Protecting People And Sustaining Resources In Fire Adapted Ecosystems

The strategy establishes a framework that restores and maintains ecosystem health in fire-adapted ecosystems for priority areas across the interior West. In accomplishing this, it is intended to improve the resilience and sustainability of forests and grasslands at risk, conserve priority watersheds, species and biodiversity, reduce wildland fire costs, losses, and damages, and better ensure public and firefighter safety.

In Aug. 2001 the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior joined the Western Governors¿ Assoc., Nat. Assoc. of State Foresters, Nat. Assoc. of Counties, and the Intertribal Timber Council to endorse this Strategy. The four goals of the 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy are: Improve fire prevention and suppression; reduce hazardous fuels; restore fire-adapted ecosystems; and promote community assistance. Its three guiding principles are: (1) Priority setting that emphasizes the protection of communities and other high-priority watersheds at-risk; (2) Collaboration among governments and broadly representative stakeholders; and (3) Accountability through performance measures & monitoring for results. Illustrations.