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1 1 (April 21, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelix0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the legislitive diebate since 1914 April 21, 2023 Federal Interagency Wildfire Response Framework Wildfires are unplanned fires in vegetated landscapes. Where a wildfire begins determines jurisdiction for wildfire response. Because wildfires often cross jurisdictional boundaries and may impact nearby communities, there is an established framework for interagency coordination for wildfire response activities. This framework also allows for resources to be deployed to areas of greatest critical need during periods of high wildfire activity. This CRS product summarizes the interagency and intergovernmental framework for responding to wildfires. Specifically, it addresses wildfire response jurisdiction; response strategies; and type, deployment, and reporting of resources (i.e., Preparedness Levels). It also provides references to additional resources. For information on the federal government's emergency and disaster declaration process and resources, see CRS Report WMR10001, CRS Guide to Federal Emergency Management. Jurisdktion The federal government has the responsibility for wildfires that begin on federal lands; states are generally responsible for wildfires that begin on nonfederal (state, local, and private) lands, though state responsibility frameworks vary considerably and are beyond the scope of this product. Where land ownership is comingled, response efforts may be managed jointly across multiple federal, state, tribal, or local agencies. At the federal level, the Department of the Interior (DOI) manages wildfire response for more than 400 million acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and preserves, other public lands, and Indian reservations. The Forest Service (FS), within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, manages wildfire response across the 193 million acres of the National Forest System. FS also is designated as the lead agency for wildfire response under the National Response Framework. Although wildfire origin determines jurisdictional responsibility, there are circumstances in which a different governmental entity may handle the on-the-ground response activities or provide resources and support. Various agreements, contracts, and compacts for mutual aid and cooperative fire protection establish the parameters for sharing or exchanging resources and the applicable roles, responsibilities, terms, and conditions, including cost reimbursement provisions. Some states or local entities have contracted with the federal government to provide direct wildfire protection services, essentially hiring the federal government to respond to state-responsibility wildfires. As another example, some areas have defined protection areas that may not align with jurisdictional boundaries and may include a mix of land ownership types. Under this model, the entity assigned to a certain protection area is responsible for responding to a wildfire within that area, regardless of jurisdiction. Response Strategies and Phases Federal wildfire policy is to evaluate the risks to firefighter and public safety and welfare-and to natural, ecological, and cultural values to be protected-to determine the appropriate response. Depending on the risk assessment, the initial federal response, known as the initial attack, may range from monitoring to aggressive suppression tactics. Wildfire suppression includes all the activities intended to extinguish a fire, prevent or modify fire movement, or manage a fire for resource management objectives (e.g., habitat restoration), as supported by the area's fire management plan (FMP). FMPs identify values and resources within the area that could be at risk and outline strategies, tactics, and alternatives for achieving resource management and protection objectives. If the initial attack does not achieve the management objective within the designated operational period (generally, the first 24 hours), or if the fire increases in complexity or severity, the fire enters an extended attack phase. This phase of the fire may require different response strategies and the mobilization of additional resources. During extended attack incidents, the responding agency coordinates with the relevant state and local agencies on emergency management matters, including public health, safety, and evacuation decisions and notifications. Wildfire Su ppression Resources The resources mobilized for wildfire suppression include personnel (e.g., firefighters, incident command and support staff), heavy equipment (e.g., fire engines, water scoopers), aviation assets (e.g., helicopters, single engine air tankers, tactical planes), and miscellaneous equipment and support resources (e.g., radios, weather equipment, food vendors, mobile showers). Incident management teams (IMTs) consisting of specially trained personnel are assigned to more complex incidents to provide a centralized command structure and operational, logistical, and administrative support. Resources may be federal, tribal, state, local, or, in some cases, privately contracted. Resource Mobilizaton The mobilization of wildfire response resources is based on a tiered, bottom-up coordination system that proceeds from local to regional and finally national coordination. Local dispatch centers receive initial reports of wildfire incidents within their defined geographical areas and deploy resources, either under the principle of closest available resource or according to pre-identified areas of responsibility (as defined in the various agreements and contracts), based on initial attack strategies.

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