[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 20111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10108]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Clarification of Direction on Safety Priorities During Wildland 
Firefighting Activities

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of agency interim directives.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing three interim directives to 
provide internal administrative direction to guide its employees during 
wildland firefighting activities. These interim directives are issued 
to Forest Service Manual (FSM) chapters FSM 5100 zero code (ID 5100-
2003-1); FSM 5120, Preparedness (ID 5100-2003-2); and FSM 5130, 
Wildland Fire Suppression (ID 5130-2003-3). The ID's clarify existing 
direction to ensure that the safety of firefighters, other personnel, 
and the public is always the first priority in fire suppression. While 
this is already the current agency policy, the agency believes that the 
direction should be clarified and better stated. The agency will 
consider any comments received in the development of final directives.

DATES: The interim directives are effective April 24, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The interim directives are available electronically from the 
Forest Service via the World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives. Single paper copies of the interim directives also are 
available by contacting Shelly Steen, National Interagency Fire Center, 
3833 South Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705 (telephone 208-387-
5100). Members of the public who wish to comment on the interim 
directives may mail their written comments in paper format to this 
address or send them electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelly Steen, National Interagency 
Fire Center (208-387-5100) or Tina Kingsberry, Fire and Aviation 
Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA (202-205-1205).

    Dated: April 4, 2003.
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief, Forest Service, USDA.
[FR Doc. 03-10108 Filed 4-23-03; 8:45 am]
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