Prevention programs extinguish fire risk
Each year, more people move further away from cities and into areas known as the “wildland/urban interface,” increasing the potential threat from wildfires. However, residents and their local governments also are realizing that they can protect their homes and themselves.
Following the catastrophic wildfires in southern California in 2003, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the Washington-based National Association of Counties all called for local ordinances to improve land use regulation and use of the wildland/urban interface fire codes. Locally, government leaders and fire departments have provided resources to residents, homeowners and property associations to help lower the loss from wildfires.
“Firewise Communities” programs, developed by the nation’s land and emergency management agencies and organizations also are being adopted by cities and counties. The Firewise approach emphasizes community responsibility for the design and maintenance of a safe community, including land use planning, preventive measures, supportive infrastructure, collaborative decision making and effective emergency response. For example, RiverCamps on Crooked Creek, a neighborhood in West Bay, Fla., was developed using the Firewise Communities approach. In cooperation with the Florida Division of Forestry and community developers, planners incorporated elements of the program before construction began in 2005 and they continue to be applied today, says Marc Glissman, president of the RiverCamps Firewise Board. “As the community continues to develop, Firewise plans for design, construction and landscaping will be integrated into the site plans,” Glissman says.
Another Firewise community, Auburn Lake Trails is immediately adjacent to the El Dorado National Forest in the foothills of northern California and, therefore, highly vulnerable to potential fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection rated the vegetation in the area as a “very high severity hazard.” Based on that threat, two registered professional foresters developed the Auburn Lake Trails Fuel Safe and Fire Reduction Plan in 2005 that prioritized the actions needed to protect Auburn Lake Trails from catastrophic wildfire. Since then, all property owners must create 100 feet of defensible space around all structures, an initiative that has since been mandated for all buildings in the state. Also, residents receive information about landscaping techniques and other ways to reduce fuel for wildfires at regular meetings.
While many communities prepare to prevent wildfires, others join the Firewise program after major blazes in their areas. In summer 2002, a devastating string of wildfires swept through New Mexico. Glorieta Estates, a small community of about 100 people in north-central New Mexico, did not lose any property or acreage, however, the fires drew residents’ attention to potential risks in their area. In reaction, residents removed excessive vegetation from around their homes and with the help of the Santa Fé National Forest, the Santa Fé County Fire Department and the New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the community developed a wildfire risk assessment and mitigation plan.
The plan has two functions. “This assessment and mitigation plan focuses on wildfire risks,” says Neal Schaeffer, president of the Glorieta Estates Firewise Board, “It also addresses other community values including general forest and soil health, water conservation, wildlife, policing, access and privacy issues and recreation.”
Gary Gilbert is a county supervisor for Madera County, Calif.
