Unaweep WFM Colorado BLM

Grand Junction, CO

Home Unit Upper Colorado River

Interagency Fire Management

UnaweepUnaweep FactsFacts

-FIRST and ONLY BLM Wildland Fire Module -Core crew of 7 members

-Module Leader (PFT)-Assistant Module Leader (Career Seasonal)-Two Crew Leads (Career Seasonal)-3 Crewmembers (Seasonal)

-Season of Availability April 1-Oct. 15 (Could be longer with a full crew of non-seasonal employees)

-Received National FUM Status in August 2004-Highly trained and experienced personnel considered

one of the leading WFM’s in the country.

Unaweep WFM Mission

UNAWEEP WFM exists to provide land management agencies with a highly skilled, mobile, and mission specific workforce.

Principally assigned to MMO fires, prescribed fire projects, and wildland fire suppression incidents, to assist with fire management policy implementation.

On Wildland Fire Assignments-Fill key roles in Wildland Fire command structure

from IC, FEMO, and SOPL. Assist in development LTIP/ WFDDS process.

-Prepare and develop IAP’s during ICT4 events.

-Suggest/ Assist local managers with Management Objectives and concerns for MMO incidents.

-Provide monitoring with written, electronic, and photo documentation of fire events.

-Provide daily weather, smoke, fire behavior, and fuel moisture documentation.

Dearstyne , planning, Gunbarrel MMO Fire, WY

-Complete Structure Assessment’s, and implement structure protection as needed.

-Bring specialized equipment too assist in management of MMO/ AMR incidents.

-Provide support in every stage of the implementation of Wildland Fire Events, from establishing/ implementing MMA’s, conducting tactical operations (i.e. burnouts), to monitoring (i.e. Veg. plot’s).

-Provide knowledge of common language, policy, strategies, and tactics associated with MMO/ AMR/ Fire Use Incidents.

1 year after Post Burn Monitoring, Dominguez MMO Fire, Grand Junction, CO

Unaweep WFM burnout operations to protect Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat on BLM lands

during the Lion Creek MMO Fire near Paradox, CO

Hike; GPS fire perimeter/ growth; recon ahead/behind fire to identify management actions points, water sources; provide information for

managers; locate/asses structures; find and inform publics

Rock Goblin Lookout, Meadow Creek MMO Fire, CO

Photo Documentation; Johnson Grass, fire behavior during prescribed fire operations in Arizona.

Buenos Aires NWR, AZ

On Prescribed Fire Assignments

-Fill key roles in Rx Fire command structure from FIRB to RXB2.

-Monitor live/dead fuel moistures, and other parameters to meet Rx fire prescription.

-Provide daily weather, smoke, fire behavior, photo documentation.

-Provide Fire Effects Monitors.

- Assist with Burn Plan writing, assembly, unit designation, and unit planning/ layout

-Establish vegetation plots, photo plots, and fuel transects to meet monitoring needs.

-Perform Rx fire operations and any associated prep work.

- Bring specialized equipment too assist in management of Rx Fire.

Prince Creek RX Accurate Cost SummariesGlenwood Springs BLM Field OfficeCarbondale, CO6 Working Shifts

TOTAL HOURS FOR ALL PERSONNEL AND COSTS REGULAR OVERTIME HAZARD HOLIDAY NIGHT

HOURS COSTS HOURS COSTS COSTS COSTS COSTSMODULE OPERATIONS 0 $0.00 0 $0.00      PRESCRIBED FIRE PLANNING 0 $0.00 0 $0.00      HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION 0 $0.00 0 $0.00      TRAVEL 81 $1,812.30 6 $208.81      TRAINING 0 $0.00 0 $0.00      PRESCRIBED FIRE - IMPLEMENTATION 60 $1,273.80 60 $1,777.05      ADMIN 12 $263.88 8 $279.09      PRESCRIBED FIRE - PREPARATION 117 $2,645.42 0 $0.00      WILDLAND FIRE 0 $0.00 0 $0.00     

TOTAL 270 $5,995.40 74 $2,264.95 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

TOTAL BLM PERSONNEL COSTS $6,664.16PROJECT ACCOUNT (BLM) # LF31010WU JW0000 LFHFEP130000 LLCO937000

TOTAL USFS PERSONNEL COSTS $1,596.19 PROJECT ACCOUNT (USFS) # WFXF18TOTAL COSTS $8,260.35  

PROJECT DATES: 5/12-5/18/2009 6/9-6/10/2009TOTAL VEHICLE COSTS $739.49

TOTAL PER DIEM COSTS/ MISCELLANEOUS $96.96LINE PREP (CH) 100

MIPF (AC)  WF - FIRE USE (AC)  

WF - SUPPRESSION (AC)  HAZARD FUELS TREATED (AC) 114 $79.80 per acre for the Module

OTHER (AC)  $41.20 per acre charged to the Prince Creek account. Including all prep work for the RX.

GRAND TOTAL: $9,096.81

           

TOTAL COVERED BY MODULE ACCOUNT $4,399.21 48%

TOTAL COST TO BLM/USFS PROJECT ACCOUNTS $4,697.60 52%

Prescribed Fire Specialized Assistance

East Sopris RX, Aspen COPine Mt. RX, Gateway CO

Assisting Tera-Torch firing operations Holly Miller using the monitor of the Tatra to extinguish fire near control lines

Why do you need extra documentation on a Fire?

• Advantage of having a WFM document Weather, Fire Behavior, and Smoke Observations, is to provide quality information to be used by the FBAN and LTAN in making long and short term fire behavior predictions.

• Documentation can assist fire managers with predictions and implementation of MMO/ AMR in future years in like situations.

• Structure Assements with Site/ Structure Protection Plans are invaluable documentation for future fire planning.

• Samples of some of the FEMO/ FOBS documentation are as follows-

Video/Photographic DocumentationSemi-Truck roll over within the Lion Creek Fire

Burn Severity Meadow Creek MMO Fire, CO

Vegetation Monitoring

Josh Hill photo plots, Battlements RX, Colbran CO

Invaluable Fire Reconnaissance• Most members of Unaweep are FOBS or FOBS(t)

giving the ability to split up into small teams to determine fire intelligence/needs for a large area in short periods of time.

• Holding concerns, structures/sites, and associated needs to protect each, fire behavior predictions in the real time, fuel monitoring/characteristics, establishment of MAP’s/considerations.

• Ability to answer questions for mangers such as: Is the fire accomplishing resource goals? Where is the fire likely to go? What is the public reaction to the fire?

ATV ahead of the fireRecon of the Ruby Mt. Mining Site

East Slide Rock Ridge WFU, NV

Cabin Site Found

Unaweep WFM Equipment4 x 4 truck 2

Trailers 2

046 stihl chainsaws 6

Crosscut Saw 1

ATV’s (1 ATV power torch) 2

Drip torches 10

Laptop computer/fire software 2

Portable printer 1

Digital camera 4

Garmin GPS 7

Trimble GPS 2

Generator 1

Quion Dual Launcher/ assorted firing devices

Various.

Fuels Oven (with tins) 1

Fuel 75 gal Gas/Diesel

Satellite phone 1

Handtools 10

Cooking equipment VariousFrimel, Cross Cut, Meadow Creek MMO, CO

Unaweep WFM Logistical Considerations

Colorado River Yarmony Mt. RX, CO

• Unaweep arrives self sufficient for two-seven days upon request. The Module can be self sufficient up to 9 days at a time by buying groceries and cooking. Food costs are ~$4.50 per meal per person. Compared with MRE’s which are ~$12.50 each, or a Caterer charging up to $18.00 per meal. Per-diem is not charged since all food is purchased by a Gov CC.

• Unaweep has 4 purchase cards able to make logistical arrangements.

• Module costs: Personnel: ~ $160.00 per hour & $240.00 per overtime hour Trucks: $0.83 per mile

• The module’s base 8 hours are negotiable for fuels projects, but not for fire incidents. The requesting unit will cover overtime, travel, mileage, and other incident associated costs.

Cansa Bluffs WF, AK

Hayes, battling the dragon, Lion Creek MMO Fire, CO

• Module Leader: Sam Dearstyne 970-257-4821 phone• e-mail: Samuel_Dearstyne@blm.gov 970-257-4850 fax• 970-589-6812 cell• Qualifications: ICT4, STLD, RXB2, CRWB, FOBS, ENGB, FIRB, DOZB, FALB, HECM, ATVO,

FEMO, TFLD (t), SOPL(t)

• Assistant Module Leader: Kelly Boyd 970-257-4823 phone• e-mail: Kelly_Boyd@blm.gov 970-210-6167 cell

• Qualifications: ICT4, CRWB, FIRB, FOBS, FALC, ENGB, HECM, ATVO, FEMO, WFR, DOZB(t)

• Crew Leads: Tommy Hayes, Holly Miller 970-257-4824 phone• e-mail: Thomas_Hayes@blm.gov/Holly_Miller@blm.gov970-589-6811 cell• • Qualifications: CRWB, FIRB, ENGB, DOZB, FOBS, ICT5, FALC Cert., FEMO, HECM, ATVO,

FALB, ENOP, CRWB (t), ICT4(t)

• Module crewmembers: Jeff Frimel, Joshua Hill, Coyde Fickel• (1-2 detailer positions per assignment)• Qualifications: FEMO, FALC, FALB, FFT1, ICT5, HECM, WFR,

ATVO, FIRB (t), CRWB(t), ENOP (t)

Unaweep WFM Qualifications

Unaweep at the US/Mexico Border, AZ

To Mexico?

Unaweep WFM Wildfire/ MMO Acres 2010Acres: 10,235.1 Wild Fires: 2

 

Resource Benefit Fires: 7

Name WF RBF Acres Location Dates/Shifts State Positions Filled

Purdy Mesa X   50 Mesa County Assist3/30/2010

1CO CRWB, FALB, ENGB

Palisade Exit X   0.1 Palisade, CO4/7/2010

1CO 1ICT4, 4 FFT1

Medano   X 7500 Westcliffe, CO6/20-6/30/2010

9CO

CRWB, DOZB, DOZB(t), 3 FEMO, 2 FFT1(t), 1

FOBS(t), 2 FOBS

Meadow Creek   X   New Castle, CO7/3/2010

1CO

ICT4, ICT4(t), 1 FOBS, 2 FEMO, I FEMO(t)

Meadow Creek   X   New Castle, CO7/4-7/17/2010

14CO

ICT 4, ICT4(t), 2 FFT1, 2 FFT2

Water Creek   X 360 Rifle7/5-7/10/2010

14CO

ICT4, ICT4(t), 1 FOBS, 2 FEMO, 2 FEMO(t), TFLD(t)

Meadow Creek   X 1500 New Castle, CO7/18-7/31/2010

14CO

2 FOBS, 3 FEMO, 4 FEMO(t), TFLD(t), FALC,

FALC(t)

Lion Creek   X 750 Paradox , CO8/16 -9/1/2010

13CO

1 ICT4(t), 1 CRWB,4 FIRB, 1 FIRB(t), 1 ENGB(t), 2

FEMO(t)

Mesa Creek   X 75 Uncompahgre Plateau, CO9/21/-9/23/2010

3CO

ICT4 (t), ICT4, 2 FEMO (t), 2 FEMO

Unaweep WFM RX Fire/Fuels Acres 2010Acres: 16,426 Implemented RX Burns: 15

Hazard Fuels Reduction:

2

RX Line Preparation: 5 Line Building/ RX Prep Chains: 487 RX Plans Written: 2

Name RX PREP HZF PLN Acres Location Dates/Shifts StateChains of Line

PreppedPositions Filled

East Sopris X X     200 Glenwood F.O, BLM20104

CO 12RXB2 (t), FIRB (t), FEMO (t), 4 FFT1, 4 FALB

Yarmony Mt. X       100 Kremmling F.O., BLM 10/7/2009 CO  2 FIRB, 1 FIRB (t), 1 FEMO

Oak Ridge X       250 Meeker F.O, DOW 11/9/2009 CO   1 FIRB

C lazy U Piles X       200 Kremmling F.O., BLM2/8-2/11/103

CO   FFT1

McQuery Piles X       75 Kremmling F.O., BLM 2/12/2010 CO   FFT1

Dry Gulch RX   X   X 1100 Kremmling F.O., BLM201014

CO 40RXB2 (t), 1 FIRB, 3 FALB, 2 FFT1

Black Ridge RX X X     260 Grand Junction, FO, BLM201010

CO 1601 RXB2(t), 2 FIRB, 2 FIRB(t), 2 FEMO, 1 FFT1, 3 FFT2

Georgia Mesa X       100 Grand Junction FO, BLM3/24/20101

CO   FFT1

Deer Pen RX   X       Colorado River Valley FO,BLM20104

CO 120RXB2 (t), 1 FIRB, 1 FALB, 2 FFT1

Battlements RX X       500 Grand Junction FO, BLM5/7/20101

CO  FIRB, CRWB, 2 FEMO, 1FFT1, 2 FFT1,

Reservoir Gulch RX X       1200 Colorado River Valley F.O. BLM5/8/20101

CO  1 HLD Spec., 2 FIRB, 2 FEMO, 2 FFT2

Windy Point Sage Grouse     X   180 Colorado River Valley F.O. BLM5/10-5/14/104

CO  4 FALB, 1 FALB (t), 2 FALA

Gibbler     X   100 Grand Junction FO, BLM5/24 - 5/27/104

CO   1 FALC, 4 FALB, 2 FALA

Buenos Aires X       11500 Buenos Aires NWR, FWS 6/11 -6/19/10 AZ  1 RXB2(t), 3 FIRB, 2 FIRB(t), 2 FEMO, 1 FFT1, 1 ENGB(t)

Unaweep WFM RX Fire/Fuels Acres 2010 Continued

Name RX PREP HZF PLN Acres Location Dates/Shifts StateChains of Line

PreppedPositions Filled

Columbine RX  X X     280 Norwood, Uncompahgre NF

20104

CO 1201 FIRB, 4 FALB, 2 FALB (t), 1 CRWB, 6 FFT1

Red Canyon X       1Colorado NM, Grand Junction NPS

9/7/101

CO   1 FIRB, 3 FFT1

Brush Mt. RX X       100 Grand Junction FO, BLM9/14/102

CO   FIRB, 5 FFT1

Pine Mountain X       280Gateway, Uncompahgre NF

9/16/10 CO 35ENOP, ENGB, FIRB, 3 FFT1

Future for Unaweep WFM• Continue to assist BLM and other agencies with the

implementation of Wildland/Prescribed Fire, mechanical treatments, and monitoring of these events.

• Increase number of career seasonals allowing the module to be available longer to accomplish shoulder season projects, and gain the ability to retain quality employees.

• Assist all BLM Field Offices

around Colorado with office

planning, unit layouts, and other

field preparations for fuels

projects as budgets become

tighter.

White River NF, CO