California Prescribed Fire Policy and Direction

November 22, 2019

In Reply Refer To:
9214 (915) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 11/22/2019
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2020-004 
Expires: 09/30/2022  

To:                  California District Managers, Field Office Managers, Fire Management Officers,
                        and Fire Management Specialists

From:             State Director

Subject:         California Prescribed Fire Policy and Direction

Program Area:  Wildland Fire

Purpose: To provide clarity on BLM California specific prescribed fire policy.

Policy/Action: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) amends and updates IM CA-2010-014 issuing California specific guidance that supplements the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide (PMS 484, April 2014), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) specific guidance found in the H-9214 -1 Fuels Management and Community Assistance Handbook.

The Interagency Prescribed Fire Guide outlines minimum acceptable standards for use in prescribed fire planning and implementation.  Agencies may choose to provide more restrictive standards and policy direction.  The BLM has incorporated supplemental direction to this guide in the H-9214-1.  BLM California has further supplemented this direction with this IM to provide further direction specific to the prescribed fire challenges in the State of California and BLM California’s Prescribed Fire and Fuels Program.

Timeframe: Effective immediately.

Budget Impact: No impact to budget.

Background: This IM provides guidance to managers, supervisors, and field personnel when planning and implementing prescribed fires in California.

The PMS 484 describes what is minimally acceptable for prescribed fire planning and implementation.  The BLM and BLM California in particular have chosen to provide more restrictive standards and policy direction; these adhere to the minimum standards identified in the guide.  BLM California has also chosen to reduce and remove more restrictive standards and policy direction based on new and updated national direction and procedures.

Previous direction has been that the BLM California State Office review all prescribed fire plans.  This was based on past implementation-related incidents.  Due to improvements in planning, review, and implementation procedures, the BLM California State Office is delegating authority to manage prescribed fire programs at the local level. Annual review of one prescribed fire plan annually at the State Office will provide the opportunity for the State Office to provide input and ensure the field and district offices understand and adhere to policy and procedures.

Additionally, clarification on BLM California-specific procedures is provided.  Changes imposed by the revision of the California Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreement (CFMA) Exhibits D and F have been included in this IM.

Coordination: This policy development was coordinated with fire field personnel, supervisors, and managers.

Contact:  If you have questions about this IM and or CFMA Exhibits D or F, please contact James Gannon, Fire Management Specialist, at (916) 978-4431 or jgannon@blm.gov. 

Signed by:                                                                                                
Federica Lee                                                                                      
Acting Associate State Director                           

Authenticated by: 
Larry Weitzel 
GIS/Applications Mgmt. Branch, CA-946

Attachment
     1. CA Specific Guidance (3 pp)