Section R18-2-1508. Wildland Fire Use: Plan, Authorization, Moni- toring; Inter-agency Consultation; Status Reporting

A.      In order for ADEQ to participate in the wildland fire use deci- sion-making process, the F/SLM shall notify ADEQ as soon as practicable of any wildland fire use incident projected to attain or attaining a size of 50 acres of timber fuel or 250 acres of brush or grass fuel.

B.       For each wildland fire use incident that has been declared as such by the F/SLM, the F/SLM shall complete and submit to ADEQ a Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan in a format approved by ADEQ in cooperation with the F/SLM. The F/SLM shall sub- mit the Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan to ADEQ as soon as practicable but no later than 72 hours after the wildland fire use incident is declared or under consideration for such desig- nation. The F/SLM shall include the following information in the Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan:

1.        An emergency telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

2.        Anticipated burn prescription;

3.        Anticipated smoke management prescription;

4.        The estimated daily number of acres, quantity, and type of fuel to be burned;

5.        The anticipated maximum allowable perimeter or size with map;

6.        Information on the condition of the area to be burned, such as whether it is in maintenance or restoration, its ecological function, and other indicators of fire resil- iency;

7.        The anticipated duration of the wildland fire use incident;

8.        The anticipated long-range weather trends for the site;

9.        A map depicting the potential impact of the smoke. The potential impact shall be determined by mapping both the daytime and nighttime smoke path and down-drainage flow for 15 miles from the wildland fire use incident, with smoke-sensitive areas delineated. Mapping is man- datory unless waived either orally or in writing by ADEQ. The map shall use the appropriate scale to show the impacts of the smoke adequately; and

10.     Modeling or monitoring of smoke impacts, if requested by ADEQ after consultation with the F/SLM.

C.      ADEQ shall approve or disapprove a Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan within three hours of receipt. ADEQ shall consult directly with the requesting F/SLM before disapproving a Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan. If ADEQ fails to address the Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan within the time allotted, the Plan is approved by default under the condition that the F/SLM makes a good faith effort to contact ADEQ to confirm that the Plan was received. Approval by ADEQ of a Wildland Fire Use Burn Plan is binding upon ADEQ for the duration of the wild- land fire use incident, unless smoke from the incident creates a threat to public health or welfare. If a threat to public health or welfare is created, ADEQ shall consult with the F/SLM regarding the situation and develop a joint action plan for reducing further smoke impacts.

D.      The F/SLM shall submit a Daily Status Report for each wild- land fire use incident to ADEQ for each day of the burn that the fire burns more than 100 acres in timber or slash fuels or 300 acres in brush or grass fuels. The F/SLM shall include a synopsis of smoke behavior, future daily anticipated growth, and location of the activity of the wildland fire use incident in the Daily Status Report.

E.       The F/SLM shall consult with ADEQ prior to initiating human-made ignition on the wildland fire use incident when greater than 250 acres is anticipated to be burned by the igni- tion. Emergency human-made ignition on the incident for pro- tection of public or fire-fighter safety does not require consultation with ADEQ regardless of the size of the area to be burned.

F.       The F/SLM shall ensure that there is appropriate signage and notification to protect public safety on transportation corridors including roadways and airports during a wildland fire use incident.

Historical Note

Adopted effective October 8, 1996 (Supp. 96-4).

Amended by final rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 388, effective March 16, 2004 (Supp. 04-1).