Randy EardleyAssistant Chief, External AffairsBureau of Land Management, NIFC

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.”

“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”

“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master – that’s all.”

from “Through the Looking Glass”by Lewis Carroll

resource benefit

confine

containincident objectivesprotection

response

initial action

use of wildland fire

initial attack

suppressionfire typerange of activities

NWCG

Fire Reporting Subcommittee / Fire Environment Committee

Fire Policy Committee

Fire Policy Committee definitions and uses will be posted at NWCG web site once finalized

Expected Soon!

The Trees or the Forest? The Sagebrush or the Rangeland?

A Wider View

Just Tell the Story

Simply, Directly

Three PremisesThree Premises

1.1. Safety will always be the top priority.Safety will always be the top priority.

2.2. Public isn’t interested in bureaucratic discussion of policy.Public isn’t interested in bureaucratic discussion of policy.They want to know what we’re doing, how, why, when They want to know what we’re doing, how, why, when and where.and where.

3. Public and media understand more than we often3. Public and media understand more than we oftengive them credit for. give them credit for.

What: We are aggressively putting out the fire everywhere along the lineexcept on the far eastern side. Our efforts there will focus on confining it in the Wilson Creek drainage.

Why: Because it’s threatening homes and critical power lines.In Wilson Creek, the fire is less threatening and actually doing some good in it’s natural role, such as clearing out some of the heavy growth. That will result in a healthier forest and help reduce future fire threats.

How: We have firefighters, engines and dozers on the line; and we’re using both helicopters dropping water and aircraft dropping retardant for support. We have fewer people on the west side where we’re using the rock cliffsas natural barriers and focusing confining the fire in the drainage.

Examples

When: Barring any unexpected weather changes, we hope to have the fire threatening homes and the power lines out by tomorrow evening.

We will continue to monitor the Wilson Creek area into late next week or as long as necessary.Who: We are all working together here. There are firefighters from the local

county department and state crews along with Forest Service, National Park Service and BLM.

Simply put….•A single fire can now be managed to achieve one or multiple goals.

•We will continue to be as aggressive as ever in putting out fires threatening lives, homes or critical resources.

•Where it’s appropriate for the resources, fire may be allowed to achieve its natural role on all or part of a fire.

This change results in:•More efficient use of firefighting resources•Greater benefits to natural resources

Summary• Breathe. Keep it all in perspective.

Remember, converting to new terminology is a process.

• Resist the urge to use jargon or get overly wrapped up in definitions.

• Focus on telling the story of what, why, when, where and who.