Last updated: November 21, 2023
Article
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment in fire planning pays off
The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided approximately $1.5 billion for the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) wildland fire management program. Primary investments of these funds include reducing risk, wildfire recovery, workforce improvements, technology and equipment, and supporting science.
National parks in the Intermountain Region have used Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to supplement and enhance the wildland fire planning capacity at the regional office level. Specialized planning staff have proven instrumental in meeting these needs, especially within wildfire risk and recovery emphasis areas. A 2022 internal audit of fire planning documents highlighted the need for widespread revisions to reflect current policy and conditions. Newly-hired regional fire planning staff have engaged with fire management officers supporting 80 park units to review all existing park Fire Management Plans in the region, their associated compliance efforts, and decision documents.
The following is a snapshot of several key outcomes from just over a year of enhanced IMR fire planning capacity due to BIL funding:
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Assessed and prioritized fire program planning needs across the region
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Created new fire planning document standards and templates to meet current and future needs
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Developed a collaborative forum with park fire staff to identify, discuss, and resolve fire planning issues
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Instrumental in assisting and drafting several new park-level fire management plans (with many more in progress of revision)
This investment in fire planning will help prepare the national parks within the National Park Service's Intermountain Region for the next fire season and beyond.