Stage III: Long-Term Implementation Actions
Ecklund Complex: Ecklund Fire and Davis Draw Fire
Little Snake River BLM, Dinosaur National Monument, Browns Park FWS
I. OBJECTIVES
Management and
 Implement actions that fully provide for personnel and public
Resource Objectives
safety
 Protect private lands and structures; and protect
public improvements
 Encourage the natural role of fire to promote mosaic age classes in
all plant communities
 Avoid actions that might impair the area’s wilderness character
 Do not allow fires to burn into cottonwood stands along the Green
River
 Develop strategies and implement actions commensurate with
resource values
 Coordinate with Resource Advisor to determine the need for
burned area rehabilitation
II. MMA
Description
The MMA is approximately 45,715 acres, encompassing Lower Snake
District BLM lands (31,043 a., appx. 68% of the MMA), Browns Park
FWS (1,330 a., appx. 3% of the MMA) , Dinosaur National Monument
lands (9,485 a., appx. 21% of the MMA), and private lands (3,282 a.,
appx. 7% of the MMA) . The perimeter of the MMA is approximately
41 miles.
Fuels in the MMA consist of the following NFFL fuel models: 1
(scattered areas of cheat grass); 2 (sagebrush with grass
understory); 6 (pinyon-juniper with grass understory); 9 (ponderosa
pine); and 10 (Douglas-fir). Predominant fuels are 2 and 6. The
topography within the MMA is characterized by steep, rocky slopes
bisected by broad sagebrush flats.
The MMA is divided into 6 segments described below:
Segment 1 (5.5 miles) - Segment 1 is the northeast segment of the
MMA and is entirely on FWS land along the flats of the Green River.
This segment follows a road paralleling the Green River. Fuels in this
section are characterized by FM 2 and terrain is relatively flat.
Segment 2 (5.3 miles) – Segment 2 is one of the eastern boundary
segments and it is bound entirely by the 2000 Buster Flats Fire.
This segment starts at Hoy Draw and follows south to Ladore Ranger
Station. Fuels in this section are characterized by FM 2 and terrain
is relatively flat on the northern part of the segment and starts
getting steep in the Green River canyon on the southern part. The
northern part of this segment is on FWS lands and the southern part
is on NPS lands.
Segment 3 (12.3 miles) – Segment 3 is the other eastern boundary
segment and is entirely on NPS lands along the bottom of the very
steep Green River canyon. Slopes along this MMA are in excess of
100% (FM 1 – short grass and shrubs) and fuels are extremely
sparse. The Buster Flats Fire (2000) did not burn right up to the
Green River along this segment of the MMA, but did burn most of
the available fuel on the northern half of this MMA.
Segment 4 (5.1 miles) – Segment 4 is the southwest boundary of the
MMA and is on both NPS and BLM lands. This segment follows the
WSA boundary. Fuels are characterized as a FM 2 – grass
understory. Except where this MMA exits the Green River canyon,
slopes are gentle and vegetation consists of broad sagebrush fields.
Segment 5 (8.1 miles) – Segment 5 is one of the main western MMA
boundaries and shares the private land /BLM boundary in many areas
along the segment. This segment also follows the WSA boundary.
Fuels are mostly pinyon-juniper (FM 6); and slopes are moderately
steep and vary considerably along the segment.
Threats to the
MMA/Values to be
Protected along the
MMA
Segment 6 (5.2 miles) – Segment 6 is the northwest boundary of the
MMA and is entirely on BLM land. This segment follows Chokecherry
Draw and follows an unimproved road for approximately 2 miles.
Fuels are mostly pinyon-juniper (FM 6) and slopes are fairly steep
along the MMA.
Segment 1 – Prevailing winds (from the SW) would push the Davis
Draw fire toward this section of the MMA. However, fuels are
relatively sparse along this border. Perimeter reinforcement has
occurred in places along this segment to protect cottonwood trees
near Section 25. Blacklining has been completed from Hoy Draw
west toward Chokecherry Draw following the two-track across
section 21. Risk of escape on this boundary is moderately high.
Segment 2 – Prevailing winds (from the SW) would also push the
Davis Draw fire toward this MMA. Risk of the fire escaping on this
segment is relatively low due to the barrier of the Buster Flats Fire
that occurred last year. A secondary barrier in some of this section
is the Green River. To date, there has been no mitigation other than
handline and black line tying ridgeline point in Section 34 to twotrack.
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Ecklund Complex
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Segment 3 – The extremely steep Green River Canyon would pose a
formidable barrier to fire spread on this segment of the MMA.
Prevailing winds would push the Ecklund Fire toward this segment of
the MMA. The Green River is the actual boundary line along this
segment. Slopes are extremely steep and vegetation is very sparse
along this perimeter. Pot Creek Campground is located on the Green
River along this segment. There appears to be little risk of the fire
spotting across the canyon. Protection of this segment will consist
of water drops to suppress any fire entering Pot Creek drainage.
Segment 4 –Winds from the north or northeast would push the
Ecklund Fire toward this segment of the MMA. This segment follows
a two-track road.
Segment 5 – This segment encompasses much private land and there
are several structures along this segment. This segment could be
threatened by both the Davis and Ecklund Fires with any wind event
from the east. Additionally, this segment has some of the highest
values to be protected in terms of private property, improvements,
and structures. Road access in this segment is only fair. Threats to
this segment are primarily due to heavy brush fuels and steep rocky
slopes along this segment. Risks to this segment are high due to
close proximity of structures. See holding and mitigation actions.
Segment 6 – This segment follows the Chokecherry Drainage. Fuels
are very heavy along this segment. Winds from the east may push
the Davis Draw Fire toward this segment. Mid-slope lines and heavy
fuels compromise this segment of the MMA. This segment would be
very difficult to defend due to topography and fuels.
III. WEATHER
Drought Situation
After two consecutive years of drought, live and dead fuels are
extremely dry across Northwestern Colorado and Northeastern Utah.
Measured live fuel moistures, on the Iron Springs Bench approximately 20 miles south of the fire area - ranged from 50 to
64% with an average of 60% for all samples taken on July 21, 2001.
National Fire Danger Indices for weather stations in the area are all
reaching record high’s for the second year in a row.
Temperatures have been slightly above normal and precipitation below
normal for the summer to date; relative humidity recovery at night has
been very poor. These conditions have all contributed to the
abnormally dry and volatile fuel conditions in this area.
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Ecklund Complex
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Forecasted
As of July 30, current weather is dominated by a high pressure
system that will remain over the central U.S. for the next 10 days. A
few surges of monsoonal moisture can be expected resulting in slightly
above normal precipitation over SW Colorado and SE Utah.
Temperatures will remain above normal.
IV. FIRE BEHAVIOR
Discussion
Fire behavior has been dominated by a cycle of several days of little
or no spread with low fire activity, followed by a day or two of
significant growth. These growth days can be tied to days with high
Haines indexes (6) and higher wind speeds. The “trigger” for large fire
growth appears to be a combination of:
 dry bulb temperatures above 85 degrees
 relative humidity below 10 percent
 with wind speeds > 10 m.p.h.
Under these conditions, fire growth of one thousand acres per
burning period is not unusual.
Fire behavior will continue to follow the cycle described above until
significant moderation in either the high temperatures or low
relative humidities occurs. Spread events of 1 to 2 miles have
already occurred on these fires and there is no reason to not expect
them to continue.
V. LONG-TERM RISK ASSESSMENT
Fire Season
Severity
Fuel Conditions
To assess the current and potential severity of the 2001 fire season,
the energy release component (ERC) was analyzed using Fire Family
Plus for twenty plus years of data from the following NFDRS
weather stations:
Station #050102 Dinosaur NM HQ
Station #050104 Lodore
Station #050105 Dinosaur NM Success
Station #050106 Great Divide
Station #051402 Pinto
Station #420805 Cart Creek
The ERC graphs (see Appendix), shows three lines, the historical
maximum, the historical average, and the current year. The current
year demonstrates that the fire season started slightly above
average and continued warm dry weather has resulted in a rapid
increase to near historic maximum ERC levels. Given the long-range
forecasts it is unlikely that significant monsoonal moisture will occur
in the near future to moderate these dry conditions.
Large fuels are sufficiently dry to ignite and 100 % consumption has
been observed. 1000-hour fuel moistures are around 6 % at this
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Ecklund Complex
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time.
Fire Slowing Events
Live vegetation plays a key role in fire activity in this area, providing
significant, additional fuel when foliar and live woody fuel moisture
is low. Abundant new season growth can retard fire spread and
intensity due to moisture content of plant fiber present in immature
leaves and stems. However, plants in dormant condition or mature
plants with approximately 80% or less moisture content (based on
the plant’s dry weight) can actively contribute to fire intensity.
Current woody live fuel moistures have been measured at about 60%
in the area.
Fire slowing events are defined by weather events that end fire
spread or modify fire behavior such that a fire no longer poses a
significant spread threat. In Northwestern Colorado, this has been
defined as a total of at least 0.25 inches of precipitation occurring
over 3 consecutive days during the fire season. Typically, this area
receives about 1 inch of precipitation every month during the
summer. This has not occurred during the summer of 2001, to date.
VI. PROBABILITY OF FIRE STAYING WITHIN MMA
Discussion
Under the current weather conditions, the likelihood of the fire
remaining within the MMA is moderate, as long as the MMA is not
threatened at more than one location at a time, utilizing the resources
that are currently available (July 22).
VII. SAFETY
Safety Concerns
 Extremely dry fuels and extreme fire behavior with high
temperatures and low humidities may lead to extreme fire
behavior.
 Use extra caution on steep, rocky slopes.
 There is heavy Douglas-fir with insect damage on the north side
of the Ecklund Fire that could lead to extreme fire behavior.
 Heads up for rolling material, gusty winds, and working in steep
terrain.
 Watch for rolling material – both burned and unburned.
 Live fuel moisture in sagebrush was recently measured at 60%.
Such dry fuels could lead to extreme fire behavior.
 Pre-identify escape routes and safety zones. Conduct tests to
determine how long it will take to travel via escape routes to
safety zones.
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Ecklund Complex
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VIII. MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE CONCERNS
List of Concerns
 Cottonwood trees
 Wilderness values (Diamond Breaks WSA and Dinosaur National
Monument)
 Private lands and structures
 Campground at base of Pot Creek Draw
 Peregrine falcon
 Light-hand suppression tactics
IX. MONITORING ACTIONS
Discussion
Monitoring is important to document fire weather, fire behavior,
smoke dispersal and volume, and to validate fire behavior
predictions. Monitoring variables that are important include: smoke
dispersal, live and dead fuel moistures, daily weather observations,
mapping fire perimeter and progression, and observed fire behavior.
Monitoring locations and frequency will depend upon fire activity,
location and threats from that fire.
 Photographic documentation will be used to document smoke
movement, fire behavior, fuel types and other site-specific
information. Smoke concentrations and movement can be
documented daily during aerial reconnaissance and by ground
monitors. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
will receive situation updates and will be notified prior to any
proposed large burnout operations and during major smoke events
as necessary.
 Fire personnel will take weather observations. Portable Remote
Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) will be obtained and located
to obtain more site-specific information as needed.
 Fine dead fuel moisture contents will be evaluated using dead fuel
moisture reference tables and from weather station computed
values. When requested, fire personnel will collect live fuel
moisture samples and provide them to the fire behavior section of
the identified fire management team for documentation and use.
 Fire behavior will be determined from aerial reconnaissance and by
ground personnel. On-the-ground monitoring will provide more
specific information and increase in use as the fire becomes more
active.
 Mapping of fires to obtain current size, daily growth, and proximity
to boundaries and other threats will be conducted by aerial
reconnaissance and on-the-ground fire personnel. Data will be
relayed to the planning section of the fire management team for
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Ecklund Complex
6
map production and documentation.
 Specific monitoring locations, frequency, and necessary personnel
will be identified in Incident Action Plans and produced as
frequently as necessary.
 With the advent of the rainy season, fires can generally be
monitored from the zone aerial observer unless a significant
drying trend or a wind event following a drying trend is forecast.
Daily monitoring can also include monitoring from Zenobia and
Roundtop lookout towers and from agency fire personnel using
vantage points along fire site roads. Monitoring will occur at
various intervals depending on fire activity. While the fires are
staffed the following elements will be routinely recorded and made
part of the fire package: fire behavior, fire spread and weather.
Specific monitoring actions for each fire include:
 Ecklund Fire – The Ecklund Fire has several roads and overlooks
in the area. Fire personnel can use these roads and overlooks to
effectively monitor fire effects and fire progress. River
Rangers can report activity from the river corridor. The fire can
monitored as part of the normal area aerial reconnaissance.
 Davis Draw Fire – The Davis Draw Fire has several roads with
good vantage points in and around the MMA. The fire area can be
monitored as part of the normal area aerial reconnaissance and
can also be monitored from Zenobia and Roundtop Lookouts.
If the fires are left in monitoring status and un-staffed, weather will
be monitored by the pre-identified dispatch/fire organization.
Monitoring will be initiated on a schedule and assigned to the
identified unit until the fires are declared out.
X. HOLDING AND MITIGATION ACTIONS
Discussion
Segment 1 - Holding activities consist of blacklining on the south
side of the two-track to prevent fire from breaching the MMA. A
SEAT and Type II and/or Type III helicopter with bucket will
support the black line effort and will be available in the situation
that the Davis Fire reaches this segment. These actions were
initiated due to the prevailing southwest winds and the southwest
valley alignment, which advanced fire growth in a northwest
direction.
Management Action Points Actions taken within this segment: A black line was installed along a
2-track on the south side of the road, from Buster Flat west toward
Warren Draw. From the terminus of the black line, a mowed line
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Ecklund Complex
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following the 2 track and a mow line 2 chains south of the 2track(parallel) were installed to facilitate blacklining from Warren
Draw to Yellow Jacket Draw.
Segment 2 - Holding actions will not needed in this segment due to
the blacklining and anchoring of the black line between Segment 1
and 2 and the adjacent Buster Flats Fire (2000) area, which has
sparse vegetation. Monitoring from the air will be used to detect
any long distance spotting occurring from the Davis Draw Fire.
Segment 3 - Holding actions consist of limited helicopter bucket
work in the Pot Creek drainage above the riverside campgrounds to
retard fire spread from the Ecklund Fire. The Buster Flats Fire
(2000) is north of the Ecklund Fire and prevented any northward
advances. Monitoring from the air will be used to detect any long
distance spotting across the Green River to the east. The drop off
to the Green River would limit any advancement of the fire to the
south of the Pot Creek drainage along this segment. As in Segment
2, aerial monitoring would be performed to identify spotting across
the Green River canyon.
Management Actions Points Actions taken within this segment: Should fire be established in Pot
Creek, a priority of protecting the campground on the river, a wetline would be installed and burn-out operation to protect the
campground, would commence using the pump kit and accessories
pre-positioned and flown in from the Overlook Helibase.
Firefighters from the Helitack would be involved in the operation
the setup, wet-line and firing operation.
Segment 4 – Depending on fire behavior and growth, holding actions
may include blacklining along the north-south 2-track road that runs
most of the length of this segment. Holding actions would be
initiated if the fire starts advancing south across the Pot Creek
drainage.
Management Action Points Actions to be taken within this segment:
A line identified adjacent to the west MMA boundary running from
the Rippling Brook Drainage north to the head of Yellow Jacket
Draw. This line would serve as an assessment of the actions to
needed to be taken to prevent breaching of the MMA.
A line identified at the head of Pot Creek is the assessment line to
determine any actions needed to prevent the breaching of the MMA
on the west line if fire establishes itself in Pot Creek Drainage.
Segment 5 - Holding actions within this segment may including
blacklining and firing out through the private land and around the
structures. A Property Assessment Team was assigned to identify
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Ecklund Complex
8
and assess the structures for hazards in and around these sites. If
the fire approaches these structures, fire would likely impact
structures that are surrounded by heavy fuels. Approximately 10
structures would be immediately threatened in the event the fire
breaches the MMA on the southern portion of this segment (where
the most concentrated group of structures is located adjacent to
the MMA).
If the structures appear to be threatened, mitigation actions to be
implemented include: reducing ground and aerial fuels by cutting and
removing woody vegetation that are in close proximity to structures
to reduce fire impact, foaming the structures, or firing out around
the structures prior to the advancement of fire. The relative
success of mitigation measures is limited by structures’ location on
slopes and by heavy fuels adjacent to the structures.
Within the MMA, there is limited access to stop or slow fire spread
in a westward direction; actions are primarily limited to aerial
application of water or slurry. To stop northward spread of the
Ecklund Fire, burning out from the two-track in Deerlick Draw may
be effective in halting fire spread to the north that would impact
private property in Hoy Flats and Deerlick Draw. Meadows located
near Davis Draw (north of the private property) both on private
property and BLM land may provide opportunities to “herd” the fire
away from the MMA by burning out.
There are agreements in place at this time with the private
landowners within the MMA to allow management ignited fire on
private property.
Management Action Points Actions to be taken within this segment:
This is identified from Segment 4 description and passes through
this segment area.
Segment 6 - Holding actions would be the most “heavy handed” here
to prevent fire from crossing the MMA. The development of a
break in the fuels would be needed if the fire were to advance
toward this boundary. Blacklining or burning out along the 2-track
that enters the drainage from the north would occur, but the road
becomes non-existent as the topography becomes too steep.
Handlines or dozer work may be necessary to provide support for
firing out and stopping fire advancement.
Management Action Points Actions to be taken within this segment:
There are two identified lines within this segment area. The most
interior line is on the ridge between Warren Draw and Yellow Jacket
Draw that will be used to assess the management actions needed, if
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Ecklund Complex
9
necessary, for any suppression or protection activities prior to
approaching the MMA. The second line located on the ridge
between Yellow Jacket Draw and Chokecherry Draw( MMA
boundary) is the suppression action line. Suppression actions will be
taken within this area to prevent breaching the MMA.
XI. RESOURCES NEEDED
Discussion
Four levels of management activity have been defined for the
current Ecklund Complex:
 Monitoring - The fire is spreading very slowly or not at all and would not
be a threat to the MMA. Fire is checked daily or every other day by
lookouts and/or by fixed wing reconnaissance.
 Low level of management activity – Predicted fire behavior indicates
little potential for fire spread. Some minimal management actions may
be necessary on the fires’ edge or the MMA boundary. (This is the
current situation as of July 30.)
 Moderate level of management activity – Predicted fire behavior
indicates a moderate potential for fire spread. A moderate level of
activity is necessary to keep the fire within the MMA.
 High level of management activity – Predicted fire behavior indicates
high potential and probability of rapid and/or unpredictable fire spread.
This level would require the maximum number of resources necessary to
keep the fires within the MMA.
Resources Necessary to Keep the Fire within the MMA by
Management Activity Level
Type of Resource
Engines, Type 6 or 7
Fire Use Module
Crew, Type 1
Helicopter, Type 3
Helicopter, Type 2
Single Engine Air Tanker
Aerial Recon, Fixed Wing
Overhead
Caterer
Lookout
Estimated number of days at
each level of management
activity (the total length of
time is expected to be 15-30
days beyond July 22, 2001).
Monitor
Low
Moderate
High
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
2-4
0-1
0-1
1
0
0
1
6
0
1
3-6
0-1
1-2
1
1
1
1
12-16
1
1
4-8
0-2
2-4
1
1
2
1
14-20
1
1
4-10
4-14
4-20
2-6
XII. CONTINGENCY ACTIONS
Discussion
If the fire crosses the MMA at any point along the perimeter, the
IC will contact the responsible Agency Administrator and provide an
update of the current status and projected outcome. Local
resources and resources assigned to the Complex will be utilized to
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Ecklund Complex
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achieve containment. If conditions warrant or containment is not
projected to be within acceptable tolerances, generally within one
burn period, all further actions will be determined through a new
strategy developed in the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA)
process. The responsible Agency Administrator and IC will consider
“resources at risk and temporal and spatial considerations” when
declaring the fire “an escape.”
Contingency actions will be determined through a WFSA but will likely
include a combination of direct and indirect attack, support with
engines in roaded areas, helicopter and other aerial support, and
additional crew resources.
Resources needed will depend on the specific location of the action
and may include:
 1 – 3 handcrews
 3 – 5 engines
 1 – T3 helicopter
 1 - T2 helicopter
 1 –2 Base Camp Managers
 2 – 4 Division Supervisors
 Single Engine Air Tankers
 Additional support personnel as determined
Mitigation actions have been developed to mitigate or eliminate the
identified threats to the MMA and life and property. If these actions
are unsuccessful, the following contingency actions are identified to
control the spread of fire into unwanted areas:
 Single engine air tankers and several Type II or a Type I
helicopter may be utilized (although may not be available based
on the fire business). Structure protection with engines will be
put in place. If these actions do not stop the fire spread across
the MMA, a WFSA will be prepared. There is the potential for a
Type I or II Incident Management Team if the fire leaves the
MMA and threatens developments. If several widely separated
portions of the MMA are threatened at the same time, consider
ordering a Type II organization.
 If the fires remain active following the rainy season, contingency
resource needs shall be re-evaluated. Because much of the MMA
boundary has road access it is believed that the contingency
resource requirement could be handled with a Type III Fire
Organization and two strike teams of Type III or Type VI
engines. The likelihood of success within the first burning period
would be very high.
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XIII. ESTIATED COSTS
Discussion
Type of Resource
The basis of the estimates described in the below table are
contingent on the resource needs identified in Section XI:
Resources Needed.
Monitor
min
max
Engines, Type 6 or 7
Fire Use Module
Crew, Type 1
Helicopter, Type 3
Low Level
min
max
min
max
min
max
4820
2562
3615
7230
2562
4820
9640
5124
4951
6920
4951
6920
9902
6920
9902
8650
19804
10380
9500
5000
9500
7500
11875
8500
14250
15000
375
2196
750
4392
750
5856
750
5124
750
7320
2625
366
2625
366
5250
366
6920
Caterer
Lookout
375
366
366
375
366
Duration in days
4
375
2196
366
2100
366
500
12,401
1000
23,190
1500
39,094
1500
54,711
1500
54,112
2500
90,384
4
14
4
20
2
6
366
Other Administration 250
250
Total daily cost 1,357 1,357
10
High Level
2410
Helicopter, Type 2
SEAT or larger air
Fixed wing recon
Overhead
Moderate Level
Total estimated cost 5,428 13,570 49,604 324,660 156,376 1,094,220 108,224 542,304
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XIV. SMOKE MANAGEMENT
Discussion
 All identified smoke management actions utilized will be coordinated
with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
through identified BLM staff. Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment will receive fire updates as needed and will be
contacted prior to implementation of any significant (>100 acres)
burnout operations and during periods of major smoke events. Todate, they have been advised 7/19 and 7/23.
 For monitoring of smoke produced by the Ecklund Complex, see the
section titled "Monitoring Actions." If further effects analysis is
desired, fuel consumption and emissions produced can be estimated
using CONSUME, EPM, NFSPUFF EPM, SASEM or other emission
production models.
 Plume trajectory and smoke dispersion can be modeled using
NFSPUFF, a software program used for modeling dispersion over
complex terrain. Worst-case scenarios can be modeled to determine
impacts to communities and high-use areas. Real-time weather data
can be input to estimate smoke transport and intensity on any given
burn day. If specific weather is not available, steering winds may be
used to run the PUFF model.
 Sensitive areas that may be impacted are: Dinosaur National
Monument (Class II Airshed) and high-use visitor corridor along the
Green River. Monitoring during active burning and heavy smoke
events has shown that winds are pushing smoke over the 2000 Buster
Flat Fire to the NE of the Ecklund Fire. The river corridor has
remained clear even during westerly wind events due to uplifting
from the canyon that lifts smoke up and over the rim. Across the
Green River, smoke impacting Highway 318 is a concern. However,
smoke from both fires has been well above the highway and no
comments from the residents around the Highway have been heard.
 Air quality monitoring equipment may be available from cooperators
or regulatory agencies for use if needed.
 If smoke is anticipated to impact any paved roads within the
National Monument, Refuge or BLM lands approved smoke warning
signs and/or pilot cars in conjunction with the County or State
Highway Patrol will be used to insure public safety.
 There are currently few smoke concerns due to the smoke
dispersion direction and amount of smoke production. There are no
sensitive receptors that are currently being impacted by smoke.
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Ecklund Complex
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XV. INFORMATION PLAN
Discussion
This is a general strategy for sharing fire information internally and
externally regarding the Ecklund Fire Complex.
New and extraordinary opportunities for public contact often arise
during management of Wildland Fires and these opportunities should
not be passed by when it comes to educating the public to the
benefits of fire in the ecosystem. It is understood that fire does
not always do what is expected and that this role may shift
substantially during the life of the incident. The Information
Officers will be the point of contact between the BLM, NPS,
USFWS, the Fire Use Management Team and the public and will
accept changing priorities depending on the situation at hand.
Information Plan Objectives
 Produce news releases as necessary.
 Produce fire update sheets every 2-3 days for distribution at
previously designated locations (Including Colorado Welcome
Center, Quarry Visitor Center, Dinosaur Headquarters Visitor
Center, Island Park Overlook, Iron Springs Ranch Overlook, Echo
Park Overlook, Harpers Corner, Blue Mountain Store, Elk Springs
Store, and Deerlodge Park).
 Communicate effectively with cooperators from other agencies
particularly NPS, BLM, and USFWS.
 Provide pertinent information to Visitor Centers, Monuments and
District office information stations on a timely basis.
 Update bulletin boards at various business and government
recreation facilities.
 Attend all Incident Briefings and Strategy Sessions.
 Emphasize the Fire Use Management concept in all distributed
materials.
Means for Key Contacts
External
General community
What: General fire information, projected duration, threats,
impacts to environment, local economy/businesses, fire updates.
How: Information boards at Visitors’ Centers and Ranger Stations,
area trailheads and campgrounds, phone calls, walk in traffic, trap
line, internet
Local or adjacent landowners and residents
What: Fire updates as described for general community.
How: Phone calls, door-to-door visits, walk-ins, public meetings, trap
line visits, fact sheet, internet, PSAs
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Ecklund Complex
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Outfitters & guides
What: Same as above
How: Phone calls, visits, fact sheets – through NPS interpreters.
Elected officials: county commissioners, sheriff, LEPC
What: Same as above
How: Fax press releases, phone calls.
Media
Newspapers, Radio
What: Timely fire updates as events warrant; continue press
contacts as they contact us; news release out of ICP; focus on
Interagency Fire Management Use Concept and interagency
cooperation.
How: News releases, fact sheets, interviews, phone calls, internet
and photos
TV
What: Same as for papers plus video footage of action, flames, oncamera interviews of personnel.
How: Same as above plus on-site visits for video
Internal
IC and team
What: Public contacts; external issues; internal information issues;
rumor control (external and internal); outside fire news.
How: Briefings, meetings, one-on-one; scuttlebutt from the public;
situation report, newspapers, presentations to organized groups.
NPS, USFWS, BLM
What: Fire updates; local public issues.
How: 209, news releases, fact sheets, phone calls.
Concerns and Priorities
Incident Commander:
 Develop plans necessary to protect the public and firefighters.
 Continue to evaluate the impacts of the affected public against
the risk associated with the fire progression.
Local Agency Administrator (NPS, USFWS, BLM):
 Same as IC above
 Coordinate information activities with the Local Agency
administrators
Information Center Operations
 Incoming calls from media, community, internal
 Outgoing calls to media, community, agency.
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





Make contacts with media and other key people.
Post current information internally (ICP) on boards, web
Attend meetings, general coordination
Arrange media, community opportunities and events
Distribute information externally – faxes, phone calls, web
Prepare write-up for Fire Narrative/closeout report.
Field Information Operations
Collect names, phone numbers, etc. of property owners who may be
affected by the fire.
One-on-one contacts with:
 Outfitters & Guides—through NPS interpreters.
 Business – Lodges, Guest Cabins, Local Merchants.
 Colorado Welcome Center.
 Residents
 Elected officials
 Community meetings
Special Projects
Letters of appreciation to internal and external cooperators.
XVI. POST BURN EVALUATION
Discussion
Post-burn evaluations will be conducted with oversight by Hal Kessling
and Dale Beckerman to achieve multiple objectives. Follow-up
evaluations are important to evaluate the degree of accomplishment of
desired fire effects. Secondly, an evaluation of the total operation is
vital to improvement of programmatic efficiency. Specific areas to be
evaluated include, but are not limited to:
 Management and mitigation of safety,
 Protection of developed areas,
 Use of best available science, including weather and fire behavior
forecasts, long-term risk assessments, fire growth simulations if
applicable,
 Public information and education, notification of individuals, groups,
and areas potentially impacted by the fire(s),
 Strategy and tactic development and implementation,
 Consistency with Delegated Authority directions, constraints, and
concerns,
 Consistency with land and resource management plans and fire
management plans,
 Attention to resource management issues and concerns,
 Adequacy of local agency involvement and support,
 Economic effectiveness of management actions.
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XVIII. SIGNATURES AND DATES
Prepared by: Wayne Cook, ICT2
Date
Approved by: John Husband, Little Snake Field Office, BLM
Date
Approved by: Nicky Lindig, Dinosaur National Monument, NPS
Date
Approved by: Mike Bryant, Browns Park Refuge, FWS
Date
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Appendix
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FireFamily Plus Event Locator Report
Listing of Selected Events
Station: 050102 - DINOSAUR NM HQ
May 1 - October 31, 1976 - 2000
Event Definition:
Avg(Min RH) <= 10.00
AND Avg(Dry Bulb Temperature) >= 85.00
AND Avg(Wind Speed) >= 10.00
1-Day Periods
DATE
MnRH
Temp
Wind
--------------------------------08/07/1976
1.00 85.00 14.00
07/18/1983
9.00 93.00 14.00
06/27/1986
8.00 94.00 11.00
07/02/1986
9.00 94.00 11.00
07/29/1986
9.00 89.00 13.00
07/30/1986
10.00 88.00 11.00
06/16/1987
10.00 88.00 13.00
06/30/1989
8.00 90.00 11.00
07/01/1989
5.00 88.00 10.00
09/06/1989
10.00 86.00 16.00
06/28/1990
6.00 92.00 13.00
08/26/1990
10.00 85.00 20.00
07/04/1992
10.00 88.00 12.00
07/06/1992
10.00 89.00 10.00
06/28/1993
8.00 90.00 23.00
06/04/1994
10.00 86.00 10.00
06/06/1994
5.00 85.00 14.00
06/13/1994
10.00 90.00 12.00
06/15/1994
10.00 86.00 12.00
06/16/1994
10.00 86.00 12.00
06/25/1994
5.00 95.00 10.00
06/26/1994
5.00 96.00 15.00
07/01/1994
8.00 92.00 10.00
08/25/1994
10.00 88.00 12.00
07/26/1995
8.00 90.00 10.00
08/07/1995
10.00 91.00 15.00
06/24/1996
7.00 85.00 11.00
06/25/1996
4.00 85.00 16.00
08/05/1996
8.00 86.00 16.00
08/20/1996
10.00 85.00 10.00
09/04/1996
6.00 85.00 10.00
06/05/1997
10.00 85.00 11.00
06/22/1997
10.00 90.00 19.00
06/27/1997
9.00 89.00 18.00
06/28/1997
10.00 87.00 11.00
06/29/1997
10.00 86.00 12.00
06/30/1997
8.00 86.00 13.00
07/26/1997
6.00 90.00 10.00
07/17/1998
8.00 93.00 12.00
05/28/2000
10.00 88.00 26.00
05/29/2000
9.00 89.00 20.00
05/30/2000
8.00 90.00 42.00
05/31/2000
8.00 87.00 26.00
06/05/2000
4.00 91.00 10.00
06/07/2000
06/24/2000
07/03/2000
07/05/2000
WFIP Stage III, 3/7/16
4.00
9.00
6.00
4.00
94.00
87.00
86.00
88.00
13.00
10.00
16.00
12.00
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