El Dorado County Western Slope Community Wildfire Protection Plan Progress Report February 23 2016 A collaborative effort funded by an SRA Grant from CAL FIRE And Title III Funds

Objectives Develop a cohesive plan for the western slope of the county. Identify future fuel treatment areas. Create a list of prioritized projects that provide maximum community protection at lowest potential costs.

Project Team El Dorado County Fire Safe Council Pat Dwyer Steve Willis Barry Callenberger Spatial Informatics Group Gary Roller, RPF #2899 Shane Romsos Jason Moghaddas, RPF #2774 Dr. Richard Harris, RPF #1961 CAL FIRE Darin McFarlin

Progress to Date Meetings with stakeholder groups and communities have been held to inform them about the CWPP process. A community survey has been conducted to obtain input on assets at risk, potential treatment areas and status of “Fire-wise” planning in communities. About 400 survey responses to date. Baseline or “Current Condition” modeling of potential fire hazard throughout the western portions of El Dorado county has been completed.

Community Outreach “Kick-off” meetings were held on August 25, 2015 to inform fire district personnel and stakeholders about the CWPP process. Additional introductory meetings with communities affected by the plan have been conducted by the Firesafe Council. Meetings with communities are on-going with more planned for March and April. At these meetings, community members will be requested to give their input on assets at risk and potential fuel treatments. The information obtained from community meetings will be synthesized, along with the results of the community survey (described below) to depict spatially explicit recommendations for actions to reduce hazards.

Community Survey Results A community survey was implemented through the internet and through distribution of hard copy surveys. To date, nearly 400 survey responses have been received representing several communities. Results include summarized question data and site specific user entered information. Percent of Responses

Private residences and evacuation routes were deemed highest priority for fuel reduction treatments

Vacant parcels, water, road, energy related infrastructure, and hospitals were prioritized highly as well

Respondents Described the Locations in Their Community They Thought Needed Hazardous Fuel Reduction “Mosquito Road South to Rock Creek Road . Rock Creek Road from Mosquito Road on the east, north to the S. Fork of the American River, and to Hwy 193 on the west” “Areas surrounding subdivisions including those subdivisions accessed from Sly Park Road.” “The Riverwood subdivision down to the American River”  Hundreds of these types of responses will be consolidated and where feasible mapped, to help assist in future fuel treatment planning at the community level

Respondents Could Also Identify “Choke Points” to Their Potential Evacuation Routes “Sly Park Rd. moving North. A fire coming out of Pleasant Valley could cut off egress to Hwy 50 and Sly Park Rd. heading South/West.” “Signaled intersections on Highway 50 in Placerville. Un-signaled intersections on Highway 50 in Apple Hill area” “El Dorado Hills Blvd and the stop sign at Francisco, Bass Lake Rd , Francisco Drive in Lakehills; Lakehills Blvd in Lakehills.”  Hundreds of these types of responses will be consolidated and where feasible mapped, to help assist in evacuation planning at the community level

Modeling Approach The FlamMap model has been used to evaluate probability of wildfire, wildfire spread rates, flame lengths and fire intensity throughout the planning area. Existing fuel loads were based on LANDFIRE outputs.

Modeling Approach (cont.) Vegetation Structure, Surface Fuels, Topography, and Fire Weather Used to Model Potential Flame Length and Crown Fire Activity Over The Entire CWPP Area. Spatially Explicit Maps of Potential Flame Length, Rate of Spread, and Crown Fire Activity Created.

Data Adjustments LANDFIRE fuel data has been modified to reflect: 2014 King Fire 2013 and 2014 fuels treatments Fuel model discrepancies in foothills were adjusted in collaboration with CALFIRE

Fire Weather Assumptions Weather scenarios were developed from 4 local weather stations. Weather scenarios reflect extreme (98th percentile) conditions of fuel moisture. Modeled wind is 20 mph from the southwest. Sensitivity analysis is being conducted with different (90th percentile) weather assumptions.

Flame Length: Current Conditions

Rate of Spread: Current Conditions Rate of Spread Category (Chains*/Hour) Miles Per Hour 1 0.01 1-5 0.06 5-20 0.25 20-40 0.5 40-80 >120 >1.5 *1 Chain = 66’

Next Steps Incorporate existing and community identified fuel treatments into modeling. Determine effects of treatments on fire probability and behavior. Refine treatment areas based on modeling results. Prepare finalized treatment proposals. Present findings to stakeholders and affected communities. Finalize the CWPP and revise existing CWPPs to be consistent with the final product.

TASKS AND TIMELINE Tasks August 2015 October 2015 January 2016 June 2016 September 2016 December 2016 January 2017 1. Form team, involve stakeholders create tools X   2. Community interface to update existing CWPPs 3. Update HY49 and HW 50 CWPPs 4. Create four new community CWPPs 5.Complete detailed project proposals 6. Compile the finished document, begin coordination 7.Publish and Post on Web

El Dorado County Western Slope Wildfire Protection Plan Questions? Please contact Pat Dwyer at edcfsc@att.net El Dorado County Western Slope Wildfire Protection Plan A collaborative effort funded by a SRA Grant from CAL FIRE And Title III Funds