In the early 1980s, a map of each county was delineated to depict areas where DOFAW has primary fire responsibility (color-coded green), areas where it could respond mutually with other firefighting agencies (color-coded pink), and areas totally out of its jurisdiction (color-coded white). DOFAW would automatically respond to fires in the green area. The pink areas generally are those areas which are adjacent to the green areas. If fires are in these areas, DOFAW would respond mutually if the request came directly from the county fire department.

It was agreed that DOFAW would be able to respond to fires in the white areas only under specific conditions, i.e. extreme threats to public safety, local resources fully committed, extreme fire behavior, etc., and through the appropriate channels and only if its resources are available. To respond to fires in the white area, the following must occur:

1. The request for assistance must come from the County Fire Department through the County Civil Defense to State Civil Defense that DOFAW assistance is needed.
2. State Civil Defense will then contact the DOFAW Administrator or the State Protection Forester that DOFAW assistance is needed.
3. State Civil Defense will notify the Adjutant General as soon as possible of the request made to DOFAW. The Adjutant General will notify the Governor as soon as possible and keep him periodically informed of the situation.
4. The DOFAW Administrator or State Protection Forester will then contact the respective DOFAW Branch Manager who will then mobilize his resources to assist the County Fire Department.
5. The DOFAW Administrator will notify the DLNR Chair as soon as possible of the request made by State Civil Defense.

The Fire Response Diagram illustrates the decision making process in responding to a wildland fire. For the fire response map, click on the island below of your choice: