New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 6 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Chapter II - LANDS AND FORESTS
Part 194 - Forest Practices
Section 194.3 - Prescribed fire management plan for state land under the jurisdiction of the department
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
No prescribed fire shall be set unless a prescribed fire management plan has been prepared in advance and approved in writing by the department. Prescribed fire plans shall address all the following requirements; except that prescribed fire plans for natural ignitions will not include cost estimates, preparation work descriptions, test fire procedures and the ignition method or pattern. Additional requirements may be added to a prescribed fire plan as needed to achieve unique fire objectives or to meet local requirements.
(a) Fire unit description: a narrative description of the physical and biological features of the fire unit, including topography, fuels and vegetation.
(b) Vicinity map: a map at the appropriate scale showing the relationship of the fire unit to the surrounding area.
(c) Project map: a detailed map at the appropriate scale of the project area, showing project boundary (including distance between project and adjacent lands or property to be protected), topographic features, potential hazards, control lines, ignition pattern and other relevant information.
(d) Goals and objectives: a statement of the goals and objectives to be accomplished by the prescribed fire. It should include the purpose of the prescribed fire as well as measurable objectives such as tons of fuel to be consumed, percent of mineral soil to be exposed or percent of vegetative species controlled.
(e) Cost: an itemized estimate of the costs involved for each segment of the prescribed fire: planning, ignition or firing, mop-up, patrol and any other costs.
(f) Equipment and personnel: a list of equipment and personnel, including personnel duty titles, needed on site and on standby.
(g) Fire prescription: the description of the acceptable range of fire weather, fuel and soil moisture, fuel quantity and fire behavior conditions to achieve the desired effects.
(h) Weather information: an outline of prefire desired weather conditions and procedures for obtaining spot weather information during the prescribed fire and for smoke dispersal forecasts.
(i) Preparation work: a list of required activities required to take place prior to ignition, including but not limited to fire lines, special features to be protected and installation of monitoring equipment.
(j) Protection of special features: a list of instructions and actions to take to protect sensitive features within and adjacent to the prescribed fire project site. Such features include but are not limited to, historic and archeological sites, gas and oil wells, streams, habitats Of threatened and endangered species that would be adversely impacted by the prescribed fire, adjacent structures and fragile soils.
(k) Smoke management: identify potential smoke affected areas and smoke management strategies to avoid such areas, and to reduce and/or disperse emissions to minimize any adverse effect on the environment, including human health and welfare. Also describe procedures to comply with applicable State and local regulations.
(l) Prefire coordination and public involvement: where applicable, establish responsibility for preburn coordination with affected agencies, lessees and landowners. Assess the need for public envolvement and media contacts in advance of the prescribed fire and take action where necessary.
(m) Fire day notification: establish responsibility for fire day contacts. List individuals, lessees, agencies and public groups to be contacted, how contacts will be accomplished and by whom.
(n) Public and personnel safety: a description of safety and emergency procedures. List pertinent names and means of contact. Identify emergency medical evacuation routes and facilities.
(o) Communications: a list of key communication contacts and telephone numbers.
(p) Briefing guidelines and "go" or "no go" checklist: a description of the project procedures which should be reviewed with those conducting the prescribed fire to make sure all involved personnel are familiar with them. The checklist must be completed prior to ignition and will describe the conditions beyond which the prescribed fire must not be ignited. Provide the name of the individual who has the authority to issue the "go" or "no go" command.
(q) Test fire: a list of procedures for conducting a test fire to determine whether the ground and atmospheric conditions meet the requirements established in the prescribed fire plan.
(r) Firing, containment, mop-up and patrol: a description of the method of ignition, ignition pattern, containment, mop-up and patrol procedures. Include personnel, equipment and standards for each action.
(s) Contingency: identify potential fire escapes and specify actions to be taken should such an event occur. Designate a person in charge of suppression action and identify the personnel and equipment available for suppression.
(t) Monitoring and evaluation: a description of the variables that will be monitored and evaluated to determine if project objectives have been met. Establish time frame guidelines and personnel and equipment requirements.
(u) Rehabilitation: a description of standards for site clean up and erosion control and for site restoration, if needed.
(v) Necessary support documentation: a listing of all documentation necessary to support (as applicable) all elements of the prescribed fire plan.
(w) Required signatures and approvals: the names and signature lines of the preparers of the prescribed fire plan and those who have the authority to review and approve the plan and modifications of the plan.
