National Fire Plan Implementation Notes, USDA Forest Service

Managing the Impacts of Wildfire on Communities and the Environment: A Report to the President In Response to the Wildfires of 2000 (The National Fire Plan)

Implementation Note No. 4, September 29, 2000 (revision 1.0): Some thoughts about the release of emergency continfgency funds. These thoughts should be used, as appropriate, in the implementation of National Fire Plan.

Nation Fire Plan Key Points. As a reminder, the following are the five Key Points (KP) of the National Fire Plan:

KP No. 1. Firefighting. Continue to fight the fires for the rest of this fire season and be adequately prepared for next year.

KP No. 2. Rehabilitation and Restoration. Restore landscapes and rebuild communities damaged by the wildfires of 2000.

KP No. 3. Hazardous Fuel Reduction. Invest in projects to reduce fire risk.

KP No. 4. Community Assistance. Work directly with communities to ensure adequate protection.

KP No. 5. Accountablity. Be accountable and establish adequate oversight, coordination, program development, and monitoring for performance.

Foreword. With the exception of Fire Preparedness, funds provided in the FY 2001 Appropriations Act are based on an emergency contingency designation. Accordingly, release of these funds must be requested through USDA with ultimate approval of OMB. In order to respond immediately, a procedure and set of standards must be in place to support agency requests for release of funds. The following illustrates the process for requesting the release of funds for the National Fire Plan.

Standards and Process:

  • All requests for release of funds must be based on project specific information. Units should use input forms provided for project proposals to summarize the information being requested by specific accountability factors.
  • Requests for release of funds will be made through the Program & Budget Analysis Staff (Donna Carmical). P&BA will compile multiple Deputy Area requests and prepare appropriate summary information and transmittal letters.
  • Requests submitted to P&BA must:
  • contain information developed from reply due memos to the fiels
  • contain Deputy Chief approval
  • Requests not consistent with agency/Department/Congressional direction will be reviewed by the National Fire Plan Implementation Coordinator
  • P&BA will arrange appropriate follow-up meetings as necessary to coordinate information contained in the requests.
  • Funds must be released and allocated before beginning work.

Schedule:

  • Facilities: Submit request no later than October 13.
  • Check the list for duplication with proposed FY 2001 program
  • Responsibility: NFS – Engineering (coordinate with Fire)
  • Fuels: Submit request no later than October 13
  • List should contain information on WUI community being served
  • Responsibility: Fire – Mike Dudley
  • See reply due letter of September 28

For More Information: Please contact:

Michael T. Rains, Interim National Fire Plan Implementation Coordinator @ (610) 557-4103;

(610) 557-4177 (Fax);e-mail:; or, Denny Truesdale @ (202) 205-1588; (202) 205-1174 (Fax); e-mail:

  • Restoration: Submit request in phases based on field assessments
  • Regions must complete assessments of burned areas immediately in order to promptly develop requests.
  • Responsibility: NFS – Corbin Newman
  • Forest Health:
  • Project list being developed based on currently anticipated field needs for FY 2001.
  • Submit by October 27
  • Responsibility: Sophia Sammon/Tom Hofacker
  • Research: Submit request no later than October 27
  • Note: Joint Fire Science and technology development are “non-emergency.” No fund release request is necessary.
  • Request needed for $16 million contained under Fire Operations
  • Responsibility: Research -
  • State Fire Assistance/Volunteer Fire Assistance:
  • Submit requests no later than October October 27
  • List will be developed after meeting with State Foresters
  • Responsibility: Janet Tyler-Anderson
  • Economic Assistance:
  • Submit requests no later than October 27
  • List will be developed after meeting with State Foresters
  • Responsibility: Steve Yaddof/John Sebelius

National Fire Plan Management Structure

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