National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy enters final stretch

The federal government hopes to answer the wildfire question with a three-year strategy session that’s wrapping up this month. 

The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy effort began after Congress’ 2009 FLAME Act was put into action. On Dec. 15, the Strategy enters a last comment period before it becomes a final draft action plan on Feb. 16.

The process resembles a city’s efforts to manage its fire department: How many fire stations do we need and where should they be located? Do we need more ladder trucks or haz-mat vehicles? Unfortunately, wildland fire isn’t nearly as well understood as urban fire.