though
public education and involvement disasters and only regard these
identifying them may not be easy.
programs (which means establish¬ impacts as “misfortune" (Rochford
Overlapping cliques are comprised of
ing dialogue with the people who and Blocker 1991).
key individuals who make local
live or plan to live in hazardous Use the Fly Fishing Model.
community decisions (Mills 1956).
areas) Multicultural recreation research, in
Often the driving force behind
• Soliciting the help of community southern California, has presented
programs may be one person, residing
leaders through dialogue to fortify communication as a process where the
in the background, who “gets an idea"
the meaning and importance of participants share information. How¬
that is then championed by other,
their messages ever. the sharing approach may be
more visible persons. It is the “back¬
To achieve public involvement, foreign to natural resource managers
ground" leaders in each community
managers should start with home- whose objectives lead to communica-
1992-93 Volumes 53-54, Number 2 5
lion "in terms of getting a job done" directly involved with citizen involve¬ Changing Behavior and
(Hodgson and others 1990). In other ment programs, and establish two-way Making a Difference
words, managers may be more communication with the people they
interested in "selling" their goals to wish to influence. Achieving these
To make a difference in Fire safety
customers than engaging in the two- goals is more likely if fire managers in the wildland-urban interface, both
way communication necessary for pursue continuing education in the fire managers and homeowners need to
effective marketing. Marketing social sciences and other disciplines take action—shifting and adjusting
firesafe development means that that emphasizes interpersonal and their usual ways of doing business. Fire
managers must participate in two-way multicultural relations and communi¬ managers need to examine their—
communication that enables them to cation strategies. • Reluctance to be directly involved
with citizen involvement programs,
learn more about the goals of Fire managers must confront
working with people who hold
homeowners and to structure mes¬ construction professionals as well as
differing viewpoints, and initiating
sages that address homeowner goals as homeowners. If people prefer certain
social interaction with those in the
well as reducing losses to fire. architectural and landscaping styles
community
The effectiveness of marketing may rather than those that are firesafe, then
• Lack of political experience necessary
be improved by using the “fly fishing” it behooves managers to encourage for effective interaction with local and
model of communication. According architects and landscape architects to community leaders
to the model, managers should develop and use alternative designs • Wariness of abstract concepts and
"prepare messages of the kind the and materials that are not only alternative solutions (Magill 1988)
receiver looks for” and should "deliver firesafe, but have the aesthetic They need to exchange these
them where, when, and how they qualities homeowners desire. Fire attitudes and responses and build
mutually beneficial relationships with
would be expected” (Hodgson and managers also need to work with the
the people they serve:
others 1990). Accomplishing this, building materials industry to develop
• Homeowners
again, requires increased knowledge more fire-resistant coatings and
• Construction professionals—
of user cultures that may differ from designs for wooden building compo¬
architects, landscape architects,
the resource protection orientation of nents as well as other firesafe alterna¬
developers, builders, and building
wildland fire managers. Gaining such tives that are aesthetically pleasing. materials researchers and developers
knowledge should enhance the The roofing industry may have • Community leaders, county planners
dialogue necessary between fire inadvertently taken the lead by and other local officials, and
managers and concerned persons if providing an extensive selection of legislators
managers are to refine and redirect attractive roofing material that also is • Insurance and financial industries
their messages to improve their chance firesafe. Other industries may be
for success (Bradshaw 1992). enticed to follow this lead, provided
an increase in profits can be demon¬
Working It Out: Talking to People strated. Literature Cited
The communication effort also
The need to work with home- Bailey. Dan W. 1991. The wildland-urban
needs to target county planners, other
owners, to recognize and address interface: social and political implications in
local public officials, and legislators to
business profit motives, and to the 1990's. Fire Management Notes.
develop guidelines, set policy, and 52(1): 11—18.
identify and gain the support of
pass ordinances that improve fire Bethea, John M. 1987. Remarks by John M.
background leaders may pose barriers
safety. Insurance carriers need to be Bethea, Florida State Forester. In: Gale.
to effective fire safety programs. Robert D.; Conner. Hanna J.. eds. People
included in this dialogue—to explore
Barriers may fall, however, if fire and fire at the wildland/urban interface: a
and create policy incentives that
managers resist dealing with "things,” sourcebook. Wildland/Urban Fire Interface
support local fire safety plans and Workshop for Social Scientists; 1987
overcome their reluctance to be
ordinances. ■ August 6-8 Asheville, NC. Washington,
6 Fire Management Notes
DC: U.S, Department of Agriculture, Forest Hodgson, Ronald W.; Simcox. David E.: Pfister, Perry, Ronald W.; Lindell. Michael K. 1990.
Service; 7—11. Robert E. 1990. Communicating with users Citizen knowledge of volcano threats at Mt.
Bradshaw. William G. 1987. The urban/ of the Angeles National Forest: Report No. St. Helens. Environmental Professional.
wildland interface fire problem: can social 2. Chico: California State University, and 12( I ):45-51.
science play a role? In: Gale, Robert D.; Pomona: California State Polytechnic Phillips. Clinton P.; George. Charles W. 1991.
Conner, Hanna J.. eds. People and fire at the University; 31 p. Wildland fire in the I990's: problems,
wildland/urban interface: a sourcebook. Jolly. Lane L. 1991. Clark County goes face-to- solutions, and priorities as seen by fire
Wildland/Urban Fire Interface Workshop for face with wildland-urban interface. Fire managers. Fire Management Notes.
Social Scientists; 1987 August 6-8 Management Notes- 52(3):31. 52( 1 ):3—10.
Asheville. NC. Washington, DC: U.S. Laska, Shirley B. 1990. Homeowner adaptation Preston, Valerie; Taylor. S. Martin; Hodge,
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; to flooding: an application of the general David C. 1983. Adjustment to natural and
12-16. hazards coping theory. Environment and technological hazards. Environment and
Bradshaw, William G. 1992. Personal Behavior. 22(3):320-357. Behavior. 15(2): 143-164.
communication. U.S. Department of Magill. Arthur W. 1988. Natural resource Riley. Douglas J. 1991. Wildland-urban fire-
Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, professionals: the reluctant public servants. loss mitigation: an ongoing problem for
DC. Environmental Professional. 10(4):294—303. insurance companies. Fire Management
Craik. Kenneth H 1970. Environmental Manning, Dick. 1990. Vegetative management Notes. 52(1 ):27.
psychology. In: Craik. Kenneth H. and in the wildland-urban interface. Fire Rochford. E. Burke; Blocker, T. Jean 1991.
others. New Directions in Psychology 4. Management Notes. 51 (4): 14—15. Coping with "natural" hazards as stressors:
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, McLean, Herbert E. 1992. Paradise burning: the predictors of activism in a flood disaster.
Inc.; 1-121. how to live with wildfire. American Forests. Environment and Behavior. 23(2): 171-194.
Davis. James B. 1990. The wildland-urban 98(1 & 2):22-26. Sampson, R. Neil. 1991. The politics of the
interface: paradise or battleground? Journal Mills. C. Wright. 1936. The power elite. New environment. Journal of Soil and Water
of Forestry. 88( 1 ):26—31. York: Oxford University Press; 423 p. Conservation. 46(6):398-400.
Duster, Troy. 1970. The legislation of morality: National Fire Protection Association. 1987. Sims, John H ; Baumann. Duane D. 1983.
law. drugs and moral judgement. New York: Wildfire strikes home! Report of the Educational programs and human response
The Free Press; 274 p. National Wildland/Urban Fire Protection to natural hazards. Environment and
Conference. Quincy. MA; 90 p. Behavior. 15(2): 165—189.
Fire Management Notes headings, and development of or focus material. Recently, we improved our
—
Looking for a Few Good on themes or topic areas. production system—editing
Mostly Up to You. In some form, electronically so that the magazine can
Ideas
the FMN group will be in touch with a move from manuscript directly into
few of you—to find out what topics page—a first step toward timely
From the Inside Out. As this issue tweak your interest. What articles, for information in a timely production
of Fire Management Notes (FMN) goes instance, have helped you understand framework.
to press, the FMN general manager an operation more clearly, helped you Send the Word. If you have ideas
Fran Russ is assembling a group to work more safely and efficiently, or long and carefully concealed wishes
examine the goals for the magazine and guided you to training opportunities for FMN, this is the time to share them.
how those goals are achieved. For the you did not know of before, Write or call Fran Russ, general
past three years, FMN has made a encouraged you to push toward manager, 202-205-0891; DG:W01C or
concerted effort to improve itself in excellence, or just made you feel good Doris Celarier, writer-editor, 202-205-
small, but important ways: better about being a part of the firefighting 1020: DG:W01B at 201 14th Street SW,
communication with authors; more community? Washington, DC 20250. ■
exacting definition of technical terms; On Our Way. This review will
easier access to information through the touch on topics covered, the depth and Doris N. Celarier, writer-editor.
use of highlights, breakout background style of coverage, use of illustrations, Public Affairs Office, Washington, DC
paragraphs, detailed information in and the graphic presentation of
1992-93 Volumes 53-54, Number 2 7
Public Involvement in Fire Management
Valerie Chambers
Public involvement program manager, USDA Forest Service,
Public Affairs Office. Washington. DC
Fire management in the Forest Learning by Listening—and processes: the revision and update of
Service and other agencies today looks Talking: The Tok Fire an Escaped Fire Situation Analysis
a whole lot different than it used to. It’s and the development of a Fire Reha¬
Although thousands of fires occur
not just about stamping out forest fires bilitation Plan. Individuals from the
in the most expeditious way possible. annually in Alaska and many grow to community and representatives from
be large fires, most are in remote
Instead, fire management, like so many local agencies voiced their concerns
locations. In July 1990. the Alaska
other government programs, has come and were encouraged to work with the
under intense scrutiny from a well- Division of Forestry knew that the operations and planning team mem¬
Tok Fire, more complex than most,
educated and sophisticated public. bers. Within several days of the
People’s expectations are higher now would be in the spotlight. The fire, Incident Commander’s arrival, the
which grew to over 96,000 acres
than they once were. Concerns such as team, with considerable input from the
protecting ecosystems; the economic (38,851 ha), was located near the public, developed action alternatives,
communities of Tok and Tetlin at the
burden of fire suppression; the goals of analyzed potential outcomes, and
junction of two major highways
State, local, and tribal governments; air selected a preferred alternative.
thousands of tourists travel during the
quality; the urban-wildland interface; Residents and tourists were kept
summer enroute to vacation destina¬
global wanning—you name it—now informed about the fire through
tions in Alaska and Canada.
bear considerably on our fire manage¬ factsheets, news articles, and photo¬
ment programs. Involvement During a Fire. graphs placed by the incident informa¬
Fire managers cannot afford to rest While firefighters were out on the fire, tion staff at a popular visitor center
representatives from the community of
on the laurels of a successful and along the Alcan Highway.
Tok, the Tetlin Native Corporation,
decades-old tire suppression program. The Incident Commander used a
Managers need to move at times from and State and Federal organizations community leader from Tetlin to
including the Alaska Division of
the public information end of the identify issues, advise on Alaskan
continuum to true public involvement Forestry, the USDA Forest Service, native culture and special environmen¬
and the U.S. Department of the
where the public is engaged with us in tal conditions (such as permafrost),
dialogue about larger societal questions: Interior Bureau of Land Management and distribute information to residents.
How much fire suppression and at what all provided real-time input into the Was It Worth It? The interaction
management of this large fire.
cost? How do we preserve national between the community and fire
“shrines” like Yellowstone and Much at Stake. The small managers served to lessen anxiety and
Yosemite National Parks for human communities of Tok and Tetlin had misinformation and create greater trust
much at stake. Residents worried
enjoyment without compromising between the local communities and
ecological integrity? What do we need about threats to homes and businesses land managers. In this case, public
to forgo (for example, some level of air and potential damage from the fire and involvement was about gathering
quality for a reduction in fuels in the fire suppression activities to subsis¬ valuable information from residents,
tence fishing, trapping, and hunting.
urban-wildland interface) in order to but even more importantly, about
The situation was complicated further
protect something, or can we have building relationships—with payoff
both? by the need to evacuate Tetlin, a both during the fire and for long
remote town threatened by the spread
afterwards.
of a fire front several miles wide.
“Get the Public Involved,” Said How To Involve the Public More in
Special thanks to Jerilyn Levi, program analyst
the Incident Command Team. Early Planning and Decisionmaking.
USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation
Management. Washington. DC. and Barbara on, the Incident Command Team
Kennedy, public affairs officer. USDA Forest asked the public for its input. Public Local Groups. What can fire
Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Mt. Hood involvement was managed by the team managers do to involve the public
National Forest. Gresham. OR. for assistance more in planning and decisionmaking?
through two existing planning
with this article.
8 Fire Management Notes