Community Assistance

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Arizona



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Community Assistance

Arizona’s public lands are as uniquely beautiful as each desert sunset. And yet, that brilliant red color which lights up the southwest’s evening sky can instantly signal danger and destruction when it becomes associated with shooting flames streaking across the horizon.

Sadly, the majority of fires on BLM-managed public lands in Arizona are human caused. Whether the blazes are started by a careless camper or a thoughtless vandal, the result can end lives, destroy homes and devastate natural resources.

Fire prevention and education are two of the most important tools fire specialists can use to protect people and the land. These specialists want both Arizona’s residents, as well as visitors, to understand what precautions should be taken, and why some activities create the risk of igniting a fire.

The goal of the BLM’s fire education program is to reduce the number of human-caused fires, ultimately protecting lives, property and the environment. This also helps to ensure that firefighters can be available to manage or suppress naturally caused fires when they occur. To do this, the BLM undertakes several outreach initiatives, including:

Fire & Aviation

Aviation
Wildland Fire Operations
Fire Planning
Fuels Management
Safety
Training
Community Assistance
Fire Restrictions
Reporting a Wildfire
Firefighting Jobs

Community outreach
Communication plans
Interagency coordination
Targeting of common origins and causes of human-caused fires
Public information and multi-media messaging
Product development and distribution methods

Ready Reserve Program

The Ready Reserve Program was developed solely to assist rural and volunteer fire departments with costs associated with training firefighters to meet national requirements. The BLM is able to hold training sessions through a unique interagency process, where the Arizona State Land Department provides the money to rural and volunteer fire departments which assist in the suppression of wildland fires on federal lands.

In 2006, the BLM was fortunate to receive $50,000 to train Rural Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Department personnel at the Arizona Wildfire Academy. Additionally, the agency received $33,000 to establish a mobile training program for firefighters who were unable to attend the academy.

Rural Fire Assistance

Rural fire departments supply invaluable assistance to federal agencies each year during fire season, providing personnel and equipment to manage wildland fires across Arizona. The BLM is able to provide funding to rural and volunteer fire departments through its Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) programs. In 2006, the BLM allocated over $475,000 to rural fire department personnel training, personal protection equipment, radios and associated firefighting gear. Agency partners in this program include the Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona State Fire Marshall and the Arizona Fire District Association. A strict process is followed, and fire departments requesting federal funds must detail their wildland firefighting efforts and priorities. An interagency board then prioritizes these applications for funding assistance, and money is then allocated.

BLM Arizona is an active partner with local governments, local firefighting agencies and state and federal land management agencies. Through this cooperative partnership, Community Wildfire Protection Plans and Wildfire Hazard and Mitigation Plans are developed, fuel treatments are planned and implemented, school education programs are implemented and defensible space concepts are taught to private landowners and community groups. Several community plans have been completed around the state in recent years. These plans include:

Prevention Links