BLM Press Release
Jessica Wade Selected as the State Fire Management Officer
SALT LAKE CITY— Jessica Wade has been selected as the State Fire Management Officer for the Bureau of Land Management Utah. Wade will be responsible for the overall leadership, policy, and program direction for the wildland fire and aviation programs.
Wade, who served as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) acting Regional Fire Management Coordinator for the Pacific Southwest Region, assumed her new duties on August 1, 2016. She has over 24 years of experience in federal wildland fire program management with the BLM, the USFWS, and the U.S. Forest Service.
“I have great confidence in the experience and professionalism Jessica brings into this vital role at the Bureau of Land Management,” Acting State Director Jenna Whitlock said. “Jessica’s in-depth knowledge and experience in wildland fire management makes her a perfect fit to lead the BLM’s Fire and Aviation program.”
In her new capacity, her primary focus will be to advance efforts to create a culture of safety and improved decision-making for wildland fire suppression. Wade will also oversee an array of key fire and aviation management programs, including wildland fire operations and improving landscape conditions through hazardous fuel reduction.
As BLM-Utah’s representative to the Great Basin Coordination Group, Wade will help set priorities and manage resources across agencies during fire season. She is also the Group’s liaison to wildland fire training.
Wade began her federal career in 1992 as an engine crew member with the BLM Vernal field office. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography with a minor in Geographic Information Systems at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. She replaces Rick Belger who took a position with the National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, ID.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.