The Five Preparedness Levels
Each preparedness level has specific management directions. As the preparedness levels rise, more
federal
and state employees become available for fire mobilization if needed.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 1—Minimal large fire activity nationally. Most
geographic areas
have low to moderate fire danger. There is little or no commitment of national resources.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 2—Several geographic areas are experiencing high to
extreme
fire danger. Wildland fire activity is increasing and large fires are occurring in one or
more
geographic areas. Minimal mobilization of resources from other geographic areas is
occurring. The
potential exists for mobilizing additional resources from other geographic areas.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3—Two or more geographic areas are experiencing
wildland or
prescribed fire activities requiring a major commitment of national resources. Additional
resources
are being ordered and mobilized through the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC). Incident
management
teams are committed in two or more areas, or 275 crews are committed nationally.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 4—Two or more geographic areas are experiencing
incidents
requiring Type 1 teams. Competition exists for resources between geographic areas. When 425
crews or
five Type 1 teams are committed nationally.
- PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5—Several geographic areas are experiencing major
incidents
that have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources. When 550 crews are committed
nationally.
