Q: Will Forest Service work continue?
A: Our mission-critical work, such as suppressing wildfires, law enforcement and other public service responsibilities, will continue within appropriate risk management strategies, current guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, and local health and safety guidelines. At this time, the Forest Service continues to remain operational, and we are committed to the continuity of our mission.
In areas of community spread where telework has been maximized, we are working to exercise our technology capabilities where possible to ensure connection and service to the public. Many activities, approvals, and field work will be accomplished remotely or in a manner that limits exposure.
Q: Will recreation sites and facilities stay open?
A: In coordination with state and local health and safety guidelines, National Forests remain open however recreation services at our facilities may be changed, suspended or offered through alternate approaches as we manage for the health and safety of our work force and the public. Agency direction tasks local managers to perform risk assessments of our facilities and limit congregations of people and person to person interactions. Our decisions will align with local city, county and state actions to provide for human health and safety (ie. quarantine, curfew, and other social restrictions).
Q: Can the public still make reservations through www.recreation.gov?
A: The Forest Service continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and evaluate potential impacts and adjustments to reservations and our reservation policies through Recreation.gov. Reservation holders will be notified via email and/or cell phone text messages if there are any changes affecting their reservation. In the event of delayed openings of some, part or all of the campgrounds and cabins to ensure safe social distancing, visitors will receive a full refund for their reservation. Please remember to review current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and focus on recreating safely while protecting yourself, Forest Service employees and our volunteers.
Q: Can the public still visit visitor centers and other large gathering facilities?
A: In coordination with state and local health and safety guidelines, National Forests remain open however recreation services at our facilities may be changed, suspended or offered through alternate approaches as we manage for the health and safety of our work force and the public. Agency direction tasks local managers to perform risk assessments of our facilities and limit congregations of people and person to person interactions. Our decisions will align with local city, county and state actions to provide for human health and safety (ie. quarantine, curfew, and other social restrictions).
Q: What can the public do to practice social distancing while recreating on National Forest System lands?
A: Visitors to our National Forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
Q: What will happen to current special-use permits?
A: Special Use Permits will remain valid and in effect. Monitoring work associated with permit administration may experience delays. Valid permits issued for uses that focus on customer service, such as ski resorts, organizational camps, club activities, etc. will remain in effect and operations will be under the discretion of the organization or individual holding the permit.
Q: Will land exchange projects continue?
A: Land exchange projects will continue and may experience delays associated as the agency transitions to virtual delivery of mission work.
Q: Will active mining projects continue to operate?
A: Plans of operations for active mining projects will continue. Administration of monitoring activities or processing minerals or mining requests may experience delays as employees try to do business in new ways.
Q: Will timber and vegetation management projects continue?
A: As appropriate within current department direction, field work will continue to focus on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards and maintaining forest health. Meetings will be limited to minimum levels necessary to complete tasks. Work will continue either in office or remote.
Q: What about non-essential operations related to research and data collection?
A: For non-essential operations and functions, field work (i.e. timber surveys, permit inspections, prescribed fire, scientific surveys and forest health monitoring) related to critical research and forest health may be impacted temporarily or permanently with loss in annual data collection. The severity of impact, the loss of data collection will depend upon the critical nature of the program and connections with customers.
Q: Will administration of grazing permits continue?
A: Administration of current grazing (yearlong and winter grazing allotments for example) will continue. Allotment inspections may be delayed but will continue. Planning and other annual rotation adjustment meetings can continue to occur remotely or in accordance with CDC/OPM guidance.
Q: How will the Forest Service respond to wildfires?
A: Our essential mission functions, such as suppressing wildfires and other public health and safety responsibilities, will continue within appropriate risk management strategies, current guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, and local health and safety guidelines. We are currently evaluating and updating our approach and strategies to prepared and respond to wildfires in light of the new risks presented by the Coronavirus.
Q: What will happen if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs among firefighters?
A: The USDA Forest Service and Department of the Interior are updating plans and responses for various disease outbreak scenarios in the United States, including the “Pandemic Response and Preparedness Plan for the Federal Wildland Fire Agencies,” and the “Infectious Diseases Guidelines for Wildland Fire Incident Management Teams”. These plans institute appropriate mitigation activities during wildland fire response actions to ensure national wildland fire response capability.
Q: Has the USDA Forest Service paused its prescribed burning program in response to COVID-19 risks?
A: The USDA Forest Service has not issued agency-wide direction to pause all prescribed burning activity. The USDA Forest Service is taking a risk-informed approach to managing prescribed fire by evaluating the following factors: (1) the ability to maintain fire responder viability and sustainability; (2) potential smoke impacts to communities from prescribed fire and how that interacts with COVID-19 effects; and (3) the ability to use local resources so inter-state travel is not necessary. We will continue to adapt as the situation evolves and work in coordination with local and state health organizations.
Q: How will the changes to USDA Forest Service prescribed fire operations affect the wildfire risk for the year?
A: The level of impact will depend on multiple factor, including the severity of the impact of COVID-19 across the country. Wildfire risk is greatly dependent on weather, so the actual risk from a wildfire could be higher or lower than average depending on the weather we experience this summer.
Q: How is smoke being managed for prescribed fires that were lit prior to the regional pause?
A: Fire officials continue to monitor all ongoing prescribed fire projects. As always, we will continue to work in close coordination with local and state health organizations and make any necessary changes should the need arise.