Series: NPS Archeology Guide: Cultural Resources and Fire

This chapter of the NPS Archeology Guide informs NPS personnel about their responsibilities and help them to integrate cultural resource management with park fire management operations. Advance planning, cooperation, and coordination are key elements in ensuring that cultural resources are fully considered when planning and implementing wildland and structural fire-related activities. Employee and public safety is the first priority in every management and fire-related activity.

• Article 1: Introduction and Index

  The Cultural Resources and Fire chapter provides guidance for managing and protecting cultural resources that may be affected by wildland fires. The chapter is intended to inform superintendents; cultural resource managers; wildland fire program managers; and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 coordinators about their responsibilities and help them to integrate cultural resource management with fire management operations. Read more

• Article 2: Cultural Resources and Fire Preparedness

  Every unit in the National Park System contains cultural resources that, potentially, can be damaged by fire, fire treatment measures, inappropriate post-fire demolition, or ineffective rehabilitation. Cultural resource managers and park superintendents can take proactive steps to protect cultural resources ahead of a fire incident. Read more

• Article 3: Cultural Resources and Fire Planning

  Wildland fire is one of the most prevalent forces that affect park resources. To protect against ravages of fire, management programs require methodical planning far in advance of any fire event. Deferring involvement until fire is on the ground increases the chance of unacceptable outcomes for cultural resources. Planning can mitigate adverse effects of fire and effects of management of fire on cultural resources and requires involvement by cultural resource specialists. Read more

• Article 4: Structural Fires and Cultural Resources

  This section of the Cultural Resources and Fire module provides guidance for park structural fire coordinators (PSFCs); cultural resource managers; NHPA Section 106 coordinators; and park superintendents to ensure that cultural resources are fully considered and evaluated when developing and implementing structural fire management plans. Integration of cultural resources into the planning process will ensure that they are better protected during structural fires. Read more

• Article 5: Fire Management and Cultural Resource Laws

  This section of Cultural Resources and Fire reminds wildland and structural fire managers and park superintendents of the need to comply with relevant cultural resource Federal laws, DOI and NPS policies, and Executive Order 13175 when carrying out their responsibilities. Read more

• Article 6: Consultation for Compliance with Cultural Resource Laws

  Cultural resource laws require consultation before finalizing Federal planning and implementation. Depending on the specific mandate, participants may be different. and include State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other parties. This section of Cultural Resources and Fire is intended for any park personnel who may be involved in arranging and participating in consultations. Read more

• Article 7: NHPA Programmatic Agreements and Fire

  A programmatic agreement can provide an alternative consultation process by facilitating agreement beforehand between the park, relevant State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and appropriate American Indian tribal authorities. Read more

• Article 8: Cultural Resource Data for Fire Management

  This section in Cultural Resources and Fire discusses information sources and considerations for developing cultural resource information for fire planning purposes. The guidance is intended to assist cultural resource managers who coordinate with fire program managers to ensure that cultural resources are considered in planning and implementing wildland fire activities. Read more

• Article 9: Managing Cultural Resources During Wildfires

  This section of the Cultural Resources and Fire module provides guidance for park superintendents; cultural resource managers; NHPA Section 106 coordinators; and wildland fire program managers to ensure that cultural resources are fully considered when responding to unplanned fires and to ensure that response protocols and implementation comply with Federal cultural resource laws and policies and Executive Order 13175. Read more

• Article 10: Fuel Reduction and Cultural Resources

  Careful planning can result in a fuel reduction project that mutually benefits the wildland fire program and cultural resource program. This section of Cultural Resources and Fire provides guidance to ensure that planning and implementation of fuel reduction projects comply with Federal cultural resource laws and policies, and Executive Order 13175. Read more

• Article 11: Cultural Resources and Post-Wildland Fire Programs

  National parks are responsible for taking prompt action to determine their needs to protect, stabilize, and prevent unacceptable resource degradation after a wildland fire. The protection of cultural resources is an integral part of this effort. Following a wildfire, the cultural resource manager for the park may be presented with stewardship challenges ranging from erosion to invasive species. Read more

• Article 12: Cultural Resources Monitoring and Fire

  Cultural resource monitoring is a necessary part of an effective fire program. The cultural resource content of a fire management plan includes a description of monitoring procedures that will be carried out for prescribed fire burn projects, mechanical fuel reduction projects, wildfire suppression activities, and post-fire rehabilitation and stabilization projects. Read more

• Article 13: Authorities for Management of Cultural Resources in National Park Units

  This section lists the authorities for preparing the technical guidance in "Cultural Resources and Fire." Read more

• Article 14: Cultural Resources Management and Fire: Toolbox

  The documents in the Toolbox provide informal information and examples useful to cultural resource managers and cultural resource advisors (READs) assigned to fire activities. The documents supplement the plans and policies issued by the NPS. Read more

• Article 15: Cultural Resources Management and Fire: Useful Resources

  Laws, regulations, policy, and other documents referenced in this guidance and other resources to assist NPS staff in protecting cultural resources before, during, and after fires. Read more

• Article 16: Credits

  This chapter may be cited as: National Park Service Archeology Resource Manual (NPS 28A): Cultural Resources Management and Fire. Archeology Program, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, 2013. For additional information contact: Karen Mudar, karen_mudar(at)nps.gov. Read more