Congaree National Park Wildland Fire Management Plan FY 2004 2 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 1.1 Reason for Development of Fire Management Plan-----------------------------------------------------------------7 1.2 Collaborative Processes-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 1.3 Implementation of Fire Management Policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------7 1.3.1 2001 Federal Fire Policy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 1.3.2 Managing Impacts of Wildfires—A Cohesive Strategy--------------------------------------------------------9 1.3.3 A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks---------------------------------------------- 10 1.4 Environmental Compliance------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 1.5 Authorities for Implementing Fire Management Plan ------------------------------------------------------------ 11 2.0 RELATIONSHIP TO LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND FIRE POLICY -----13 2.1 Federal Fire Management Policy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 2.2 Establishment of Congaree National Park -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 2.3 General Management Plan Objectives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18 2.4 Resource Management Plan Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 2.5 How Fire Management Plan Supports GMP and RMP Objectives---------------------------------------------- 19 2.6 Wilderness Management Objectives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 2.6.1 The Wilderness Act ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 2.6.2 Minimum Requirement Determination Process--------------------------------------------------------------- 22 2.6.3 Minimum Requirements Determination: Fire Management Activities in Wilderness-------------------- 23 3.0 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ----------------------------------------25 3.1 General Management Considerations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 3.2 Wildland Fire Management Goals----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 3.3 Scope of Wildland Fire Management Elements to be Implemented -------------------------------------------- 26 3.3.1 Wildland Fire Suppression -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 3.3.2 Prescribed Fire --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 3.3.3 Non-Fire Applications ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 3.4 Park Description ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 3.4.1 Physical and Biotic Characteristics---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 3.4.2 Management Considerations------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29 3.4.3 Past Role of Fire-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 3.4.4 Wildland Fire Management Situation-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 3.5 Fire Management Units (FMUs)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 3.5.1 Fire Management Unit #1: Visitor Center-------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 3.5.2 Fire Management Unit #2: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat------------------------------------------ 44 3.5.3 Fire Management Unit #3: Air Quality Monitoring Station and Toms Creek --------------------------- 45 3.5.4 Fire Management Unit #4: Floodplain ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 3.6 Values to Protect, Manage, or at Risk------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47 4.0 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COMPONENTS ----------------------51 4.1 General Implementation Procedures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 4.2 Wildland Fire Suppression ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 4.2.1 Range of Potential Fire Behavior ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 51 4.2.2 Preparedness Actions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52 4.2.3 Pre-Attack Plan--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 4.2.4 Initial Attack------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 3 4.2.5 Extended Attack and Large Fire Suppression-----------------------------------------------------------------59 4.2.6 Exceeding Existing WFIP, Selecting New Strategy-----------------------------------------------------------60 4.2.7 Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics -------------------------------------------------------------------------60 4.2.8 Rehabilitation Guidelines and Procedures --------------------------------------------------------------------61 4.2.9 Reporting and Documentation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------62 4.3 Prescribed Fire----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------62 4.3.1 Planning and Documentation -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------64 4.3.2 Exceeding Existing Prescribed Fire Plan----------------------------------------------------------------------67 4.3.3 Air Quality and Smoke Management ---------------------------------------------------------------------------67 4.4 Non-Fire Fuel Treatment Applications------------------------------------------------------------------------------68 4.5 Emergency Rehabilitation and Restoration -------------------------------------------------------------------------68 5.0 ORGANIZATIONAL AND BUDGETARY PARAMETERS------------------------------- 69 5.1 Fire Management Team Member Responsibilities ----------------------------------------------------------------69 5.2 FIREPRO Funding-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------71 5.3 Organizational Structure of Fire Management Program ----------------------------------------------------------72 5.4 Interagency Coordination ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72 5.5 Interagency Contacts --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72 5.6 Fire-Related Agreements----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72 6.0 MONITORING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 73 6.1 NPS Fire Monitoring Handbook -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------73 6.2 Recommended Standard Monitoring Levels -----------------------------------------------------------------------73 6.3 Wildland and Prescribed Fire Monitoring --------------------------------------------------------------------------73 7.0 FIRE RESEARCH --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75 7.1 Previous and / or Ongoing Fire Research ---------------------------------------------------------------------------75 7.2 Fire Research Needs as Determined by Resource Management Plan -------------------------------------------75 8.0 FIREFIGHTER AND PUBLIC SAFETY ------------------------------------------------------ 77 8.1 Firefighter Safety and Related Training, Qualifications, and Fitness Standards-------------------------------77 8.2 Public Safety Issues / Concerns, and Mitigation Procedures -----------------------------------------------------78 9.0 PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION----------------------------------------------- 79 9.1 Public Information Capabilities and Needs-------------------------------------------------------------------------79 9.2 Step-Up Public Information Activities and Capabilities ----------------------------------------------------------79 10.0 PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE RESOURCES---------------------------------------------- 81 10.1 Archeological / Cultural / Historic Resources --------------------------------------------------------------------81 10.2 Natural Resources ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------82 10.3 Development / Infrastructure / Inholdings-------------------------------------------------------------------------85 11.0 FIRE CRITIQUES AND ANNUAL PLAN REVIEW -------------------------------------- 87 11.1 Critiques ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------87 11.2 Annual Plan Review--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------87 4 12.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION