June 11, 2002

To:        Assistant Secretaries
             Heads of Bureaus and Offices
             Solicitor
             Inspector General

From:    Secretary /signed/

Subject: Providing Assistance For Firefighting Efforts

Over the last few days, the national wildland fire situation has continued to worsen. Significant large fire activity is reported in 11 states, including states in the west, the southeast, Alaska and Hawaii. We recently went into Preparedness Level 4, the earliest this has ever happened. All indications suggest that these conditions will continue for some time, with the bulk of the normal western fire season yet to come.

Based on this level of activity, I am asking that all agency supervisors make all qualified personnel immediately available for fire assignments. Employees who are currently qualified to work in a fire assignment should check with their supervisors and then get in touch with the appropriate field, state, or regional fire management officer and make known their availability and qualifications. Employees with aviation, operations, logistics and finance backgrounds will be needed. If your employees are red carded, their first priority should be wildland fire suppression and support.

I want to reemphasize that the safety of our firefighters is of paramount importance. No matter what the situation, firefighter and public safety comes first on every fire, every time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.