ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT With the alarming proliferation of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the West, wildland ‘re agencies are increasing their capacity to keep ‘re equipment free of AIS contamination. Fire‘ghting equipment that contacts water not treated to kill AIS may not only spread unwanted organisms across large geographic areas but also, in some cases, be rendered inoperable during emergency situations due to fouling. Interagency wildland ‘re organizations have accepted responsibility for keeping gear clean, and guidelines for curtailing AIS transmission are beginning to appear in some directives and manuals. Work is underway on national-level, science-based best management practices that will offer consistent, comprehensive, and effective solutions to prevent AIS contamination. Needed also is a national AIS database with regularly updated information on location and extent of infestations. Such a database could be incorporated into the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) and allow ‘re management organizations to make risk-informed, strategic, and tactical decisions regarding AIS and wildland ‘res.
