Uncle Stu sez: This has been

1. Accepted by NWCG to draft a replacement for the 2003 Implementation Policy.
2. Accepted by NWCG to review draft timeline for implementation in January 2008 meeting.

The following is s synopsis of what was presented by the AMR task Group to the NWCG to change Federal Wildland Fire Policy. That is changing the 'Strategy for the Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy" that came out in June of 2003.

Their briefing paper calls for a phased implementation over the next two years. The first phase is recommended to be implemented by spring of 2008 and with full implementation by approximately spring of 2009.

Their timelines/phases are:

1. 3-6 months - revise supplemental guidance and issue prior to western fire
   season 2008.
2. 12-18 months - expand the knowledge and understanding of the assessment process (WFDSS) and examine human caused ignitions for AMR
3. 12-18 months - implements findings of human caused ignitions feasibility study.

They want to "clarify" seven of the operational statements in the original document. The seven along with their recommendations and Uncle Stu's comments are as follows:

1. Only one management objective will be applied to a wildland fire.
   * Change to "permit any wildland fire or any combined wildland fire to be
   managed for one or more objectives, based on LUP objectives.
   * This will be a major change of paradigms and needs a lot of training and mentoring to work. (Note their idea - Uncle Stu agrees!)
   * Rescind existing "Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it with concise direction and build communication and training plans.
   * Uncle Stu sez: This will be a go
   
   
2. Human caused wildland fires will be suppressed in any instance and will not be managed for resource benefits.
   * Reinforce concept than AMR (current policy permits full range of response no matter what the ignition source - while recognizing full perimeter containment will be typical - but it escapes IA then…. Same assessment as any other wildland fire.
   * Rescind the existing "Strategy for the Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it w/ concise statement relative to their terminology.
   * Uncle Stu guesses that when pigs fly, this will happen.
   
   
3. Once a wildland fire has been managed for suppression objectives, it may never be managed for one or more objectives based on LUP.
   * Change to permit any wildland fire or any combined wildland fire to be
   managed for more than one objective.
   * This will be a major change of paradigms and needs a lot of training and
   mentoring to work. (Note their idea - Uncle Stu agrees!)
   * Rescind existing "Strategy for the Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it with concise direction and build communication and training plans.
   * Uncle Stu sez: This will be a go.
   
   
4. The Appropriate Management Response (AMR) is any specific action suitable to meet Fire Management Unit Objectives…AMR ranges across a spectrum of tactical options… developed by using FMU strategies and objectives…
   * No action - retain as stated and clarified in existing supplemental
   guidance.
   * Uncle Stu sez: Yep - see a pattern here?
   
   
5. The WFSA process is used to determine and document the suppression strategy from the range of responses available for suppression operations. Suppression strategies are designed to meet the policy objectives of suppression.
   * Change this to permit any wildland fire or any combined wildland fire to be managed for one or more objectives based on LUP
   * This will be a major change of paradigms and needs a lot of training and mentoring to work. (Note their idea - Uncle Stu agrees!)
   * Rescind existing "Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it with direction and guidance on the use of WFDSS will need clarification and defined boundaries for IA extended and Long Term implementation. Draft WFDSS in FY09 - final in FY09
   * Uncle Stu sez: WFDSS - there will be huge challenges - and as of now WFDSS is a USFS funded initiative - FSPRO is part of this package and Uncle Stu has been told by a developer - garbage in gospel out, lots of work to be done.
   
   
6. Wildland fire use is the result of a natural event. The LUP or FMP will ID areas where the strategy of WFU is suitable …..WFIP is the tool that……
   * Change to permit any wildland fire or any combined wildland fire to be managed for one or more objectives…WFDSS will replace WFIP…
   * This will be a major change of paradigms and needs a lot of training and mentoring to work. (Note their idea - Uncle Stu agrees!)
   * Rescind existing "Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it with direction and guidance on the use of WFDSS.
   * Uncle Stu sez: See #5 above - the paperwork will be interesting. And…. Wildland Fire Use goes adios, bye-bye, hasta la vista.
   
   
7. When and RX fire or a fire designated for WFU is no longer achieving intended …objectives and contingency or mitigation actions have failed, the fire s declared a wildfire. Once a wildfire, it cannot be returned to RX fire or WFU status.
   * Change to permit any wildland fire or any combined wildland fire to be managed for one or more objectives based on LUP objectives.
   * This will be a major change of paradigms and needs a lot of training and mentoring to work. (Note their idea - Uncle Stu agrees!)
   * Rescind existing "Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Policy" and replace it with concise direction and build communication and training plans.
   * Uncle Stu sez: Hmm - interesting - does this mean no more escapes for RX fire??