Fire Management Policies

The policies that govern fire management are very complex because of the variety of interests, perspectives, and goals of the interested organizations.  The structure, codes, and management styles of fire operations vary somewhat among agencies.  The sets of regulations that govern prescribed fire differs from those that govern wildfire management.  A number of agencies and private parties manage prescribed burn programs and participate in wildland fire operations.  In cases where multiple agencies are involved in wildfire control and suppression operations, they all adhere to a universal Incident Command System.  In addition to policies that specifically address fire, land use planning, zoning, and building codes at the national, state, and local levels can help to protect people and property in the event of a fire. 

• Federal Laws:  Policies established by the federal government regulate fire management at the national level.  This section includes the table "Federal Legislation Governing Cultural Resources that Also Affects Fire Management" (Table:Federal Legislation Governing Cultural Resources that Also Affects Fire Management) and a review of national legislation related to the aesthetics of American landscapes.
• State Prescribed Burn Statutes:  This section brief summaries of current statutory law pertaining to prescribed fires in the in 13 states in the U.S. South plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 
• Local Laws:  Local governments establish laws governing prescribed fire at the community level.