FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN

National Park Service (NPS) policy dictates that all NPS units with "vegetation capable of sustaining fire will develop a fire management plan". Capulin Volcano National Monument is currently in the process of developing a Fire Management Plan.

The FMP guides all fire management actions including the prevention and suppression of wild fire, the application of management ignited prescribed fire, and the reduction of hazardous fuels.

This Fire Management Plan (FMP) implements fire management objectives stated in the Capulin Volcano Resource Management Plan. They are:
1. Maintain the diversity of habitats in the Monument with particular attention to the remaining short grass prairie.
2. Reduce exotic vegetation.
3. Reduce fuel loading and the possibility of catastrophic fire that would damage resources and threaten visitors.

The authority for fire management is found in the National Park Service's Organic Act (1916) and is further clarified in the National Parks and Recreation Act (1978). Primary policy guidance for implementing this plan is contained in Departmental Manual (910 DM), The NPS Management Policies (1988), NPS-77 Natural Resources Management Guideline (1991), and NPS-18 Wildland Fire Management Guideline (1990).