Community Wildfire Protection Plans Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners Workshop Presented by: Marti Campbell April 12, 2014

csfs.colostate.edu Old Story, Same Plot “Your own safety is at stake when your neighbor’s wall is ablaze.” Horace (b 68 BC, d 27 BC)

csfs.colostate.edu Why Live in the WUI? People choose to live in the WUI for many reasons, including: Aesthetic value Natural vegetation Privacy Recreation

csfs.colostate.edu Forest Risk Management Research has shown that reducing forest fuels helps lower fire intensity: Lower fire intensity results in less environmental damage to forests, soils, watersheds and wildlife habitat Thinning the forest helps make them more resilient to insects and diseases

csfs.colostate.edu Privacy Using vegetation to maintain privacy may create a hazard: Access to your home may limit emergency response Vegetation too close to your home is a fire risk for you and fire personnel The forest may be severely impacted by insects, disease or fire

csfs.colostate.edu Recreation Many people associate recreation with campfires Up to 90 percent of wildfires are caused by human actions and errors

csfs.colostate.edu Living in the WUI If you live in the WUI, it is your responsibility to: Reduce the risk of wildfire to your home and property Participate in neighborhood safety programs Be a good steward of the forest Protect the natural resources around your home

csfs.colostate.edu Risk Management We each manage risk every day: Lock doors? Use a crosswalk? Have smoke detectors? Obey traffic laws?

csfs.colostate.edu Risk Management Does risk management prevent disasters? Managing risk reduces the chance of a disaster occurring, but does not eliminate it. Wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) is well known. Management of wildfire risk needs to be a priority for everyone who lives and recreates there.

csfs.colostate.edu Risk Management

csfs.colostate.edu Community Safety Be part of the solution: Routinely clean gutters and remove flammable vegetation at least 5 feet from your home/structures Reduce fuels at least 30 feet around your home Be especially careful with any outdoor fire

csfs.colostate.edu Available Programs Firewise Home Ready-Set-Go Community Wildfire Protection Plan Firewise Community Fire Adapted Community Although each of these programs have different levels of participation, they all have the same purpose – reducing wildfire risk in the WUI

csfs.colostate.edu Choosing a Program Community Wildfire Protection Plans are only one of several risk management tools If you have not already done so, choose a wildfire risk reduction program that fits the needs of your community Begin planning for a safer community today!

csfs.colostate.edu Different Programs – Same Principles Locate the values and assets Identify the hazards and risks Design and accomplish effective projects to protect values and reduce hazards and risks Communities can participate in more than one program.

csfs.colostate.edu Focus and Set Priorities Not all community values are at high risk Not all high fire risk areas impact the community Not all treatment methods will be effective in every location Community Values High Risk Landscape Fuel Mitigation Projects

csfs.colostate.edu Pros and Cons The community discovers where the hazards are located and decides how to reduce the highest risks to protect what is important to residents The community works together to reduce the risks of catastrophic wildfire

csfs.colostate.edu Pros and Cons The document does not address specific local hazards or provide clear, achievable direction for mitigating risks Because it is not specific and/or does not have community support, it ends up sitting on the shelf

csfs.colostate.edu CWPP – A Plan of Action Combine hazards and values to select highest priorities Form partnerships and get advice from professionals Design projects in small, achievable “bites” Write the plan and get it approved COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLANS GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

csfs.colostate.edu Community A community can be defined as a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality. Meet with other community members to gather opinions and information about your locality

csfs.colostate.edu Taking Action This is not just about your property – get an overview of your neighborhood!

csfs.colostate.edu Community Risk Heavy continuous vegetation Accumulation of dead or down fuels Steep slopes Vegetation crowding road shoulder Switch back, narrow roads, small bridges

csfs.colostate.edu Taking Action Why should the community take action? Landscape-scale mitigation more effectively reduces fire risk and intensity, helps protect watersheds and other natural resources, and improves forest health and wildlife habitat Working together increases the safety of all residents and builds a stronger sense of community

csfs.colostate.edu Partnerships “Many hands make light work.” John Heywood Neighbors Fire Departments Professional Foresters Insurance Companies Local Governments

csfs.colostate.edu Implementation Work with interested neighbors Demonstrate mitigation results Apply for funding assistance if needed for future projects Implementation: to carry out; put into action; perform

csfs.colostate.edu Use the Plan More than 210 CWPPs have been approved in Colorado; 42 of them are in this three-county area. Is your community covered?

csfs.colostate.edu Demonstration Projects Roadway improvements – clear along the road shoulder to improve emergency accessibility Common areas (parks, playgrounds) – mitigate to enhance the clean appearance and create a fuelbreak Schools, commercial buildings – protect the local economy by using Firewise fuels reduction techniques for all to see

csfs.colostate.edu Common Area Hazards Reduce the fuels – reduce the risks Before PPWPP Project – D. Strohm After PPWPP Project – D.Strohm

csfs.colostate.edu Remove Continuous Fuels Improve the view – and reduce risks Before After PPWPP Project

csfs.colostate.edu Thin, Prune, Clean Up Black Forest School Section 16 Hiking Trail PPWPP Project Before – D. Root During – D. Root

csfs.colostate.edu Mitigation Works! Black Forest School Section 16 Hiking Trail PPWPP Project Final Project Appearance 2008 After Black Forest Fire 2013 D. Root

csfs.colostate.edu Keep Moving Make sure the time and work invested in plan development is not wasted: Use and update the information in your CWPP and assessment to stay on track Recognize that completed projects will require maintenance Move projects up the list as others are completed

csfs.colostate.edu Funding Opportunities CSFS Natural Resources Grants and Assistance Database

csfs.colostate.edu Your Mission Develop a successful, ongoing fuels reduction implementation program Take action to protect community values in area of high fire hazards with effective mitigation treatments Lead by example, encourage participation Take time to tell new residents what you are doing and why it is important for them to join in the effort

csfs.colostate.edu Other Resources Your Colorado State Forest Service District Forester: Dave Root, Woodland Park, (Park and Teller counties) Kristin Garrison, Franktown, (Douglas County) Websites:

Thank you!