United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Fire and Aviation
3833 South Development Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83705-5354
http://www.nifc.gov
April 9, 2009
In Reply Refer to:
9210 (FA320) P
EMS Transmission 04/13/2009
Instruction Memorandum No. FA IM-2009-027
Expires: 09/30/2010
To:
State Directors
From:
Deputy Assistant Director (NIFC), Fire and Aviation
Subject:
Documenting and Reporting Fire Chemical Spills and Applications
Program Area: Wildland Fire Management
Purpose: This instruction memorandum provides direction for documenting fire chemical spills
and applications.
Policy/Action:
Definition: The 2000 Guidelines for Aerial Delivery of Retardant or Foam Near Waterways,
established and approved by the federal fire agencies, defines waterway as: “Any body of water,
including lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, whether or not they contain aquatic life.”
The interagency Wildland Fire Chemical Reporting Form (NIFC Form #9210-18,
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/documents/FireChemReportForm_2009_031009.doc) shall be
used each time one of the following occurs:
• A wildland fire chemical is applied aerially into or within 300 feet of a waterway;
• A wildland fire chemical is applied or spilled from ground resources directly into a
waterway or within potential reach of a waterway.
The following reporting process will be used:
• The incident commander will notify the agency administrator of the chemical application
or spill;
• The incident or host authorities will immediately contact appropriate regulatory agencies
and specialists within the local jurisdiction;
• The assigned resource advisor will complete and process the Wildland Fire Chemical
Reporting Form (NIFC Form #9210-18) and report the occurrence to Wildland Fire
2
Chemicals Systems (WFCS) in Missoula, Montana, 406-329-3900, or to the individuals
listed on the WFCS website: www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire
Timeframe: Effective immediately.
Budget Impact: None.
Background: Previously, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA
FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) used separate reporting forms due to additional
USDA FS reporting requirements. The reporting forms have been combined into NIFC Form
#9210-18, as referenced above.
Chapter 12 of Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations contains the
complete wildland fire chemical policy and reporting requirements, including reporting
requirements when the unit administrator determines that aquatic threatened and endangered
species or their habitats have been adversely affected by aerial applications within the waterway.
Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: This policy is effective immediately, and will be
incorporated into the 2010 version of Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation
Operations, chapter 12, “Suppression Chemicals & Delivery Systems.”
Coordination: This policy was coordinated with the fire directors of the Department of Interior
wildland fire agencies, the USDA Forest Service, and with Wildland Fire Chemicals Systems.
Contact: Jon Curd, Fire Management Specialist, Division of Fire Operations, 208-387-5459.
Signed by:
Timothy M. Murphy
Deputy Assistant Director (NIFC), Fire and Aviation
Distribution:
FA DAD (WO)
State Fire Management Officers
BLM ADs
FA Management Team
BLM Library
Jon Curd (FA-320)
Authenticated by:
Erin K. Maskalick
Records Management Specialist