Preparedness Levels are dictated by burning conditions, fire activity, and especially resource availability.
As the Preparedness Levels rise, more federal and state employees become available for fire mobilization if needed.
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).
Geographic areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources.