1. WILDFIRE UPDATE - 2008 Orange County Board of County Commissioners Presentation May 20, 2008

2. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW Deployments Current Conditions Recent Activity Challenges Preparedness Prevention Summary

3. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

4. Deployments 3 Engines and 1 Battalion Chief deployed to Brevard County -14 firefighters -Deployed May 12-16 1 Engine and 1 Battalion Chief to Volusia County -6 firefighters -Deployed May 12 These deployments are reimbursable through Statewide Mutual Aid Program

5. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

6. CURRENT CONDITIONS No appreciable rainfall in the current forecast May- Warm temperatures and low seasonal rainfall amounts Dry conditions to worsen through the end of May June- Conditions improve with the return of tropical storm season

7. CURRENT CONDITIONS Frequent Red Flag warnings –Issued Daily by DOF –Low Moisture –High Winds –Rapid Fire Spread

8. CURRENT CONDITIONS This continues to be an active fire season Increased fire danger and fire potential expected until substantial rainfall occurs

9. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

10. RECENT ACTIVITY Wedgefield Fire March 5, 2008 23 units, 48 firefighters 60 acres Example of urban/interface challenge No structures damaged

11. RECENT ACTIVITY Waterford Lakes Fire April 27, 2008 20 acres Initial response 26 units, 73 firefighters Event lasted several days No structures damaged

12. RECENT ACTIVITY Innovation Way Fire May 4, 2008 23 units, 37 firefighters Remote fire with access issues No structures damaged

13. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

14. CHALLENGES More fuel on the ground available to burn Fallen trees limit access and movement for DOF plows and OCFRD brush trucks Results in more acres burned Hurricane Debris

15. Homes built next to forest and wild land areas Decreased space between homes and woods CHALLENGES

16. Large conservation areas completely surrounded by homes Presents an immediate threat to homes and our citizens Requires immediate action by the Fire Department on all four fronts

17. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

18. Additional Staffing Daily assessment of wildfire threat Additional units staffed Increase initial response assignment May compromise normal response PREPAREDNESS

19. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

20. PREVENTION FIREWISE COMMUNITIES Wedgefield is a FireWise community! Clear 30-100 foot space around house Keep gutters and roofs clear of debris Remove combustibles away from house Open burning safety

21. WILDFIRE OVERVIEW

22. We focus on protecting lives and structures Commit a lot of units and a lot of firefighters Work closely with the DOF, OCSO and FHP Code Red notification system SUMMARY UCF WILDFIRE STRATEGY - OCFRD

23. SUMMARY OCFRD is responding to approximately 5 wildfires every day Fire Rescue will continue to monitor conditions and protect the citizens of Orange County from wildfires

24. WILDFIRE UPDATE - 2008 Orange County Board of County Commissioners Presentation May 20, 2008