Tag: Victoria Christiansen

James Hubbard, the Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, sent out a memo on May 21 that listed quite a few personnel changes in the U.S. Forest Service’s Washington Office (WO):

I am pleased to announce a series of changes which will enhance the Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) program in the Agency.  These changes involve enhancing the focus of the Agency in our quest to become skilled risk managers in wildland fire, and filling critical vacancies in the FAM staff.

Marc Rounsaville, Deputy Director for Operations, will move to the Deputy Chief’s office as the Wildland Fire Management Specialist and provide additional capacity in our risk management journey.  Marc’s work in our “continuous improvement in decision making” quest will continue.  He will work closely with Associate Deputy Chief John Phipps.

Vicki Christiansen, State Forester for Arizona (and former Washington State Forester), will be joining the Forest Service in the Washington Office as the Deputy Director with oversight responsibilities for National Fire Plan, Partnerships, Fuels, Policy, and Budget.  Vicki’s energy, wisdom, experience, and insight will provide a significant boost to the Agency.

Patti Hirami, Regional Fire Director, R-9 [USFS Eastern Region], will be returning to the WO as the Staff Assistant to the Director.  Patti’s ability to coalesce thinking, her energy and internal relationships will bring significant experience to the FAM staff.

Finally, Rich Kvale, FAM Assistant Director for Planning, Policy, and Budget will replace Marc Rounsaville as the Deputy Director for Operations.

Firefighter sentenced for starting six fires

A volunteer firefighter from Parma, Idaho was sentenced on Wednesday to six years in prison for starting six fires that burned 1,200 acres of public and private land in southwest Idaho in 2007. The judge also ordered the firefighter, Clyde Homes Jr., 23, to serve three years of supervised release and pay $155,000 restitution for the fire suppression costs and property damage.

Testimony from investigators revealed that Holmes reported two of the fires shortly after starting them. Prosecutors also used physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and cell phone records to link him to the fires.

New State Forester in Arizona

Victoria Christiansen recently resigned her position as the Washington State Forester to accept the same position in Arizona, replacing Kirk Rowdabaugh.

She has quite a bit of wildfire experience, beginning her career with the state of Washington as a firefighter, eventually working her way up to the position of State Forester.

More information is HERE in an article that includes some of her fire stories. (LINK NO LONGER WORKS)