Fire Restrictions and Closures
July Roundup Notes
July 17th @ 0900 Mountain Time 1-888-844-9904 Passcode: 3599209#
Area Restrictions and Media Coordinators – please ensure your Area is represented,
Agency Representatives
Please read and review: 2013-2018 NRCG Restrictions and Closure Procedures
Objectives:
• 2013-2018 NRCG Restrictions and Closure Procedures
• Update on status of Closures and Restrictions Working Groups
• Updates from your Area: area plans, working on, issues, who are your
restrictions/media coordinators and alternates, questions you have
• Assessment of needs: what your Area needs from others to be ready for 2014
Participants: listed below in Agenda; also attending: Jordan Koppen (MT -SW Land Office)
Agenda
2013-2018 NRCG Restrictions and Closure Procedures
• No changes in wording of the Stages
• Area boundary change between Missoula and Dillon Areas
• Posted on NRCG Website: Restrictions and Closures Toolbox
• Good coordination is occurring with conference calls at the local
level.
• Get on the website and play around, good changes in the SW. If
there is something we can approve on, let’s fix it
Restrictions and Closure Working Group Updates (5 min each)
Procedures
• If you implement restrictions, capture any issues that you
encounter so they can be addressed.
Restrictions Area
• Took over the working group when Floch retired
• Changes in Boundary between Missoula and Dillon Areas
• Will be working with the programmer to get the changes on
website.
Training
• No feedback on training materials.
• Updated with year (2014) and new maps, due to the boundary
change between Dillon and Missoula Areas.
Products
• Still in a draft stage.
Systems
FireRestrictions.us: lots of changes have been made.
• AZ and NM: See how they present and post their information. A
county is colored gray meaning there are restrictions. However,
click on the county and there is a pop up box that identifies the
management units in restriction and the level of restriction. You
can then click on a management unit and it will take you to that
2014 July Roundup
NRCG Restrictions and Closures
Mike Dannenberg
Mike Dannenberg
CJ Johnson
Terina Goicoechea
Not on the call
Cathy Scofield
Page 1 of 3
specific page of information. The actual order for the unit is
posted, as well as directing to other sites for other types of
information.
• Area information: check your information and refresh it. You can
also post information regarding changing conditions, prevention
tips for targeted activities, etc.
• Management Unit: Have the ability to present information down
to the unit level; must have GIS files for all the management units
in your Area. CJ and Karly are working with the programmer for
their areas.
• Local Burn Ban: As your counties implement open burning
restrictions, you can post their local burn bands. See how ND has
posted the information.
• Liaison: Curtis Phelps is no longer the liaison; please remove him
from any mailing lists. If you have questions regarding the site, or
have users that need access, please contact Cathy.
NRCG Restrictions and Closures Toolbox: has tools and aids for restrictions
and closures.
• New information: as you update your plans, develop products,
and find new publications; send them to Cathy for posting on the
website. Products should be in a format that can be modified.
Area Updates and Needs
Conditions, orking on, issues , status of area plans, Restrictions and
Media Coordinators and Alts , needs
ID: Clearwater
Not on Call
Panhandle
Not on Call
Wilderness
Not on Call
MT: Billings, Miles City
• Has started calls- bi weekly
Bozeman
• Haven’t had calls, will be scheduling
• Wet in the general area
Dillon
Great Falls/Helena
• Has started calls – bi weekly
• Updating plan
Kalispell
• Next week first call
• West side is drier, but have enough moisture
• Updating Plan
• Like the SW website and how they display information
Lewistown
• Have started calls
• Plan is updated
• Will work with the programmer on user input changes
2014 July Roundup
NRCG Restrictions and Closures
Reported by Karly
Demars
Karen Tuscano
Not on Call
Marvin Carpenter
Manny Mendoza
Karly DeMars
Jonathan Moor
Page 2 of 3
Missoula
• Big push to get counties to issue burn bans instead of Stage I or II
restrictions
• Boundary changes between Missoula and Dillon Areas
• Start restrictions call on Monday
• Approaching high fire danger, beginning restrictions coordination
• Seeking someone to serve as the Restrictions Coordinator
Alternate
ND:
• Working with counties on using NFDRS vs. Grassland Index
• Working on coordination with the counties and federal agencies
for fire danger rating and restrictions
SD: NW
Exploding Targets – Will post on Toolbox
R1 Forest Service
• On May 9 a Regional Closure Order for explosives and exploding
targets was issued. Order valid for 1 year.
• Using an explosive; including exploding targets. 36 CFR 261.52 (b)
• An explosive is defined as any chemical compound, mixture, or
device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by
explosion.
• Exemption: Any person engaged in the use of black powder or
other muzzleloader propellant, and the use of its associated
ignition source, for legal hunting or recreational shooting with a
muzzleloader. This exemption does not include the firing at or use
of exploding targets.
• Will post on website
BLM
• On June 24 a Prevention Order was issued banning activities
including exploding targets, and unmanned balloons with an open
flame e.g. luminaries, sky lantern
• Order is valid through June 25, 2015 or unless rescinded.
MDNRC
• Looking at incorporating language into the Forest Fire Rules and
Regulations
Touching Base During Fire Season
• Most Area calls are on Monday and Tuesday
• Geographic Restrictions Call: Wed 0900 MDT when activity picks
up
• Next call: August 13 @ 0900; touch base, if have a lot of
restrictions prior to that may schedule a call earlier
2014 July Roundup
NRCG Restrictions and Closures
CJ Johnson
Sarah Tunge
Not on Call
Cathy Scofield
Mike Dannenberg
Crystal Beckman
Cathy Scofield
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