Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 463

to successfully reintroduce native plants in all of the physiographic regions, more frequent
prescribed burning could take place.
Prescribed Fire Management Practice 1: Prescribed fires should only be considered for
ecological management. Prescribed fire is a useful management tool to maintain fire-dependent
ecosystems and restore those that are out of balance (USFS, 2006). Additionally, prescribed fire
can be used to eliminate invasive plant species to some extent. It is in the best interest of Metro
Parks and Recreation to limit all prescribed fire events to instances where burning will maintain
or improve existing ecosystems.
Prescribed Fire Management Practice 2: Require mandatory 'Prescribed Burn Plans' for every
prescribed fire event. Prescribed Burn Plans, already a Metro Parks and Recreation practice
(Appendix 2), are a crucial planning step to organizing a needed prescribed fire event. By
requiring Prescribed Burn Plans, fire managers will be required to consider fuel load, weather
conditions, the number and training of fire crew, and negative air quality effects caused by the
fire. All plans must contain the following elements:
1. Location Description
2. Sources of Emergency Assistance
3. Permits and Official Notifications
4. Neighbor/Park Users Notifications
5. Fire Unit Description
6. Detailed Maps: Site Location and Fuels Map
7. Prescribed Burn Justification
8. Fuel and Weather Prescriptions
9. Predicted Fire Behavior (modeled)
10. Fire