Table 1 Core principles for the development of federal fire management plans (FMP) based on current federal policy implementation guidance and relevant science information.
From: Principles of Effective USA Federal Fire Management Plans
Principle | Main tenets and examples |
|---|---|
Consistent and compatible | • Maximize consistency in format and terminology across agencies • Use consistent language and structure with land management plans • Ensure compatibility among agencies to maximize interagency cooperation in the ecoregion ○ Synchronize FMP objectives across agency units ○ Unify public messaging and outreach |
Collaborative | • Recognize valued collaborative efforts, including: ○ Coordination and cooperation between fire management and other disciplines ○ Partnerships among agencies ○ Fire science and management cooperatives ○ Regional fire coalitions and collaborations • Develop an interagency FMP for the ecoregion or key firesheds |
Clear and comprehensive | • Establish goals, objectives, tools that are clear and hierarchically integrated • Strike a reasonable balance between conciseness and depth |
Spatially and temporally scalable | • Distinguish short- vs. long-term goals and objectives • Provide spatially explicit information for fire management zones and valued resources in FMP • Apply strategies and tools at different spatial scales within an administrative unit and across agency boundaries |
Informed by best available science | • Use appropriate and reliable science information to inform key plan elements • Emphasize that science and monitoring are vital program tools • Create formal mechanisms for the integration of new science information ○Use FMP review schedule to incorporate new science ○Integrate and clearly define science information sources |
Flexible and adaptive | • Build FMP flexibility to meet future challenges and constraints • Explain the process by which fire managers incorporate agency guidance and monitoring information in decision making and planning • Reconsider goals, objectives, and tools over time to ensure effectiveness in a rapidly changing world • Develop climate adaptation strategies in future operations based on decision-support tools |