Slide 2 map of pilot project area- this is one of 3 pilot projects in the nation with the goal being to implement the Cohesive Wildfire Strategy.

Cohesive Strategy Goals Restore and Maintain Resilient Landscapes: Landscapes across all jurisdictions are more resilient to wildfire. Create Fire-adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure are better prepared and can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property. Improve Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient response to wildfires. The GOALS or VISION of the Cohesive Strategy are to ensure: RESTORE AND MAINTAIN LANDSCAPES - Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances in accordance with management objectives CREATE FIRE – ADPAPTED COMMUNITIES - Human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property, and WILDFIRE RESPONSE - All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions As one could image these three goals are very relevant to NEO and I would across most geo-regions.

Slide 4 ownership/fire jurdisdiction map- Dark green-USFS Light green private land protected by ODF purplish/pink- private land protected by Rural fire departments fires starting on one jurisdiction often impact another jurisdiction making it necessary to coordinate our activities such as fire prevention, fuels reduction and firefighting efforts

Why a Cohesive Strategy is important Larger wildfires, more severe fires & longer fire seasons. Forest health issues-overstocked, insect/disease/drought/increased fuel loads. Assessments show 90% of fuels treatments are effective in changing fire behavior. Number of communities at risk of wildfire continues to grow. Most structure loss occurs in the first 12 hours of an escaped wildland fire. Many emerging incidents are multi jurisdictional. Can we be better prepared ? Slide 5 why CWS is important- read from slide

CWS Summit Slide 6 When we kicked off our pilot project we held a Summitt at BMIDC of all the partners and cooperators involved in wild land fire in the geo region to discuss how we could enhance our wildland fire prevetniotn and suppression efforts.

Pilot Project Action Plan Restore Resilient Landscapes Northern Blue Mountain Cohesive Strategy Pilot Project Action Plan Restore Resilient Landscapes Wildfire Response Slide 7-The result of this Summit was the development of an Action Plan focusing on the three goals of the CWS. the one main theme of the action plan was to improve on our CWPP. To develop a new CWPP focusing on the three goals of the CWS. Create Fire Adapted Communities

2005 UNION COUNTY CWPP 2005 Plan Focused on fuel reduction in Interface areas Creating defensible space around homes New Plan Focus on the 3 CWS goals Continue addressing Interface area concerns Look at opportunities/fire risk on a larger, landscape level & across ownerships. Emphasis on fire preparedness & response Better position ourselves for future funding Slide 8 - the old 2005 plan versus our new CWPP- read the differences from the slide.