WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN CAPE MEARES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex Newport, OR 2004 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN CAPE MEARES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Prepared: TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES .....................................................................................................................................iii INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 1 COMPLIANCE WITH USFWS POLICY ............................................................................................... 2 FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................... 4 DESCRIPTION OF REFUGE................................................................................................................... 5 General Description ......................................................................................................................... 5 Climate............................................................................................................................................. 5 Physical Resources........................................................................................................................... 6 Vegetation........................................................................................................................................ 6 Fish and Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 7 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................................... 8 Structures and Facilities................................................................................................................... 8 Public Access................................................................................................................................... 8 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT SITUATION ............................................................................. 10 Historic Role of Fire ...................................................................................................................... 10 Pre-settlement Fires .......................................................................................................... 10 Post-settlement Fire History ............................................................................................. 10 Prescribed Fire History ..................................................................................................... 10 Responsibilities.............................................................................................................................. 10 Project Leader................................................................................................................... 11 Deputy Project Leader ...................................................................................................... 11 Biologist............................................................................................................................ 11 Zone Fire Management Officer / Prescribed Fire Specialist............................................. 11 Incident Commander......................................................................................................... 12 Initial Attack ..................................................................................................................... 12 Interagency Operations .................................................................................................................. 12 Protection of Sensitive Resources.................................................................................................. 13 Natural Resources............................................................................................................. 13 Cultural Resources............................................................................................................ 13 WILDLAND FIRE ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................... 15 Fire Management Strategies .......................................................................................................... 15 Preparedness .................................................................................................................................. 15 Historical Weather Analysis ............................................................................................. 16 Fire Prevention.................................................................................................................. 16 Staffing Priority Levels..................................................................................................... 16 Training............................................................................................................................. 16 Supplies and Equipment ................................................................................................... 17 Detection........................................................................................................................................ 17 Communications ............................................................................................................................ 18 Pre-Attack Plan .............................................................................................................................. 18 Fire Management Units.................................................................................................................. 18 Fuel Types and Fire Behavior........................................................................................... 18 Fire Effects........................................................................................................................ 19 Suppression Tactics ....................................................................................................................... 21 Suppression Conditions .................................................................................................... 22 Wildland Fire Situation Analysis...................................................................................... 22 Aircraft Operations ........................................................................................................... 23 Rehabilitation and Restoration....................................................................................................... 23 Required Reporting........................................................................................................................ 24 Fire Investigation ........................................................................................................................... 24 FIRE RESEARCH.................................................................................................................................... 26 PUBLIC SAFETY..................................................................................................................................... 26 PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.................................................................................... 26 FIRE CRITIQUES AND ANNUAL PLAN REVIEW .......................................................................... 27 Fire Critiques ................................................................................................................................. 27 Annual Fire Summary Report........................................................................................................ 27 Annual Fire Management Plan Review ......................................................................................... 27 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ......................................................................................... 27 APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................... 28 Appendix A: References............................................................................................................... 28 Appendix B: Definitions............................................................................................................... 30 Appendix C: Fire Dispatch Plan ................................................................................................... 33 Appendix D: Environmental Action Statement and Categorical Exclusion ................................. 39 Appendix E: Section 7 Biological Evaluation – Cape Meares NWR ........................................... 40 Appendix F: Request for Cultural Resource Compliance Form ................................................... 47 Appendix G: Cooperative Agreements......................................................................................... 49 Appendix H: Historical Weather Data.......................................................................................... 50 Appendix I: Delegation of Authority........................................................................................... 53 Appendix J: Wildland Fire Situation Analysis ...........................................................................