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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-265 2010, lightning struck a side stack insulator. In both situations, the damage caused line outages but no fires were started. In August 2009, the Dry Creek Complex fire resulted in a transmission line outage on the Union Gap-Midway 230 kV Transmission Line from smoke and fire damage to two transmission line structures (DeNuccio 2011). Recreational use of existing access roads and transmission line rights-of-way has the potential to increase the risk of wildland fire ignitions. Recreational use in the Project study area includes off-highway vehicles, firearm shooting, hunting, camping, hiking and horseback riding. The most probable sources of human-cause ignition include vehicle use in areas with flammable fuels (e.g., catalytic converters, mufflers, etc., coming in contact with grasses) and smoking (BLM 1992). Wildland fire risk in the Project study area is also associated with military training activities. Training activities such as live fire exercises, use of tracer rounds, explosive ordnance, and some aspects of maneuver training can cause fire. A decline in fire ignition and spread on JBLM YTC occurred between 1996 and 2003, largely attributable to the implementation of annual Prescribed Burn Plans, use of enhanced weather data, monitoring efforts, implementation of the Fire Risk Assessment, and pyrotechnic restrictions during periods of high fire danger. In addition, they also improved wildland fire fighting training and enhanced fire suppression support teams, upgrade of firebreak and road system to contain fires, development of fire bucket dip ponds and fire fighting wells, enhanced troop education, remote sensing and fire history monitoring, and related geographic information system data layer maintenance (Nissen and Melcher 2004). 3.12.3 Current Management Considerations Federal, state, and county policy, management, and guidance documents applicable to wildland fire ecology and management in the Project study area include the following: • Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy (December 1995; Review and Update 2001) addresses the role of fire as a natural disturbance and directs federal agencies to ensure that policies are uniform and programs are cooperative and cohesive. • JBLM YTC Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan establishes wildland fire risks, management goals, and strategies that will be used to reduce the risk and improve JBLM YTC’s ability to reduce fire losses (Nissen and Melcher 2004). • JBLM YTC Cultural and Natural Resource Management Plan 2002-2006 provides management direction for cultural and natural resources on JBLM YTC and discusses fire in the context of resource (JBLM YTC 2002). • Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) – the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and Bureau of Indian Affairs use the IFPL system to help prevent fires with seasonal closures and restrictions for work activities and identifies fire tools required during closed fire seasons. DNR also administers Public Use Restrictions which limits activities on forest lands during periods of high fire danger. • Chapter 76.04 Revised Code of Washington and Chapter 332-24 Washington Administrative Code Forest Protection address the role of the DNR with regard to fire protection powers and duties, including declarations of forest protection zones, burning permits, closure of forest operations or forest lands, and the regulation of spark emitting equipment. • DNR Strategic Plan for Wildfire Protection (Phases I and II) creates a series of goals, objectives and strategies that are designed to identify legislative, budget and operational actions necessary to respond to changes in climate, population and forest health. The Strategic Plan defines broad steps necessary to achieve a preferred future for fire protection in the State of Washington (DNR 2006).