From the Introduction ... 'To help address the many challenges created by the 2000 fire season, leadership in the Northern (Region One) and Intermountain (Region Four) Regions combined their efforts through a post-fire strategy. This strategy seeks to promote open communication among all interests; facilitate aggressive restoration of streams, lands, and communities; and build upon the high level of cooperation among governments, agencies, and communities. A Preliminary Assessment was the first step in the strategy. It provided the public, agency leaders, other governmental entities, and elected officials with a summary of the extent and effects of large wildland fires in the Northern and Intermountain Regions.'