Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project Prepared for: The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, NV 89509 Prepared by: Resource Concepts, 340 N. Minnesota Street Carson City, NV 89703-4 June 20 EXC WASHOE COUNTY LUDING THE TAHOE BASIN Inc. 152 05 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project WASHOE COUNTY June 2005 This project was administered by the Nevada Fire Safe Council and funded through National Fire Plan grants from the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Nevada Division of Forestry. Prepared By: Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 North Minnesota Street Carson City, Nevada 89703-4152 Office: (775) 883-1600 Fax: (775) 883-1656 The information included in this report is for the Washoe County communities that are outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin. A separate report was prepared for the Washoe County Lake Tahoe Communities. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project i Washoe County – Executive Summary Executive Summary The Healthy Forests Initiative was announced by the White House in 2002 to implement the core components of the National Fire Plan Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy. The Plan calls for more active forest and rangeland management to reduce the threat of wildland fire in the wildland-urban interface, the area where homes and wildland meet. This report was prepared specifically for the communities within Washoe County, Nevada that were identified in the 2001 Federal Register list of communities at risk within the vicinity of federal lands that are most vulnerable to the threat of wildfire. Washoe County communities located in the Lake Tahoe Basin were addressed in a separate report (RCI 2004). The communities assessed in Washoe County are listed in Table 1-1. The Nevada Fire Safe Council contracted with Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI) to assemble a project team of experts in the fields of fire behavior and suppression, forest and rangeland ecology, forest health, and geographic information systems (GIS) to complete the assessment for each Washoe County community listed in the Federal Register. The RCI Project Team spent approximately three weeks in September 2004 inventorying conditions in Washoe County and completing the primary data collection and verification portions of the risk assessment. The general risk/hazard assessment results for each community are summarized in Table 1-1. Five primary factors that affect the potential fire hazard were assessed to arrive at the community hazard assessment score: community design, construction materials, defensible space, availability of fire suppression resources, and physical conditions such as the vegetative fuel load and topography. Information on fire suppression capabilities and responsibilities for Washoe County communities was obtained from local Fire Chiefs and agency Fire Management Officers. The RCI Project Team Fire Specialists assigned an ignition risk rating for each community of low, moderate, or high. The rating was based upon historical ignition patterns, the opinions of local, state, and federal fire agency personnel, field visits to each community, and the professional judgment of the Fire Specialists on the RCI Team based on their experience with wildland fire ignitions in Nevada. EXISTING SITUATION A total of 41 communities were included in the risk/hazard assessment for Washoe County. Nearly half of these areas have high and extreme fuel hazard conditions within one mile of the community boundary. In some cases, hazardous fuel conditions occur within the community boundary. Many of the areas that were classified as moderate fuel hazards have a large component of cheatgrass. During years with above normal precipitation and abundant growth of cheatgrass, perennial grass, and annual forbs, these areas can escalate into high fuel hazard conditions. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project ii Washoe County – Executive Summary Table 1-1. Community Risk and Hazard Assessment Results COMMUNITY INTERFACE CONDITION INTERFACE FUEL HAZARD CONDITION IGNITION RISK RATING COMMUNITY HAZARD RATING HIGH AND EXTREME HAZARD COMMUNITIES Antelope Valley Intermix Low to High High High Mount Rose Corridor Intermix Moderate to Extreme High High Rancho Haven Intermix Moderate to Extreme High High Red Rock Intermix Low to High High High Warm Springs Valley Intermix Low to High High High Washoe Valley - West Intermix Low to Extreme High High MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES Anderson Acres Intermix Moderate High Moderate Cold Springs Classic Moderate High Moderate Galena Intermix High to Extreme High Moderate Gerlach Intermix Low to Moderate Moderate Moderate Golden Valley Intermix Moderate High Moderate Lemmon Valley Intermix Moderate High Moderate Mogul (I-80 Corridor West) Classic Moderate High Moderate Nixon Intermix Low to High High Moderate1 Palomino Valley Intermix Low to High High Moderate Pleasant Valley Classic Moderate to High High Moderate Reno-Northwest Classic Moderate to High High Moderate Reno-Southeast Intermix Moderate to High High Moderate Silver Knolls Intermix Moderate High Moderate Spanish Springs Intermix Moderate to High Moderate Moderate Steamboat Intermix Low to High High Moderate Sun Valley Intermix Low to Extreme Moderate Moderate Sutcliffe Classic High High Moderate (High1) Verdi Intermix Moderate to Extreme High Moderate Washoe City Classic and Intermix High High Moderate Washoe Valley – East Intermix Moderate to High High Moderate LOW HAZARD COMMUNITIES Empire Intermix Low to Moderate Moderate Low Reno-Southwest Classic Low to High High Low Sparks Classic Low to Moderate Low Low Stead Classic Moderate Moderate Low Wadsworth Classic Low to Moderate Moderate Low 1 The SWCA (2003) hazard category was calculated using the National Fire Protection Association Standard Form 299, which is similar to the method used by RCI for assessing other communities within this report. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project iii Washoe County – Executive Summary Many Washoe County communities occur in and are further expanding into a fire-prone environment. More than half of the communities evaluated in this report have a high ignition risk. The fire history in Washoe County (Figure 3-2) shows a high occurrence of ignitions and large wildland fires around the majority of the communities. The tendency for dry lightning associated with summer thunderstorm activity and widespread outdoor recreational use across the public forests and rangelands increase the risk of wildfire ignitions. Several Washoe County communities are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. In some cases (particularly Reno Northwest, Reno Southwest, Reno Southeast, and Reno Northeast), the community boundaries encompass geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for these communities represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within these communities would better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. It is therefore recommended that this follow-up analysis be conducted and that this plan be reviewed and updated at least annually. Multiple fire suppression agencies in Washoe County including the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department, the Sparks Fire Department, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service have developed mutual aid agreements for initial attack of wildland fires. However in many cases the first responders are volunteer firefighters. Volunteer Fire Departments in Washoe County, supervised by the Nevada Division of Forestry and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department, are equipped with wildland fire suppression apparatus and firefighters receive recommended wildland fire training. Still, volunteer response may not be sufficient during normal work hours, and ignitions on high hazard days may quickly escape initial attack efforts. RECOMMENDATIONS The cooperative approach to wildland fire suppression in Washoe County, formally known as the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators, has been successful in Washoe County and serves as a model for the rest of the nation. However, many communities in Washoe County are rapidly expanding into the wildland urban interface and the jurisdictional area for existing fire districts is rapidly expanding. The following recommendations are made to promote effective and efficient wildland fire suppression in the interface communities and protect lives, property and natural resources. Community Development and Defensible Space Requirements It is imperative that Washoe County, the City of Reno, and the City of Sparks continue to require all future development to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, construction materials, housing density, road design and access routes, and water supplies for fire suppression. Appropriate regulations and ordinances must be developed and enforced to require property owners in existing and future developments to maintain adequate defensible space around their residences in order to reduce hazardous conditions for firefighters and to save lives, property, and natural resources. Enforcement of fuel reduction treatments must also apply to owners of vacant lots and absentee homeowners. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project iv Washoe County – Executive Summary On an individual basis, the most widespread recommendation for Washoe County residents is to create and maintain defensible space. Defensible space is the homeowner’s responsibility, and it is an essential first line of defense for improving firefighter safety and saving lives and property during a catastrophic wildland fire. Landscape Level Fuel Reduction Treatments Fuelbreaks, greenstrips, and fuel reduction treatments that include tree and brush thinning have been proposed for several Washoe County communities with moderate to extreme fuel hazard conditions adjacent to the communities. These treatments are most effective when constructed across large continuous blocks of land to break up fuel continuity. In some cases these treatments necessarily cross property lines and require cooperation between private property owners and public land management agencies to successfully meet fuel reduction objectives. A summary of the fuel reduction treatments proposed for Washoe County is summarized in Table 1-2. When implementing proposed fuel reduction treatments and fuelbreaks, the tree density in Jeffrey pine forests is recommended to be reduced to a spacing of 18 to 31 feet between trees when trees are 12 to 18 inches in diameter. A tree thinning guideline for various size trees is given in Appendix E. Pinyon and juniper trees are recommended to be thinned to a spacing equal to twice their height. Tree thinning is not only necessary to reduce hazardous fuel conditions but also to maintain healthy forests and woodlands. Shrubs are recommended to be removed when they are adjacent to roadways, utility lines, railroads, and other ignition sources or when they are growing beneath large trees creating ladder fuel conditions that could lead to a dangerous and catastrophic crown fire. Community Coordination and Public Education To be most effective, fire safe practices need to be implemented on a community- wide basis. There is no guarantee that a wildfire will not occur in any of these communities, even if all of the recommendations in this report are implemented. Nonetheless, public awareness, neighbors helping neighbors, and concerned, proactive individuals setting examples for others to follow are among the most important initiatives involved in reducing the risk of wildfire ignition and managing the hazards inherent in wildland interface areas. There is no way to completely eliminate the threat of wildfire in the wildland-urban interface. Acknowledging the need for ongoing fuels management on public and private lands is vital for fire safe living in a wildfire-prone environment. The best possible assurance for long-term community safety from wildfire requires a permanent commitment to the enforcement of fire safe ordinances at the local level. Mandatory fuels management includes regular monitoring and evaluation of fuel conditions and maintenance or implementation of additional fuel reduction treatments as development continues to encroach at the wildland-urban interface. Any of the following agencies or organizations can be contacted for further information and assistance. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project v Washoe County – Executive Summary Nevada Fire Safe Council firesafe@renonevada.net www.nvfsc.org Nevada Division of Forestry Fire Program Coordinator (775) 684-2500 Nevada Association of Counties nvnaco@nvnaco.org. Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office Nevada BLM State Fire Management Officer khull@nv.blm.gov Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisors Office H-T Supervisors Office Fire Staff Officer mdondero@fs.fed.us Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project vi Washoe County – Executive Summary Table 1-2. Summary of Hazard Reduction Recommendations for Communities in Washoe County Cooperating Partners COMMUNITY Description Estimated Treatment Area1 Private County BLM USFS NDF NDOT Other HIGH AND EXTREME HAZARD COMMUNITIES Mount Rose Corridor Shaded fuelbreaks, 300’ x 0.9 mi 34 acres X X Washoe Valley - West Tree thinning along west side of community 1,101 acres X X X MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES Cold Springs Fuelbreak, 200’ x 3.8 mi 92 acres X X Fuelbreak, 300’ x 3.6 mi 133 acres X X X Fuelbreak, 200’ x 2.3 mi 56 acres X Fuelbreak along State Route 431, 500’ x 2.6 mi 157 acres X X X X X Tree thinning on private parcels 1,050 acres X X Tree thinning within Galena Creek Regional Park 341 acres X X Galena Brush thinning 171 acres X Mogul Brush thinning 41 acres X Greenstrip along roads, 100’ x 4.8 mi 58 acres X X Palomino Valley Fuelbreak south along Bacon Rind Road, 150’ x 4.9 mi 89 acres X Brush thinning in open space areas 730 acres X Fuelbreak around Horizon Hills area, 150’ x 2.9 mi 54 acres X X Reno – Northwest Fuelbreak on west side of community, 100’ x 4.0 mi 48 acres X Reno – Southeast Fuelbreak south of Steamboat Estates Trailer Park, 100’ x 2.0 mi 25 acres X X Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project vii Washoe County – Executive Summary Cooperating Partners COMMUNITY Description Estimated Treatment Area1 Private County BLM USFS NDF NDOT Other MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES (continued) Fuelbreak along west side of community, 150’ x 1.0 mi 18 acres BIA/Tribe Sutcliff Fuelbreak along south side of community, 150’ x 0.6 mi 11 acres BIA/Tribe Greenstrip on north and southeast side of community, 200’ x 5.9 mi 144 acres X X Verdi Tree thinning on private parcels 406 acres X Shaded fuelbreak from Joy Lake Road to Davis Creek Park, 200’ x 3.1 mi 76 acres X X X Washoe City Tree thinning southwest of community including Davis Creek Park 256 acres X X X Washoe Valley – East Fuelbreak along outside of the community, 200’ x 12.7 mi 309 acres X X NVST2 LOW HAZARD COMMUNITIES Brush thinning in open space areas 470 acres X Reno – Southwest Fuelbreak on west side of community, 200’ x 7.3 mi 177 acres X X 1 Roadside fuelbreak areas are measured from the edge of pavement. Treatment area estimates include both sides of the road. 2 NVST – Nevada State Lands Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project viii Washoe County – Table of Contents Table of Contents Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... i 1.0 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND..........................................................................................................1 1.2 COMMUNITIES ASSESSED........................................................................................................2 2.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................3 2.1 PROJECT TEAM ......................................................................................................................3 2.2 BASE MAP DATA COLLECTION.................................................................................................3 2.3 COMMUNITY RISK/HAZARD ASSESSMENT.................................................................................4 2.4 INTERVIEWS WITH FIRE PERSONNEL ........................................................................................8 2.5 RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................................................................8 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY............................................................................................10 3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS, LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CLIMATIC DATA ...........................................10 3.2 WILDFIRE HISTORY ...............................................................................................................11 3.3 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CRITICAL FEATURES POTENTIALLY AT RISK ..................................14 3.4 PREVIOUS WILDFIRE ASSESSMENTS AND FUEL HAZARD REDUCTION PROJECTS......................17 4.0 COUNTY-WIDE ASSESSMENT RESULTS .............................................................................22 4.1 COUNTY-WIDE RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW ...................................................22 4.2 COUNTYWIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................26 HIGH AND EXTREME HAZARD COMMUNITIES 5.0 ANTELOPE VALLEY ................................................................................................................29 5.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................29 5.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................31 5.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................34 6.0 MOUNT ROSE CORRIDOR......................................................................................................40 6.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................40 6.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................43 6.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................47 7.0 RANCHO HAVEN......................................................................................................................53 7.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................53 7.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS AND ROLES ............................................56 7.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................59 8.0 RED ROCK................................................................................................................................64 8.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................64 8.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................66 8.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................70 9.0 WARM SPRINGS VALLEY.......................................................................................................76 9.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................76 9.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................79 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project ix Washoe County – Table of Contents 9.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................83 10.0 WASHOE VALLEY – WEST ...................................................................................................88 10.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................88 10.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................92 10.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................96 MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES 11.0 ANDERSON ACRES.............................................................................................................103 11.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................103 11.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................105 11.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................109 12.0 COLD SPRINGS....................................................................................................................112 12.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................112 12.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................115 12.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................119 13.0 GALENA................................................................................................................................123 13.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................123 13.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................127 13.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................131 14.0 GERLACH .............................................................................................................................135 14.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................135 14.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................137 14.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................141 15.0 GOLDEN VALLEY ................................................................................................................144 15.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................144 15.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................146 15.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................149 16.0 LEMMON VALLEY................................................................................................................152 16.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................152 16.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................155 16.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................158 17.0 MOGUL..................................................................................................................................163 17.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................163 17.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................166 17.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................170 18.0 NIXON....................................................................................................................................174 18.1 SWCA HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT .............................................................................174 18.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................176 18.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................180 19.0 PALOMINO VALLEY ............................................................................................................182 19.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................182 19.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................184 19.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................189 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project x Washoe County – Table of Contents 20.0 PLEASANT VALLEY ............................................................................................................193 20.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................193 20.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................195 20.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................199 21.0 RENO-NORTHWEST ............................................................................................................202 21.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................202 21.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................205 21.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................209 22.0 RENO – SOUTHEAST ..........................................................................................................213 22.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................213 22.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................216 22.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................220 23.0 SILVER KNOLLS ..................................................................................................................223 23.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................223 23.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................225 23.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................229 24.0 SPANISH SPRINGS..............................................................................................................232 24.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................232 24.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................234 24.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................237 25.0 STEAMBOAT ........................................................................................................................240 25.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................240 25.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................243 25.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................246 26.0 SUN VALLEY ........................................................................................................................250 26.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................250 26.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................253 26.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................257 27.0 SUTCLIFFE ...........................................................................................................................260 27.1 SWCA HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT .............................................................................260 27.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................262 27.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................266 28.0 VERDI ....................................................................................................................................268 28.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................268 28.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................271 28.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................275 29.0 WASHOE CITY......................................................................................................................279 29.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................279 29.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................282 29.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................286 30.0 WASHOE VALLEY – EAST..................................................................................................289 30.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................289 30.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................291 30.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................296 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xi Washoe County – Table of Contents LOW HAZARD COMMUNITIES 31.0 EMPIRE .................................................................................................................................300 31.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................300 31.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................302 31.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................304 32.0 RENO–SOUTHWEST............................................................................................................307 32.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................307 32.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................311 32.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................315 33.0 SPARKS (RENO NORTHEAST)...........................................................................................318 33.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................318 33.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................321 33.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................323 34.0 STEAD...................................................................................................................................326 34.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................326 34.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATION ..............................................................328 34.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................331 35.0 WADSWORTH ......................................................................................................................334 35.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................334 35.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................336 35.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................339 36.0 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................342 37.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................344 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 3-1. Community Locations And Land Ownership, Washoe County, Nevada ................20 Figure 3-2. Fire History And Critical Features Potentially At Risk, Washoe County, Nevada ..21 Figure 5-1. Antelope Valley Fire History ...................................................................................36 Figure 5-2. Antelope Valley Fuel Hazard Classification............................................................37 Figure 5-3. Antelope Valley Fuel Hazard Photo Points.............................................................38 Figure 6-1. Mount Rose Corridor Fire History And Proposed Mitigation Projects ....................49 Figure 6-2. Mount Rose Corridor Fuel Hazard Classification ...................................................50 Figure 6-3. Mount Rose Corridor Fuel Hazard Photo Points ....................................................51 Figure 7-1. Rancho Haven Fire History And Suppression Resources......................................61 Figure 7-2. Rancho Haven Fuel Hazard Classification .............................................................62 Figure 7-3. Rancho Haven Fuel Hazard Photo Points..............................................................63 Figure 8-1. Red Rock Fire History.............................................................................................72 Figure 8-2. Red Rock Fuel Hazard Classification .....................................................................73 Figure 8-3. Red Rock Fuel Hazard Photo Points ......................................................................74 Figure 9-1. Warm Springs Valley Fire History And Suppression Resources............................85 Figure 9-2. Warm Springs Valley Fuel Hazard Classification ...................................................86 Figure 9-3. Warm Springs Valley Fuel Hazard Photo Points ....................................................87 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xii Washoe County – Table of Contents Figure 10-1. Washoe Valley - West Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Proposed Mitigation Projects ..................................................................................................98 Figure 10-2. Washoe Valley - West Fuel Hazard Classification .................................................99 Figure 10-3. Washoe Valley - West Fuel Hazard Photo Points ................................................100 Figure 11-1. Anderson Acres Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features ....111 Figure 12-1. Cold Springs Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects................................................................................122 Figure 13-1. Galena Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects ................................................................................................134 Figure 14-1. Gerlach Fire History..............................................................................................143 Figure 15-1. Golden Valley Fire History And Critical Features .................................................151 Figure 16-1. Lemmon Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features .....160 Figure 16-2. Lemmon Valley BLM Mitigation Projects ..............................................................161 Figure 16-3. Hungry Valley BLM Mitigation Projects.................................................................162 Figure 17-1. Mogul Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Proposed Mitigation Treatments ..............................................................................................................................173 Figure 18-1. Nixon Fire History .................................................................................................181 Figure 19-1. Palomino Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Proposed Mitigation Treatments............................................................................................................192 Figure 20-1. Pleasant Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features .....201 Figure 21-1. Reno - Northwest Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects................................................................................212 Figure 22-1. Reno - Southeast Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects................................................................................222 Figure 23-1. Silver Knolls Fire History And Suppression Resources........................................231 Figure 24-1. Spanish Springs Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features....239 Figure 25-1. Steamboat Fire History And Proposed Mitigation Treatments .............................249 Figure 26-1. Sun Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects ................................................................................................259 Figure 27-1. Sutcliffe Fire History, Suppression Resources And Proposed Mitigation Treatments ..............................................................................................................................267 Figure 28-1. Verdi Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects ................................................................................................278 Figure 29-1. Washoe City Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Proposed Mitigation Projects.................................................................................................................288 Figure 30-1. Washoe Valley - East Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Proposed Mitigation Treatments ...........................................................................................298 Figure 31-1. Empire Fire History ...............................................................................................306 Figure 32-1. Reno - Southwest Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, And Proposed Mitigation Projects................................................................................317 Figure 33-1. Sparks Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features ...................325 Figure 34-1. Stead Fire History, Suppression Resources, And Critical Features.....................333 Figure 35-1. Wadsworth Fire History And Suppression Resources..........................................341 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xiii Washoe County – Table of Contents LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1. Community Risk and Hazard Assessment Results .................................................. ii Table 1-2. Summary of Hazard Reduction Recommendations for Communities in Washoe County ..................................................................................................................... vi Table 2-1. Primary Datasets and Sources Utilized in the Washoe County Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment .........................................................3 Table 2-2. Hazard Rating Point System Utilized in the Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project ................................................................5 Table 3-1. Land Status Within Washoe County .......................................................................10 Table 3-2. Summary of Fire History Data 1980-2003 ..............................................................12 Table 3-3. At-Risk Historic Places in Washoe County.............................................................15 Table 3-4. Federal and State Listed Flora and Fauna At Risk in Washoe County ..................15 Table 4-1. Community Risk and Hazard Assessment Results ................................................22 Table 4-2. Equipment Available for Initial Attack of a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire (during a high hazard day) from Cooperating Partners in Washoe County...........................25 Table 5-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Antelope Valley.......................................................................................................30 Table 5-2. Antelope Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................................34 Table 5-3. Antelope Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary .................................................35 Table 6-1. Mount Rose Corridor Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources .....................41 Table 6-2. Mount Rose Corridor Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..................................................................................................................47 Table 6-3. Mount Rose Corridor Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.........................................48 Table 7-1. Rancho Haven Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ...............................54 Table 7-2. Rancho Haven Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................................59 Table 7-3. Rancho Haven Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ..................................................60 Table 8-1. Red Rock Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources .......................................65 Table 8-2. Red Rock Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards.......70 Table 8-3. Red Rock Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ..........................................................71 Table 9-1. Warm Springs Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources .....................77 Table 9-2. Warm Springs Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..................................................................................................................83 Table 9-3. Warm Springs Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.........................................84 Table 10-1. Washoe Valley – West Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources...................89 Table 10-2. Washoe Valley - West Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..................................................................................................................96 Table 10-3. Washoe Valley - West Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.......................................97 Table 11-1. Anderson Acres Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ...........................104 Table 11-2. Anderson Acres Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................109 Table 11-3. Anderson Acres Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary...............................................110 Table 12-1. Cold Springs Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ................................113 Table 12-2. Cold Springs Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards 119 Table 12-3. Cold Springs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary....................................................121 Table 13-1. Galena Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources .........................................124 Table 13-2. Galena Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards.........131 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xiv Washoe County – Table of Contents Table 13-3. Galena Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.............................................................133 Table 14-1. Gerlach Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ........................................136 Table 14-2. Gerlach Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards........141 Table 14-3. Gerlach Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary............................................................142 Table 15-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Golden Valley ....................................................................................................................145 Table 15-2. Golden Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................149 Table 15-3. Golden Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary..................................................150 Table 16-1. Lemmon Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ............................153 Table 16-2. Lemmon Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................158 Table 16-3. Lemmon Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...............................................159 Table 17-1. Mogul Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ...........................................164 Table 17-2. Mogul Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards...........170 Table 17-3. Mogul Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ..............................................................172 Table 18-1. Nixon Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources............................................175 Table 18-2. Nixon Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ...........180 Table 19-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Palomino Valley....................................................................................................183 Table 19-2. Palomino Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................189 Table 19-3. Palomino Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ..............................................191 Table 20-1. Pleasant Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ............................194 Table 20-2. Pleasant Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................199 Table 20-3. Pleasant Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...............................................200 Table 21-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Reno-Northwest....................................................................................................203 Table 21-2. Reno - Northwest Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................209 Table 21-3. Reno - Northwest Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ............................................211 Table 22-1. Reno-Southeast Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources...........................214 Table 22-2. Reno – Southeast Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................220 Table 22-3. Reno - Southeast Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ............................................221 Table 23-1. Silver Knolls Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources .................................224 Table 23-2. Silver Knolls Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards.229 Table 23-3. Silver Knolls Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ....................................................230 Table 24-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Spanish Springs..................................................................................................................233 Table 24-2. Spanish Springs Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..............................................................................................................................237 Table 24-3. Spanish Springs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary..............................................238 Table 25-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Steamboat ............................................................................................................241 Table 25-2. Steamboat Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ...246 Table 25-3. Steamboat Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.......................................................248 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xv Washoe County – Table of Contents Table 26-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Sun Valley ....................................................................................................................251 Table 26-2. Sun Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ...257 Table 26-3. Sun Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary .......................................................258 Table 27-1. Sutcliffe Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources ........................................261 Table 27-2. Sutcliffe Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards........266 Table 28-1. Verdi Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources.............................................269 Table 28-2. Verdi Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ............275 Table 28-3. Verdi Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary................................................................277 Table 29-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Washoe City .........................................................................................................280 Table 29-2. Washoe City Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards 286 Table 29-3. Washoe City Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary....................................................287 Table 30-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Washoe Valley - East ...........................................................................................290 Table 30-2. Washoe Valley - East Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................296 Table 30-3. Washoe Valley - East Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary......................................297 Table 31-1. Empire Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources..........................................301 Table 31-2. Empire Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards .........304 Table 31-3. Empire Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary.............................................................305 Table 32-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near the Reno-Southwest Community................................................................................308 Table 32-2. Reno – Southwest Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ................................................................................................................315 Table 32-3. Reno - Southwest Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary............................................316 Table 33-1. Standard Sparks Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Sparks...................................................................................................................319 Table 33-2. Sparks Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards .........323 Table 33-3. Sparks Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary .............................................................324 Table 34-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Stead ....................................................................................................................327 Table 34-2. Stead Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ...........331 Table 34-3. Stead Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary...............................................................332 Table 35-1. Wadsworth Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources...................................335 Table 35-2. Wadsworth Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards ..339 Table 35-3. Wadsworth Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ......................................................340 APPENDICES Appendix A Glossary of Terms Used in Wildfire Management and Scientific Plant Names Appendix B Community Wildfire Assessment Rating System Appendix C Photographs of Representative Fuel Types Appendix D List of Persons Contacted Appendix E Homeowner Guidelines Appendix F Community Guidelines File Doc: WashoeCnty06-27-05rpt sa-jm Log6-39NFSC.doc [June 29, 2005] Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project xvi Washoe County – Table of Contents Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 1 Washoe County – Introduction 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND A key element of the Healthy Forests Initiative announced by the White House in 2002 is the implementation of core components of the National Fire Plan Collaborative Approach for Reducing wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy. Federal agencies and Western State Governors adopted the Plan in the spring of 2002, in collaboration with County Commissioners, State Foresters, and tribal officials. The Plan calls for more active forest and rangeland management to reduce wildfire hazards in the wildland-urban interface. The Healthy Forest Restoration Act (H.R. 1904) was signed into law in December of 2003. The Act creates provisions for expanding the activities outlined in the National Fire Plan. In this same year the Nevada Fire Safe Council received National Fire Plan funding through the Bureau of Land Management to conduct Community Risk/Hazard Assessments in communities at risk across Nevada. The communities to be assessed are among those named in the 2001 Federal Register list of communities within the vicinity of federal lands that are most vulnerable to wildfire threat in Nevada (66 FR 160). The list identifies Nevada communities adjacent to federal lands that are most vulnerable to wildfire threat in Nevada Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI), a Carson City consulting firm, was selected to conduct the Community Risk/Hazard Assessments. During 2004, the RCI Project Team inventoried over 250 communities in 17 Nevada counties to assess both the risk of ignition and the potential fire behavior hazard within the wildland-urban interface, places where homes and wildland meet. Procedures accepted by Nevada’s wildland fire agencies were used to reach consistent and objective evaluations of each community. The specific goals of the Nevada Community Risk/Hazard Assessment Project are to: ¾ Assess the wildfire hazards present to each community on the Federal Register list of Communities At Risk in Nevada. ¾ Identify firefighting resource needs (equipment and infrastructure). ¾ Conduct fuel hazard mapping for high fuel hazard communities. ¾ Describe proposed risk and hazard mitigation projects in enough detail to aid communities in applying for future implementation funds. ¾ Distribute assessment results and proposed mitigation project descriptions to each county in a format that will be easily updated and useful for public meetings and other public education activities. The community risk/hazard assessments were conducted systematically for each community. The RCI Project Teams observed and recorded the factors that significantly influence the risk of wildfire ignition along the wildland-urban interface and inventoried features that can have an influence on hazardous conditions in the event of a wildfire. Interviews with local fire agency and emergency response personnel were completed to assess the availability and capability of suppression resources and to identify opportunities for increased community preparedness. Descriptions of the existing fuel hazard and potential fire behavior is discussed for each community. Photo points and fuel hazard maps Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 2 Washoe County – Introduction are presented for each community where the overall community hazard score is high or extreme. The results of each community assessment are formatted to facilitate ease of reference and reproduction for individual communities. Each community is mapped and ignition risks, fire hazards, and recommended mitigation projects are described for each community. The recommendations are summarized in table form and presented in a separate map, if the proposed mitigation project can be graphically represented. These tools will aid local, state, and federal agencies in strategic planning, raising public awareness, and securing funding to implement risk and hazard reduction projects. Mitigating the risks and hazards identified by these assessments is not only crucial to the long term goals of the National Fire Plan, but also to the short and long term viability of Nevada communities, natural resources, infrastructures, and watersheds. Numerous agencies and individuals were involved in the planning and implementation of this effort. Special thanks and acknowledgement is given to: ¾ Nevada Fire Safe Council (NFSC) ¾ Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ¾ Forest Service (FS) ¾ Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) ¾ Nevada Division of Forestry (Nevada Division of Forestry) ¾ University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) ¾ Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) ¾ Nevada’s Counties ¾ Fire Chiefs and firefighters statewide 1.2 COMMUNITIES ASSESSED Thirty-one communities within Washoe County were identified in the Federal Register (66 FR 160) as at risk and are included in this assessment: • Anderson Acres • Antelope Valley • Cold Springs • Empire • Galena • Gerlach • Golden Valley • Lemmon Valley • Mogul (I-80 Corridor West) • Mount Rose Corridor • Nixon • Palomino Valley • Pleasant Valley • Rancho Haven • Red Rock • Reno-Northwest • Reno-Southeast • Reno-Southwest • Silver Knolls • Spanish Springs • Sparks • Stead • Steamboat • Sun Valley • Sutcliff • Verdi • Wadsworth • Warm Springs Valley • Washoe City • Washoe Valley-East • Washoe Valley-West There may be additional rural areas or residential developments in Washoe County that were not included on the Federal Register list, and thus not included in the scope of this project. However, conditions in and around some of these communities may warrant future wildfire risk/hazard assessment, and many of the recommendations given for communities with similar conditions in this report may apply to additional areas. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 3 Washoe County – Methodology 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 PROJECT TEAM The RCI Project Team consisted of experts in the fields of fire behavior and suppression, forest and rangeland ecology, forest health, and geographic information systems (GIS). The RCI Project Team collaborated to complete a Community Risk/Hazard Assessment for each of the listed communities in Washoe County. The RCI Field Teams included a Fire Specialist with extensive working wildland fire experience in Nevada and a Resource Specialist experienced in the natural resource environment of the Great Basin. The RCI Project Team used standardized procedures developed from the Draft Community Wildland Fire Assessment For Existing and Planned Wildland Residential Interface Developments in Nevada (Nevada’s Wildland Fire Agencies, Board of Fire Directors, April 2001; revised 2002). This approach incorporates values for fuel hazards, structural hazards, community design and preparedness, and fire protection capabilities into an overall community rating. A glossary of wildland fire terms used frequently in describing assessment results and recommendations is included in Appendix A. 2.2 BASE MAP DATA COLLECTION The Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist on the RCI Project Team compiled and reviewed existing statewide geospatial data to create field maps for recording baseline data and data verification. Data sources for the maps were the Nevada fire Safe Council, The Nevada Department of Transportation, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Datasets and sources utilized are summarized in Table 2-1. Table 2-1. Primary Datasets and Sources Utilized in the Washoe County Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment SPATIAL DATA SET DATA SOURCE Land Ownership Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office Mapping Services Parcels Washoe County GIS Program Vegetation Communities Nevada Gap Analysis Program Data, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University Topography US Geological Survey Digital Elevation Models and Topographic Maps Fire Suppression Resources Washoe County GIS Program Roads Nevada Department of Transportation Washoe County GIS Program Current Aerial Photographs US Geological Survey Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (1994, 1996, or 1998) Washoe County GIS Program Fuel Types Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office Fire Hazard Potential Data Fire History Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office Mapping Services US Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe Supervisor’s Office National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, Idaho Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 4 Washoe County – Methodology 2.2.1 Wildfire History Wildfire history was mapped using Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service datasets and GIS databases that identify wildfire perimeters on federally managed lands covering the past 21 years. This database was compiled by agency personnel using global positioning system (GPS) and screen digitizing on source maps with a minimum detail of 1:250,000. The datasets have been updated at the Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office and the USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe Supervisor's Office at the end of each fire season from information provided by each Nevada BLM Field Office and Humboldt-Toiyabe Ranger District. The datasets are the central source of historical GIS fire data used for fire management and land use planning on federal lands. In addition to the fire perimeter information, point data for all fire ignitions within Nevada from 1980 to 2003 was obtained from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) database in Boise, Idaho. This dataset includes an ignition point coordinate and an acreage component as reported through a variety of agencies. This data is summarized in Table 3.2 and provides the ignition point locations for the maps in this report. In many cases, the ignition point location is only accurate to within the section; in such cases, the point coordinate is located in the section center on the maps. This wildfire and ignition history data are used to formulate risk ratings and to develop recommendations specific to areas that have been repeatedly impacted by wildland fires. Observations by the RCI Project Team and comments from the local fire agency personnel were also used to develop recommendations in areas without recent wildfire activity where a significant buildup of fuels or expansion of urban development into the interface area represents a growing risk. 2.3 COMMUNITY RISK/HAZARD ASSESSMENT The wildland-urban interface is the place where homes and wildland meet. This project focuses on identifying risks and hazards in the wildland-urban interface areas countywide by assessing each community individually. Site-specific information for each community was collected during field visits conducted September 13 through 30, 2004. The predominant conditions recorded during these site visits were used as the basis for the Community Risk and Hazard Assessment ratings. 2.3.1 Ignition Risk Assessment Criteria The Fire Specialists on the RCI Project Team assigned an ignition risk rating of low, moderate, or high to each community assessed. This rating is based on interpretation of the historical record of ignition patterns and fire polygons provided by the National Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service databases; interviews with local fire department personnel and local area Fire Management Officers; field visits to each community; and the professional judgment of the RCI Fire Specialists based on their experience with wildland fire ignitions in Nevada. Ignition risks fall into two general categories, lightning and human caused. Human caused ignitions can come from a variety of sources: fires started along highways and roads from burning material being thrown out of vehicles windows, ignitions from auto accidents, off- Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 5 Washoe County – Methodology road vehicles, faulty power lines, ditch burning, kids with matches, target shooting, fireworks, and arson. 2.3.2 Hazard Assessment Criteria The Community Wildfire Hazard Assessments were completed using methodology outlined in the Draft Community Wildland Fire Assessment For Existing and Planned Wildland Residential Interface Developments in Nevada (Nevada's Wildland Fire Agencies 2001, revised 2002). This system assigns hazard ratings of low through extreme based on the scoring system given in Table 2-2 and detailed in Appendix B. Table 2-2. Hazard Rating Point System Utilized in the Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project HAZARD CATEGORY SCORE Low Hazard <41 Moderate Hazard 40-60 High Hazard 61-75 Extreme Hazard 76+ To arrive at a score for the community, five primary factors that affect potential fire hazard were assessed: community design, construction materials, defensible space, availability and capability of fire suppression resources, and physical conditions such as fuel loading and topography. A description of each of these factors and their importance in developing the overall score for the community are provided below. Individual community score sheets presenting the point values assigned to each element in the hazard assessment score are provided at the end of each community assessment. Community Design Aspects of community design account for 26 percent of the total score of the hazard assessment. Many aspects of community design can be modified to make a community more fire safe. Factors considered include: ¾ Interface Condition. Community safety is affected by the density and distribution of structures with respect to the surrounding wildland environment. Four conditions are recognized and used to categorize the wildland-urban interface: Classic Interface, Intermix, Occluded, and Rural. Definitions for each condition class are included in the glossary in Appendix A. ¾ Access. Design aspects of roadways influence the hazard rating assigned to a community. A road gradient of greater than five percent can increase response times for heavy vehicles carrying water. Roads less than twenty feet in width often impede two-way movement of vehicles and fire suppression equipment. Hairpin turns and cul-de-sacs with radii of less than 45 feet can cause problems for equipment mobility. Adequately designed secondary access routes and loop roads in a community can lower a hazard rating. Visible, fire- resistant street and address identification and adequate driveway widths also reduce the overall community hazard rating. ¾ Utilities. Poorly maintained overhead power lines can be a potential ignition source for wildfires. It is important to keep power line corridors clear of Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 6 Washoe County – Methodology flammable vegetation, especially around power poles and beneath transformers, as fires have been known to start from arcing power lines or exploding transformers during wind storms or periods of high electricity demand. Keeping flammable vegetation cleared from beneath power lines and around power poles reduces potential hazards from damaged power lines. Energized power lines may fall and create additional hazards for residents and firefighters including blocked road access. Power failures are especially dangerous if a community lacks backup sources for electrical power. Many communities rely on electric pumps to provide water to residents and firefighters for structural protection and fire suppression. Construction Materials Construction materials account for 16 percent of the total assessment score. While it is not feasible to expect all structures in the wildland-urban interface area to be rebuilt with non-combustible materials, there are steps that can be taken to address specific elements that strongly affect structure ignitability in the interface area. Factors considered in the assessment include: ¾ Structure Building Materials. The composition of building materials determines the length of time a structure can withstand high temperatures before ignition occurs. Houses composed of wood siding and wood shake roofing are usually the most susceptible to ignitions. Houses built with stucco exteriors and tile, metal, or composition roofing are able to withstand much higher temperatures and heat durations; thereby presenting a much lower ignition risk from firebrands or the proximity of advancing flames when defensible space conditions are adequate. ¾ Architectural Features. Unenclosed or unscreened balconies, decks, porches, eaves, or attic vents on homes can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. A high number of houses within a wildland-urban interface area with these features implies a greater hazard to the community. Defensible Space Defensible space accounts for 16 percent of the assessment score. The density and type of fuel around a home determines the potential fire exposure and the potential for damage to the home. A greater volume of trees, shrubs, dry weeds, dry grass, woodpiles, and other combustible materials near the home will ignite more readily, produce more intense heat during a fire, and increase the threat of losing the home. Defensible space is one of the factors that homeowners can most easily manipulate in order to improve the chances that a home or other property avoids damage or complete loss from a wildfire. Suppression Capabilities Suppression capabilities account for 16 percent of the total assessment score. Knowledge of the capabilities or limitations of the fire suppression resources in a community can help county officials and residents take action to maximize the resources available. Factors considered in the assessment include: Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 7 Washoe County – Methodology ¾ Availability, Number, and Training Level of Firefighting Personnel. When a fire begins in or near a community, having the appropriate firefighting personnel available to respond quickly is critical to saving structures and lives. Whether there is a local paid fire department, volunteer department, or no local fire department impacts how long it takes for firefighters to respond to a reported wildland fire or to a threatened community. ¾ Quantity and Type of Fire Suppression Equipment. The quantity and type of available fire suppression equipment has an important role in minimizing the effect of a wildfire on a community. Wildland firefighting requires specialized equipment. ¾ Water Resources. The availability of water resources is critical to fighting a wildland fire. Whether there is a community water system with adequate fire flow capabilities, or whether firefighters must rely on local ponds or other drafting sites affects how difficult it will be for firefighters to protect the community. Physical Conditions The physical conditions that influence fire behavior account for 26 percent of the hazard rating. Physical conditions include slope, aspect, topography, fuel type, and fuels density. With the exception of changes to the fuels composition, the physical conditions in and around a community cannot be altered to make the community more fire safe. Therefore, an understanding of how these physical conditions influence the fire behavior is essential to planning effective preparedness activities such as fuel reduction treatments. Physical conditions considered in the assessment include: ¾ Slope, Aspect, and Topography. In addition to local weather conditions, slope, aspect, and topographic features are also used to predict fire behavior. Steep slopes greatly influence fire behavior. Fire usually burns upslope with greater speed and with longer flame lengths than on flat areas. Fire can burn downslope; however, it usually burns downhill at a slower rate and with shorter flame lengths than in upslope burns. East aspect slopes in the Great Basin may experience afternoon downslope winds that can rapidly push fires down slope. West and south facing aspects are subject to more intense solar exposure, which preheats vegetation and lowers the moisture content of fuels. Canyons, ravines, and saddles are topographical features that are prone to higher wind speeds than adjacent areas. Fires pushed by winds grow at an accelerated rate compared to fires burning in non-windy conditions. Homes built mid-slope, at the crest of slopes, or in saddles are most at risk due to wind-prone topography in the event of a wildfire. ¾ Fuel Type and Density. Vegetation type, fuel moisture values, and fuel density around a community affect the potential fire behavior. Areas with dense, continuous, vegetative fuels carry a higher hazard rating than communities situated in areas of irrigated, sparse, or non-continuous fuels. Several consecutive years of above normal precipitation will result in excessive cheatgrass growth and ground litter. These conditions in combination with hot and dry weather, steep slopes, or high winds can create a situation in which the worst-case fire severity scenario can occur. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 8 Washoe County – Methodology 2.3.3 Fuel Hazard Mapping Fuel hazard maps were initially generated by the Bureau of Land Management Nevada and Utah State Offices using wildfire hazard delineations derived from vegetation (Nevada GAP Analysis Program satellite dataset at 30-meter resolution). A total of 65 vegetation types were mapped statewide and reclassified into four wildfire hazard categories (low, moderate, high, and extreme) based on the anticipated fire behavior for each vegetation cover type. For example, pinyon-juniper cover types were generally rated as extreme fuel hazard, while sparse shadscale cover types were rated as low fuel hazards. The RCI Project Team visited high and extreme hazard communities and verified the Bureau of Land Management hazard information by comparing the hazard ratings on the existing fuel hazard map to vegetation, slope, and aspect conditions directly observed in the field. Where necessary, changes to the ratings were drawn on the maps and used to update the wildfire hazard potential layer of the project database. Photo points were established in high and extreme fuel hazard communities to monitor future changes in the fuel hazard conditions. Fuel hazard mapping was completed and figures prepared for all communities with high or extreme community hazard ratings. Photos of representative fuel types in Washoe County are included in Appendix C. 2.3.4 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The Wildfire Specialists on the RCI Project Team described the worst-case scenarios included in this evaluation based on the analyses of the severe fire behavior that could occur given a set of weather conditions, observed fuel load conditions, and minimal fire suppression resources. The worst-case scenario does not describe the most likely outcome of a wildfire event in the interface, but it illustrates the potential for damage if a given set of conditions were to occur simultaneously. The worst-case scenarios are described in this document for public education purposes and are part of the basis for the fuel reduction recommendations. 2.4 INTERVIEWS WITH FIRE PERSONNEL The RCI Project Team interviewed local fire department personnel and local area Fire Management Officers to obtain information on wildfire training, emergency response time, personnel and equipment availability, evaluation plans, pre-attack plans, and estimates of possible worst-case scenarios. Local fire personnel reviewed maps showing the history of wildfires to ensure that local information on wildland fires was added to the datasets when possible. A list of fire agency personnel contacted for information used in the assessments is included in Appendix D. 2.5 RECOMMENDATIONS A wide variety of treatments and alternative measures can be used to reduce ignition risks, mitigate fire hazards, and promote fire-safe communities. Proposed recommendations typically include physical removal or reduction of flammable vegetation, increased community awareness of the risk of fires and how to reduce those risks, and coordination among fire suppression agencies to optimize efforts and use of resources. The RCI Project Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 9 Washoe County – Methodology Team met repeatedly to analyze community risks, treatment alternatives, and treatment benefits. Treatment recommendations to reduce existing risks and hazards were formulated based upon professional experience, the community hazard score, and information developed in conjunction with the “Living With Fire” publications, National Fire Plan, FIREWISE resources (National Fire Plan website: http://www.fireplan.gov/reports/7-19- en.pdf; FIREWISE website: http://www.firewise.org), and Nevada Cooperative Extension publications. The recommendations included in this report are considered high priorities for individual communities and are presented in a relative order of importance. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 10 Washoe County – Description of the County 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY 3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS, LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CLIMATIC DATA Washoe County is in the northwest corner of Nevada bordering California to the west and Oregon to the north. Washoe County encompasses approximately 4.2 million acres. The population for Washoe County was estimated at 365,433 persons (US Census Bureau 2003) The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation reported trade, transportation, and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and government as the major employers in Washoe County (Nevada Commission on Economic Development, 2004). The majority of land within Washoe County is public land administered and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The federal agency policies and decisions on public lands adjacent to the wildland-urban interface areas have direct effects on private landowners within the county. The Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation encompasses approximately 470,000 acres in the southeastern part of Washoe County. The largest water bodies in Washoe County include Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River. The most extensive urban area in Washoe County is located in the southwest portion of the county and includes many individual communities. The northern half of the County is primarily undeveloped and includes a large portion of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. A jurisdictional summary of land management administration is provided in Table 3-1 and presented on Figure 3-1. Table 3-1. Land Status Within Washoe County LAND ADMINISTRATOR APPROXIMATE ACREAGE PERCENT OF COUNTY Federal Bureau of Land Management 2,681,093 60 US Forest Service 94,581 3 Bureau of Indian Affairs 356,088 9 Bureau of Reclamation 283 <1 Department of Defense 1,732 <1 US Fish and Wildlife Service 175,360 5 State of Nevada State of Nevada 15,966 <1 Private / Local Government Regional Park 559 <1 Private 712,257 19 Other Water 154,858 4 Source: Bureau of Land Management land ownership GIS database. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 11 Washoe County – Description of the County Elevations within the County range from approximately 3,760 feet at Winnemucca Lake, a dry lakebed in eastern Washoe County, to 10,776 feet at Mt. Rose in the Carson Range. The most prominent mountain range is the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the west side of the county along the California border. Other major mountain ranges and features in close proximity to at risk communities in Washoe County include Peavine Peak, Virginia Range, Petersen Mountain, Pah Rah Range, and Fred’s Mountain. Climatic thirty-year averages for Reno (at Reno-Tahoe International Airport) indicate average high/low temperatures range from 45°F/28°F in January to 91°F/51°F in July. Average annual precipitation in Reno is 7.5 inches with precipitation reaching twenty inches or more in higher elevation communities such as Incline Village (Western Regional Climate Center website). The majority of the precipitation received in Washoe County arrives in the form of snow during the winter months with rain also occurring in the early spring. The summer and fall months are relatively dry with isolated thunderstorms providing the precipitation during these months. Dry lightning storms coupled with periodic drought conditions poses a high ignition risk to many communities in Washoe County. Mountain valley wind patterns, particularly on the east side of the Sierra Mountains, strongly influence fire behavior in parts of Washoe County. Local daily wind patterns down the east- facing canyons and valleys are influenced by differential heating and cooling on east and west facing slopes. Afternoon downslope winds and cross valley winds can frequently exceed 20 miles per hour (American Meteorological Society Glossary of Meteorology). 3.2 WILDFIRE HISTORY There is a history of many large wildfire occurrences between 1980 and 2003 in Washoe County (Nevada Bureau of Land Management State Office 2002). During the last two decades, approximately eight percent of Washoe County burned in wildland fires. Table 3-2 summarizes the fire histories and fire ignitions by year that have been reported to the database. Figure 3-2 illustrates the large fire history and fire ignitions on a map of Washoe County. The largest fire recorded in the county occurred in 1999 and burned approximately 47,663 acres northeast of the Rancho Haven community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 12 Washoe County – Description of the County Table 3-2. Summary of Fire History Data 1980-2003 YEAR NUMBER OF FIRE IGNITIONS TOTAL FIRE ACREAGE YEAR NUMBER OF FIRE IGNITIONS TOTAL FIRE ACREAGE 1980 19 Not Available 1992 43 688 1981 12 10,728 1993 11 15 1982 16 69 1994 17 2,546 1983 28 9,634 1995 15 3,265 1984 50 32,167 1996 34 17,395 1985 39 55,470 1997 29 1,852 1986 29 1,060 1998 16 5,802 1987 40 251 1999 25 93,559 1988 37 3,213 2000 37 32,454 1989 9 15 2001 32 30,234 1990 57 1,430 2002 42 980 1991 48 107 2003 24 2,197 Unknown 11 Not Available TOTAL 720 305,131 Source: Fire history data provided by the National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, Idaho. Fire acreage is derived from Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service fire perimeter data and specific to acreage within Washoe County. 3.2.1 Ignition Risk Factors Wildfire ignition risks fall into two categories: lightning and human caused. Human caused ignitions can come from a variety of sources such as burning material thrown out of vehicle windows or ignited during auto accidents, off-road vehicles, railroads, arcing power lines, agricultural fires, campfires, debris burning in piles or burn barrels, matches, and fireworks. In Washoe County, database records indicate that of the 720 recorded fire ignitions, 455 were due to lightning, 145 were due to human causes, and 120 ignitions had causes that were not reported. 3.2.2 Fire Ecology The science of fire ecology is the study of how fire contributes to plant community structure and species composition. A ‘fire regime’ is defined in terms of the average number of years between fires under natural conditions (fire frequency) and the extent to which dominant vegetation is replaced by fire (fire severity). Natural fire regimes have been affected throughout most of Nevada by twentieth century fire suppression policies. Large areas that formerly burned with high frequency but low intensity (fires more amenable to control and suppression) are now characterized by large accumulations of unburned fuels, which once ignited, will burn at higher intensities. Big sagebrush is the most common plant community in Nevada with an altered fire regime, now characterized by infrequent, high-intensity fires. Sagebrush requires ten to twenty or more years to reestablish on burned areas. During the interim these areas can provide the conditions for establishment and spread of invasive species and in some cases inhibit sagebrush reestablishment. The most common invasive species to reoccupy burned areas in northern Nevada is cheatgrass. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 13 Washoe County – Description of the County Effect of Cheatgrass on Fire Ecology Cheatgrass is a common introduced annual grass that aggressively invades disturbed areas, especially burns. Replacement of a native shrub community with a pure stand of cheatgrass increases the susceptibility of an area to repeated wildfire ignitions, especially in late summer when desiccating winds and lightning activity are more prevalent. The total height and volume of cheatgrass fuel produced each year is highly variable and dependent on winter and spring precipitation. In years with above normal precipitation cheatgrass will produce much higher volumes of highly flammable fuels and can fully occupy interspaces between shrubs. As the grass matures and dries, a continuous and receptive fuel bed is created that is capable of rapidly burning into adjacent cover types that may be characterized by more severe and hazardous fire behavior. The ecologic risk of a fire spreading from a cheatgrass stand into adjacent, unburned native vegetation is that additional disturbed areas are thereby opened and vulnerable to cheatgrass invasion. Associated losses of natural resource values such as wildlife habitat, soil stability, and watershed functions are additional consequences. Eliminating, or at least controlling cheatgrass presents a difficult challenge. Mowing defensible space and fuelbreak areas each year before seed maturity is effective in reduction cheatgrass growth. In areas where livestock may be utilized, implementing early season intensive grazing up to and during flowering may aid in depleting the seed bank and reduce the annual fuel load (BLM 2003, Davison and Smith 2000, Montana State University 2004).2 The use of pre-emergent herbicides has also proven effective in reducing growth and depleting the seed bank. Any herbicide treatment on public lands must be done in accordance with federal guidelines. Private landowners should proceed with caution if using herbicides, comply with all label instructions, and consult their local extension specialist prior to use. Fire Ecology in Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands Single-leaf pinyon and Utah juniper are the dominant components of a plant community commonly referred to as pinyon-juniper (P-J). P-J woodlands were primarily confined to the steeper slopes commonly found at higher elevations in the Great Basin prior to European settlement. These woodland communities were characterized by a discontinuous distribution on the landscape and a heterogeneous internal fuel structure; a mosaic pattern of shrubs and trees resulting from the canopy openings created by small and frequent wildfires. Both pinyon and juniper trees have relatively thin bark with continuous branching all the way to the ground. In denser stands, lower tree branches frequently intercept adjacent ladder fuels, e.g. shrubs, herbaceous groundcover, and smaller trees. This situation creates a dangerous fuel condition where ground fires can be carried into tree canopies and create crown fires. A crown fire is the most perilous of all wildfire conditions and is usually catastrophic in nature since the danger to firefighters is generally too great to deploy ground crews. 2 Proposed changes to livestock grazing on public lands for cheatgrass control must be approved by the appropriate land management agency prior to implementation. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 14 Washoe County – Description of the County Over the last 100 years, wildfires in most of the western United States have been aggressively suppressed and P-J woodlands have encroached over areas traditionally occupied by other plant communities. Tree canopy coverage has been greatly expanded and has reached as high as sixty percent or more in some areas, contributing to the loss of diverse shrublands. These dense woodlands are perceived as being desirable for urban expansion in contrast to the surrounding deserts. In areas where human occupation in P-J woodlands has grown over the last fifty years, the option of returning to a natural fire regime becomes increasingly problematic. Fire Ecology in Jeffrey Pine and Mixed Coniferous Forests Some plant communities have evolved to burn frequently with low intensity, for example mature Jeffrey pine forests. Under a natural fire regime, low-intensity surface fires reduce fuel loading from grasses and shrubs, suppress regeneration of shade-tolerant white fir seedlings, and leave the adult Jeffrey pine trees unaffected, protected by thick, fire-resistant bark. Forests with frequent fire occurrence often have an open, “park-like” appearance with an understory of grass or low shrubs. Though shaded by large, mature trees, spacing between trees is sufficient to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor and encourage regeneration of shade-intolerant species like Jeffrey pine trees. Pockets of heavy fuels exist in these conditions, but their discontinuous nature reduces the likelihood that a fire will burn with enough intensity to negatively impact mature trees. In the absence of frequent surface fires, accumulated dead-and-down woody fuels and the green “ladder fuels” can carry flames into the coniferous overstory, potentially provoking a catastrophic, stand- destroying crown fire. 3.3 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CRITICAL FEATURES POTENTIALLY AT RISK Critical features at risk of loss during a wildfire event can be economic assets such as agricultural and industrial resources or cultural features such as historic structures, archaeological sites, and recreation-based resources. 3.3.1 Historical Resources The potential for adverse effects to historic resources depends upon site-specific factors that vary from place to place including the surrounding fuel hazard conditions, topography, and building materials. The five sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places for Washoe County, two of which are also listed on the Nevada Register of Historic Places, that could potentially be affected by wildland fire are summarized in Table 3-3. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 15 Washoe County – Description of the County Table 3-3. At-Risk Historic Places in Washoe County SITE NAME LOCATION SOURCE REGISTER Alamo Ranch House Steamboat National Register of Historic Places Nevada Register of Historic Places Bowers Mansion Washoe Valley National Register of Historic Places Nevada Register of Historic Places Brown, Peleg, Ranch AKA Damonte Ranch Old Virginia Road, Reno National Register of Historic Places Walter Cliff Ranch Washoe Valley National Register of Historic Places Gerlach Water Tower Gerlach National Register of Historic Places 3.3.2 Flora and Fauna There are three fish, one bird, one insect, and one plant in Washoe County listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Several additional species are listed as sensitive by Nevada State legislation under Nevada Revised Statute 501 and 527 with potential habitat in Washoe County. Federal and State-listed species with potential or known occurrence in Washoe County are identified in Table 3-4. The Nevada Natural Heritage Program, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife should be consulted regarding specific concerns and potential mitigation to minimize impacts to these species prior to implementing fuel reduction projects and prior to the occurrence of a catastrophic wildfire. Project recommendations involving federally listed, threatened or endangered species require formal consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Table 3-4. Federal and State Listed Flora and Fauna At Risk in Washoe County COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGISLATION Plants Steamboat buckwheat Eriogonum ovalifolium var. williamsiae ESA listed threatened; NRS 527.260 - .300 Webber ivesia Ivesia webberi NRS 527.260 - .300 Sand cholla Opuntia pulchella NRS 527.060 - .120 Washoe Pine Pinus washoensis NRS 527.060 - .120 Williams’ combleaf Polyctenium williamsiae NRS 527.260 - .300 Tahoe yellowcress Rorippa subumbellata ESA candidate species NRS 527.260 - .300 Mammals Mono Basin mountain beaver Aplodontia rufa californica NRS 501 Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis NRS 501 Spotted bat Euderma maculatum NRS 501 American marten Martes americana NRS 501 Insects Carson wandering skipper Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus ESA listed endangered Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 16 Washoe County – Description of the County COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGISLATION Fishes Warner sucker Catostomus warnerensis ESA listed threatened Cui-ui Chasmistes cujus ESA listed endangered; NRS 501 Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi ESA listed threatened; NRS 501 Warner Valley redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss pop NRS 501 Birds Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis NRS 501 Western burrowing owl Athene cunicularia hypugaea NRS 501 Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis NRS 501 Swainson’s hawk Buteo swainsoni NRS 501 Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus NRS 501 Western snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus ESA listed threatened; NRS 501 Black tern Chlidonias niger NRS 501 Western yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus occidentalis NRS 501 Common loon Gavia immer NRS 501 Mountain quail Oreortyx pictus NRS 501 Flammulated owl Otus flammeolus NRS 501 White-headed woodpecker Picoides albolarvatus NRS 501 White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi NRS 501 Great gray owl Strix nebulosa NRS 501 California spotted owl Strix occidentalis occidentalis NRS 501 Source: Nevada Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Washoe County Rare Species List. Available at http://www.heritage.nv.gov. Accessed April 29, 2005. 3.3.3 Recreation The Spooner Lake Backcountry Unit of the Lake Tahoe State Park is located within both Carson City and Washoe County. The park is managed by the Carson-Tahoe Region Headquarters of the Nevada Division of State Parks. There are several structures within the Carson City portion of the approximately 12,000-acre unit. Approximately 120,000 people visit the park annually and the estimated daily summer weekend visitation is 525 persons. The park management has developed an informal evacuation plan that they used to evacuate the Park during the 2004 Waterfall Fire. The Nevada Division of Forestry is the primary fire suppression agency responsible for the State Park. The Parks Division has received some funding for fuel reduction treatments along corridors outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin. They have also received funding from the Environmental Improvement Program for fuels reduction and forest health treatments for the areas of the park within the Lake Tahoe Basin. Fuel reduction treatments and forest health tree thinning treatments have been ongoing within the Park since 1999 (Kosch pers. comm.). Davis Creek and Galena Creek Regional Parks are managed by Washoe County Parks. Both parks host several large and small group picnic areas, hiking trailheads, and restroom facilities. The Davis Creek Park also has several campsites available. Washoe Lake State Park is managed by the Nevada Division of State Parks. Facilities at the park include Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 17 Washoe County – Description of the County equestrian trails, campsites, small and large group picnic areas, restroom facilities, and a boat launch. The park provides wildlife viewing opportunities with common species including deer, coyote, hawks, eagles, pelicans, herons, and ibis. 3.4 PREVIOUS WILDFIRE ASSESSMENTS AND FUEL HAZARD REDUCTION PROJECTS 3.4.1 BIA/SWCA Assessments In 2003, SWCA Inc., Environmental Consultants prepared wildfire risk/hazard assessments under contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the communities of Nixon and Sutcliffe within the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. A summary of those reports and updated reviews and recommendations made by the RCI Project Team are included in the community-specific chapters of this report. 3.4.2 US Forest Service Projects In 2002, the US Forest Service Carson Ranger District completed fifteen acres of brush, mountain mahogany, and small tree thinning along both sides of Whites Creek Road from the National Forest boundary to the proposed Whites Creek Trailhead. In 2002, the Carson Ranger District also issued a decision for Phase 2 of the Whites and Thomas Fuels Reduction Wildland-Urban Interface Project. Fuelbreak and mosaic treatments were completed on approximately 230 acres. Brush and mountain mahogany were thinned in a mosaic pattern to create fuelbreaks along 1.5 miles of Timberline Road, 2.5 miles along the north ridgeline adjacent to Whites Creek, and one mile from Thomas Creek Road to Mt. Rose Highway along the National Forest boundary. Additional mosaic fuels reduction treatment was also completed on the south-facing slope north of Whites Creek. Phase 3 of Whites and Thomas Fuels Reduction includes planned treatments on approximately 700 acres. The Carson Ranger District is currently in the process of implementing the planned treatments. The District expects to complete the cut and pile portions of the fuel reduction projects by the end of 2005 and may not finish all the pile burning until sometime in 2006. Planned treatments include the following projects: Thomas Creek Road ¾ Fuels will be reduced by thinning brush, mountain mahogany, and small conifers for a width of 600 feet along approximately two-miles of Thomas Creek Road. Three engine turn-around locations will also be constructed along the road. Mosaic Fuels Reduction ¾ Fuel reduction will be completed using hand crews to create a mosaic vegetation pattern by cutting and removing brush, mountain mahogany, and small conifers. South Ridgeline Fuelbreak ¾ A 100-foot wide fuelbreak will be completed for a length of approximately one mile along the ridgeline south of Whites Creek. Whites Creek Road Fuels Reduction ¾ Fuels reduction will extend the Phase 1 treatments along the White Creek Trailhead north to White Creek. The area will also extend south to the ridgeline fuelbreak and Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 18 Washoe County – Description of the County west to the Jones/Whites Loop Trail. A one-mile and 400-foot wide fuel reduction treatment will also be completed along Whites Creek Road. Trail Fuels Reduction ¾ Fuels reduction will be completed along the Jones/Whites Loop Trail from Whites Creek Road south to Jones Creek. The fuel reduction treatment will extend approximately one mile along the trail for a width of 200 feet. Hand crews will be utilized due to the limited road access. Galena Plantation ¾ Fuels reduction treatments will be completed in the 30-year old plantation directly northwest of Mt. Rose Highway. Brush, mountain mahogany, and some small plantation trees will be thinned. The US Forest Service Carson Ranger District has completed an Environmental Assessment for the North Washoe Valley Wildfire Risk Reduction and Ecosystem Enhancement Project (Forest Service 2004). The project is scheduled to begin implementation in the fall of 2005 or the spring of 2006. Of the 5,600-acre project area, approximately 2,500 acres will be treated. The planned treatments include ground and helicopter thinning, pile and burn, and brush removal treatments. Other planned treatments include riparian and aspen stand enhancements. The objectives of the thinning treatments are to remove smaller trees (co-dominant, intermediate, and suppressed) using a thinning from below prescription to reduce the basal area to 80 square feet per acre. Target basal areas of 60 square feet per acre are planned in the areas adjacent to county parks and residential areas and along ridge tops and fire access roads. Due to topography and access conditions limiting the use of ground-based systems, cable and helicopter yarding will be used on approximately 500 acres. Brush removal will be accomplished using either mechanical mastication equipment or hand crews. Approximately 400 acres are planned to receive brush removal treatments. 3.4.3 Nevada Division of Forestry Projects In 2003 and 2004, the Nevada Division of Forestry thinned overstocked stands of Jeffrey and Ponderosa Pine and reduced brush density in the Davis Creek Regional Park at the southwest side of Washoe County. Fuel reduction treatments and forest management practices are currently ongoing under a recently developed park management plan. The Nevada Division of Forestry is currently completing two fuel reduction projects in Washoe County. The Logan Meadows Fuels Reduction Project is located approximately two miles west of Timberline Road (Reno-Southwest) along Logan Meadow Lane. Defensible space fuel reduction treatments will be completed around existing structures as well as along the main access road for the subdivision. The Galena Creek County Park Fuels Reduction Project will be completed during the fall of 2005. Planned project work includes fuels thinning along the perimeter of the park as well as along the interior trails and access roads. 3.4.4 Bureau of Land Management Projects In June of 2003 the Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office completed two fuel reduction projects adjacent to the Sun Valley and Lemmon Valley communities. An area 3.8 miles long and 100 feet wide directly adjacent to residences was mechanically Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 19 Washoe County – Description of the County treated to reduce shrub and juniper density. The treatment area totaled 75 acres (USDI 2003). Treatment areas are shown in Figures 16-2 for Lemmon Valley and 25-1 for Sun Valley. In April 2004, the Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office completed a fuel reduction project on the north and west sides of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Hungry Valley community east of Lemmon Valley. An area 3.1 miles long and 150 feet wide was mechanically treated to reduce shrub and juniper density. The treatment area totaled 57 acres and is illustrated in Figure 16-3. (M. McQueen 2005 pers comm). The BLM Carson City Field Office will begin project planning and public collaboration in July 2005 for the proposed New Washoe City Fuels Treatment Project. The BLM proposes to mechanical and hand treatment of approximately 200 acres adjacent to residential areas on the east side of New Washoe City (Washoe Valley-East). During the winter of 2006, the BLM Carson Field Office will initiate project planning and collaboration with Reno Fire Department, private property owners and developers, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and California Fish and Game to mechanically treat 630 acres on the east and west sides of Petersen Mountain. The project includes two treatment areas in Nevada and one in California. The project will provide additional wildfire protection for the communities of Cold Springs, Silver Knolls, Red Rock, and Rancho Haven. [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_[_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ Washoe Valley - East Reno-Southeast FWS NVST tu395 tu395 OP431 NVST OP445 §¨¦80 §¨¦80 OP447 OP445 OP399 OP446 OP28 OP828OP655 tu95 tu50 tu95 tu95 BLM PVT BIA BR FS NVST DOD FWS Verdi Mogul Stead Nixon Sparks Empire Galena Gerlach Red Rock Wadsworth Sutcliffe Steamboat Sun Valley Washoe City Rancho Haven Cold Springs Anderson Acres Reno-Southwest Spanish Springs Palomino Valley Antelope Valley Warm Springs Valley Washoe Valley - West Silver Knolls Lemmon Valley Golden Valley Reno-Northwest Pleasant Valley Mount Rose Corridor Figure 3-1. Community Locations and Land Ownership, Washoe County, Nevada Legend [_ Washoe County Community Washoe County Boundary Highways and State Routes Land Ownership Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bureau of Reclamation (BR) Department of Defense (DOD) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Forest Service (FS) Nevada State (NVST) Regional Park Private (PVT) Water . 0 10 205 Miles Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 88 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_[_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ [_ Washoe Valley - East Reno-Southeast FWS NVST tu395 tu395 OP431 Alamo Ranch House Bowers Mansion Washoe Lake State Park Gerlach Water Tower Davis Creek Regional Park Damonte Ranch Walter Cliff Ranch §¨¦80 Galena Creek Regional Park Lake Tahoe State Park §¨¦80 OP447 OP445 OP399 OP446 OP28 OP828 tu95 tu50 tu95 tu95Verdi Mogul Stead Nixon Sparks Empire Galena Gerlach Red Rock Wadsworth Sutcliffe Steamboat Sun Valley Washoe City Rancho Haven Cold Springs Anderson Acres Reno-Southwest Spanish Springs Palomino Valley Antelope Valley Warm Springs Valley Washoe Valley - West Silver Knolls Lemmon Valley Golden Valley Reno-Northwest Pleasant Valley Mount Rose Corridor Figure 3-2. Fire History and Critical Features Potentially At Risk, Washoe County, Nevada Legend [_ Washoe County Community Washoe County Boundary Past Fires (1981-2003) 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Mount Rose Wilderness Area Recreation Area . 0 10 205 Miles Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 22 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results 4.0 COUNTY-WIDE ASSESSMENT RESULTS 4.1 COUNTY-WIDE RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW The RCI Project Team evaluated the Communities in Washoe County described in this report between during September and October 2004. The hazard rating for each community, fuel conditions in the interface areas, and ignitions risk are summarized in Table 4-1. Table 4-1. Community Risk and Hazard Assessment Results COMMUNITY INTERFACE CONDITION INTERFACE FUEL HAZARD CONDITION IGNITION RISK RATING COMMUNITY HAZARD RATING HIGH AND EXTREME HAZARD COMMUNITIES Antelope Valley Intermix Low to High High High Mount Rose Corridor Intermix Moderate to Extreme High High Rancho Haven Intermix Moderate to Extreme High High Red Rock Intermix Low to High High High Warm Springs Valley Intermix Low to High High High Washoe Valley - West Intermix Low to Extreme High High MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES Anderson Acres Intermix Moderate High Moderate Cold Springs Classic Moderate High Moderate Galena Intermix High to Extreme High Moderate Gerlach Intermix Low to Moderate Moderate Moderate Golden Valley Intermix Moderate High Moderate Lemmon Valley Intermix Moderate High Moderate Mogul (I-80 Corridor West) Classic Moderate High Moderate Nixon Intermix Low to High High Moderate3 Palomino Valley Intermix Low to High High Moderate Pleasant Valley Classic Moderate to High High Moderate Reno-Northwest Classic Moderate to High High Moderate Reno-Southeast Intermix Moderate to High High Moderate Silver Knolls Intermix Moderate High Moderate Spanish Springs Intermix Moderate to High Moderate Moderate Steamboat Intermix Low to High High Moderate Sun Valley Intermix Low to Extreme Moderate Moderate Sutcliffe Classic High High Moderate (High1) Verdi Intermix Moderate to Extreme High Moderate Washoe City Classic and Intermix High High Moderate Washoe Valley – East Intermix Moderate to High High Moderate 3 The SWCA (2003) hazard category was calculated using the National Fire Protection Association Standard Form 299, which is similar to the method used by RCI for assessing other communities within this report. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 23 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results COMMUNITY INTERFACE CONDITION INTERFACE FUEL HAZARD CONDITION IGNITION RISK RATING COMMUNITY HAZARD RATING LOW HAZARD COMMUNITIES Empire Intermix Low to Moderate Moderate Low Reno-Southwest Classic Low to High High Low Sparks Classic Low to Moderate Low Low Stead Classic Moderate Moderate Low Wadsworth Classic Low to Moderate Moderate Low 4.1.1 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The following six agencies are responsible for wildland fire suppression in Washoe County: ¾ Reno Fire Department / Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District ¾ Sparks Fire Department ¾ Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Forest Fire Protection District ¾ Bureau of Land Management ¾ US Forest Service ¾ Bureau of Indian Affairs The typical resources that are stationed in Washoe County and would be dispatched from each agency in response to a wildland fire call are described below and are summarized in Table 4-2. Reno Fire Department and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Reno Fire Department and Truckee Fire Protection District signed an agreement consolidating the two departments in order to better serve the public in the City of Reno and Truckee Meadows District. The combined departments have 24 stations staffed by career and volunteer firefighters. Wildfire resources may be dispatched at any given time from the nearest Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department fire station to respond to wildfires. Equipment and resources stationed at each fire station are described in the community sections of this report. Sparks Fire Department The Sparks Fire Department provides fire protection services to the City of Sparks, home to an estimated 72,000 persons. Sparks Fire has Mutual Aid agreements with neighboring fire agencies, making additional suppression resources available to Sparks upon request. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 24 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results Including Fire Prevention and administrative staff, the Sparks Fire Department employs 88 people in four stations, with a fifth station due to open in May 2005. Department jurisdiction covers approximately 22 square miles within City Limits. (sparksfire.org, accessed 01 May 2005) Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Forest Fire Protection District The Nevada Division of Forestry Western Region administers the Sierra Forest Fire Protection District established under NRS 473 in Washoe County. The Sierra Fire Protection District includes the following Washoe County communities: Anderson Acres, Cold Springs, Galena, Mount Rose Corridor, Verdi, and Washoe Valley-West. These areas have numerous homes, schools, commercial buildings and community buildings. The Nevada Division of Forestry has fire stations in Verdi, Galena, and Washoe Valley-West (Bowers) that provide 24-hour, continuous coverage with a four- person engine company. Staffing is increased seasonally with the addition of Type 3 wildland engine crews from April to September. Volunteer fire stations are located at Cold Springs, Anderson Acres, Verdi, Galena, and Washoe Valley-West (Bellevue). The initial response to a wildland fire by volunteer firefighters will vary depending on the day of the week and time of day that the fire is reported. Some volunteer firefighters may be unable to respond immediately to fire call during typical workday hours. Resources available from local volunteer fire departments are summarized in each community chapter of this report. Nevada Division of Forestry Type 2-trained hand crews are available from the Carson City and Silver Springs conservation camps and are dispatched through the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nevada. Federal Suppression Resources The Bureau of Land Management assigns resources to four fire stations in the region on a seasonal basis (from May to September). One Type 3 and one Type 4 brush engine are assigned to the Doyle Station (California). One Type 3 brush engines is assigned to the Stead Station. Two Type 3 brush engines are assigned to the Palomino Valley Station. One Type 3 brush engine is assigned to the Sparks Station. The warehouse at the Carson City Field Office is equipped with a 100-person fire cache. During the 2004 fire season, two Single Engine Air Tankers were stationed at the Stead Airport and two were stationed at the Minden Airport. The US Forest Service has a Type 4 Brush Engine assigned to the Supervisors Office in Sparks. Two Type 4 Brush Engines are assigned to the West Fourth Street Station in Reno. A 500-person fire cache is located at the Supervisors Office in Sparks. Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators Membership in the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators is composed of more than 25 federal, state, and local fire suppression agencies, state and local law enforcement agencies, and special organizations such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Weather Service. By pooling their resources, these agencies take a more efficient approach to the common goal of fire protection and a quicker response to wildland fires and other emergencies. The Sierra Front area of Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 25 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results responsibility extends north from Reno to Susanville, California, south to Bridgeport, California, including the Tahoe Basin, and east to Fallon, Nevada. Table 4-2. Equipment Available for Initial Attack of a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire (during a high hazard day) from Cooperating Partners in Washoe County TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Brush Truck Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 Battalion Chief Safety Officer 1 3 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Standard Wildland Fire Dispatch from closest available resources) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Truck Water Tender Battalion Chief 2 2 1 1 1 Sparks Fire Department (Standard Wildland Fire Dispatch from closest available resources) Engine Type 3 Battalion Chief/Duty Officer Water Tender Dozer Hand Crew Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) Air Tanker and Lead Plane* Air Attack* Helicopter* *Air suppression response only if smoke is visible 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Nevada Division of Forestry Bureau of land Management US Forest Service (Closest available resources dispatched from the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nevada) Source: Andy Flock, Sparks Fire Department; Joe Reinhardt, Nevada Division of Forestry, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department. Interagency Communications The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Nevada Division of Forestry are all dispatched through the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. The federal agencies provide mutual aid to Washoe County fire departments and to the NDF Sierra Forest Fire Protection District through mutual aid agreements. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center coordinates with Washoe County’s Communications Center during incidents that require local, state, and national resources. These systems locate the nearest available fire suppression resource according to incident command and computer aided dispatch protocols. Washoe County Communications Center Washoe County Communications Center dispatches resources for Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Reno Police Department. The Communications Center uses a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system to Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 26 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results provide 911 services and dispatching for fire and Emergency Medical Services. The Washoe County’s Communication Center has access to the state mutual aid frequencies, and the radio system has the capability to be compatible with neighboring agencies. Gaps in radio coverage do exist in some areas. Sparks Fire Department has its own Emergency Communications Center and 911 system. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Firefighters in all Washoe County fire agencies receive training on a continuous basis that includes both structural and wildland firefighting training. Career and volunteer firefighters meet the minimum qualifications for Fire Fighter I and II and NWCG Basic wildland firefighter. Financial Support Funding for Reno and Sparks Fire Departments annual operating expenses comes from their respective City General Funds, which are generated primarily through property taxes. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474 District) is funded from property taxes raised within the fire protection district. The Sierra Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry (NRS 473 District) is also funded from property taxes raised within the fire district. Community Preparedness Washoe County, City of Reno and City of Sparks have all adopted a Fire Code by Ordinance. The State Fire Marshall’s Office at the Nevada Department of Public Safety adopted the ICC fire codes in July of 2004 (effective January 2005). As such, the 2003 International Urban-Wildland Interface Code can be used for guidance on fire safe communities. The Nevada Division of Forestry uses the Nevada State Fire Marshall’s adopted code. Public Education All Washoe County fire agencies provide numerous programs during Fire Prevention Month and Fire Protection Week. Wildland firefighting agencies also provide public education throughout the wildland fire season. These programs involve presentations at schools for students and teachers, public events, and media coverage. 4.2 COUNTYWIDE RECOMMENDATIONS 4.2.1 Training Requests for mobilization outside of a fire department’s geographic area increase as the frequency and intensity of fires in the wildland-urban interface increase in the western United States. In order to improve firefighter safety and the response effectiveness in a wildland-urban incident, Washoe County fire agencies and the local fire department unions need to give high priority to the following recommendations as detailed in the NWCG Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification System Guide PMS 310-1: ¾ Continue to provide Wildland Firefighter Training to all fire department members (forty hour course). Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 27 Washoe County – County-Wide Assessment Results ¾ Continue to provide wildland fire training to all Captains to the level of Engine Boss. ¾ Continue to provide wildland fire training to all Chief Officers to the level of Strike Team Leader. ¾ Continue to provide annual wildland firefighting refresher training (8-hour course). ¾ Provide annual fire shelter training to all qualified department members. 4.2.2 Equipment In compliance with NWCG 310-1 guidelines: ¾ Continue to provide wildland personal protective equipment for all members. ¾ Continue to provide wildland firefighting equipment on all engine companies. ¾ Continue to provide all firefighters with a wildland fire field pocket guide. 4.2.3 Communications ¾ Ensure that Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District have radio communications with State and Federal Fire agencies as well as neighboring county fire agencies. ¾ Upgrade all radios to meet narrow band technologies to maintain communications with Federal agencies. HIGH HAZARD COMMUNITIES Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 29 Washoe County – Antelope Valley 5.0 ANTELOPE VALLEY 5.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Antelope Valley is located north of Reno, south of the Red Rock community between Fred’s Mountain and Hungry Mountain. The community boundary is shown in Figure 5-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Antelope Valley in the High Hazard Category (70 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 5-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating for Antelope Valley included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, limited firefighting capabilities, and inadequate signage of streets and addresses. 5.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area around Antelope Valley can best be described as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots between one and ten acres in size (see Figure 5-1). Access: Antelope Valley Road and Matterhorn Boulevard are the primary transportation routes to Antelope Valley. The primary roads are greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Approximately seventeen percent of residences and sixty percent of streets in Antelope Valley do not have adequately visible signs. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 5.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-nine percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. About ten percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 5.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 85 percent of the homes surveyed in Antelope Valley had landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 30 Washoe County – Antelope Valley 5.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources There is no fire department and no fire suppression resources located within the Antelope Valley community. The closest fire resources are the Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Reno Fire Department Station #9 in Stead. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 5-1. Table 5-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Antelope Valley TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure There are no fire hydrants within the community. The only water supply is from private wells and a small reservoir at the church located in the saddle between Lemmon Valley and Antelope Valley on Matterhorn Boulevard. Additional water sources for fire suppression are further than a 45 minute round trip away. Community Preparedness The Antelope Valley area is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 31 Washoe County – Antelope Valley 5.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Antelope Valley wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 5-2 and 5-3. The terrain in the wildland-urban interface areas of the community is generally flat with east, north, and west-facing slopes adjacent to the community. The prevailing winds are from the south and southwest. There is a significant history of large fires and fire ignitions near the community, especially from the 1999 and 2000 fire seasons that have temporarily decreased the fuel hazard condition around a portion of the community. Cheatgrass, Russian thistle, annual mustards, and other annual forbs that readily ignite dominate the recently burned areas of the valley. The unburned areas of the valley bottom are dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush, two to three feet tall. The sagebrush fuels were considered a moderate fuel hazard and estimated at one to four tons per acre. The area south of the community is dominated by juniper with a shrub understory. Fuel loads were estimated at six to ten tons per acre in juniper sites and was considered a high fuel hazard. 5.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting along Matterhorn Road between Lemmon Valley and Antelope Valley with strong winds greater than twenty miles per hour blowing from the southwest on a high hazard day. A wind driven fire though the brush and juniper could result in extreme fire conditions. The fire would continue northeast into Antelope Valley where it would burn through moderate brush, exposing numerous homes to fire. 5.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Antelope Valley has a high ignition risk. There is an extensive history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. Lightning would easily ignite expanses of cheatgrass, and human caused ignitions such as vehicle fires can occur at any time. 5.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for Antelope Valley focus primarily on ongoing and additional efforts to create and maintain defensible space and future requirements that new developments will be planned and constructed to create fire safe communities. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 5.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 32 Washoe County – Antelope Valley Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 5.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 33 Washoe County – Antelope Valley access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 5.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Install a 15,000-gallon water tank for firefighting in the Antelope Valley area. 5.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owners Recommendation ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 34 Washoe County – Antelope Valley 5.2.5 Public Education Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 5.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 5-2. Antelope Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. Maintain defensible space treatments annually. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Utility Company Fuel Reduction Remove tree limbs from power lines; completely remove all vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Require that all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes in regards to construction materials used, road construction and design, water supply, and other fire department needs Develop county ordinances that enforce the implementation and maintenance of defensible space. Fuel Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Fire Suppression Resources and Training Install a 15,000-gallon water tank for firefighting in the Antelope Valley area. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of “Living with Fire” to all property owners living in Antelope Valley. Table 5-3. Antelope Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 3 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 5 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses167 1661 1634 17 150 not visible 28 visible83% 25 85% 01166 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible139 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate142 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 99% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 10% B5. Street Signs not visible 5 visible58%visible7 Residential Streets12 Score 70 /128 ARG ONA UT W AY AN TE LO PE VA LL EY RD AL UM R O CK R D M AT TE R H O RN BL VD AM ER ICA N FL AT RD DE ER LO DG E RD FR ED 'S MO UN TA IN RD BRONZE HILL RD MINERAL FLAT RD EL KH O R N LN 1999 2000 2000 1986 Antelope Valley Legend Community Boundary Parcel Fire Boundary and Date Fire Ignition Secondary Roads 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 5-1. Antelope Valley Fire History Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. AN TE LO PE VA LL EY RD RE D R O CK R D AL UM R O CK R D M AT TE R H O R N BL VD AM ER ICA N FL AT RD DE ER LO DG E RD MINERAL FLAT RD EL KH O R N LN SNOW LN Antelope Valley 3 2 1 Legend Community Boundary Parcel Secondary Roads Fuel Hazard Extreme High Moderate Low Photo Point 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 5-2. Antelope Valley Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 38 Washoe County – Antelope Valley Figure 5-3. Antelope Valley Fuel Hazard Photo Points Antelope Valley Photo Point 1. 4403141N, 0257815E, 11°NE. Wyoming big sagebrush fuel loading in Antelope Valley is estimated at three to four tons per acre. The flat topography but high density of the sagebrush creates a moderate fuel hazard. Antelope Valley Photo Point 2. 4405635N, 0258009E, 292°NW. Annual grasses and mustards constitute a low to moderate fuel hazard in the burned areas around and within the Antelope Valley community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 39 Washoe County – Antelope Valley Figure 5-3 (continued) Antelope Valley Photo Point 3. 4399937N, 0257562E, 45°NE. Utah juniper, sagebrush, and Mormon tea vegetative fuels south of the community were classified as a high fuel hazard with the fuel loads estimated to range between six and ten tons per acre. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 40 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor 6.0 MOUNT ROSE CORRIDOR 6.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Mount Rose Corridor Community is located in southwest Washoe County, west of Galena along State Route 431. The community is situated on the east-facing mountain slopes of the Carson Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 6-1 and includes Reindeer Lodge, Sky Tavern, and the Mt. Rose Ski Area. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying the Mount Rose Corridor in the High Hazard Category (68 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 6-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating for the Mount Rose Corridor included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, and the distance from fire suppression resources. 6.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Mount Rose Corridor community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway) is the primary transportation route for the community. The highway is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. However, few turnaround areas are available along the highway and a grade greater than five percent may affect access for heavy fire apparatus carrying water. Signage: All street signs and residence addresses in the Mount Rose Corridor Community are easily visible. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance did not exist around propane tanks. 6.1.2 Construction Materials All of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the homes have roofs of non- combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately nineteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 41 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor 6.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 94 percent of the homes surveyed in the Mount Rose Corridor Community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 6.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Nevada Division of Forestry provides fire suppression services to the Mount Rose Corridor community from Station 8 in Galena, staffed by four career personnel daily with three additional seasonal firefighters during fire season. The Galena Volunteer Fire Department provides additional resources from two stations within the NDF Sierra Forest Fire Protection District. The VFD reported having twenty volunteers at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. The closest resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire in the Mount Rose Corridor area are summarized in Table 6.1. Table 6-1. Mount Rose Corridor Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 8 - Galena) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 2 Engine Type 1 2 1 1 Galena Volunteer Fire Department (Stations 81 and 82 - Galena) Source: Pete Cannizzaro, Chief Galena VFD; Joe Reinhardt, BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in the Mount Rose Corridor includes fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gpm. The water system operates on gravity and electrical pumps. Some of the older areas including upper Sky Tavern and some areas around Reindeer Lodge do not have hydrants. There are several tanks in the area for storage of the water systems. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in the Mount Rose Corridor area by calling 911, which connects the caller with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center who notifies the Galena Volunteer Fire Department, Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service resources of fires through the use of pagers and radios. The Galena VFD radios were compatible with Nevada Division of Forestry and US Forest Service at Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 42 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor the time of inquiry and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. Galena Volunteer Fire Department does not have the Reno Fire Department’s 800 meg radios in all their engines. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All Nevada Division of Forestry career firefighters and the Galena volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided by Nevada Division of Forestry and meets the NWCG 310-1 standards. Work Load The Galena VFD responded to 400 calls in 2003 including 125 wildland /brush calls. Financial Support The financial support for the Galena Volunteer Fire Department is provided from cell site revenue, fundraisers, and through a pay-per-call program in which the Nevada Division of Forestry bills for emergency services as they are provided as part of the NDF Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. For fires within an NDF Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by NDF in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials and an All- Risk Disaster Plan through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The Galena Volunteer Fire Department and the Nevada Division of Forestry prepare wildfire pre-attack plans as part of their in-house annual fire training. 6.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Mount Rose Corridor wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 6-2 and 6-3. The terrain throughout the Mount Rose Corridor is steep with north and east aspects on slopes that are greater than thirty percent. Elevation ranges from 5,800 to 8,300 feet. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west with downslope and cross slope winds common in the afternoons of summer months. Topographic features including chimneys, narrow canyons, and steep mountain slopes funnel winds and could contribute to extreme fire behavior. This area is located in a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, white fir, and lodgepole pine with green leaf manzanita, snowbrush, sage, rabbitbrush, chinquapin, mountain mahogany, perennial grasses, and other annuals. These are dense stands with closed canopies and Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 43 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor large amounts of dead and down woody materials. Trees are close to structures and there is an abundance of ladder fuels. Fuel loads were estimated at six tons per acre near the Mount Rose Ski Resort and were considered a moderate fuel hazard. Near the Sky Tavern Ski Area, the high hazard fuel loads ranged between ten and twenty tons per acre, with dead and down woody debris as a large component of the fuel load. Further downhill, near the Reindeer Lodge, the heavy shrub understory (ladder fuels) was a large component of the extreme fuel hazard condition that was estimated between eight and fifteen tons per acre. 6.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a dry lightning storm late in the afternoon of hot summer day. Multiple, simultaneous fire ignitions pushed by strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, and strong prevailing winds from west to southwest would quickly threaten residential areas. Steep slopes, ladder fuels, and dense brush provide the conditions to support dangerous crown fires. 6.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in the Mount Rose Corridor due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. There is a high potential for a catastrophic canopy fire similar to the 2004 Waterfall Fire incident in Carson City. 6.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Mount Rose Corridor focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through reduction of fuels that pose a hazard. Reducing tree stand density, reducing dead and down woody material, removing ladder fuels, providing adequate defensible space, community coordination, and public education should be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 6.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 44 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of fifteen feet from the ground, but not more than one-third the tree height, to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. 6.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 45 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Construct a shaded fuelbreak 300 feet wide around housing areas behind Sky Tavern Lodge, below the houses east of Highway 431 in Sky Tavern, and the upper Nevada Department of Transportation maintenance station on State Highway 431 as shown in Figure 6-1. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 6.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Galena Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry ¾ Install a 5,000 gallon above ground water storage tank to be filled during the fire season for refilling fire apparatus by gravity feed. ¾ Meet annually with the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 6.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design aspects, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 46 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 6.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Galena Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 47 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor 6.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 6-2. Mount Rose Corridor Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around home according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing material. Fuels Reduction Remove brush and mountain mahogany from beneath larger Jeffrey pines. Construct shaded fuelbreak in the Sky Tavern Area. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Maintain thirty feet of clearance from fence around power substations. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in county road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building material, road design, water supply, and emergency access. Enforce or develop county regulations and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Public Education and Community Coordination Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Galena area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Galena VFD and Nevada Division of Forestry Resources and Training Meet annually with the US Forest Service to discuss pre- attack plans, coordinate resources, and test radio compatibility. Upgrade radios as needed. Install a 5,000 gallon above ground water storage tank for emergency use. Table 6-3. Mount Rose Corridor Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 10 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 10 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses36 360 360 7 29 not visible 0 visible100% 2 94% 0036 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible36 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate34 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 100% 19% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible1 Residential Streets1 Score 68 /128 8OP431 OP431 OP878 WASHOE PINE RD ATOMA RD Mount Rose Corridor Legend Community Boundary Parcel 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Tree Thinning éé Fuelbreak 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 6-1. Mount Rose Corridor Fire History and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Galena (See Figure 13-1) OP431 OP431 OP878 WASHOE PINE RD ATOMA RD Mount Rose Corridor 2 1 3 Legend Community Boundary Parcel Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Fuel Hazard Extreme High Moderate Low Photo Point 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 6-2. Mount Rose Corridor Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Galena (See Figure 13-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 51 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor Figure 6-3. Mount Rose Corridor Fuel Hazard Photo Points Mount Rose Corridor Photo Point 1. 4357123N, 0251205E, 130°SE. Adequate defensible space mitigates a moderate fuel hazard condition created by low accumulations of dead and down woody material near the Mount Rose Ski Resort. Mount Rose Corridor Photo Point 2. 4358366N, 0252490E, 70°NE. Dead and down woody fuels create a high fuel hazard in the Jeffrey pine and white fir stands near the Sky Tavern Ski Area. Fuel loads were estimated to range between ten and twenty tons per acre. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 52 Washoe County – Mount Rose Corridor Figure 6-3 (continued) Mount Rose Corridor Photo Point 3. 4358721N, 0253424E, 300°NW. Young pine trees, manzanita, and sagebrush under tree canopies create a ladder fuels that spread a surface fire into the tree crowns. Fuel loads in the area around the Reindeer lodge were estimated to range between eight and fifteen tons per acre and were considered an extreme fuel hazard. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 53 Washoe County – Rancho Haven 7.0 RANCHO HAVEN 7.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Rancho Haven Community is located along the western boundary of Washoe County north of the Red Rock community. The community is situated at the base of the east slope of the Peterson Mountains. The community boundary is shown in Figure 7-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Rancho Haven in the High Hazard Category (67 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 7-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Rancho Haven included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, the distance from fire suppression resources, and the inadequate address signage throughout the community. 7.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Rancho Haven is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size (see Figure 7-1). Access: Red Rock Road is the primary transportation route providing access to the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. However, this is the only road between Red Rock and Rancho Haven, which if blocked could reduce fire suppression response time. Signage: All street signs are adequately signed and easily visible, however almost one-quarter of residential addresses are not easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 7.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately eighteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 7.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately eighty percent of the homes surveyed in the Rancho Haven Community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 54 Washoe County – Rancho Haven 7.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department, part of the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District, is located in the west-central portion of the Rancho Haven community. Red Rock VFD assists Reno Fire Department with local fire protection resources for Rancho Haven. The Red Rock VFD reported having 24 volunteer members at the time interviews were conducted for this report. Table 7.1 shows the fire suppression resources available to the volunteers to respond to a reported wildland fire in the Rancho Haven area. Table 7-1. Rancho Haven Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Water Tender 1 2 1 Red Rock Volunteer Department (Truckee Meadows Station 40 - Rancho Haven) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno Fire Department on 9/21/04 The Reno Fire Department responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. However, when the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Rancho Haven has one fire hydrant located approximately one mile south of the fire station. It is operated by gravity from a nearby pond. There are three ponds at the south end of the valley that could be used for drafting water to refill fire resources and possibly be used as a helicopter dip site. The only other water supply is from private wells in the community. The round trip time to refill fire apparatus would be at least 45 minutes. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 55 Washoe County – Rancho Haven Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Volunteers and career firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training, thus satisfying the National Wildfire Coordinating Group 310-1 wildland requirements for training. Approximately half of the total volunteer firefighters are certified to respond to wildland fires. However, they do not use the red card system used by most state and all federal fire agencies to certify that a person is qualified to fight a wildland fire. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department is funded by the Washoe County general fund. Community Preparedness Rancho Haven is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 7.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Rancho Haven wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 7-2 and 7-3. The terrain in the wildland-urban interface area of the community is generally flat with a slightly northeast aspect. The prevailing winds are from the south and southwest, with high wind speeds that are common especially during summer afternoons. There is a significant history of large fires and lightning-caused fire ignitions on the mountains all around the community. The dominant unburned vegetation north of the Rancho Haven community consists of moderately dense Utah juniper with a Wyoming big sagebrush and rabbitbrush understory. Basin wildrye, cheatgrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail are the dominant grass species in the area. Where the juniper and sagebrush are intermixed, fuel loads were estimated to range between ten and fifteen tons per acre and were considered an extreme fuel hazard. Vegetation on the east side of the valley is dominated by black greasewood, rabbitbrush, basin wildrye, cheatgrass, saltgrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail. Fuel loads were estimated to range between one and two tons per acre and were considered a moderate fuel hazard. A previously burned area on the west side of the valley is dominated by crested wheatgrass, bluegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and cheatgrass. Traces of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, desert peach, and bitterbrush were noted, with most of the shrub heights less than two feet. In the burned areas near the community, fuel loads were estimated to range between less than one and two tons per acre and were considered a moderate fuel hazard. 7.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario would be a fire starting in the central and/or northern portion of the community near homes. On a high hazard day, with a south wind blowing Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 56 Washoe County – Rancho Haven greater than twenty miles per hour, the fire could be pushed north through moderately dense brush and juniper on south-facing slopes, threatening many homes located throughout the Rancho Haven area. Due to limited fire resources within the community and the remote location, the initial attack resources would be quickly overwhelmed and a fire could cover a very large area before additional resources could arrive. 7.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Rancho Haven has a high ignition risk rating. There is a significant history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. There is a tendency for heavy lightning in the area during the summer and moderate to high vehicular traffic in the area represent the greatest risk factors. 7.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS AND ROLES The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Rancho Haven community focus primarily on treatments that will reduce the fuel hazard on private property and promote community coordination and communications between property owners and fire suppression agencies. 7.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 57 Washoe County – Rancho Haven ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department ¾ Volunteers should be trained and be available for courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 7.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 58 Washoe County – Rancho Haven Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain a minimum of 25 feet of clearance from the edge of all roadways in brush areas within the community. 7.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department and Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. ¾ Install at least one 15,000-gallon water storage tank for firefighting purposes at the Red Rock Fire Station. 7.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 59 Washoe County – Rancho Haven 7.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 7.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 7-2. Rancho Haven Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around home according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that street and address signs are clearly visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Red Rock VFD Reno Fire Department Resources and Training Meet annually to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Fuels Reduction Reduce vegetation and maintain a minimum of 25 feet of clearance from the edge of all roadways in brush areas within the community. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require that all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes in regards to construction materials, road design, water supply, and other fire department needs. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Install at least one 15,000 gallon water storage tank at the Red Rock Fire Station. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of “Living with Fire” to all property owners living in Rancho Haven. Table 7-3. Rancho Haven Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 3 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 5 2 1. Lot Size 3 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses329 3245 31514 59 270 not visible 90 visible73% 65 80% 03290 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible239 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate264 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 98% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 96% 18% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible26 Residential Streets26 Score 67 /128 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 © W as ho e C o. - N ev ad a P la ce r C o. C al ifo rn ia 1996 1986 RED ROCK RD FR O N TI E R R D R A N C H O D R GYMKHANA LN FETLOCK DR CH AR IO T R D AR AB IAN WA Y S H E TLA N D C IR R O U N D U P R D MARSHAL RD FETLOCK DR Rancho Haven Legend Community Boundary Parcel © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Secondary Roads 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 7-1. Rancho Haven Fire History and Suppression Resources Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Pl a ce r C o . - Ca li fo r n ia W a sh oe Co . - N e va da RED ROCK RD FR O N TI ER R D R ANC HO D R GYMKHANA LN FETLOCK DR R ED RO C K R D AR ABI AN WA Y R O UN D UP R D MARSHAL RD FETLOCK DR Rancho Haven 2 1 Legend Community Boundary Parcel Secondary Roads Fuel Hazard Extreme High Medium Low Photo Point 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 7-2. Rancho Haven Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 63 Washoe County – Rancho Haven Figure 7-3. Rancho Haven Fuel Hazard Photo Points Rancho Haven Photo Point 1. 4420794N, 0244782E, 15°NE. Juniper, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush are the dominant species in the unburned areas north of Rancho Haven. Fuel loads were estimated to range between ten and fifteen tons per acre and the fuel hazard was considered extreme. Rancho Haven Photo Point 2. 4419543N, 0248620E, 90°E. Black greasewood and rabbitbrush around Rancho Haven was estimated at one to two tons per acre. The flat topography but high density of the vegetation creates a moderate fuel hazard. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 64 Washoe County – Red Rock 8.0 RED ROCK 8.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Red Rock Community is located near the western boundary of Washoe County, west of Antelope Valley and north of US Highway 395. The community is situated at the base of the east slope of the Peterson Mountains. The community boundary is shown in Figure 8- 1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Red Rock in the High Hazard Category (63 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 8-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Red Rock included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, limited fire suppression resources, and inadequate address signage throughout the community. 8.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Red Rock is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size (see Figure 8-1). Access: Red Rock Road is the primary transportation route providing access to the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All street signs are adequately signed and easily visible, however almost twenty percent of residential addresses are not easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 8.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the homes had roofs of non- combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately eleven percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 8.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 93 percent of the homes surveyed in the Red Rock Community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 65 Washoe County – Red Rock 8.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources There is no fire department or other fire suppression resources located in the Red Rock community. The two closest fire stations that provide fire protection for Red Rock are the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department (located in Rancho Haven) and the Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Department, both supervised by the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department. The closest resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire near Red Rock are summarized in Table 8-1. Table 8-1. Red Rock Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Water Tender 1 2 1 Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department Truckee Meadows Station 40 - Rancho Haven) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 1 1 Silver Knolls Volunteer Department (Truckee Meadows Station 21 - Silver Knolls) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD 9/21/04 Reno/Truckee Meadows responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression is very limited in the Red Rock area. There are no fire hydrants or water storage tanks. Water sources consist of private wells and ponds located in the canyon between Red Rock and Rancho Haven. The round trip time to refill fire apparatus is more than 45 minutes. Community Preparedness Red Rock is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 66 Washoe County – Red Rock 8.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Red Rock wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 8-2 and 8-3. The Red Rock community is situated in the bottom of the valley along the west and south sides of Fred’s Mountain. Slopes in the community range from almost flat to twenty percent with various aspects. The elevation is approximately 4,900 feet. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest. High speed, erratic winds are common, especially during summer afternoons. Several canyons with unburned vegetation adjacent to homes could contribute to unpredictable fire behavior. Many fires and lightning-caused ignitions have affected the Red Rock community, especially in 1999 and 2000. The vegetation in the south and west portions of the community is dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bottlebrush squirreltail, Indian ricegrass, needlegrass, and cheatgrass. Occasional burned and unburned juniper trees are present. Fuel loads were estimated to range between two and six tons per acre and the fuel hazard was considered moderate. Utah juniper is the dominant species in the unburned areas on the west side of the community with an understory of big sagebrush, bottlebrush squirreltail, and cheatgrass. The fuel loads in these areas were considerably higher than other areas of the community, estimated at four to eight tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. Fuels in the recently burned areas around the community are composed of crested wheatgrass, cheatgrass, rabbitbrush, and Mormon tea. Fuel loads were estimated between one and two tons per acre and were considered a low to moderate fuel hazard. 8.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would begin as an ignition in a previously burned area west of the community with abundant fine fuels, primarily cheatgrass. Strong southwest winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, would push the fire into areas of dense, unburned brush and juniper and would threaten several homes. There is no fire department or water supply in the community. The volunteer stations in the neighboring communities may have a limited initial response during normal work hours. The fire could quickly escape their initial attack capabilities before the career resources could arrive. 8.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Red Rock has a high ignition risk rating. There is an extensive history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. There is a tendency for heavy lightning in the area during the summer, and moderate to high vehicular traffic. 8.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Red Rock area focus on fuel reduction and maintenance and improving water storage for fire suppression. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 67 Washoe County – Red Rock 8.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 68 Washoe County – Red Rock ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Treat areas to control the invasion of knapweed. Refer to Appendix E for more information about treating this noxious weed. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Reno Fire Department ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 8.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 8.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of forestry to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. ¾ Install at least one 15,000 gallon water storage tank for fire suppression in the Red Rock area. 8.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 69 Washoe County – Red Rock grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 8.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 70 Washoe County – Red Rock 8.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 8-2. Red Rock Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require that all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes in regards to construction materials, road construction and design, water supply, and other fire department needs. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Resources and Training Meet annually with BLM and NDF to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Install at least one 15,000 gal. water storage tank for firefighting purposes in the Red Rock area. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 8-3. Red Rock Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 3 3. Accessibility 3 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 3 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses139 1390 1318 15 124 not visible 25 visible82% 10 93% 101290 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible114 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate129 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 94% 11% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible18 Residential Streets18 Score 63 /128 Red Rock 1999 2000 2000 1986 R ED R O CK R D AM ER ICA N FL AT RD LEMON DR AN TE LO PE VA LL EY RD GOLDSTONE RD COLUMBIA HILL RD DE ER LO DG E RD BORON LN RAVINE CT Legend Community Boundary Parcel Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Secondary Roads 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 8-1. Red Rock Fire History Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Red Rock R ED R O CK R D AM ER ICA N FL AT RD LEMON DR AN TE LO PE VA LL EY RD GOLDSTONE RD COLUMBIA HILL RD DE ER LO DG E RD BORON LN RAVINE CT 3 2 1 Legend Community Boundary Parcel Secondary Roads Fuel Hazard Extreme High Moderate Low Photo Point 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 8-2. Red Rock Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 74 Washoe County – Red Rock Figure 8-3. Red Rock Fuel Hazard Photo Points Red Rock Photo Point 1. 4405477N, 0251036E, 163°SE. The fuel load in the Wyoming big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and perennial grass areas around Red Rock was estimated at two to six tons per acre. The vertical continuity of the fuel contributes to the moderate fuel hazard. Red Rock Photo Point 2. 4401000N, 0253173E, 42°NE. Cheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, rabbitbrush, and Mormon tea constitute a low to moderate fuel hazard in the recently burned areas around and within the Red Rock community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 75 Washoe County – Red Rock Figure 8-3. Red Rock Fuel Hazard Photo Points (continued) Red Rock Photo Point 3. 4405595N, 0251164E, 76°NE. Vegetative fuels on the west side of the community include Utah juniper, sagebrush, and perennial grass. These area were considered a high fuel hazard with the fuel loads estimated to range between four and eight tons per acre. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 76 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley 9.0 WARM SPRINGS VALLEY 9.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Warm Springs Valley is located directly east of Palomino Valley and southeast of State Route 445 (Pyramid Lake Highway). The valley is situated at the base of the west slope of the Pah Rah Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 9-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Warms Springs Valley in the High Hazard Category (66 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 9-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Warm Springs Valley included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, limited fire suppression resources, and inadequate address signage throughout the community. 9.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Warm Springs is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots greater than ten acres in size. Access: State Route 445, the Pyramid Highway, is the primary transportation route providing access to the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in many of the canyons on the east side of the valley have road grades greater than five percent and dead-ends with little or no turnaround areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: All street signs are adequately signed and easily visible, however almost twenty-five percent of residential addresses are not easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance did not exist around propane tanks. 9.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately fifteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 77 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley 9.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately eighty percent of the homes surveyed in the Warm Springs Valley Community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 9.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Fire protection for the Warm Springs community is provided by the Palomino Valley Auxiliary Fire Department, Station 29, which is part of the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. The Bureau of Land Management also has a seasonal fire station in Warm Springs, the Palomino Station, which is staffed by career firefighters from May through October. Resources near the community that can to respond to a reported wildland fire call are summarized in Table 9-1. Table 9-1. Warm Springs Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 2 Bureau of Land Management (Palomino Station) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 1 1 Palomino Valley Auxiliary Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 29 - Palomino Valley) Source: Roy Slate Reno FD and Capt. Robert Hilfer Bureau of Land Management on 9/21/04 and 9/22/04 Reno Fire Department responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure The community of Warm Springs has no fire hydrants or other water available for firefighting resources. There are private wells in the area. The estimated round trip time to refill fire apparatus is over 45 minutes away. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 78 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications The volunteers and career firefighters from Reno Fire Department are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and they are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. The Department meets the National Wildfire Coordinating Group 310-1 wildland requirements for training. Approximately half of the total volunteer firefighters are certified to respond to wildland fires. The Department is in the process of providing additional training for career Captains and Chief Officers. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Palomino Volunteer Fire Department is funded through the Truckee Meadows General Fund. Community Preparedness Warm Springs is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 9.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Warm Springs Valley wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 9-2 and 9-3. The terrain in the wildland-urban interface area of the community is generally flat and adjacent to hills with slopes greater than thirty percent. The portions of the valley with less than eight percent slopes have slightly west and north facing aspects. The prevailing winds are from the south and southwest. High wind speeds are common especially during summer afternoons. High speed, erratic winds are possible in the canyons associated with adjacent hills. There is a significant history of large fires on the west side of the community and lightning-caused fire ignitions on the hills east, south, and west of the community. The dominant unburned vegetation along the west side of the community consists of sparse Utah juniper with a Wyoming big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, desert peach, Mormon tea, and spiny hopsage shrub layer. Cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and basin wildrye are the dominant grass species in the area. Fuel loads were estimated to range between three and six tons per acre and were considered a high fuel hazard. Vegetative fuels in the areas that burned in the 1980’s west of the community consist of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, desert peach, cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and basin wildrye. The vegetation is generally less than two feet in height and was considered a low to moderate fuel hazard. Fuel loads were estimated at less than one ton per acre. The valley bottom is characterized by farm and ranch land, with low to moderate fuel hazards. Native vegetation adjacent to homes predominantly consists of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, spiny hopsage, desert peach, and greasewood. Cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and basin wildrye are the dominant grasses. Fuel loads in the native shrublands were estimated between one and two tons per acre and were considered a low to moderate fuel hazard. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 79 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley 9.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for this valley would be a fire starting in the southwest portion of the community on a high hazard day, with strong winds from the southwest, greater than twenty miles per hour, pushing fire across the valley and up west-facing slopes, threatening homes. The fire could run upslope into heavy pinyon juniper and brush on the east side of the valley. There are many homes in the canyons on the east side of the valley, with only one-way in and out. A fire burning up one of these canyons could block the evacuation of residents. These people may be forced to shelter-in-place. 9.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Warm Springs has a high ignition risk rating. There is a significant history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. There is a tendency for heavy lightning in the area during the summer and moderate vehicular traffic. 9.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for Warm Springs focus on fuels reduction on private property and community awareness. 9.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 80 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention to around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Abandoned trailers and structure should be removed or boarded up to prevent sparks entering and igniting the structure. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.4 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. Reno Fire Department ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 9.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking 4 When using herbicides extreme caution should be taken to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 81 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 9.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. ¾ Install a 15,000 gallon water tank for fire suppression. 9.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owners Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 82 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 9.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Coordinate the development of an emergency evacuation plan with designated safe zones and instructions for sheltering in place for the Warm Springs Valley community. ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 83 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley 9.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 9-2. Warm Springs Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around home according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require that all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes in regards to construction materials, road design, water supply, and other fire department needs. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Fire Suppression Resources and Training Meet annually with neighboring fire agencies to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Install a 15,000 gallon water tank for fire suppression. Coordinate development of an evacuation plan for the community with designated safe zones and instructions for sheltering in place. Reno Fire Department Community Coordination and Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 9-3. Warm Springs Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 3 4. Secondary Road 5 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 1 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 10 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses279 2772 26613 42 237 not visible 61 visible78% 57 80% 1591200 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible218 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate222 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 99% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 95% 15% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible29 Residential Streets29 Score 66 /128 WHISKEY VALLEY RD Warm Springs Valley 1999 1999 2001 1999 1997 WILCOX RANCH RD APPIAN WAY PIUTE CREEK RD G R AS S VA LL EY R D VI ST A TR L SERENITY PL SA FA RI CT YE LL O W TA IL R D CARRERA DR CO UG AR DR AN SA RI LN H O CK BE R R Y R D445 446 Legend Community Boundary Fire Station Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Secondary Roads Highways and State Routes 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 9-1. Warm Springs Valley Fire History and Suppression Resources Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. WILCOX RANCH RD APPIAN WAY PIUTE CREEK RD G R AS S VA LL EY R D WHISKEY SPRINGS RD R O DE RO RD QUAKING ASPEN RD W IL D H O RS E R D BA CO N R IN D R D EN CA NT O D R WRANGLER RD BOAR RY DR BASQ UE O VEN RD VALLE VERDE DR TREE FARM RD 445 446 Warm Springs Valley 2 1 Legend Community Boundary Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Fuel Hazard Extreme High Moderate Low Photo Point 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 9-2. Warm Springs Valley Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 87 Washoe County – Warm Springs Valley Figure 9-3. Warm Springs Valley Fuel Hazard Photo Points Warm Springs Photo Point 1. 4401384N, 0276333E, 75°NE. Utah juniper, Wyoming big sagebrush, and rabbitbrush with annual and perennial grasses are the dominant species in the unburned areas west of Warm Springs. High hazard fuel loads were estimated to range between three and six tons per acre. Warm Springs Photo Point 2. 4407636N, 0272739E, 60°NE. Fuel types in the valley bottom include sagebrush, rabbitbrush, spiny hopsage, desert peach, greasewood, cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and basin wildrye. The fuel load in these types was estimated to range between one and two tons per acre. The fuel hazard was considered low to moderate depending upon aspect and fuel density. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 88 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West 10.0 WASHOE VALLEY – WEST 10.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Washoe Valley-West community is located between Washoe City and Carson City, west of Washoe Lake. The community is situated at the base of the east slope of the Carson Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 10-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying West Washoe Valley in the High Hazard Category (62 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 10-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in West Washoe Valley included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, limited water sources within the community for fire suppression, and flammable roofing materials in many areas of the community. 10.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area around the West Washoe Valley community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: Old Highway 395 (State Route 429) is the primary transportation route providing access to a majority of the homes in the community. Highway 395 borders the community to the east and provides access to the community through Bellevue Road. Each of the three primary access roads is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Most of the secondary roads on the west side of the community are adequate for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. However there are a few developments that have steep single lane roads without turn-outs, cul-de- sacs and long steep driveways. Signage: Nearly all streets are adequately signed and signs are easily visible. All of the residential addresses observed in the interface area are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: Utilities are both above and below ground throughout the community. Proper maintenance of utility corridors minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 10.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. However, approximately fifteen percent of homes have roofs made combustible materials such as untreated wood shake shingles. Approximately nine percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 89 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West 10.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately ninety percent of the homes surveyed in the West Washoe Valley have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 10.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Washoe Valley-West is protected by two fire districts. The Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Forest Fire Protection District includes the following non-federal lands: west of Old Highway 395 from the Davis Creek exit; west of Franktown Road; and west of Highway 395 to the Carson City boundary. The Sierra Forest Fire Protection District is operated out of Station 10 at Bowers. The Bowers station is staffed 24 hours a day with four career firefighters. Staffing is increased seasonally with the addition of Type 3 wildland engine crews from April to September. The NDF Washoe Valley Volunteer Fire Department reported having eleven members at the time interviews were conducted for this report. The Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District covers the east portions of the community. Table 10.1 lists the types of wildfire resources available within and near the community to respond to a reported wildland fire. Table 10-1. Washoe Valley – West Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 1 2 2 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 10 - Bowers) Engine Type 1 Type 3 Engine Engine Type 6 Water Tender Type 2 1 1 1 1 Washoe Valley Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Station 101 - Bellevue Drive) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno/Truckee Meadows Standard Wildland Fire Dispatch (Closest available resources) Source: John Harding, Assistant Chief Washoe Valley, Joe Reinhardt, BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in West Washoe Valley includes fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with a minimum flow capacity of 1,000 gpm at the Thunder Canyon Golf Development. The water system operates by gravity flow and Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 90 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West electrical pumps and includes a water storage tank. Cisterns for fire protection are located on Old Ranch Road and J Bar S Ranch Road. There is also a 30,000-gallon water tank available for emergency use located at a private residence on Frank Town Road. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. The Washoe Valley Volunteer Fire Department radios were compatible with Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service at the time that interview were conducted for this report, and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. Washoe Valley VFD does not have the Reno Fire Department 800 meg radios in some of their engines. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career firefighters and volunteers of Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group 310-1 standards. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474). The Pleasant Valley VFD receives an annual stipend from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Financial support for the Washoe Valley Volunteer Fire Department is provided through a pay-per-call program in which the Nevada Division Forestry bills for the emergency services as they are provided as part of the Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. For fires within an NDF Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by NDF in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. 10.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Vegetative as well as dead and down fuels combined with topographical features contribute to the potential fire hazard around wildland-urban interface communities. Fuel hazard maps for the Washoe Valley-West wildland-urban interface and representative fuel hazard photo points are provided in Figures 10-2 and 10-3. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 91 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West The Washoe Valley-West community is extends from the valley floor, across the foothills, and up the east slope of the Carson Range. The slopes range from flat on the valley floor to greater than thirty percent on the mountain slopes. The general aspect is east with north and south facing aspects in the canyons. Elevations range from 5,040 at US Highway 395 to 5,600 feet at the western extent of the community. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west. Downslope and cross slope winds are common in the afternoons during the summer. Topographic features including chimneys, narrow canyons, and steep mountain slopes funnel winds and can cause extreme fire behavior. In the summer of 2004 the Waterfall Fire temporarily reduced the fuels south of the community to a low hazard condition. Several additional human-caused ignitions have occurred on the southwest side of the community resulting in temporary fuel reductions. The area west of Franktown Road is characterized by three fuel types: the sagebrush/bitterbrush shrublands, the shrubland and mixed coniferous transition zone, and the Jeffrey pine forest with no understory. Areas of dense brush accumulations can be found in the Stewart Ranch, Bryon Canyon Road, and the 1981 Little Valley Fire. In shrub zones the dominant species are sagebrush, bitterbrush, greenleaf manzanita, snowbrush, and rabbitbrush with cheatgrass and perennial grass ground fuels. The fuel loading in these areas was estimated to range between two and four tons per acre, and was considered a high fuel hazard. The areas where the shrub zone transitions into mixed coniferous forest of Jeffrey pine, white fir and/or lodgepole pine are dense stands with closed canopies and large amounts of dead and down woody materials. Trees are close to structures, and there is an abundance of ladder fuels. The ground fuels include cheatgrass, perennial grasses, squaw carpet, pine needles, and pinecones. The shrubs are four to eight feet tall and if ignited can burn with flame lengths extending into the tree canopy, potentially resulting in an extremely dangerous crown fire. The fuel load in this type was estimated to range between six and eighteen tons per acre and was considered an extreme fuel hazard. Some areas west of Franktown Road are dominated by Jeffrey pine stands with very little understory vegetation. These areas are generally overstocked and have high potential for disease and insect damage, ultimately adding a large component of dead and dying woody debris to the fuel load. In these overstocked stands, the fuel load was estimated between ten and fifteen tons per acre and was considered an extreme fuel hazard. East of Franktown Road, the primary vegetation types include a mosaic of shrubland and irrigated pastureland. The primary shrubs are big sagebrush, bitterbrush, and rabbitbrush, with cheatgrass and bluegrass as ground fuels. Fuel loads were estimated between one and two tons per acre. Due to the discontinuous distribution of the shrubs combined with annual (or more frequent) harvest of the vegetation in the pasturelands and the irrigated, fire-resistant qualities of the pastures, these areas were rated as a low fuel hazard. 10.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario for this community would be a dry lightning storm with multiple ignitions on the west side of the valley above the residential areas, in the late afternoon on a summer day. Strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, commonly associated with thunderstorm activity, and west to southwest winds could rapidly push fires down slope into structures. The area west of old Highway 395 from Winter’s Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 92 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West Ranch to just south of Cliff Brothers’ Ranch is an area of over stocked Jeffrey Pine with a brush understory. These closed canopy, over stocked stands of timber coupled with brush understory as ladder fuels would allow ground fires to easily become crown fires. Poor access, limited water supplies and poor defensible space would increase the potential for structure loss. As a second scenario, a human-caused fire along Frank Town Road below the residences built on steep slopes could easily become a plume-dominated fire.5 This fire could rapidly spread up slope through the structures located west of Frank Town Road. 10.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in the Washoe Valley-West community due to the tendency for heavy lightning in the area during the summer and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 10.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Washoe Valley-West area focus primarily on reducing stand density, reducing dead and down woody material, removing ladder fuels, thinning brush and providing adequate defensible space. Additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety pertain to community coordination and public education. 10.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. 5 A plume-dominated fire is a large fire that is creating its own winds. The smoke convection column is so large and rising so fast that the fire is pulling air into itself and overcomes the gradient winds. A fire in a steep canyon can easily become a plume dominated fire even though there may be down-slope winds. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 93 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of fifteen feet from the ground, but not more than one-third of the total tree height, to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.6 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers with fire resistant species. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 10.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. 6 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 94 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendations ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Construct a shaded fuelbreak beyond the defensible space zone by thinning trees to a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre. (Refer to Appendix E for tree thinning guidelines and basal area.) Limb the remaining trees to a height of fifteen feet, or no higher than one-third the height of the tree. Thin and prune shrubs to a spacing of twice their height. 10.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Nevada Division of Forestry, Washoe VFD, Reno Fire Department/Truckee Meadows Fire District Eastlake VFD ¾ Meet annually with the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. Nevada Division of Forestry ¾ Conduct annual pumping tests of cisterns on Old Ranch Road and J Bar S Ranch Road to ensure that they can be used in an emergency and are holding water. 10.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 95 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Nevada Division of Forestry and Reno Fire Department/Truckee Meadows Fire District Recommendation ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Enforce or develop county laws, regulations, and ordinances that support implementation and maintenance of defensible space and establish fuel reduction responsibilities for absentee homeowners and vacant lots. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 10.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 96 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West 10.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 10-2. Washoe Valley - West Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council Improve address visibility from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures Property Owners Fuels Reduction Construct shaded fuelbreaks beyond the defensible space zone by thin trees and brush. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in state road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas as necessary to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes for community design, building construction, road design, water supply, and emergency access. Enforce or develop county laws and ordinances that support defensible space and establish fuel reduction responsibilities for absentee homeowners and vacant lots. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with the US Forest Service to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Community Coordination Coordinate development of an emergency evacuation plan for West Washoe Valley area. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District and Nevada Division of Forestry Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Nevada Division of Forestry Resources and Training Conduct annual testing of cisterns to assure water holding capacity. Table 10-3. Washoe Valley West Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 3 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 7 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 5 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses337 28750 3316 32 305 not visible 0 visible100% 35 90% 2428329 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible337 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate302 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 85% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 9% B5. Street Signs not visible 2 visible94%visible31 Residential Streets33 Score 62 /128 ©© © Washoe Co. Carson City 1981 tu395 EA ST LA KE B LV D FR A N K TO W N R D BELLEVUE RD NIKKI LN WILLOW BEND LN Washoe Valley - West tu395 OP429 1999 1996 Legend Community Boundary Parcel © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Tree Thinning éé Fuelbreak 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 10-1. Washoe Valley - West Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Washoe Lake Washoe Valley - East (See Figure 30-1) Washoe City (See Figure 29-1) Washoe Co. Carson Citytu 395 Washoe Lake Washoe Valley - East (See Figure 30-1) Washoe City (See Figure 29-1) Washoe Valley - West tu395 OP429 EA ST LA KE B LV D FR A N K TO W N R D BELLEVUE RD WILLIAM BRENT RD 2 1 3 Legend Community Boundary Parcel Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Photo Point Fuel Hazard Extreme High Moderate Low 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 10-2. Washoe Valley - West Fuel Hazard Classification Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 100 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West Figure 10-3. Washoe Valley - West Fuel Hazard Photo Points West Washoe Valley Photo Point 1. 4352649N, 0255483E, 290°NW. Below the treeline in the West Washoe Valley community, big sagebrush, bitterbrush rabbitbrush, and perennial grass fuel loads are estimated at two to four tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. West Washoe Valley Photo Point 2. 4350329N, 0254085E, 100°SE. Manzanita, sagebrush, and bitterbrush could create a ladder fuels into the Jeffrey pine trees on the west side of the community. In these areas of extreme fuel hazard, the fuel loads were estimated to range between six and eighteen tons per acre. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 101 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - West Figure 10-3. Washoe Valley - West Fuel Hazard Photo Points (continued) West Washoe Valley Photo Point 3. 4349171N, 0254565E, 270°W. Overstocked stands of Jeffrey pine on the west side of the valley constitute an extreme fuel hazard and should be thinned to reduce the potential for hazardous fire behavior as well as reduce the susceptibility of the stands to disease and beetle kill. MODERATE HAZARD COMMUNITIES Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 103 Washoe County – Anderson Acres 11.0 ANDERSON ACRES 11.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Anderson Acres community is located north of Reno, south of Stead, and southwest of US Highway 395. The community is situated on east-facing foothills. The community boundary is shown in Figure 11-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Anderson Acres in the Moderate Hazard Category (59 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 11-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Anderson Acres included the limited fire suppression resources, inadequate defensible space implementation, and inadequate address signage throughout the community. 11.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface around Anderson Acres is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: The Anderson Acres community is accessed from exit 78 on US Highway 395. The freeway exit is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the community are narrow and steep in places, but should not preclude fire suppression access. Some Individual driveways are narrow and may limit fire apparatus maneuverability. Signage: All of the streets observed during the assessment had visible street signs. Approximately seventy percent of homes had adequately visible addresses. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all cases. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance did not exist around propane tanks. 11.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the homes had roofs of non- combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately seven percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 11.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 67 percent of the homes surveyed in the Anderson Acres community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 104 Washoe County – Anderson Acres 11.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Nevada Division of Forestry Peavine Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection for the Anderson Acres community. Fire suppression resources within the community that would respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 11-1. Table 11-1. Anderson Acres Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Water Tender 2000 gals. 1 1 1 Peavine Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Station 31 - Peavine) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department Reno Fire Department responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure There are no fire hydrants within the community. Water for the community is from private domestic wells. The estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes away. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications The Peavine Volunteer Fire Department volunteers receive wildland fire training from the Nevada Division of Forestry and have a minimum of basic firefighter and basic wildland training. They are required to attend an annual eight hour wildland refresher course. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 105 Washoe County – Anderson Acres Financial Support The financial support for the Peavine Volunteer Fire Department is provided through a pay-per-call program in which the Nevada Division Forestry bills for the emergency services as they are provided as part of the Sierra Fire Protection District. Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. For fires within an NDF Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by NDF in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. Community Preparedness The Anderson Acres area is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan 11.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the wildland-urban interface areas of the community is generally flat with the western portions of the community situated on east-facing slopes between eight and twenty percent. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest, with afternoon downslope winds common during the summer months. Several human and lightning- caused fire ignitions have occurred within one mile of the community since 1980. The vegetative fuel hazard in the Anderson Acres community was generally classified as a moderate fuel hazard with fuel loads estimated at two tons per acre. The dominant vegetation consists of bitterbrush, Wyoming big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, cheatgrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail. 11.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire that starts southwest and upslope from the community with strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, pushing the fire northeast and downslope into the community. Homes and other property that are surrounded by moderate or dense brush would be quickly threatened. Rundown structures and abandoned mobile homes in the community would be easily ignited. If the fire occurred during normal business hours, the volunteers may not be readily available and the fire could escape initial attack before additional fire resources could arrive to protect structures. 11.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Anderson Acres has a high fire ignition risk due to potential lightning strikes during summer afternoon thunderstorms and high vehicle traffic along Highway 395. There is a history of several large wildland fires in and around the community. 11.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for Anderson Acres focus primarily on ongoing and additional efforts to create and maintain defensible space and to create future requirements that new developments will be planned Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 106 Washoe County – Anderson Acres and constructed to create fire safe communities. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 11.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 107 Washoe County – Anderson Acres ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.7 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Remove or board-up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendations ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible measures. 11.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Nevada Division of Forestry and Peavine Volunteer Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. 7 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 108 Washoe County – Anderson Acres Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 11.2.3 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendations ¾ Coordinate with the appropriate agencies to improve street sign visibility. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 11.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Nevada Division of Forestry and Peavine Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 109 Washoe County – Anderson Acres 11.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 11-2. Anderson Acres Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the county to meet the National Fire Codes in regards to construction materials, road construction and design, water supply, and other fire department needs. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Washoe County Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in state road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas as necessary to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Community Coordination Coordinate with the appropriate agencies to improve street sign visibility. Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Nevada Division of Forestry and Peavine Volunteer Fire Department Defensible Space Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space for property owners. Table 11-3. Anderson Acres Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 5 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 7 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 5 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses110 1100 1046 8 102 not visible 33 visible70% 36 67% 00110 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible77 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate74 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 95% 7% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible18 Residential Streets18 Score 59 /128 88 8 8 8 k k© © C O P P E R FIE LD D R DUFFNEY LN N VIRGINIA ST tu395TRAIL DR N VIRGINIA ST SILVER LAKE RD D M AR M AC S T LE N C O A VE LONGVIEW LN 2000 Anderson Acres Legend Community Boundary Parcel k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 11-1. Anderson Acres Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 112 Washoe County – Cold Springs 12.0 COLD SPRINGS 12.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Cold Springs community is located near the western boundary of Washoe County, west of Silver Knolls and north of US Highway 395. The community is situated at the south end of the Peterson Mountains and north and west of White Lake. The community boundary is shown in Figure 12-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Cold Springs in the Moderate Hazard Category (44 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 12-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Cold Springs included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, and limited fire suppression resources. 12.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area around Cold Springs is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: White Lake Parkway and Village Parkway are the primary transportation routes providing access to the community. These roads are greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Most street signs are easily visible and 98 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance did not exist around propane tanks. 12.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately thirteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 12.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 96 percent of the homes surveyed in the Cold Springs community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 113 Washoe County – Cold Springs 12.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Fire suppression services in the Cold Springs community are provided by two fire protection districts. Two fire stations are operated by the Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department, which reported having 28 volunteer members at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. The fire station on the west side of Highway 395 is Nevada Division of Forestry Station 21. The fire station east of Highway 395 on White Lake Parkway belongs to the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. Table 12-1 lists the types of wildfire resources within the community that could respond to a reported wildland fire. Table 12-1. Cold Springs Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 2 6 Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Station 21 - Cold Springs) Water Tender Type 1 Engine Type 6 1 3 Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 20 - Cold Springs) Source: Dick Boykin, Chief, Cold Springs VFD; Joe Reinhardt, BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman, DC, Reno Fire Department. Reno Fire Department responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. The Cold Springs VFD also has mutual aid agreements with Lassen, Plumas and Sierra Counties in California. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Cold Springs includes fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gpm, and four water tanks totaling over four-million gallons. The water system operates by gravity and electrical pumps with emergency back-up generators. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. The Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department has access to State Mutual Aid Frequencies, and communications are currently compatible between agencies with the exception of the Reno Fire Department 800 meg radios. When the federal Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 114 Washoe County – Cold Springs agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided by Nevada Division of Forestry and meets the NWCG 310-1 standards. Work Load The Cold Springs VFD responded to 280 calls in 2003 that included twenty wildland brush calls and 250 emergency medical calls. Financial Support Financial support for the Cold Springs VFD is provided through a pay-per-call program in which the Nevada Division Forestry bills for the emergency services as they are provided as part of the Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. The Cold Springs VFD is also funded by an annual stipend from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474). For fires within a Nevada Division of Forestry Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by Nevada Division of Forestry in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials and an All- Risk Disaster Plan through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department does pre-attack planning for fires as part of their in-house annual fire training. 12.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain throughout the wildland-urban interface area of Cold Springs is generally flat, less than eight percent slope, with slightly east and south facing aspects. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west, with strong downslope and cross slope winds common during the summer months of June through September. The vegetative fuels in the Cold Springs community primarily consist of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, ephedra, desert peach, and bitterbrush in the shrub layer with cheatgrass and Great Basin wildrye as the dominant ground fuels. The heavier concentrations of fuels in the Cold Springs area are found around the exterior of the community and along drainage ditches within the community. The fuel loading was estimated to range between one and three tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. 12.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario would be similar to the 1984 Mitchell Canyon Fire. The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm on a late summer afternoon in a year with above-normal precipitation and abundant annual grass production. Multiple Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 115 Washoe County – Cold Springs fire ignitions to the west/southwest of the community would be pushed by strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, toward the community on the west side of Highway 395. With multiple fires in the area, resources may not be available to protect all structures and air resources may be limited. 12.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition to occur in Cold Springs due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high public use of the area west of community. Several human and lightning-cause fire ignitions have occurred within one mile of the community since 1980. The area has moderate to steep slopes with moderate fuel loadings and heavier fuel loads in the drainages. There is a moderate to high potential for structure loss due to heavy fuels in drainages and poor defensible space around some structures 12.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Cold Springs area focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through the reduction of hazardous fuels. Creating a fuelbreak west of the community, reducing interior fuels, cheatgrass control, and improving defensible space will help reduce the wildfire threat to Cold Springs. 12.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 116 Washoe County – Cold Springs ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.8 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 12.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendations ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees 8 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 117 Washoe County – Cold Springs from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. ¾ Clear all vegetation and maintain a minimum 100 foot firebreak from the perimeter fence around the transfer and bulk storage area. Property Owners and Bureau of Land Management Recommendation ¾ Construct fuelbreaks 200 feet wide around the south, west, and east sides of the community as shown in Figure 12-1 by thinning and reducing brush to a spacing between shrubs equal to twice the shrub height (See Figure 12-1). Reseed with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to control cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Railroad Recommendation ¾ Mow or reduce vegetation within a minimum distance of twenty feet on both sides of the railroad tracks. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E if necessary to prevent cheatgrass or other noxious weed invasion. Maintain low growing, low-density fuel volumes within the railroad corridors to reduce the wildfire ignition risk and hazard. 12.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 12.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 118 Washoe County – Cold Springs promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. ¾ Participate in fire-safe public meetings and become familiar with community evacuation procedures. Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Enforce or develop county laws, regulations, and ordinances that support implementation and maintenance of defensible space and establish fuel reduction responsibilities for absentee homeowners and vacant lots. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 12.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Nevada Division of Forestry, and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 119 Washoe County – Cold Springs 12.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 12-2. Cold Springs Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Fuels Reduction Implement fuels reduction treatments south and west of the community, west of Highway 395. Coordinate with the Bureau of Land Management to construct a fuelbreaks 200 feet wide around the south and west sides of the community. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce vegetation and maintain fuel reduction treatments in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Maintain thirty feet of clearance from the fence around power substations. Reduce and maintain 100 feet of clearance from the fenced perimeter of the propane transfer and bulk storage facility. Bureau of Land Management Fuels Reduction Coordinate with private property owners to construct fuelbreaks 200 feet wide around the south and west sides of the community. Fuels Reduction Reduce and/or remove vegetation in county road right-of- ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Enforce or develop county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Railroad Fuels Reduction Reduce and/or remove vegetation twenty feet on both sides of railroad tracks. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 120 Washoe County – Cold Springs INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Fire Suppression Resources and Training Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans, coordinate firefighting resources and responsibilities, and test radio coverage and compatibility. Cold Springs VFD Nevada Division of Forestry Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for the Cold Springs community. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 12-3. Cold Springs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses598 5962 5962 78 520 not visible 12 visible98% 22 96% 292504 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible586 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate576 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 100% 13% B5. Street Signs not visible 3 visible95%visible53 Residential Streets56 Score 44 /128 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k © © é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é ééé éééééé é é é é é é é é ééé é é éééé é é é é é é é é é é é é W H IT E L A K E P K W Y S R E N O P A R K R D tu395 WHITE LAKE PKWY SILVER KNOLLS BLVD VIL LAG E P KW Y COLD SPRINGS DR S A N D P IP E R D R C R Y S TA L C A N Y O N B LV D E A S P E N C IR W A S P E N C IR GLE N L AKE S C T Cold Springs Legend Community Boundary Parcel k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Railroad éé Proposed Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 12-1. Cold Springs Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. W ashoe C o. - N evada P lacer C o. - C alifornia White Lake Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 123 Washoe County – Galena 13.0 GALENA 13.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Galena community is located in southwest Washoe County, east of the Mount Rose Corridor community and west of US Highway 395. The community is situated on the foothills of the east slope of the Carson Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 13-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Galena in the Moderate Hazard Category (50 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 13-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating for the Galena community included the potential for hazardous fire behavior, hazardous fuel conditions, and limited access in some areas of the community. 13.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Galena community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway) is the primary transportation route for the community. The highway is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. There are several developments in the area with locked gates and are only provided access by one road which, if blocked, could present an evacuation problem in these areas of the community. These developments also have many cul- de-sacs and long steep driveways. Signage: Most street signs and residence addresses in the Galena community are easily visible. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: Utilities are both above and below ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained to minimize the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 13.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. A great majority of the homes had roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately nineteen percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 13.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 82 percent of the homes surveyed in Galena have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 124 Washoe County – Galena 13.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Forest Fire Protection District has one career and two volunteer fire stations within the Galena Community. NDF Station 8 is staffed by four career personnel daily with three additional seasonal firefighters during fire season. The Galena Volunteer Fire Department has two stations and reported having twenty volunteers at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. Wildfire resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire in the Galena community are shown in Table 13-1. Table 13-1. Galena Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 8 - Galena) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 2 Engine Type 1 2 1 1 Galena Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Stations 81 and 82 - Galena) Source: Pete Cannizzaro, Chief Galena VFD; Joe Reinhardt, BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Reno Fire Department responds with resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in the Galena community includes fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gpm and within 1,000 feet of structures. There are several water storage tanks for the water system, which operates by gravity and electric pumps with emergency back-up generators. Some of the older areas at the end of Callaghan Ranch Road do not have hydrants. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in the Galena area by calling 911, which connects the caller with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center (SFIDC) of wildland fires. SFDIDC notifies Galena V.F.D., Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service resources of fires through the use of pagers and radios. The Galena VFD radios were compatible with Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service at the time of inquiry and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. Galena VFD does not have the Reno Fire Department 800 meg radios in all their engines. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 125 Washoe County – Galena Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided by Nevada Division of Forestry and meets the NWCG 310-1 standards. Work Load The Galena VFD responded to 400 calls in 2003 including 125 wildland/brush fire calls. Financial Support The financial support for the Galena Volunteer Fire Department is provided through a pay-per-call program in which the Nevada Division Forestry bills for the emergency services as they are provided as part of the Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. For fires within an NDF Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by NDF in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials and an All- Risk Disaster Plan through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The Galena VFD does pre-attack planning for fires with Nevada Division of Forestry career firefighters as part of their in-house annual fire training. The Galena Forest Estates Unit One has formed a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. 13.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The Galena community is situated on the slopes and foothills at the base of the east slope of the Carson Range. Slopes in the community generally range between four and twenty percent with steeper slopes, greater than thirty percent, just west and south of the community. Elevations range from 5,400 and 6,200 feet. The prevailing wind direction is from the west and southwest. Downslope and cross slope winds are common in the afternoons of summer months. Saddles, chimneys, and steep mountain slopes are topographic features that funnel winds and could contribute to extreme fire behavior. The fuels in upper Galena consist of a combination of sagebrush/bitterbrush and Jeffrey pine/sagebrush/bitterbrush vegetation types. In the sagebrush/bitterbrush fuel type, dominant species include mountain big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and bitterbrush with cheatgrass and perennial grass ground fuels. In these areas the fuel loads were estimated to range between two and four tons per acre, and were considered a high fuel hazard. Upslope, Jeffrey pine, mountain mahogany, greenleaf manzanita, tobacco brush, bitterbrush, mountain big sagebrush, and rabbitbrush are the main fuel components. Ground fuels include cheatgrass, perennial grasses, squaw carpet, dead and down woody debris, pine needles, and pinecones. The shrub layer, ranging between three and four feet in height, can act as ladder fuels and carry fire into the tree canopy, causing an extremely Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 126 Washoe County – Galena dangerous crown fire. The fuel load for these conditions was estimated to range between six and eighteen tons per acre and was considered a high fuel hazard. In areas further upslope, including the Galena State Park, the mixed coniferous forest includes Jeffrey pine, white fir, and incense cedar. In these areas, there is a larger degree of dead and down woody fuels and small trees, resulting in an extreme fuel hazard classification. 13.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for Galena would be a dry lightning storm southwest to west of the community in late afternoon on a summer day. Strong downslope winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, would push fires into Galena Park – Galena Forest Estates and St. James Village. Fires could easily develop into a crown fire, making direct fire attack impossible. Evacuation of residents would be first priority. All the locked emergency access gates will slow the evacuation process and increase the potential for loss of human life. Without thinning timber and opening up canopies, direct fire attack will be impossible until fires reach brush fields to the north and east of the area at the lower elevation. 13.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high fire ignition risk in Galena due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high public use of the area west of the community. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 13.1.8 Existing Mitigation Projects Various subdivisions in the Galena community have completed previously recommended or required fuel reduction treatments to comply with development conditions of approval including: 1977-1982 Galena Forest Estates Phase 1: The developer was required to thin the entire subdivision. Some lots were sold prior to thinning and did not receive treatment. Thinning was completed by NDF Conservation Camp Crews to remove ladder fuels and smaller trees. 1988 Whispering Pines: A brush hog was used to remove understory shrubs. Trees were thinned on 45 acres of the 47-acre subdivision. 1990 Galena Creek Regional Park – Galena: Smaller trees were thinned and ladder fuels were removed in the day-use areas and around the NDF residence. 1994 Guerra Development (Abies Court south of Galena Forest Estates): The developer was required to reduce fuels prior to sales by removing mountain mahogany and conducting some pre-commercial and commercial tree thinning. 1994-1996 St. James Village: The developer was required to thin each lot and remove 50 percent of the brush understory on each lot prior to street paving. Brush was treated with a brush hog and masticator. 1999-Scotch Pine: The developer was required to thin fuels on the lots in the primary area of development (home sites). Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 127 Washoe County – Galena 2001-2002 Calamont: In 2001, the golf course fairways were clear-cut and approximately 100 acres were commercially thinned. In 2002, the remaining 150 acres of forestland were commercially thinned. Approximately 86,000 board feet of saw logs were shipped to the Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) sawmill in Quincy, California, and 3,200 tons of biomass were chipped and shipped to the SPI wood- fired power plant in Loyalton, California. 2002-2003 St. James Village: In 2002, 100 acres were commercially thinned for fuel hazard reduction. Approximately 318,000 board feet of saw logs were sent to the SPI sawmill in Quincy, California; 4,200 tons of biomass were chipped and shipped to the SPI wood-fired power plant in Loyalton. 700 cords of firewood were shipped to a wood yard in Chilcoot, California. In 2003, a brush masticator was used to remove 50 percent of the brush on 65 acres of Homeowners’ Association green belt property. 2004 Galena Forest Estates Unit 1: In September of 2004, hand crews under contract with the Nevada Fire Safe Council completed fuel reduction treatments and defensible space treatments on three of the community parcels and several private lots within the Galena Forest Estates Unit 1 portion of the Galena community. The work was completed according to the specifications included in the Community Fire Risk, Hazard Reduction, and Project Implementation Plan (RCI 2003). 13.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Galena area focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through the reduction of hazardous fuels. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 13.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 128 Washoe County – Galena ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of twelve to fifteen feet from the ground or no more than one third the height of the tree to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.9 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Replace ornamental juniper shrubs with fire resistant species. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 9 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 129 Washoe County – Galena 13.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Construct and maintain a shaded fuelbreak 300 feet wide along the north and west sides of the Montreux Development. ¾ Construct and maintain a shaded fuelbreak 300 feet wide along the north side of Galena Forest Estates Unit One. • Reduce ladder fuels on all private lots by removing mountain mahogany plants within thirty feet of Jeffrey pine canopies. • Thin trees on private lots to a maximum basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre. (Refer to Appendix E for guidelines on tree thinning.) ¾ Construct and maintain a 200-foot wide fuelbreak around the Galena Terrace subdivision in Lower Galena. Thin shrub canopies to a spacing two times the height of the shrubs and seed the fuelbreak with short-stature, fire-resistant perennial species, such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. US Forest Service Recommendation ¾ Remove the brush understory in the pine plantation along State Route 431. Washoe County Parks Recommendations ¾ Thin trees in Galena Creek Regional Park to a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre. ¾ Reduce ladder fuels by removing the brush and mountain mahogany from under the larger Jeffrey pines and by pruning trees to twelve to fifteen feet above ground or no more than one-third the height of the tree. ¾ Construct and maintain a 500-foot wide fuelbreak along State Route 431 as previously proposed in the RCI 2003 report (Priority treatments 3 and 4). Thin trees to an approximate basal area of 80 square feet per acre and thin brush and mountain mahogany canopies to a spacing of two times the height of the shrubs. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 130 Washoe County – Galena Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 13.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Galena Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 13.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form local chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council based on subdivision units with similar Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions or join with the Galena Forest Estates Unit One Fire Safe Council Chapter. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 131 Washoe County – Galena ¾ Enforce or develop county laws, regulations, and ordinances that support implementation and maintenance of defensible space and establish fuel reduction responsibilities for absentee homeowners and vacant lots. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 13.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Galena Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. 13.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 13-2. Galena Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Fuels Reduction Reduce ladder fuels by removing brush and mountain mahogany from under larger Jeffrey pines. Construct a shaded fuelbreak 300 feet wide along the west side of the Montreux Development. Construct a shaded fuelbreak 300 feet wide shaded fuelbreak along the north side of Galena Forest Estates Unit One. Construct and maintain a 200-foot wide fuelbreak around the Galena Terrace subdivision in Lower Galena. Property Owners Community Coordination Form additional local chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 132 Washoe County – Galena INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Remove the brush understory from pine plantation. Washoe County Parks Fuels Reduction Thin trees in Galena Creek Regional Park. Reduce ladder fuels by removing brush and mountain mahogany from under larger Jeffrey pines and pruning tree limbs. Construct and maintain a 500-foot wide fuelbreak along State Route 431. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Enforce or develop county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually to review pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Galena Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Public Education Coordinate the development of an emergency evacuation plan for Galena area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuel Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in county and state road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Table 13-3. Galena Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 7 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses769 75514 7618 148 621 not visible 4 visible99% 138 82% 098671 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible765 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate631 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 98% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 19% B5. Street Signs not visible 3 visible97%visible94 Residential Streets97 Score 50 /128 éééééééé é é é é ééé é ééé ééé éé é é éé éé é é éééééééé é é é é é éééééééééé é é é é éééé é é ééé é é é é é é é 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k k © © © © © tu395 C AL LA H AN R D OP341 OP431 OP431 tu395 1980 JO Y LAKE R D ARROWCREEK PKWY B IH LE R R D Upper Galena Lower Galena 1984 2001 1997 2000 2001 Legend Community Boundary Parcel k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Tree Thinning Brush Treatment éé Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 13-1. Galena Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Pleasant Valley (See Figure 20-1) Reno - Southwest (See Figure 32-1) Galena Terrace Montreux Galena Forest Estates Unit 1 Galena Creek Regional Park Forest Service Plantation Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 135 Washoe County – Gerlach 14.0 GERLACH 14.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Gerlach is located in northern Washoe County, approximately 100 miles north of Reno. The community is situated in the flats, south of the Granite Range along State Route 447. The community boundary is shown in Figure 14-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Gerlach in the Moderate Hazard Category (43 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 14-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Gerlach included the presence of many homes with flammable siding materials, limited fire suppression resources, and inadequate address signage. 14.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Gerlach is described as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: State Route 447 and State Route 34 are the primary transportation routes providing access to the community. These roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Most street signs are easily visible, however only 56 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained to minimize the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 14.1.2 Construction Materials Approximately seventy percent of homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately twenty percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features. Unenclosed features on homes can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 14.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 86 percent of the homes surveyed in Gerlach have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 136 Washoe County – Gerlach 14.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Gerlach has an all-volunteer fire department that reported having eight volunteers at the time of the assessment. The closest resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 14-1. The Gerlach volunteer fire department is part of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Table 14-1. Gerlach Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 2 Engine Type 4 Water Tender – 4,000 gallons 1 1 1 Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 42 - Gerlach) Source: Bill Gooch Gerlach Fire Chief The Reno Fire Department responds with resources upon request through Reno Dispatch. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. The Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department has access to State Mutual Aid Frequencies, and communications are currently compatible between agencies including the Reno Fire Department 800 meg radios. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Gerlach has fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with a flow capacity of at least 500 gallons per minute. These hydrants are gravity fed from two water tanks, with a total capacity of 400,000 gallons. The water source is supplied from a natural spring. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Members of the Gerlach Fire Department have received the forty hour wildland training and attend the eight hour annual wildland refresher training through the Bureau of Land Management. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 137 Washoe County – Gerlach Financial Support The Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department is funded through the Washoe County General Fund. Community Preparedness The Gerlach area is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 14.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain around the community of Gerlach is generally flat with slopes less than eight percent. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest, and high wind speeds are common during summer afternoons. The vegetative fuels around Gerlach are primarily saltgrass flats interspersed with shrubs that include Bailey’s greasewood, rabbitbrush horsebrush, bud sage, shadscale, cheatgrass, and basin wildrye. Higher shrub densities occur along both sides of the railroad tracks. Fuel loads were estimated to range between less than one and three tons per acre with the fuel hazard ranging between low and moderate. 14.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting on a high hazard day along the railroad tracks south of town with a 25 mile per hour southwest wind pushing the fire through to town. This would threaten structures and mobile homes located along the side of the railroad right-of-way. The areas along the railroad tracks have moderate to heavy fuel, with no defensible space between the brush and structures or the power poles. This fire could ignite many structures and cause an electrical power failure as the power poles burn. 14.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The Gerlach community has a moderate ignition risk. The main area of concern is along the railroad tracks due to the heavier fuels, railroad activity, overhead power lines, and lack of defensible space. There is fire history in the area, with lightning as the primary cause. 14.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for Gerlach focus primarily on ongoing and additional efforts to create and maintain defensible space, and future requirements that new developments will be planned and constructed to create fire safe communities. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 14.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 138 Washoe County – Gerlach Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.10 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. 10 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 139 Washoe County – Gerlach ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 14.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain fifteen feet of clearance around power poles and clear the dense brush from under power lines especially in the area between the railroad tracks and structures. Union Pacific Railroad Recommendations ¾ Clean up lumber and railroad tie debris within the railroad yard. ¾ Mow the grass to maximum height of four inches and thin the brush to a minimum spacing of two times the shrub height throughout the railroad yard. ¾ Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of each side of the tracks within the community. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 14.2.3 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Truckee Meadows Fire District and Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 140 Washoe County – Gerlach Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 14.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 141 Washoe County – Gerlach 14.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 14-2. Gerlach Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Clear dense brush and maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Union Pacific Railroad Fuels Reduction Clean up lumber and railroad tie debris within the railroad yard; mow the grass to a maximum height of four inches; thin brush throughout the railroad yard to a minimum spacing of two times the height of the shrubs. Clear vegetation fifteen feet along each side of the tracks within the community. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and assist with defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Community Coordination Meet annually with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 14-3. Gerlach Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 5 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 1 2. Fire Behavior 3 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses123 1212 8637 25 98 not visible 54 visible56% 17 86% 00123 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible69 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate106 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 98% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 70% 20% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible11 Residential Streets11 Score 43 /128 8© OP34 SR 3 4 MAIN ST DE L O RA AV E DIA BLO DR Gerlach OP447 Legend Community Boundary 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Railroad 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 14-1. Gerlach Fire History Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 144 Washoe County – Golden Valley 15.0 GOLDEN VALLEY 15.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Golden Valley community is located north of Reno, north of US Highway 395, between Lemmon Valley and Sun Valley. Foothills surround the north, east, and south sides of the community. The community boundary is shown in Figure 15-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Golden Valley in the Moderate Hazard Category (58 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 15-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Golden Valley include the high number of homes with flammable roofing materials and limited fire suppression resources. 15.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Golden Valley is described as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: Golden Valley Road is the primary road providing access to the community. The community can also be accessed by Lemmon Drive. These roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All street signs are easily visible and 93 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all cases. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 15.1.2 Construction Materials A great majority of homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Sixty-nine percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately thirteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features. Unenclosed features on homes can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 15.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 86 percent of the homes surveyed in the Golden Valley community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 145 Washoe County – Golden Valley 15.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources There is no fire station within the Golden Valley community. The closest fire resources are Reno Fire Department career staffed stations located in Sun Valley and Stead. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 15-1. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 15-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Golden Valley TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slater and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Golden Valley has fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures in most areas of the community. Water supplies for areas without hydrants are available within a twenty minute round trip. Community Preparedness Golden Valley is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 15.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the wildland-urban interface areas of the community is generally flat. The surrounding foothills have slopes of eight to twenty percent. West and south facing aspects are the most common throughout the valley. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest. High wind speeds are common. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 146 Washoe County – Golden Valley The vegetative fuels in the Golden Valley community primarily consist of Wyoming big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, Mormon tea, and greasewood in the shrub layer with cheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail as the dominant ground fuels. The fuel loading was estimated to range between one and three tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. 15.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for Golden Valley would be a fire starting in the brush within the community on a high hazard day, with strong winds greater than twenty miles per hour from the south-southwest pushing the fire upslope to the northeast. A wind-driven fire in this location would quickly threaten many homes. 15.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Golden Valley has a high ignition risk rating. There is an extensive history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. High ignition rates are due to the frequency of lightning storms during the summer and moderate to high vehicular traffic. 15.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. 15.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 147 Washoe County – Golden Valley ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Removed or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks entering and igniting the structure. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures and assist with defensible space treatments. 15.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles in brush areas of the community. Remove all tree limbs from power lines. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of ten feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 148 Washoe County – Golden Valley Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 15.2.3 Community Coordination Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 15.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 149 Washoe County – Golden Valley 15.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 15-2. Golden Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Property Owners Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Fuel Reduction Reduce vegetation and maintain a minimum of ten feet of clearance from the edge of all roadways within the community. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments on private property. Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Reno Fire Department Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Table 15-3. Golden Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 3 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 10 1. Roofs 10 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses564 388176 55311 74 490 not visible 40 visible93% 78 86% 032737 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible524 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate486 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 69% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 13% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible19 Residential Streets19 Score 58 /128 88 8 8 k k E S TA TE S R D LE M M O N D R E GOLDEN VALLEY RDBECKWOURTH DR N VIRGINIA ST W G O LD EN V AL LE Y RD Golden Valley tu395 1999 Legend Community Boundary Parcel k School 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 15-1. Golden Valley Fire History and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 152 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley 16.0 LEMMON VALLEY 16.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Lemmon Valley community is located north of Reno and north of US Highway 395 between Stead and Golden Valley. The community boundary is shown in Figure 16-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Lemmon Valley in the Moderate Hazard Category (41 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 16-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Lemmon Valley included inadequate address signage and limited fire suppression resources. 16.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Lemmon Valley is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: Lemmon Drive is the primary road providing access to the community from US Highway 395. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All street signs are easily visible, and 88 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all cases. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 16.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-seven percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately eighteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 16.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 74 percent of the homes surveyed in the Golden Valley community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 153 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley 16.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department provides the primary fire protection in the Lemmon Valley community as part of the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The Lemmon Valley VFD reported having twelve volunteer members at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. Lemmon Valley VFD resources that are available to respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 16-1. Table 16-1. Lemmon Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 1 1 1 Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department (Reno/Truckee Meadows Station 23) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Lemmon Valley has fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with a minimum flow capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute in most areas of the community. Fire hydrants are gravity operated. The community water system has a total water storage capacity of over 1,000,000 gallons, supplied from wells. There is no emergency back up generator to pump the wells in the event of a power outage. For areas without hydrants, the estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 154 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Reno/Truckee Meadows volunteer and career firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and they are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. Approximately half of the total volunteer firefighters are certified to respond to wildland fires. Reno Fire Department is in the process of providing additional training for career Captains and Chief Officers. They do not use the red card system. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department is funded through the Truckee Meadows general fund. Community Preparedness Lemmon Valley is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 16.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain throughout the wildland-urban interface area of Lemmon Valley is generally flat, with less than eight percent slopes. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest with high winds common especially during summer afternoons. The vegetative fuels in the Lemmon Valley community primarily consist of Wyoming big sagebrush and rabbitbrush with an understory of bottlebrush squirreltail, Indian ricegrass, and several perennial and annual weeds. The fuel load was estimated at two tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. 16.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting in the southeast end of the community on a high hazard day with strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, blowing from the south-southwest. This would push the fire north into many older homes. Brush and yard debris will carry the fire through the area quickly threatening many structures. 16.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Lemmon Valley has a high ignition risk rating. There is a significant history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. High ignition rates are attributed to the tendency for lightning storms during the summer and moderate to high vehicular traffic. 16.1.8 Existing Mitigation Projects In June of 2003, as part of the North Valley Fuels Treatment Project, the Bureau of Land Management completed a fuel reduction project for the Lemmon Valley and Sun Valley communities. Fuelbreaks 100 feet wide were constructed using mechanical treatments to reduce juniper and shrub cover (USDI 2003). The treatment area in Lemmon Valley, shown in Figure 16-2, was approximately thirty acres. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 155 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley In April 2005, the BLM Carson City Field Office completed a fuel reduction project on the north and west sides of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Hungry Valley community east of Lemmon Valley. An area 3.1 miles long and 150 feet wide was mechanically treated to reduce shrub and juniper density (M. McQueen 2005 pers. comm.). The project area covers approximately 56 acres and is illustrated in Figure 16-3. 16.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for Lemmon Valley are focused on community clean-up and defensible space. 16.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 156 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. ¾ Treat areas to control the invasion of knapweed. Refer to Appendix E: Russian Knapweed Fact Sheet for more information about treating this noxious weed. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Lemmon Valley and/or Reno Fire Departments ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 16.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Recommendation ¾ Remove or mow vegetation within ten feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access for firefighters. ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 157 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley Bureau of Land Management Recommendation ¾ Periodically retreat the 2003 fuelbreak constructed in Lemmon Valley and the 2004 fuelbreak constructed in Hungry Valley to maintain and/or further reduce shrub and juniper density. 16.2.3 Community Coordination Property Owners Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 16.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Lemmon Valley Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 158 Washoe County – Lemmon Valley 16.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 16-2. Lemmon Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Bureau of Land Management Fuels Reduction Retreat the 2003 and 2004 fuelbreaks in Lemmon and Hungry Valley as necessary to maintain fuel load reductions by thinning shrub and juniper density. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space conditions and defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Remove vegetation within ten feet of fire hydrants. Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Lemmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 16-3. Lemmon Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses849 82326 82920 152 697 not visible 105 visible88% 218 74% 0141708 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible744 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate631 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 97% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 18% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible42 Residential Streets42 Score 41 /128 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k k k k© © © N VIRGINIA ST LEMMON DR tu395 LE M M O N D R ID AH O S T FIR DR ESTATES RD B IR C H S T O H IO S T SITKA ST BR AV O AV E M ILITARY RD HUNG RY VA LLEY R D W IS E A V E R E S E R V O IR S T FI R D R 1999 2000 Lemmon Valley Legend Community Boundary k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 16-1. Lemmon Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Swan Lake Figure 16-2. Lemmon Valley BLM Mitigation Projects Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project Washoe County -- Lemmon Valley Resource Concepts, Inc. Source: USDI, Bureau of Land Management, 2004. North Valleys Fuels Treatment Project. Prepared by the BLM Carson City Field Office. Figure 16-3. Hungry Valley BLM Mitigation Projects Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project Washoe County -- Lemmon Valley Resource Concepts, Inc. Source: USDI, Bureau of Land Management, 2004. Hungry Valley Fuels Treatment Project. Prepared by the BLM Carson City Field Office. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 163 Washoe County – Mogul 17.0 MOGUL 17.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The community of Mogul is located near the western boundary of Washoe County, east of Verdi, north of Interstate 80, and at the south end of Peavine Peak. The community boundary is shown in Figure 17-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Mogul in the Moderate Hazard Category (54 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 17-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Mogul included the potential fire behavior related to topography and vegetative fuels, and limited fire suppression resources. 17.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Mogul is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: West 4th Street and Interstate 80 are the primary transportation routes providing access to the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All street signs are easily visible, and 99 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained minimizing the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 17.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately twenty percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 17.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 99 percent of the homes surveyed in Mogul have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 164 Washoe County – Mogul 17.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Nevada Division of Forestry provides fire protection for Mogul from Station 5 in Verdi. The NDF Verdi Station has 24-hour coverage and is staffed by four career firefighters daily and three additional seasonal firefighters during fire season. Fire suppression coverage is also provided from the Verdi Volunteer Fire Department, which reported having 22 volunteers at the time that interviews were conducted for this project. The closest resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire near Mogul are summarized in Table 17-1. Table 17-1. Mogul Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 5 - Verdi) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 1 Verdi Volunteer Fire Department (Station 51 - Verdi) Source: Brent Harper, Chief Verdi VFD, Joe Reinhardt ,BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Water Sources and Infrastructure ¾ Water available for fire suppression in Mogul includes fire hydrants with a minimum flow capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures. The water system operates on gravity and electric pumps with emergency generators for backup in case of a power outage. The water system includes several storage tanks. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. Verdi VFD has the Reno Fire Department 800 meg radios in some of their engines. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 165 Washoe County – Mogul Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Entry Level Firefighter and Firefighter I standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided by Nevada Division of Forestry and meets the NWCG 310-1 standards. Work Load The Verdi Volunteer Fire Department responded to 114 calls in 2003, twenty of which were wildland/brush calls and seventy were emergency medical calls. Financial Support The financial support for the Verdi Volunteer Fire Department is provided through a contract with Sierra County, California and the Nevada Division of Forestry pay-per- call program in which the Nevada Division Forestry bills for the emergency services as they are provided as part of the Sierra Fire Protection District. NRS 473 fire districts are funded for day-to-day operations from property taxes raised within the fire district for equipment, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. For fires within an NDF Fire Protection District, the state bears the financial responsibility for all costs resulting from actions taken by NDF in suppressing fires and in minimizing damages to exposed life, property, and natural resources. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials and an All- Risk Disaster Plan through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The Verdi VFD does not do pre-attack planning for fires. 17.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the community and surrounding homes in Mogul is variable and ranges from flat to foothills with slopes eight to twenty percent. The dominant aspect in the community is south. The prevailing wind directions are from the west and southwest. Downslope and cross slope winds are common especially during summer afternoons. Topographic features including narrow canyons and mountain slopes adjacent to the community could result in unpredictable fire behavior. The vegetative fuel hazard in Mogul is moderate with fuel loads estimated between three and four tons per acre. The dominant species consist of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and bitterbrush, with cheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail in the understory. Vegetation concentrations are greater near the drainages and open space areas within the community. 17.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for this community would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, in addition to predominant west to southwest winds could push fires into the community from the west and north. Drainages with dense brush below structures have an increased risk of hazardous fire behavior. Homes with inadequate defensible space could be quickly threatened. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 166 Washoe County – Mogul 17.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high fire ignition risk in Mogul due to a tendency for summer afternoon thunderstorms and high recreational use by the public of the area west and north of the community. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 17.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Mogul area focus primarily on fuel reduction in drainages and along ditches and defensible space on private property. 17.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 167 Washoe County – Mogul ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace ornamental Junipers with fire resistant species ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.11 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 17.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendations ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove dense brush in drainages and open spaces within the interior of the community to lower the fuel loading and break up the fuel bed continuity. Treat and revegetate if necessary to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds as recommended in Appendix E. 11 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 168 Washoe County – Mogul US Forest Service Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove brush on the Forest Service parcel in the northwest part of the community as shown in Figure 17-1 by mowing all vegetation to a height not to exceed four inches. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Union Pacific Railroad Recommendation ¾ Mow or reduce vegetation within a minimum distance of twenty feet on both sides of the railroad tracks. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E if necessary to prevent cheatgrass or other noxious weed invasion. Maintain low growing, low-density fuel volumes within the railroad corridors to reduce the wildfire ignition risk and hazard. 17.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Verdi Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendations ¾ Meet annually with the US Forest Service, Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 17.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 169 Washoe County – Mogul Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. ¾ Construct a turn-around area for fire apparatus at the end of Mule Deer Drive. 17.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Verdi Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ As an evacuation plan becomes available, citizens should read and become fully knowledgeable of evacuation procedures, fire safety zones, and safety procedures for sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not possible. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 170 Washoe County – Mogul 17.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 17-2. Mogul Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Fuels Reduction Clear brush in drainage ditches and open spaces. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council Property Owners Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Construct a turn-around area for fire apparatus at the end of Mule Deer Drive. US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Reduce brush to a height not to exceed four inches in the northwest parcel within the community as shown in Figure 17-1. Revegetate with fire resistant species if necessary to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds as recommended in Appendix E. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in county road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion where necessary. Union Pacific Railroad Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation twenty feet on both sides of railroad tracks. Verdi Volunteer Fire Department d Resources and Training Meet annually with the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 171 Washoe County – Mogul INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Mogul area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 17-3. Mogul Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 10 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses370 3691 3691 74 296 not visible 4 visible99% 2 99% 09361 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible366 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate368 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 100% 20% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible45 Residential Streets45 Score 54 /128 4TH ST Mogul §¨¦80 CLIFF VIEW DR LEM M IN G D R BITTER BR U SH R D MOGUL MOUN TAIN DR B O B C A T D R G O O SEBERR Y D R M AR M O T D R Legend Community Boundary Parcel © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Brush Treatment 0 1,000 2,000500 Feet Figure 17-1. Mogul Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Treatments Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 174 Washoe County – Nixon 18.0 NIXON 18.1 SWCA HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT SWCA Environmental Consultants completed a wildfire risk and hazard assessment for the Nixon Community in 2003 entitled “Wildfire Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the Nixon Community, Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.” Pertinent information for this report is summarized from the SWCA Nixon assessment. Additional observations were made during a site reconnaissance by the RCI Project Team in conjunction with the countywide assessment. Nixon is located southeast of Pyramid Lake on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. approximately fifteen miles north of Fernley, Nevada. The community boundary is shown in Figure 18-1. There are six historic buildings and two historic structures within the community including the schoolhouse/clinic, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s Parish, a partially collapsed storage shed, a steel water tower, a smaller schoolhouse, and the remnants of a lye processing facility. Most of the buildings are concentrated around the modern Tribal Administrative Building. The SWCA assessment evaluated 176 structures and classified Nixon in the Moderate Hazard category12. The score was attributed to patches of brush within the community, inadequate defensible space, and large amounts of combustible construction materials throughout the community. 18.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface around the Nixon community is characterized as an intermix condition. Structures are scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and residences in the community. Residences are concentrated along both sides of the Truckee River corridor. Access: The community is easily accessed from State Routes 447 and 446. Several paved roads within the community provide access to the State Routes. Several roads along the Truckee River corridor do not have adequate space for fire apparatus access. In the south part of the community the bridge that would connect Valley Road and South Hollywood has been removed resulting in only one way in and out for this portion of the community. Signage: SWCA reported that some of the residences and roads were lacking adequate signage to be considered a firesafe community. Residential addresses and street signs are important to aid firefighting personnel in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildland fire. Utilities: No information was provided in the SWCA report regarding the condition of the utilities. 12 The SWCA (2003) hazard category was calculated using the National Fire Protection Association Standard Form 299, which is similar to the method used by RCI for assessing other communities within this report. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 175 Washoe County – Nixon 18.1.2 Construction Materials The majority of the homes in the community are built with class C rated wood siding, which burns in less than twenty minutes. The other structures are trailer houses with metal siding, as well as three to four (five percent) residences that had upgraded to fire resistant vinyl siding. Most of the wood-structured homes have standard pitched roofs with wood joists. Attic spaces are vented under eves with unscreened louvered vents. Many of the residences have been recently updated to Class B roofing materials (asphalt shingles). 18.1.3 Defensible Space Many of the structures assessed in Nixon have landscaping that meets the minimum defensible space requirement to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 18.1.4 Fire Suppression Capabilities The Nixon and Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Departments provide fire suppression services for the Nixon community. The closest resources that are available to respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 18-1. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 18-1. Nixon Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 1 1 Nixon Volunteer Fire Department (Nixon) Engine Type 3 Water Tender 1 1 Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 41 - Sutcliffe) Sources: SWCA (2003) and Roy Slate, Reno Fire Department. Water Sources and Infrastructure Nixon has a water storage tank with a capacity of approximately 400,000 gallons that is filled from two wells operated by electric pumps. Gravity operated fire hydrants are sparsely located throughout the community. The Truckee River and Pyramid Lake provide water drafting and helicopter dip sites near the community. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 176 Washoe County – Nixon 18.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain around Nixon is mostly flat. The majority of the fuels surrounding the community are brush types consisting of sagebrush and rabbitbrush with cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, needlegrass, and Sandberg bluegrass in the understory. The average shrub height ranges in height from one to three feet. The total fuel load is approximately four tons per acre, and was considered a high hazard (SWCA 2003). Irrigated lands around the community were considered a low fuel hazard. Extensive brush accumulations within the community were considered a high hazard condition for Nixon. 18.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The RCI Project Team assessment of the worst-case wildfire scenario for the Nixon community would occur from a dry lightning strike with strong erratic winds. The fire could be pushed into the community or spot fires from firebrands could ignite within the community in farm fencing, haystacks or dense brush threatening structures. The structures at greatest risk lie east of the Truckee River. 18.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The Nixon community has a high ignition risk. There is a significant history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and around the community. Summer temperatures, dry conditions, and the tendency for lightning storms and afternoon winds contribute to the ignition risk. 18.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations from the SWCA 2003 assessment and from the RCI Project Team reconnaissance are summarized below. 18.2.1 Defensible Space Vegetation density, type of fuel, and slope gradient around a home affect the potential fire exposure levels to the home. The first goal of defensible space is to reduce the risk of property loss from wildfire by eliminating flammable vegetation near the home, thereby lowering the potential to burn. The second goal of defensible space is to provide firefighters a safer working area from which to defend the home or outbuildings during a wildland fire. Property Owner and Resident Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 177 Washoe County – Nixon ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 18.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Recommendation ¾ Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. Develop a biomass disposal program and a permit process for open burning. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 178 Washoe County – Nixon Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. 18.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Fire suppression capabilities and resources are essential to creating a firesafe community. Emergency response personnel, local residents, and those unfamiliar with the community need adequate signage to navigate through the community under adverse conditions associated with emergencies like wildfire. Infrastructure and water sources are critical to structural and wildland fire suppression and control, especially pertaining to the occurrence of fire within the community or the wildland-urban interface. Nixon Volunteer Fire Department ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. ¾ Provide all volunteer firefighters with basic wildland fire training and equipment as described in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification System Guide 310-1. Provide annual wildland firefighting refresher training and fire shelter training. 18.2.4 Community Coordination and Education Many of the most effective activities aimed at reducing the threat of wildfire for the Nixon community require that individual property owners coordinate with each other and with local fire authorities. Public education and awareness, neighbors helping neighbors, and proactive individuals setting examples for others to follow are just some of the approaches that will be necessary to meet the fire safe goals in the community. Property Owner and Resident Recommendations ¾ Ensure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs Recommendation ¾ Replace the bridge between Valley Road and South Hollywood Road across the Truckee River. ¾ Coordinate with the Washoe County Assessor and the Washoe County Roads Department to ensure that all roads are named, mapped, identified with GPS coordinates, and included in the 911 database. ¾ Require all future development to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 179 Washoe County – Nixon design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. ¾ Increase wildfire awareness through community newsletters, publications, meetings, and workshops. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all residents. This publication is free of charge and copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 180 Washoe County – Nixon 18.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 18-2. Nixon Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Residents and Property Owners Community Coordination Ensure that residential address signs are easily visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Fire Suppression Resources Training Meet with the Bureau of Land Management and the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District annually to coordinate pre-attack plans and test radio compatibility and coverage. Provide all volunteers with wildland fire training and equipment. Require all volunteers to attend annual training wildland suppression refresher training. Nixon Volunteer Fire Department Fuels Reduction Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. Develop a biomass disposal program and a permit process for open burning. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs Community Coordination and Education Replace the bridge between Valley Road and South Hollywood Road across the Truckee River. Ensure that all roads are named, mapped, identified with GPS coordinates, and entered in the 911 database. Require all future development to meet the National Fire Codes regarding community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Increase wildfire issue awareness through community newsletters, publications, meetings, and workshops. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all residents. 1996 Nixon 447 446 Legend Community Boundary Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 18-1. Nixon Fire History Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 182 Washoe County – Palomino Valley 19.0 PALOMINO VALLEY 19.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Palomino Valley community is located approximately thirteen miles northeast of Sparks and northeast of Warm Springs Valley. The community is situated east of the Warm Springs Mountain and west of the Pah Rah Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 19-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Palomino Valley in the Moderate Hazard Category (52 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 19-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Palomino Valley included the lack of water sources for fire suppression, inadequate defensible space implementation, and inadequate street and address signage throughout the community. 19.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Palomino Valley is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots greater than ten acres in size. Access: State Route 445, the Pyramid Highway, is the primary transportation route providing access to the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Several secondary roads such as Winnemucca Ranch Road and Rangeland Road provide one way in and one way out access to portions of the community. Secondary roads are steep and narrow with dead ends in the south portion of the community. Signage: Approximately 71 percent of streets are adequately signed and easily visible and 82 percent of residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 19.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately seventeen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 183 Washoe County – Palomino Valley 19.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately seventy percent of the homes surveyed in Palomino Valley have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 19.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The closed fire station to the Palomino Valley community is the Bureau of Land Management Palomino Valley Station on the east side of Highway 445. Fire suppression is provided by the closest available Reno/Truckee Meadows fire station that normally responds within fifteen minutes to most areas within the valley. The closest available resources to respond to a reported wildland fire near Palomino Valley are summarized in Table 19-1. Table 19-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Palomino Valley TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Engine Type 3 2 Bureau of Land Management (Palomino Station) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department; Capt. Robert Hilfer Bureau of Land Management Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water for fire suppression is limited to potential availability from private wells in the community. The estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is more than 45 minutes away. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 184 Washoe County – Palomino Valley Community Preparedness Palomino Valley is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 19.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the wildland-urban interface area of the community is generally flat and adjacent to hills with slopes greater than thirty percent. The prevailing wind direction is from the west and southwest. High wind speeds are common, especially during summer afternoons. Erratic canyon winds that can create hazardous fire behavior are possible. In the northeast portion of Palomino Valley, the dominant vegetation consists of greasewood, rabbitbrush, shadscale, Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, cheatgrass, and annual weeds. The fuel load was estimated at two tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. On the south side of Palomino Valley the vegetative fuels consist of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, Mormon tea, desert peach bitterbrush, Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, basin wildrye, and cheatgrass. Moderate density juniper dominates the tree canopy. The fuel load in this area was estimated at six to eight tons per acre and was considered a high fuel hazard. Several previously burned areas on the west side of the community are dominated by resprouted rabbitbrush, greasewood, big sagebrush, horsebrush, spiny hopsage, and desert peach. The grass layer consists of cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, Indian ricegrass, and basin wildrye. Fuel loads were estimated to be less than two tons per acre and was considered a low fuel hazard. 19.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting along the east side of State Route 445, north of Descanso Road, with strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, from the west-southwest on a high hazard day. The wind-driven fire would be pushed upslope through an area of dense brush and moderate juniper cover. There are many structures in this part of the community that would be severely threatened by the fire running upslope. Residents could quickly be trapped. This area has several dead-end roads with only one way in and out. Residents and firefighters could be forced to shelter-in-place inside homes until the main fire front passed through the area. 19.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The Palomino Valley community has a high ignition risk. There is a significant history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and surrounding the community. High ignition rates are attributed to a tendency for heavy lightning activity in the area during the summer and moderate to high vehicular traffic. 19.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The following hazard reduction recommendations for the Palomino Valley community focus on defensible space and fuels reduction and are summarized in Table 19-2. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 185 Washoe County – Palomino Valley 19.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 186 Washoe County – Palomino Valley ¾ Treat areas to control the invasion of knapweed. Refer to Appendix E: Russian Knapweed Fact Sheet for more information about treating this noxious weed. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. 19.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of fifty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road in the Axe Handle/Curnow Canyon area. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. ¾ Construct and maintain a fuelbreak along Bacon Rind Road south of Axe Handle Canyon Road. The fuelbreak should be constructed fifty feet wide on the upslope side and 100 feet wide on the downslope side. Remove all juniper for the first fifty feet and thin shrubs to a spacing not to exceed twice their height. 19.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Consider purchasing a fire suppression product such as a fire blocking gel or other similar products. These gels/foams can be applied to structures and vegetation to create an added layer of flame resistance in the event of a fire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 187 Washoe County – Palomino Valley Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/ digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Install at least one 15,000 gallon water storage tank for fire suppression in the Palomino Valley community. 19.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents in the Ax Handle/Currow Canyon area. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Identify non-ambulatory persons within this area for evacuation assistance. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 188 Washoe County – Palomino Valley ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. ¾ Improve street sign visibility. 19.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 189 Washoe County – Palomino Valley 19.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 19-2. Palomino Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Property Owners Fire Suppression Resources and Training Consider purchasing a fire suppression product such as a fire blocking gel or other similar products. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Fuel Reduction Reduce vegetation and maintain a minimum of fifty feet of clearance from the edge of all county roadways in the Axe Handle/Curnow Canyon area. Construct and maintain a fuelbreak south on Bacon Rind Road that is fifty feet wide on the upslope side and 100 feet wide on the downslope side. Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Improve street sign visibility. Washoe County Fire Suppression Resources and Training Install at least one 15,000 gal. water storage tank for firefighting purposes in the Palomino Valley. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space conditions and defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Reno Fire Department Fire Suppression Resources and Training Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 190 Washoe County – Palomino Valley INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Community Coordination Develop and distribute evacuation plans for the Axe Handle/Curnow Canyon area. Work with homeowners to identify non-ambulatory persons within this area for evacuation assistance. Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 19-3. Palomino Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 3 4. Secondary Road 5 5. Street Signs 5 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 1 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 3 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 10 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses179 1763 1709 31 148 not visible 32 visible82% 53 70% 17900 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible147 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate126 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 98% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 95% 17% B5. Street Signs not visible 4 visible71%visible10 Residential Streets14 Score 52 /128 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 © © éé éé é é é éé é é é é éé é é é ééééé é é é é é é é RANGE LAND RD W IN N EM U C C A R AN C H R D WHISKEY SPRINGS RD B A C O N R IN D R D SA G E FL AT R D ERNIE LN JA C K R A B B IT R D W R IG H T B R O S W A Y AXE HAN DLE CAN YON RD CURNOW CANYON RD 2000 2000 1985 1999 1999 1999 DESCAN SO LN OP445 Palomino Valley Legend Community Boundary © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éé Proposed Fuelbreak 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 19-1. Palomino Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Treatments Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Warm Springs Valley (See Figure 9-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 193 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley 20.0 PLEASANT VALLEY 20.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Pleasant Valley community is located approximately four miles south of Reno between Steamboat and Washoe City. The community is situated at the base of the Carson Range and Virginia Range foothills. The community boundary is shown in Figure 20-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Pleasant Valley in the Moderate Hazard Category (41 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 20-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Pleasant Valley included the potential fire behavior factors and high number of homes with flammable roofing materials. 20.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Pleasant Valley is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than ten acres in size. Access: US Highway 395 is the primary transportation route providing access to the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide, which provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Some driveways are over 200 feet long and are located on steep slopes that may inhibit access for some suppression apparatus. Signage: Ninety-six percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Almost all of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some cases the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance did not exist around propane tanks. 20.1.2 Construction Materials Most of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Almost all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately fourteen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 20.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 84 percent of the homes surveyed in Pleasant Valley have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 194 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley 20.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection for the Pleasant Valley community. Pleasant Valley is included in the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. The volunteer fire department has one station and reported having twenty volunteers at the time the interviews were conducted for this report. The closest resources available to respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 20-1. Table 20-1. Pleasant Valley Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Engine Type 6 2 2 2 Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 43) Source: John Schuler, Chief Pleasant Valley VFD; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Pleasant Valley includes fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures. The water system includes several storage tanks. The water system operates on gravity and electric pumps. Structures east of Highway 395 do not have hydrants. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. Work Load The Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to 165 calls in 2003 that included 25 wildland/brush fire calls. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 195 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley Financial Support Financial support for the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department is provided from the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District and fundraisers. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials and an All- Risk Disaster Plan through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. 20.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain surrounding Pleasant Valley is flat in the valley bottom with steeper south-facing slopes on the north and east sides of the valley. Many homes are located on the hillsides in narrow canyons. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west. Downslope winds common during summer afternoons. In the northwest portion of Pleasant Valley and near the Pleasant Valley fire station, the dominant vegetation consists of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and occasional bitterbrush with a grass layer of cheatgrass and perennial grasses. The fuel load in these areas was estimated at two to three tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. In the southwest part of Pleasant Valley, south of the Pagni Ranch and west to the service road from Pleasant Valley to St. James Village, the same shrub composition exists, but shrub stands are denser and taller. Fuel loads were estimated at four to six tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. 20.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a dry lightning storm on a late afternoon in the summer of a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions and strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, would push multiple fires down slope and into structures from any direction. The heaviest fuel loadings are located on the south and east sides of the valley with a narrow strip behind structures on the northwest side of the valley. Homes with wood shake roofs and inadequate defensible space in neighborhoods without fire hydrants would be quickly threatened and at greatest risk. 20.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in the Pleasant Valley area due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 20.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. Providing and maintaining defensible space is the most important recommendation for the Pleasant Valley community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 196 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley 20.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Replace ornamental juniper in landscaped areas with fire resistant species. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 197 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.13 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 20.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 20.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department to review pre- attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 13 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 198 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley 20.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 20.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 199 Washoe County – Pleasant Valley 20.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 20-2. Pleasant Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Improve address visibility from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Maintain thirty feet of clearance from the fence around power substations. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in county road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height within twenty feet of the edge of pavement. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Truckee Meadows Fire Department, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Pleasant Valley VFD Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Pleasant Valley area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 20-3. Pleasant Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 5 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses284 22064 2822 41 243 not visible 2 visible99% 46 84% 0134150 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible282 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate238 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 77% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 14% B5. Street Signs not visible 1 visible96%visible26 Residential Streets27 Score 41 /128 Pleasant Valley 430 COOKE DR AM ES LN EA TO N R D CA RR IA GE DR SUNBEAM LN GALENA PINES RD Legend Community Boundary Parcel School Fire Station Fire Ignition Fire Boundary Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 20-1. Pleasant Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 202 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest 21.0 RENO-NORTHWEST 21.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Reno-Northwest community includes the portion of Reno that is located north of Interstate 80 and west of US Highway 395. The community is situated along the south, east, and north-facing slopes of Peavine Peak. The Reno-Northwest community boundary is shown in Figure 21-1. The-community boundary encompasses geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for this project represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Reno-Northwest in the Moderate Hazard Category (42 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 21-3. The primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Reno-Northwest included fire behavior potential in the area, the high number of homes with adequate defensible space, and the high availability of career-level fire suppression resources throughout the community. Portions of Reno-Northwest are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the communities could better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 21.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Reno-Northwest is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395, Interstate 80, McCarran Boulevard, Virginia Street, Mae Anne Avenue, and Robb Drive are the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. These roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Ninety-six percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Almost all of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are both above and below ground. Power lines and power substations have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 21.1.2 Construction Materials All of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-eight percent of the homes Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 203 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately twelve percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 21.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 95 percent of the homes surveyed in the Reno-Northwest community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 21.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Reno-Northwest neighborhoods are included in the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. Two fire stations within the community are located at Hoag Road and Virginia Street, and at Kings Row and Mae Anne. Each Station is staffed by four career firefighters daily. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 21-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 21-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Reno-Northwest TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type III Engine Type I Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Inter. with Roy Slate, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department on 9/21/04 Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Reno northwest area includes fire hydrants with a minimum flow capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute within 500 feet of structures. The water system operates by gravity and electric pumps with emergency backup generators and several water storage tanks. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 204 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department may no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474). Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the City of Reno is currently completing All-Risk Disaster Plan with the intentions of incorporating the recommendations from this report into the City plan. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department does some pre-attack Planning. 21.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The community of Reno-Northwest is situated along the base of Peavine Peak. Terrain in the subdivisions situated on the northeast side of the mountain (Black Springs and Horizon Hills) is gently sloping with a slightly northeast-facing aspect. In the Raleigh Heights area, the terrain is steeper with north-facing slopes between eight and twenty percent. Where subdivisions are located on the south-facing slope of Peavine Peak, piedmont fans are the dominant terrain feature with steep drainages dissecting the fans. Many homes are built adjacent to the steep slopes of the drainages. The landscape around most of the community has been burned at some time in the past. The fuels are dominated by cheatgrass, other annuals, and some rabbitbrush, sagebrush, and bitterbrush. Russian thistle is prevalent along roads and in disturbed areas. The greatest fuels concerns from Raleigh Heights west to the end of the Somerset Parkway are heavy fuels in unburned drainages on steep slopes, and heavy fuels in open space areas of some subdivisions. These areas were considered high fuel hazards. The fuel hazard condition elsewhere within the community was generally considered moderate. 21.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for the Horizon Hills and Black Springs area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions to the west or south of the community would be pushed down slope or across slope into the community by strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour. The remaining neighborhoods of Reno northwest would have a similar worst-case scenario. These neighborhoods have the additional problem of steep narrow drainages that act as natural chimneys below structures Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 205 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest that tend to have the heaviest fuel concentrations. Little or no access to the area behind the structures in the drainages will make suppression difficult. This condition is illustrated in Photo 6 of Appendix C. Overhanging wood decks and wood fences will also increase the potential for structure loss. Ornamental junipers used in landscaping will increase fire intensities next to structures. 21.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high fire ignition risk in the Reno-Northwest community due to the tendency for summer afternoon thunderstorm activity and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 21.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The hazard reduction recommendations for Reno-Northwest focus on defensible space and fuel reduction treatments to break up fuel bed continuity. 21.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 206 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing material. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers and other flammable landscape plants with fire resistant species. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.14 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 21.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. 14 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 207 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Property Owners and US Forest Service Recommendations ¾ Construct and maintain a fuelbreak 100 to 150 feet wide around Horizon Hills by mowing brush and grass to a height not to exceed four inches Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. ¾ Use hand crews to construct and maintain a fuelbreak 100 feet wide on the steep slopes west and northwest of Raleigh Heights Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. ¾ Construct and maintain a series of fuelbreaks 100 feet wide and fuel reduction treatments in steep drainages, greenbelts, and open spaces between subdivisions throughout the Reno-Northwest community as shown in Figure 21-1. Thin shrubs to a spacing equal to twice the height of the shrubs to break up fuel continuity and reduce fire intensity. Union Pacific Railroad Recommendation ¾ Mow or reduce vegetation within a minimum distance of twenty feet on both sides of the railroad tracks. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E if necessary to prevent cheatgrass or other noxious weed invasion. Maintain low growing, low-density fuel volumes within the railroad corridors to reduce the wildfire ignition risk and hazard. 21.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 21.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 208 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org ¾ Ensure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. City of Reno Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the wildland-urban interface areas round Reno to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Reno / Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct more detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the community to better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 21.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 209 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ As an evacuation plan becomes available, citizens should read and become fully knowledgeable of evacuation procedures, fire safety zones, and safety procedures for sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not possible. 21.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 21-2. Reno - Northwest Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council Improve address visibility from the road. Property Owners Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures Property Owners and US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Construct and maintain fuelbreak 100 feet wide around Horizon Hills. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E if needed to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds. . Construct and maintain a fuelbreak around Raleigh Heights. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E if needed to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds. Construct and maintain fuelbreaks and fuel reduction treatments in steep drainages, greenbelts, and open spaces between subdivisions throughout Reno-Northwest. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 210 Washoe County – Reno-Northwest INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION City of Reno Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the City to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws and regulations for fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Community Coordination Conduct more detailed risk and hazard assessments in smaller neighborhoods. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Reno Northwest area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Union Pacific Railroad Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation twenty feet on both sides of railroad tracks. Table 21-3. Reno Northwest Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 1 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses3340 327961 332515 409 2931 not visible 37 visible99% 179 95% 141923134 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible3303 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate3161 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 98% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 100% 12% B5. Street Signs not visible 12 visible96%visible322 Residential Streets334 Score 42 /128 Æq Æq Æq © © © © © © © © © © © © ©tu40 1984 1991 N VIRGINIA ST S VIR G IN IA ST N MC CARRAN BLVD S U TR O S T LAS BRISAS BLVD S W E LL S A V E Reno - Northwest tu395 tu395 §¨¦80 1999 2000 2000 2000 Legend Community Boundary Æq Hospital k School UNR Campus © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Brush Treatment éééFuelbreak 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 21-1. Reno - Northwest Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Black Springs Raleigh Heights Somersett Horizon Hills Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 213 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast 22.0 RENO – SOUTHEAST 22.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Reno-Southeast community includes the portion of Reno that is located east of Virginia Street, and south of Sparks. The community is situated at the base of the Virginia Range foothills and south of the Truckee River. The Reno-Southeast community boundary is shown in Figure 22-1. The-community boundary encompasses geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for this project represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Reno-Southeast in the Moderate Hazard Category (41 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 22-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Reno-Southeast included the potential for hazardous fire behavior in the surrounding foothills that is mitigated somewhat by good defensible space around most homes. Portions of Reno Southeast are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the communities could better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 22.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Reno-Southeast is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395, State Route 341, Virginia Street, McCarran Boulevard, and Longley Lane are the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Ninety-six percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Almost all of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 22.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-four percent of the Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 214 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately nine percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 22.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 93 percent of the homes surveyed in Reno-Southeast have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 22.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Reno-Southeast neighborhoods are protected by Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department. Fire stations staffed by four career firefighters daily are located at Old Virginia Road and Mira Loma Road, Reno/Truckee Meadows Auxiliary Hidden Valley Road and Brown-Huffaker Volunteer Fire Department on Geiger Grade Road. Table 22-1 lists the types of wildfire resources available in and near the Reno-Southeast area in the event of a reported wildland fire. Table 22-1. Reno-Southeast Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine/Tender Type 1 Engine Type 3 Engine Type 6 1 1 1 Brown Huffaker Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 24) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Type 1 Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Terry Donohue, Chief Brown-Huffaker VFD; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Reno-Southeast area includes fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute within 500 feet of structures. The water system operates on gravity and electric pumps with emergency back-up generators and includes several water storage tanks. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 215 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The Brown-Huffaker Volunteer Fire Department receives an annual stipend from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the City of Reno is currently completing All-Risk Disaster Plan with the intentions of incorporating the recommendations from this report into the City plan. The Virginia Foothills Chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council was recently formed, early in 2005. This group is working to create a fuelbreak along the east perimeter of the community, remove vegetation along road easements, and has facilitated implementation of defensible space treatments throughout the community. 22.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the Reno-Southeast community is flat along the old Steamboat Creek floodplain and terrace. Slopes increase between eight and twenty percent in the Virginia Range foothills. In the south end of the community homes are located on steep slopes of narrow canyons where winds can create potentially hazardous wildfire conditions. The prevailing wind direction is from the west and southwest. The vegetative fuels along Steamboat Creek and the west side of the Via Bianca Trailer Park are dominated by tall whitetop, a state-listed noxious weed, with lesser amounts of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and willow. On the south side of the community from the Vi Bianca Trailer Park and Toll Road area to the perimeter of the 2004 Andrew Lane Fire, the vegetation consists of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, Mormon tea, cheatgrass, and perennial grasses with scattered pinyon and juniper trees. This fuel type extends through most of the unburned areas of the Virginia Range foothills. The fuel loads were estimated at four to six Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 216 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast tons per acre and were considered a high fuel hazard. In adjacent burned areas, cheatgrass and some surviving pinyon and juniper trees are the dominant vegetation, estimated at less than two tons per acre. 22.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for the Via Bianca Trailer Park, Toll Road, and Virginia Foothill areas would be a human caused fire or dry lightning storm on a late afternoon in the summer of an above-normal precipitation year with abundant cheatgrass production. Fires to the south and west of the area would be pushed through the area by predominant west to southwest winds. However, strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, greater than twenty miles per hour, could push fires into the community from any direction. The rest of the Reno-Southeast area north of Virginia Foothills is heavily developed or is agricultural lands. There are moderate fuels to the east of these developments, however predominate west to southwest wind would tend to push fires away from structures. 22.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in the Reno-Southeast area due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 22.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Reno-Southeast area focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through reduction of fuels that pose a hazard. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 22.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 217 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers in landscaped areas with fire resistant species. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.15 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 15 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 218 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast 22.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments and Fuelbreaks Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Construct a fuelbreak 100 feet wide along the south side of Steamboat Estates Trailer Park by mowing vegetation to a height not to exceed four inches. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to control cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 22.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Brown-Huffaker Volunteer Fire Department and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 22.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 219 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast City of Reno Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the interface areas within the City to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Brown-Huffaked VFD and Reno / Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct more detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the community to better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 22.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Brown-Huffaker Volunteer Fire Department and Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 220 Washoe County – Reno - Southeast 22.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 22-2. Reno – Southeast Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Improve address visibility from the road. Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Property Owners Fuels Reduction Construct a fuelbreak 100 feet wide on the south side of Steamboat Estates Trailer Park. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Maintain thirty feet of clearance from fence around power substations. NDOT Washoe County Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. City of Reno Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the City to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design aspects, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Community Coordination Consider the need for more detailed risk and hazard assessment of smaller neighborhoods. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and Brown- Huffaker VFD Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Reno Northwest area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 22-3. Reno Southeast Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 7 1. Water Source 1 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses1300 122476 128416 113 1187 not visible 40 visible97% 88 93% 1821217 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible1260 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate1212 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 94% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 9% B5. Street Signs not visible 4 visible96%visible96 Residential Streets100 Score 41 /128 88 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k Æq Æq Æq © © © © © © © © © © © © © © éééééé é é é éééé é ééé tu395 W ashoe C o. S torey C o. 2004 St ea m bo at C re ek Trucke e River MILL ST S MC CARRAN BLVD LO NG LE Y LN PEMBROKE DR Reno - Southeast tu395 §¨¦ OP341OP431 2000 1999 1997 19951998 1996 Legend Community Boundary k School Æq Hospital © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éééProposed Fuelbreak 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 22-1. Reno - Southeast Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Reno - Southwest (See Figure 32-1) Via Bianca Trailer Park Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 223 Washoe County – Silver Knolls 23.0 SILVER KNOLLS 23.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Silver Knolls community is located northwest of Stead and east of Cold Springs. The community is situated at the base of the east-facing slopes of the Granite Hills. The community boundary is shown in Figure 23-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Silver Knolls in the Moderate Hazard Category (55 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 23-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in the Silver Knolls community included the high number of homes constructed with flammable roofing materials and limited fire suppression resources. 23.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Silver Knolls community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. About sixty percent of residences are located on lots less than one acre in size and forty percent of residences are located on lots between one and ten acres. Access: Red Rock Road is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads on the east side of Red Rock Road have road grades greater than five percent. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Ninety-three percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 23.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Seventy-one percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately ten percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 224 Washoe County – Silver Knolls 23.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 93 percent of the homes surveyed in the Silver Knolls community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 23.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Department as part of the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District provides fire suppression services. The Silver Knolls VFD reported having six volunteers that have been trained in wildland fire suppression at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. Suppression resources within the community for response to a reported wildland fire near Silver Knolls are shown in Table 23-1. Table 23-1. Silver Knolls Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 1 1 Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 21) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD. Bill Howe, Silver Knoll Vol. Chief Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Silver Knolls has five fire hydrants that are operated by gravity from one water tank. The tank is operated by an electric pump with no emergency backup generator. The estimated round trip time to refill fire apparatus from additional water supplies is approximately ten to 45 minutes away depending on the location of the fire within the community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 225 Washoe County – Silver Knolls Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Volunteers in the Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Department are trained to various levels. Six volunteers have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and are certified to respond to a wildland fire. The Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is in the process of providing additional training for career Captains and Chief Officers. They do not use the red card system. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Department is funded by the Truckee Meadows Fire District. Community Preparedness Silver Knolls is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 23.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain surrounding homes in the Silver Knolls community is characterized by hillsides ranging between eight and twenty percent slope with an east-facing aspect. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest. The burned areas in the Silver Knolls community are dominated by big sagebrush and rabbitbrush with a grass layer of crested wheatgrass. The fuel loads were estimated at one ton per acre and considered a moderate fuel hazard. 23.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting south or southwest of the community with strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, blowing from the southwest on a high hazard day. Fire would be driven through moderately dense brush and quickly threaten numerous homes. If this fire were to occur during normal workday hours many of the volunteers could be unavailable, causing a delay in fire resources arriving on the scene for structure protection. 23.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Silver Knolls has a high ignition risk. There is a significant history of wildfires and fire ignitions surrounding the community. High ignition rates are due to a tendency for heavy lightning in the area during the summer and moderate to high vehicular traffic. 23.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The hazard recommendations for Silver Knolls focus on creating and maintaining defensible space and community fuel reduction projects. 23.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 226 Washoe County – Silver Knolls a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 227 Washoe County – Silver Knolls Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 23.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all tree limbs from power lines. Reno /Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 23.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 23.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 228 Washoe County – Silver Knolls Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 23.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 229 Washoe County – Silver Knolls 23.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 23-2. Silver Knolls Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Fuels Reduction Reduce vegetation and maintain a minimum of twenty feet of clearance from the edge of all county roadways in the community. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space conditions and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre- attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 23-3. Silver Knolls Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 3 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 5 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 5 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses574 410164 5695 57 517 not visible 39 visible93% 39 93% 5217352 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible535 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate535 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 71% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 10% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible15 Residential Streets15 Score 55 /128 88 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 © © © Silver Knolls tu395 R E D R O C K R D O S A G E R D LEAR BLVD C A R LS B A D R D LEMMON DR ADOBE DR N VIRGINIA ST BO DIE DR Legend Community Boundary Parcel © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Fire Boundary and Date 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 23-1. Silver Knolls Fire History and Suppression Resources Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Stead (See Figure 34-1) Cold Springs (See Figure 12-1) 1984 1999 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 232 Washoe County – Spanish Springs 24.0 SPANISH SPRINGS 24.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Spanish Springs community is located north of Sparks and northeast of Sun Valley. The community is situated in the valley floor west of Canoe Hill, the Pah Rah Range, and Surgarloaf Peak. The community boundary is shown n Figure 24-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Spanish Springs in the Moderate Hazard Category (45 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 24-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in the Spanish Springs community included the availability of fire suppression resources, the large number of homes with adequate defensible space, and the adequate street and address signage throughout the community. 24.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Spanish Springs community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. The majority of residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: State Route 445 (Pyramid Highway) is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the community generally have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Ninety-seven percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained, which minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 24.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Also, nearly all homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately four percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 24.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 93 percent of the homes surveyed in the Spanish Springs community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 233 Washoe County – Spanish Springs 24.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Reno Fire Department provides fire suppression services for Spanish Springs. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 24-1. Additional resources are available upon request from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 24-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Spanish Springs TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Spanish Springs has fire hydrants with flow ratings of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures in many areas of the community. As new tract home developments are being established the hydrant system is expanding to serve these areas. The water system includes water storage tanks that are filled from wells. Fire hydrants are gravity operated from the water supply tanks. Some areas of the community do not have fire hydrants. The estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately ten to 45 minutes away. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications The Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department meets the NWCG 310-1 wildland requirements for training. The Department is in the process of providing additional training for Captains and Chief Officers. They do not currently use the red card Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 234 Washoe County – Spanish Springs system. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Reno Fire Department is funded from the City of Reno General Fund. Community Preparedness Spanish Springs is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 24.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the Spanish Springs community is generally flat in the valley. Foothills on the west side of the community range between eight to twenty percent slope. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest with strong afternoon winds common during the summer months. The valley bottom is characterized by big sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, cheatgrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail. Shrubs generally ranged between two and three feet in height. Fuel loads were estimated between one and three tons per acre and were considered a moderate fuel hazard. On the west side of the community, the vegetation consists of occasional juniper trees and a shrub layer of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, Mormon tea, horsebrush, and some bitterbrush. The grass layer is dominated by cheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail. The fuel load in this area was estimated at three to six tons per acre and was considered a high fuel hazard. 24.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting in the northeast part of the community on a high hazard day with strong southwest winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, pushing the fire upslope. This would quickly threaten numerous homes on the south-facing slope. 24.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The ignition risk around the Spanish Springs community is moderate. The area has a history of wildland fires and is prone to summer lightning activity. Rapid community development in the valley bottom is very quickly reducing the wildland fuel load in these areas. Slopes around the valley are being developed with custom homes in the high hazard fuel areas, thus increasing the chances for a human caused ignition. 24.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The hazard recommendations for Spanish Springs are directed at fuel reduction and maintenance. 24.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 235 Washoe County – Spanish Springs defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 236 Washoe County – Spanish Springs Reno Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. 24.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 24.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 24.2.4 Community Coordination Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 24.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 237 Washoe County – Spanish Springs Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 24.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 24-2. Spanish Springs Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Property Owners Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments on private property. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Resources and Training Meet annually to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 24-3. Spanish Springs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses1525 150322 15178 90 1435 not visible 91 visible94% 133 91% 453031177 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible1434 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate1392 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 99% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 6% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible67 Residential Streets67 Score 45 /128 88 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k k k k k k kk k k k © © ©VD OP445 EN CA NT O DR ALAMOSA DR 1999 1999 VISTA BLVD S P A R K S B LV D EAGLE CANYON DR LA POSADA DR CALLE DE LA PLATA DOLORES DR SUNSET SPRINGS LN Spanish Springs OP445 1999 1999 1999 2000 1997 1997 2000 1997 Legend Community Boundary k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 24-1. Spanish Springs Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Sun Valley (See Figure 26-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 240 Washoe County – Steamboat 25.0 STEAMBOAT 25.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Steamboat community is located northeast of Pleasant Valley and directly south of Reno-Southeast. The community is situated in the valley between the Steamboat Hills and the Virginia Range along Steamboat Creek. The community boundary is shown in Figure 25-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying the Steamboat community in the Moderate Hazard Category (49 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 25-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in the Steamboat community included the high number of homes with flammable roofing materials, the potential for hazardous fire behavior, and the limited availability of water sources for fire protection. 25.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Steamboat community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. The majority of residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395 is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the community generally have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: Ninety-six percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. All of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 25.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Approximately 89 percent of homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately twelve percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 241 Washoe County – Steamboat 25.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 76 percent of the homes surveyed in the Steamboat community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 25.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District provides fire suppression services to the Steamboat community. The closest fire stations to the Steamboat community are located in Pleasant Valley to the south and Reno-Southeast to the north. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 25-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 25-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Steamboat TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type III Engine Type I Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department 9/21/04; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. 9/21/04 John Schuler, Chief Pleasant Valley VFD Water Sources and Infrastructure There are no fire hydrants in the Steamboat Community. A small lake and irrigation ditches within the community may be used for drafting during the summer months. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 242 Washoe County – Steamboat Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career firefighters and volunteers are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474). 25.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain around the Steamboat community is mostly flat with steeper slopes of eight to twenty percent along the Virginia Range foothills and the Huffaker Hill north of Rhodes Road. The predominant aspects are west and north. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west. Downslope winds are common during summer afternoons. Previously burned areas on the south and east sides of the community are characterized by occasional sagebrush, rabbitbrush, desert peach, and pinyon pine that survived the fires. Cheatgrass is expected to dominate the burned areas into the near future. The fuel loads were estimated at less than one ton per acre and were considered a low fuel hazard. Along Steamboat Creek, the vegetation consists of rabbitbrush, big sagebrush, cottonwoods, willow, Russian olive, creeping wildrye, and tall whitetop, a state-listed noxious weed. The fuel load along the river was estimated four to six tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. On the north and west sides of the Steamboat community the vegetative fuels include big sagebrush, Mormon tea, rabbitbrush, and desert peach in the shrub layer with cheatgrass and perennial grasses in the understory. The fuel loads were estimated at four tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. On the east side of the community, the dominant vegetation consists of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, fourwing saltbush, tall whitetop, perennial grasses, and cheatgrass. Light to moderate density pinyon and juniper are also present. The fuel load was estimated at four to six tons per acre and was considered a high fuel hazard. 25.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions west of Hwy 395 with strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, in addition to the prevailing west to southwest winds could push fires rapidly downslope into structures west of Highway 395. This is an area without fire hydrants and poor defensible space. The slopes behind the structures are relatively steep, making access difficult. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 243 Washoe County – Steamboat 25.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in Steamboat west of Highway 395 due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 25.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community and local governments. The recommendations for the Steamboat area focus primarily on providing and maintaining defensible space. 25.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 244 Washoe County – Steamboat ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 25.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 25.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 245 Washoe County – Steamboat 25.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 25.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 246 Washoe County – Steamboat Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. 25.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 25-2. Steamboat Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Property Owners Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Reno Fire Department Resources and Training Meet annually with the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 247 Washoe County – Steamboat INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Steamboat area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 25-3. Steamboat Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 5 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 5 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses267 23730 2643 31 236 not visible 0 visible100% 63 76% 1339215 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible267 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate204 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 89% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 12% B5. Street Signs not visible 1 visible96%visible27 Residential Streets28 Score 49 /128 88 ééé éééééééééé é é é é ééé é é é éééééééééé é é é é éééééé tu395 tu395 Steamboat OP341 2001 1998 1996 1999 RHODES RD ANDREW LN HID DE N L AK E D R P A D D LE W H E E L LN N IE L S O N R D M AJ ES TI C VI EW D R CH EY EN NE D R H E A TE R LN C H A N C E LN LN G IL D ES G A R D R AN C H R D NEILSON RD N C A N TL O N L N P A D D O C K L N Legend Community Boundary 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éé Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 25-1. Steamboat Fire History and Proposed Mitigation Treatments Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Reno - Southeast (See Figure 22-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 250 Washoe County – Sun Valley 26.0 SUN VALLEY 26.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Sun Valley is located north of Sparks and Reno-Northwest, east of Golden Valley and west of Spanish Springs. The community boundary is shown in Figure 26-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying the Sun Valley in the Moderate Hazard Category (50 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 26-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in the Sun Valley included inadequate defensible space implementation and inadequate address signage throughout the community. 26.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Sun Valley community can be described generally as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. All of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: Sun Valley Boulevard (State Route 443) is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. However, in the northwest section of the community most secondary roads are steep and narrow with dead ends that make access by fire suppression apparatus almost impossible. A few roads on the southeast side of the community have the same problem. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Eighty-six percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 26.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately 22 percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 251 Washoe County – Sun Valley 26.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 64 percent of the homes surveyed in the Sun Valley community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 26.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Fire protection for the Sun Valley community is primarily provided by Reno Fire Department career staffed Fire Station #15. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 26-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 26-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Sun Valley TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Sun Valley has fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute in most areas of the community. Fire hydrants are gravity fed from several water storage tanks. There is no emergency back-up generator for refilling the storage tanks. In the areas not served by a hydrant system the estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes or less. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 252 Washoe County – Sun Valley Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Reno Fire Department firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. Reno Fire Department is in the process of providing additional training for career Captains and Chief Officers. They do not use the red card system. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Reno Fire Department is funded from the City of Reno General Fund. Community Preparedness Sun Valley is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 26.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the Sun Valley community is generally flat in the valley bottom with slopes between eight and twenty percent on the southeast facing foothills northwest of the community. The foothills are gently rolling with many small drainages dissecting the fans. The prevailing wind direction is from the west and southwest. High wind speeds are common during summer afternoons. The vegetative fuels on the east side of the community consist primarily of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, spiny hopsage, and Mormon tea. Most shrubs are one to two feet tall with cheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail under the shrub canopies. The fuel loads were estimated to range between one and two tons per acre and were considered a low to moderate fuel hazard depending upon slope. On the northwest side of the community, moderate to high density Utah juniper is the dominant species with big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, spiny hopsage, Mormon tea, cheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail interspersed between trees. Shrubs in this area of the community ranged between two and four feet tall. The fuel load was estimated to range between ten and fifteen tons per acre depending upon tree density and was considered an extreme fuel hazard. 26.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for a wildland fire near Sun Valley would start with an ignition northwest of the community boundary in a stand of juniper and brush. Strong west winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, would push the fire toward homes and quickly threaten structures that do not have adequate defensible space. 26.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The ignition risk for Sun Valley is rated moderate. The valley bottom is rapidly being developed with housing and commercial structures, thus reducing the wildland fuel load in these areas but increasing the population density and the chances for a human caused ignition. The overall area does have a history of wildland fires and is prone to summer lightning activity. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 253 Washoe County – Sun Valley 26.1.8 Existing Mitigation Projects In June of 2003, as part of the North Valley Fuels Treatment Project, the Bureau of Land Management completed a fuel reduction project for both the Sun Valley and Lemmon Valley communities. Fuelbreaks 100 feet-wide were constructed using mechanical treatments to reduce juniper and shrub cover at the community interface (USDI 2003). The treatment area in Sun Valley was approximately fourteen acres. 26.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The hazard recommendation for Sun Valley focus on creating and maintaining defensible space and on fuel reduction treatments. 26.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 254 Washoe County – Sun Valley ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. 26.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. Bureau of Land Management Recommendation ¾ Widen and maintain the existing fuelbreak an additional width of 100 feet, for a total treatment area of 200 feet in the northwest section of the community as shown on Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 255 Washoe County – Sun Valley Figure 26-1. Remove all pinyon-juniper in the first 100 feet. Limb the remaining trees to a height of four feet, or no more than one-third of the total height of the tree. Thin the brush to a minimum spacing of two times the height of the plants throughout the entire treatment area. 26.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 26.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 256 Washoe County – Sun Valley 26.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 257 Washoe County – Sun Valley 26.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 26-2. Sun Valley Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Bureau of Land Management Fuels Reduction Increase the width of the existing fuelbreak to 200-feet wide in the northwest section of the community. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of defensible space condition and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre- attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 26-3. Sun Valley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 7 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses865 8650 84619 193 672 not visible 120 visible86% 312 64% 00865 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible745 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate553 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 22% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible48 Residential Streets48 Score 50 /128 é é é é é é é é é é é é 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 k k k k k k © P YR AM ID H IG H W A Y SU N V A LL E Y B LV D E 4TH AVE 4T H S T E 7TH AVE E 9TH AVE HIGHLAND RA NCH PKWY EL RANCHO DR 4TH AVE tu395 OP445 1999 1999 1997 Sun Valley Legend Community Boundary Parcel k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éé Widen Existing BLM Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet 26-1. Sun Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Spanish Springs (See Figure 24-1) Golden Valley (See Figure 15-1) Reno-Northwest (See Figure 21-1) Sparks (See Figure 33-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 260 Washoe County – Sutcliffe 27.0 SUTCLIFFE 27.1 SWCA HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT SWCA Environmental Consultants completed a wildfire risk and hazard assessment for the Sutcliffe Community in 2003 entitled “Wildfire Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the Sutcliffe Community, Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.” Pertinent information for this report is summarized from the SWCA Sutcliffe assessment. Additional observations were made during a site reconnaissance by the RCI Project Team in conjunction with the countywide assessment. The Sutcliffe community is located within the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, about forty miles northeast of Reno and twenty miles northeast of Nixon on State Route 445. Residences in the community are concentrated along the lower alluvial fan of the Virginia Range where Hardscrabble Creek terminates into Pyramid Lake. The residences extend approximately two miles north and south along State Route 445 and approximately 0.5 miles to the east and west of State Route 445. The Sutcliffe community boundary is shown in Figure 27-1. The SWCA assessment evaluated 81 structures and resulted in classifying the Sutcliffe community in the High Hazard category16. A second inventory of the Sutcliffe community was not within the scope of this project. However upon completion of the community reconnaissance, the RCI Fire Specialists considered the overall community hazard to be in the Moderate Hazard category relative to other Washoe County Communities. Factors that contributed to the community hazard assessment were inadequate defensible space around residences, the potential for hazardous fire behavior, and moderate vegetative fuel loads within and surrounding the community. 27.1.1 Community Design The Sutcliffe community is characterized by a classic wildland-urban interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and residences in the community. Access: Access to Sutcliffe is limited to State Route 445, which is the only paved road into and out of the community. Sutcliffe Drive intersects with State Route 445 and is the main loop road through the community. There are several secondary streets and dirt roads in the community. Signage: Residential addresses and street signs are important to aid firefighting personnel in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildland fire. SWCA observed less than adequate firesafe signage of both residences and streets within the community. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Many of the residences also have propane tanks on their property. 16 The SWCA (2003) hazard category was calculated using the National Fire Protection Association Standard Form 299, which is similar to the method used by RCI for assessing other communities within this report. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 261 Washoe County – Sutcliffe 27.1.2 Construction Materials The majority of the homes (93 percent) in the community were built with class C rated wood siding, which burns in less than twenty minutes. The other structures (seven percent) are the six trailer houses with metal siding. Most of the wood-structured homes have standard pitched roofs with wood joists. Attic spaces are vented under eves with unscreened louvered vents. Many of the residences have been recently updated to Class B roofing materials (asphalt shingles). 27.1.3 Defensible Space Most of the structures assessed (99 percent) in Sutcliffe do not have landscaping that meets the minimum defensible space requirement to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 27.1.4 Suppression Capabilities The Sutcliffe and Nixon Volunteer Fire Departments provide fire suppression services for the Sutcliffe community. The Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department is part of the Truckee Meadows Fire District. The closest resources that are available to respond to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 27-1. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 27-1. Sutcliffe Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Water Tender 1 1 Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 41 - Sutcliffe) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 1 1 Nixon Volunteer Fire Department (Nixon) Sources: SWCA 2003; Jerry Hunter of the Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department, and Roy Slate of the Reno Fire Department. Water Sources and Infrastructure The community has a hydrant system with a 500 gallon per minute flow capacity. The community also has a water storage tank of 250,000 gallons that is replenished by a well equipped with an electric pump. Hydrants are located throughout the community and are gravity fed. Pyramid Lake can be used as a drafting and helicopter dip site. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 262 Washoe County – Sutcliffe Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. 27.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Sutcliffe is located at the base of the alluvial fan on the east slope of the Virginia Range. The majority of the fuels within and around the community consists of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, needlegrass, and Sandberg bluegrass. Shrub height ranges from one to three feet. The fuel load is approximately four tons per acre and was considered a high hazard. The prevailing winds blow west to east and generally increase later in the day. These winds can be erratic in direction and velocity and can contribute to hazardous fire behavior. 27.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario for Sutcliffe would be a fire starting on a high hazard day, with multiple dry lightning strikes occurring upslope and west of the community. Strong down slope winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, would push the fire into the community. Homes and mobile homes with inadequate defensible space would be threatened. Existing brush within the community would be vulnerable to spot fire ignitions from firebrands. If the fire occurred during normal workday hours, volunteer response could be limited and the fire could escape initial attack capabilities before additional resources could arrive. 27.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The ignition risk for the Sutcliffe community is high. There is a history of wildfire and fire ignitions within and around the community. North of town, the Warrior Fire burned across the highway and up to the lakeshore. Fires are common in the Virginia Range to the south and west of Sutcliffe. High ignition frequencies and risks are due to the tendency for lightning storms during the summer and moderate to high recreational use in the area. 27.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The hazard reduction recommendations for Sutcliffe focus on improving defensible space Other recommendations pertain to community coordination efforts that could be initiated to enhance the fire safe nature of the Sutcliffe community. SWCA recommends additional fuel reduction treatments in the 2003 report. 27.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 263 Washoe County – Sutcliffe Property Owner and Tribal Resident Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 27.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 264 Washoe County – Sutcliffe Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs ¾ Construct and maintain a 150-foot wide and approximately one-mile long fuelbreak along the west side of State Route 445, between the water tank on the north side of the community and the intersection with Sutcliffe Road. Mow all vegetation to a height of four inches. Dispose of the biomass and reseeding with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E, if necessary to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds. ¾ Construct and maintain a 150-foot wide fuelbreak on the south side of the community in an east/west direction, south of Sutcliffe and Fish Hatchery Roads. Mow all vegetation to a height of four inches. Dispose of the biomass and reseeding with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E if necessary to control cheatgrass and noxious weeds. Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department Recommendations ¾ Remove or mow vegetation within ten feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access for fire personnel. ¾ Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. Develop a biomass disposal program and a permit process for open burning. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. 27.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department and Bureau of Indian Affairs Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 27.2.4 Community Coordination and Public Education Many of the most effective activities aimed at reducing the threat of wildfire for the Sutcliffe community require that individual property owners coordinate with each other and with local fire authorities. Public education and awareness, neighbors helping neighbors, and proactive individuals setting examples for others to follow are just some of the approaches that will be necessary to meet the fire safe goals in the community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 265 Washoe County – Sutcliffe Property Owner and Tribal Resident Recommendation ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs ¾ Increase wildfire awareness through community newsletters, publications, meetings, and workshops. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge and copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Coordinate with the Washoe County Assessor and the Washoe County Roads Department to ensure that all roads are named, mapped, identified with GPS coordinates, and included in the 911 database. ¾ Require all future development to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the Tribal, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 266 Washoe County – Sutcliffe 27.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 27-2. Sutcliffe Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Install firesafe address signs that can be clearly read from the road. Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Community Coordination Increase wildfire issue awareness through community newsletters, publications, meetings, and workshops. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Ensure that all new development roads are named, mapped, and identified with GPS locations. Require that all future development on the reservation meet the National Fire Codes. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the Tribal, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs Fuels Reduction Construct and maintain a 200 foot wide fuelbreak to the west of Sutcliffe. Construct and maintain 150 foot wide fuelbreak south of Sutcliffe. Fuels Reduction Clear vegetation within ten feet of all fire hydrants. Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. Develop a biomass disposal program and a permit process for open burning. Sutcliffe Volunteer Fire Department and Bureau of Indian Affairs Suppression and Training Meet with Bureau of Land Management annually to discuss their pre-attack plan. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. ééé ééééé é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é © FISHERIES HARD SCRA BBLE CANY ON RD SUTCLIFFE DR LAKEVIEW DR TUFA R O CK R D 2001 OP445 Legend Community Boundary Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éé Proposed Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 27-1. Sutcliffe Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Treatments Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 268 Washoe County – Verdi 28.0 VERDI 28.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Verdi is located adjacent to the California state line west of Reno-Northwest along Interstate 80. The community is situated in the canyon between Peavine Peak and the northern extent of the Carson Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 28-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Verdi in the Moderate Hazard Category (54 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 28-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Verdi included the potential fire behavior based on fuel hazards and topographic conditions in the community. 28.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Verdi is described as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Approximately sixty percent of residences are located on lots less than one acre in size and forty percent are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: Bridge Street, South Verdi Road, and Quilici Ranch Road are the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around space for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: Almost all of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Ninety-six percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 28.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-five percent of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately seventeen percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 28.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 93 percent of the homes surveyed in Verdi have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 269 Washoe County – Verdi 28.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Verdi community is included in the Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Forest Fire Protection District that includes Verdi Station 5, staffed by three career personnel daily with three additional seasonal firefighters during the fire season, and the Verdi Volunteer Fire Department Station 51. The Verdi VFD reported having 22 volunteer members at the time interviews were conducted for this project. Resources within the community for response to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 28-1. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 28-1. Verdi Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 5 -Verdi) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 4 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 1 Verdi Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Station 51 - Verdi) Source: Brent Harper, Chief Verdi VFD, Joe Reinhardt ,BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Verdi includes fire hydrants with a minimum flow capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures in parts of the community. The water system includes several storage tanks and operates by gravity and eclectic pumps. There are emergency back-up generators to refill water storage tanks in the case of a power outage. The Quilici Ranch Road area does not have hydrants. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 270 Washoe County – Verdi Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal Entry Level Firefighter and Firefighter I standards. Nevada Division of Forestry provides all volunteer, career, and seasonal firefighters with Basic Wildland Firefighting training that meets NWCG 310-1 standards. Nevada Division of Forestry career firefighters also receive State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II training Work Load The Verdi VFD responded to 114 calls in 2003 that included twenty wildland/brush calls. Financial Support Financial support for the Verdi VFD is provided through a pay-per-call program of the Nevada Division of Forestry Sierra Fire Protection District (NRS 473) and a contract with Sierra County, CA. Western Region Nevada Division of Forestry receives funding form the Sierra Fire District (NRS 473) and sales tax revenue. 28.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The community of Verdi is situated in the Truckee River canyon. The terrain varies from flat near the Truckee River to slopes between eight and twenty percent with all aspects. The prevailing wind direction is from the west and southwest. Strong down-canyon winds through the Truckee River canyon are common during summer afternoons. Areas around Quilici Ranch Road, Hill Lane, and Garson Road are characterized by Jeffrey pine forest associated with mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, big sagebrush, and rabbitbrush. Cheatgrass, perennial grasses, pine needles, and pinecones are the primary ground fuels. The fuel loads in the forested areas within and around the community were estimated to range between six and eighteen tons per acre depending upon the slope and the tree and shrub density. The fuel hazard was considered moderate to extreme. The heaviest fuel loadings occur on interior lots. 28.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions combined with strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, could push fires into the community from the southwest and north. Prevailing west winds in the Truckee River canyon would slow fire spread from the east. Hazardous fuels in the interior of the community characterized by dense brush, overstocked stands of timber, and thick stands of mountain mahogany are be vulnerable to long range fire brand ignitions and increase the potential for spot fires within the community. These interior areas of the community are at risk for structure loss from spot fires. The distribution of two state-listed noxious weeds, tall whitetop and yellow star thistle, are already present in the community and could expand into burned areas. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 271 Washoe County – Verdi 28.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The ignition risk in Verdi is high due to the tendency for summer afternoon thunderstorms and the high public use of the area. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 28.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community and local governments. The recommendations for the Verdi area focus on fuel reduction treatments aimed at thinning trees, and reducing brushy ladder fuels, and the implementation of other defensible space treatments around private residences. 28.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of fifteen feet from the ground, but not more than one-third the height of the tree, to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 272 Washoe County – Verdi and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing materials. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers in landscaped areas with fire resistant species. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.17 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 28.2.2 Fuel Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. 17 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 273 Washoe County – Verdi Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Union Pacific Railroad Recommendation ¾ Mow or reduce vegetation within a minimum distance of twenty feet on both sides of the railroad tracks. Reseed according to the recommendations in Appendix E, if necessary to prevent cheatgrass or other noxious weed invasion. Maintain low growing, low-density fuel volumes within the railroad corridors to reduce the wildfire ignition risk and hazard. US Forest Service and Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Construct a greenstrip 100 to 200 feet wide seeded with crested wheatgrass adjacent to structures in burned areas around the community as shown in Figure 28-1. ¾ Thin Jeffrey pine trees to a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre. Remove ladder fuels in the understory along both sides of the Truckee River. Refer to Appendix E for basal area thinning guidelines. 28.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Verdi Volunteer Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 28.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owners ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 274 Washoe County – Verdi Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Nevada Division of Forestry and Verdi Volunteer Fire Department ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. 28.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Nevada Division of Forestry and Verdi Volunteer Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ As an evacuation plan becomes available, citizens should read and become fully knowledgeable of evacuation procedures, fire safety zones, and safety procedures for sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not possible. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 275 Washoe County – Verdi 28.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 28-2. Verdi Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Property Owners Fuels Reduction Coordinate with US Forest Service to create a crested wheatgrass greenstrip in burned areas adjacent to structures. Thin trees to a basal area of 80-100 square feet per acre and remove ladder fuels on both sides of the Truckee River. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Union Pacific Railroad Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation within twenty feet on both sides of railroad tracks. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design, building construction, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce laws and regulations for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with the US Forest Service to discuss pre- attack plans for the community and test radio compatibility. Community Coordination Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Verdi area. Nevada Division of Forestry and Verdi Volunteer Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 276 Washoe County – Verdi INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Coordinate with property owners to construct a crested wheatgrass greenstrip in burned areas adjacent to structures. Thin trees to a basal area of 80-100 square feet per acre and remove ladder fuels on both sides of the Truckee River. Table 28-3. Verdi Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 10 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 3 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses570 54030 55119 97 473 not visible 20 visible96% 41 93% 221187361 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible550 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate529 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 95% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 97% 17% B5. Street Signs not visible 1 visible98%visible54 Residential Streets55 Score 54 /128 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 é é éé é é é é é é é é é éé éééé ééééééé é ééééééééééééé é éé é é é é ééééééé k © © © §¨¦80 W ashoe C o. - N evada P lacer C o. - C alifornia Verdi §¨¦80 OP425 OP647 §¨¦80 H ILL LN Q U ILIC I R AN C H R D MARIO RD MO GU L RD LA K EV IE W D R 2000 2000 2001 Legend © Fire Station Community Boundary Parcel k School 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Tree Thinning éé Greenstrip 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 28-1. Verdi Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Mogul (See Figure 17-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 279 Washoe County – Washoe City 29.0 WASHOE CITY 29.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Washoe City is located southwest of Pleasant Valley and north of the Washoe Valley-West community. Washoe City is situated north of Washoe Lake and south of the Carson Range foothills. The community boundary is shown in Figure 29-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Washoe City in the Moderate Hazard Category (53 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 29-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Washoe City included the potential fire behavior based on fuel hazards and topographic conditions in the community and limited fire suppression resources. 29.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area around Washoe City is characterized as both the intermix and classic interface conditions. The intermix condition is described as those areas where there is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. A clear line of demarcation exists between wildland fuels and residential structures in the classic interface condition. Approximately forty percent of residences are located on lots less than one acre in size and sixty percent are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: US Highway 395 is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: About seventy percent of the streets signs in the community are easily visible. All of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 29.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety percent of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately eleven percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 280 Washoe County – Washoe City 29.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 89 percent of the homes surveyed in Washoe City have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 29.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Fire suppression services for Washoe City is provided by Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 29-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 29-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Washoe City TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type III Engine Type I Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Washoe City includes fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures in the Washoe Estates Gated Community, and hydrants at Cattleman’s Restaurant, and one hydrant at north end of Washoe Drive. The water system is operated by gravity and eclectic pumps and includes several water storage tanks. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 281 Washoe County – Washoe City Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career firefighters and volunteers of Reno/Truckee meadows Fire Department are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. All volunteer and seasonal firefighters of Western Region Nevada Division of Forestry are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Entry Level Firefighter and Firefighter I standards. Basic Wildland Firefighting training is provided by Nevada Division of Forestry and meets the NWCG 310-1 standards. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS474). 29.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the Washoe City community is characterized by southeast facing slopes of eight to twenty percent on the north side of Highway 395 and almost flat slopes between the highway and Washoe Lake. The prevailing wind direction is from the southwest and west. Downslope and cross slope winds are common during summer afternoons. The exterior fuels on the northwest side of the community are bitterbrush, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, cheatgrass, perennial grasses, and other annual plants. The fuel loads in this area were estimated to range between four and six tons per acre and were considered a high fuel hazard. The fuels in the southwest sector are characterized as overstocked stands of Jeffrey pine with an understory of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, cheatgrass, and other perennial grasses. Dense brush fuels are also a problem on some interior lots. 29.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario for Washoe City would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple, simultaneous fire ignitions could occur southwest and/or west of community, west of Highway 395, in timbered areas with a dense brush understory. Strong erratic winds greater than twenty miles per hour could push fires into residential areas. Closed canopy, timbered fuel types with dense brush ladder fuels could easily support a crown fire, making direct ground attack too dangerous for firefighters. The highest potential for structure fires would be homes with wood shake roofs and poor defensible space near undeveloped interior lots with dense brush. 29.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition in Washoe City area due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and the high public use of the area. The area has some history of multiple ignitions and large fires. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 282 Washoe County – Washoe City 29.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The recommendations for the Washoe City community focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by property owners to maintain adequate defensible space and provide fuel reduction treatments around the perimeter and the interior of the community to reduce hazardous fuels and lower the probability of a dangerous crown fire. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety 29.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing material. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of fifteen feet from the ground, but not more that one-third the height of the tree, on all coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 283 Washoe County – Washoe City ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers with fire resistant species. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.18 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 29.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 18 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 284 Washoe County – Washoe City US Forest Service and Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Construct a shaded fuelbreak 200 feet wide from Joy Lake Road south through Davis Creek Park. Thin pines to a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre and remove ladder fuels. (Refer to Appendix E for tree thinning guidelines). Washoe County Parks Recommendation ¾ Continue the tree-thinning project in Davis Creek Park to achieve a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet per acre and reduce brushy ladder fuels. 29.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 29.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 285 Washoe County – Washoe City ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 29.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 286 Washoe County – Washoe City 29.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 29-2. Washoe City Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures. Property Owners Fuels Reduction Coordinate with US Forest Service to construct a shaded fuelbreak from Joy Lake Road to Davis Creek Park. Reduce brush and grasses on undeveloped lots. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Washoe City area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Coordinate with property owners to construct a shaded fuelbreak from Joy Lake Road to Davis Creek Park. Washoe County Parks Fuels Reduction Continue the tree-thinning project in Davis Creek Park and remove brushy ladder fuels. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Table 29-3. Washoe City Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 5 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 3 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 5 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses142 12814 1402 15 127 not visible 0 visible100% 15 89% 08062 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible142 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate127 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 90% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 11% B5. Street Signs not visible 3 visible70%visible7 Residential Streets10 Score 53 /128 88 8 © © EA S TL A K E B LV DJO Y L A K E R D W AS HO E DR O LD O PH IR R D GRANITE RIDGE CT O RO L O M A DR Washoe City tu395 tu395 OP429 Legend Community Boundary Parcel © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Tree Thinning éé Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 29-1. Washoe City Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Washoe Valley - West (See Figure 10-1) Washoe Valley - East (See Figure 30-1) Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 289 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East 30.0 WASHOE VALLEY – EAST 30.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Washoe Valley-East is located south of Pleasant Valley and east of Washoe Lake. Washoe Valley-East is situated at the base of the west-facing slope of the Virginia Range foothills. The community is bordered to the south and west by the Washoe Lake State Park and to the east by Bureau of Land Management administered public lands. The community boundary is shown in Figure 30-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Washoe Valley-East in the Moderate Hazard Category (53 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 30-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Washoe Valley-East include the potential for hazardous fire behavior based on fuel hazards and topographic conditions in the community and limited fire suppression resources. 30.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in the Washoe Valley-East community is characterized as an intermix condition. There is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences in the community are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: East Lake Boulevard is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible and almost all of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 30.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-one percent of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately sixteen percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 290 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East 30.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 87 percent of the homes surveyed in the Washoe Valley-East community have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 30.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Fire suppression services for Washoe Valley-East is provided by Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 30-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 30-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Washoe Valley - East TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type III Engine Type I Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department Water Sources and Infrastructure There are no fire hydrants in the Washoe Valley-East community. The closest hydrant is in Washoe City. The estimated round trip time to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes away, or less. Washoe Lake and Little Washoe Lake can be used as a helicopter dip site and drafting site during years when the lakes hold water throughout the summer. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 291 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Reno/Truckee Meadows volunteer and career firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and they are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. Financial Support Financial support for the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department is provided through the City of Reno General Fund and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (NRS 474). 30.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the Washoe Valley-East community is characterized by southwest-facing hillsides, eight to twenty percent slope, and flatter terrain toward Washoe Lake. The prevailing wind direction in the community is from the west and southwest. Vegetative fuels on the south, east, and north sides of the community, including interior parcels, primarily consist of bitterbrush, big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and desert peach, with cheatgrass, and perennial grasses under the shrub canopies. Shrub heights generally range between three and seven feet tall. The fuel loads in these areas were estimated at four to eight tons per acre and were considered a high fuel hazard. On the southwest side of the community near the Scripps Wildlife Refuge, the vegetation consists of rabbitbrush, greasewood, and big sagebrush with saltgrass in the understory. Fuel loads in this area were estimated at three to four tons per acre and were considered a moderate fuel hazard. 30.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for the Washoe Valley-East community would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour could push fires started from multiple ignitions into the community from several directions. Interior lots with dense brush and structures with poor defensible space are at increased risk of structure loss. Fire suppression operations in areas without water storage must be supported by water tenders, which could delay fire containment and control. 30.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high ignition risk in the Washoe Valley-East community due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has some history of multiple ignitions and large fires. 30.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Washoe Valley-East community focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through reduction of fuels that pose a hazard. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 292 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East 30.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Clear all dead plant material and combustible materials a minimum of five feet from the exterior of all structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing material. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers in landscaped areas with fire resistant species. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 293 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.19 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 30.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Bureau of Land Management and Nevada State Parks ¾ Include construction and maintenance of a fuelbreak 200 feet wide around the community as shown in Figure 30-1 as part of the New Washoe City Fuels Treatment project currently proposed by the Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 19 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 294 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East 30.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 30.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 295 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. 30.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ As an evacuation plan becomes available, citizens should read and become fully knowledgeable of evacuation procedures, fire safety zones, and safety procedures for sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not possible. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 296 Washoe County – Washoe Valley - East 30.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 30-2. Washoe Valley - East Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures Property Owners Fuels Reduction Reduce fuels by thinning brush and grass on undeveloped lots. Reseed if necessary to control noxious weeds. Bureau of Land Management and Nevada State Parks Fuels Reduction Include construction and maintenance of a fuelbreak 200 feet wide around the community perimeter, east of East Lake Boulevard as part of the New Washoe City Fuels Treatment Project. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Remove trees and thin shrubs beneath power lines and utility poles. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design aspects, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Community Coordination Develop an emergency evacuation plan for the Washoe Valley- East community. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 30-3. Washoe Valley East Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 7 1. Water Source 5 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses1104 100896 107529 176 928 not visible 4 visible100% 149 87% 0394710 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible1100 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate955 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 91% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 97% 16% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible75 Residential Streets75 Score 53 /128 éééééééééééé é é é é éééé é é ééééé é éééééé éé é é é é é ééé é é ééééééé éééé é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é é éé é éééé éééééééé é é é é é é é é é é é é é éééé é é é ééé éé é é é é é ééé éé é ééééééééééé ééééééé é é é é é é é é é é é é é 88 8 8 8 8 © © © Washoe Valley - East E A S TL A K E B L V D JUMBO GRADE W H IT E P IN E D R ESMERALDA DR C H U R C H IL L D R D U N BA R D R PU MA DR HOLLY LN PARTRIDGE LN DOUGLAS DR SKINNER DR C HU KAR D R W ILDFLOW ER DR JA C O B S C T 1984 Legend Community Boundary Parcel 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads éé Proposed Fuelbreak 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 30-1. Washoe Valley - East Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Proposed Mitigation Treatments Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Washoe Lake LOW HAZARD COMMUNITIES Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 300 Washoe County – Empire 31.0 EMPIRE 31.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Empire is located approximately fifty miles north of Nixon (95 miles northeast of Sparks) and five miles south of Gerlach along State Route 447. The community is situated in the Black Rock Desert and the toe of the west-facing slopes of the Selenite Range. The community boundary is shown in Figure 31-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Empire in the Low Hazard Category (38 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 31-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Empire include the low hazard fuel loads and limited fire suppression resources. 31.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Empire is characterized as an intermix condition where there is no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences in the community are located on lots between one and ten acres in size. Access: State Route 447 is the primary transportation route providing access to and from the community. The road is greater than 24 feet wide and provides adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Approximately 85 percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 31.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately eleven percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 31.1.3 Defensible Space All of the homes surveyed in Empire have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 301 Washoe County – Empire 31.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources There are no fire department or suppression resources in the community of Empire. The closest fire resources would respond from the Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department as summarized in Table 31-1. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 31-1. Empire Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 2 Engine Type 4 Water Tender 4,000 gals. 1 1 1 Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 42) Source: Bill Gooch, Fire Chief Gerlach VFD Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Empire has fire hydrants in some areas of the community. The hydrants are gravity fed from a community water storage tank that is filled using an electric pump. There is no emergency backup generator. There are two additional water tanks at the USG drywall factory, which is located within the community boundary. The estimated round trip time, from areas without hydrants, to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes away. Community Preparedness Empire is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 31.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain around Empire is mostly flat (less than eight percent slopes) with a slight west facing aspect. The prevailing wind direction is from the south or southwest. On the north, Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 302 Washoe County – Empire east, and south sides of the community the vegetation consists of winterfat, sagebrush, horsebrush, shadscale, bud sagebrush, and greasewood. The shrubs are generally one to two feet in height. The fuel load was estimated at one ton per acre and was considered a low fuel hazard. On the west side of the community greasewood, shadscale, horsebrush, and budsage are the dominant species. The shrubs in this area are generally two to four feet tall with moderate density levels. The fuel load in this area was estimated at two tons per acre and considered a moderate fuel hazard. 31.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario would be a fire starting along the northwest corner of the community with wind from the northwest pushing the fire through the landing strip area and into the northwest part of the community. The threat to homes would be low due to existing defensible space. Tumbleweed accumulations in the community could cause increased fire spread and spot fires within the community. 31.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The community of Empire has a moderate ignition risk due to the sparse fuels around the community, and the low population density in the area. There is a history of fire in the area. The primary ignition source is lightning. Moderate highway traffic along the east side of the community is an additional risk. 31.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. 31.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 303 Washoe County – Empire ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Remove debris and flammable materials (tumbleweeds) from within the defensible space area. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 31.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from beneath power lines. 31.2.3 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 304 Washoe County – Empire 31.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 31.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 31-2. Empire Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Assure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 31-3. Empire Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 3 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 3 2 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 1 2. Fire Behavior 3 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 10 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses71 710 701 8 63 not visible 11 visible85% 0 100% 0071 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible60 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate71 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 11% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible8 Residential Streets8 Score 38 /128 8OP447 Empire Legend Community Boundary 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes 0 1,000 2,000500 Feet Figure 31-1. Empire Fire History Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 307 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest 32.0 RENO–SOUTHWEST 32.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The Reno-Southwest community includes the portion of Reno that is located south of Interstate 80, west of Virginia Street, and north of the Mt. Rose Highway (State Route 431). The community is situated along the east-facing slope of the Carson Range and the Truckee Meadows valley. The Reno-Southwest community boundary is shown in Figure 32-1. The-community boundary encompasses geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for this project represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Reno-Southwest in the Low Hazard Category (40 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 32-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Reno-Southwest included fire behavior potential in the area and the high availability of career-level fire suppression resources throughout the community. Portions of Reno Southwest are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the communities could better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 32.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Reno-Southwest is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395, Interstate 80, Mt. Rose Highway (State Route 431), McCarran Boulevard, and Virginia Street are some of the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: Ninety-eight percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Ninety-seven percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines and power substations have not been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 308 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest 32.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-one percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately fifteen percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 32.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 86 percent of the homes surveyed in the Reno-Southwest community had landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 32.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Reno-Southwest neighborhoods are included in the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. Four fire stations within the community are located at Old Virginia Road, Moana Lane, Skyline Boulevard, Double Diamond, and Mayberry. Each station is staffed by four career firefighters daily. Nevada Division of Forestry Station 8 is staffed by three career firefighters. Galena Volunteer Fire Department Station 81 also protects the southern portion of this area. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. The resources within and near the community for response to a reported wildland fire are summarized in Table 32-1. Table 32-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near the Reno-Southwest Community TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type III Engine Type I Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Engine Type 3 Water Tender Type 1 2 1 Nevada Division of Forestry (Station 8 - Galena) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 2 Engine Type 1 2 1 1 Galena Volunteer Fire Department (NDF Stations 81 and 82 - Galena) Source: Pete Cannizzaro, Chief Galena VFD; Joe Reinhardt ,BC, Nevada Division of Forestry; Marty Scheuerman DC, Reno Fire Department; Roy Slate Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 309 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest Water Sources and Infrastructure Water available for fire suppression in Galen includes fire hydrants with minimum flow capacities of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures. The water system operates by gravity and electric pumps with emergency backup generators and several water storage tanks. Some of the older neighborhoods such as the Five Acre Tract and lower Whites Creek do not have adequate fire hydrants. Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department may no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All career and volunteer firefighters are trained to the State Fire Marshal’s Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighting training is provided to meet the NWCG 310-1 standards. Community Preparedness Washoe County maintains an Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials through the Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the City of Reno is currently completing All-Risk Disaster Plan with the intentions of incorporating the recommendations from this report into the City plan. 32.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The Reno-Southwest community is situated along the base of the east-facing slopes of the Carson Range. Slopes generally range between from eight and twenty percent with steeper slopes in the drainages. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest with downslope and cross slope winds common during summer afternoons. In the Juniper Hills/Juniper Trails area of the community, the vegetative fuels consist of juniper, big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, Mormon tea, cheatgrass, and perennial grasses. The fuel load in this vegetation type was estimated at four to six tons per acre and was considered a high fuel hazard. Further south in the Callahan Ranch Road area, the vegetation is dominated by Jeffrey pine trees with mountain mahogany, big sagebrush, bitterbrush, and rabbitbrush in the understory. Cheatgrass, perennial grasses, squaw carpet, pine needles, and pinecones compose the ground fuels in this vegetation type. The fuel loads were estimated to range between ten and eighteen tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 310 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest In the Saddlehorn/White’s Creek area the vegetative fuels primarily consist of big sagebrush, bitterbrush, and rabbitbrush, with cheatgrass and perennial grasses occupying the spaces under and between the shrub canopies. In this area the fuel loads were estimated at six to ten tons per acre and considered a high fuel hazard. Vegetative fuels in the area previously burned by the Arrow Creek fire in 2000 currently consist of rabbitbrush and cheatgrass. The fuel load within the fire scar was estimated at less than one ton per acre and was considered a low fuel hazard. 32.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario Whites Creek Drainage, Five Acre Tracts Galena Arrowcreek and Saddlehorn: The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions to the west-southwest of the area, with strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour and prevailing west to southwest winds could push fires downslope or across slope into the residential area. This area has very poor roads and few or no fire hydrants. Poor defensible space and wood shake roofs increases the potential for structure loss. This area has very rocky soils, making the use of heavy equipment for fuels work very difficult. Evans Creek – Thomas Creek including Lone Tree Lane and Frost to the end of Plumas Street The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions to the west-southwest of the area, with strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour and prevailing west to southwest winds could push fires downslope or across slope into the residential area. Juniper Trails/Caughlin Ranch/Mayberry Drive to Evans Creek The worst-case scenario for this area would be a dry lightning storm late on a summer afternoon, during a year with above normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass production. Multiple fire ignitions to the west-southwest of the area, with strong erratic winds, greater than twenty miles per hour and prevailing west to southwest winds could push fires downslope or across slope into the residential area. Poor defensible space and heavy fuels next to structures increase potential for structure loss. 32.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The Reno-Sorthwest community has a high potential for fire ignition due to summer afternoon thunderstorms and high use of the area by the public. The area has a history of multiple ignitions and large fires. Cheatgrass in the Arrow Creek burned area provides a receptive fuel bed for ignitions. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 311 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest 32.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The recommendations for the Reno-Southwest area focus primarily on additional efforts that could be taken by community members and public agencies to increase wildland fire safety through reduction of hazardous fuels. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be undertaken to enhance fire safety. 32.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 312 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Replace ornamental junipers in landscaped areas with fire resistant species. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space zone, areas should be mowed prior to seed maturity or treated with an application of a pre- emergent herbicide.20 Treatments may need to be repeated for several years to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted annual grass seeds has been depleted. Refer to Appendix E for a recommended seed mixture and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with cheatgrass removal. ¾ Replace wood shake roofs with fire resistant roofing material. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. 32.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Utility Company Recommendation ¾ Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain clearance around power lines. Clear vegetation within fifteen feet of utility poles near the community. Remove all trees from under power lines. Reduce and remove vegetation to maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from fences around power substations. Washoe County Roads Department and Nevada Department of Transportation Recommendation ¾ Reduce vegetation and maintain roads by mowing all vegetation to a height of no more than four inches for a distance of twenty feet from the edge of the pavement on both sides of the road. Remove biomass and dispose at an appropriate site. Reseed treated areas with fire resistant species such as recommended in Appendix E to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion. 20 Extreme caution should be taken when using herbicides to completely follow all label instructions. Consult with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists for assistance with appropriate herbicide products and application procedures. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 313 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest US Forest Service and Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Construct and maintain a series of 200-foot wide fuelbreaks and fuel reduction treatments along the northwest boundary of the community from Mountain Gate Drive (south of Mayberry Drive) to Evans Creek Drive. Fuel reduction treatments are recommended in steep drainages and open areas between subdivisions. Within fuelbreaks and fuel reduction treatments, thin Jeffrey pine trees to a basal area of 80 to 100 square feet. (Refer to Appendix E for tree thinning guidelines.) Thin pinyon and juniper to a spacing between canopies equal to twice the height of the trees. Thin shrubs to ensure a spacing between plants equal to twice the height of the shrubs. ¾ Construct and maintain two fuelbreaks 200 feet wide along the north and west sides of the Saddlehorn Subdivision and the west side of the Thomas Creek Estates Subdivision where the subdivisions abut National Forest lands. 32.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and Galena VFD ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 32.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owners ¾ Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council facilitates solutions to reduce the loss of lives and property from wildfire in Nevada’s communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, local communities will become part of a large network for sharing information including notification of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter’s behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members, and promote success stories of its members. To form a local Chapter or for more information contact the: Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 www.nvfsc.org. ¾ Assure that address signs are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions during a wildland fire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 314 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest City of Reno Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Develop and enforce ordinances regarding fuel reduction and defensible space requirements for wildland-urban interface areas. Require defensible space implementation and maintenance on all developed lots and fuel reduction on all vacant lots within the interface area. Require approval by the appropriate fire agency of completed fuel reduction treatments prior to issuance of building permits for new wildland-urban interface developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Reno/ Truckee Meadows Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct more detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the community to better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 32.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and Nevada Division of Forestry Recommendation ¾ Distribute of copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. ¾ Prepare an evacuation plan and post or otherwise distribute this plan to residents. This plan should include information regarding evacuation routes, evacuation procedures, designated fire safe zones, and procedures for sheltering in place in case evacuation becomes infeasible during a fast moving firestorm. Property Owner Recommendation ¾ As an evacuation plan becomes available, citizens should read and become fully knowledgeable of evacuation procedures, fire safety zones, and safety procedures for sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not possible. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 315 Washoe County – Reno-Southwest 32.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 32-2. Reno – Southwest Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Community Coordination Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. Improve address visibility from the road. Property Owners Public Education Participate in public education opportunities and become knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures Property Owners and US Forest Service Fuels Reduction Construct and maintain a fuelbreaks 200 feet wide and fuel reduction treatments in steep drainages and open areas between subdivisions along the northwest boundary of the community as shown in Figure32-1. Construct and maintain fuelbreaks 200 feet wide on the west sides of the Saddlehorn and Thomas Creek Estates Subdivisions. Utility Company Fuels Reduction Reduce and maintain vegetation in power line corridors. Maintain fifteen feet of clearance around utility poles. Maintain thirty feet of clearance from fence around power substations. Washoe County and Nevada Department of Transportation Fuels Reduction Reduce and remove vegetation in road right-of-ways to maintain an average four-inch vegetation height. Reseed treated areas to minimize cheatgrass and noxious weed invasion City of Reno Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the City to meet the national fire codes with regard to community design aspects, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Develop and/or enforce county laws, regulations, and ordinances for defensible space and fuels reduction that include absentee homeowners, vacant lots, and new subdivisions. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Community Coordination Consider the need for more detailed risk and hazard assessment of smaller neighborhoods. Resources and Training Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio coverage and compatibility. Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department and Galena VFD Public Education Develop an emergency evacuation plan for Reno Southwest area. Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 32-3. Reno Southwest Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 10 3. Slope 4 4. Aspect 3 1. Water Source 1 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 3 Total Houses2636 2411225 261026 385 2251 not visible 77 visible97% 370 86% 08091827 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible2559 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate2266 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 91% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 99% 15% B5. Street Signs not visible 5 visible98%visible289 Residential Streets294 Score 40 /128 Trucke e River S VIR G IN IA ST S MC CARRAN BLVD W PLUMB LN W MOANA LN ARROWCREEK PKWY E PECKHAM LN ZOLEZZI LN Reno - Southwest OP431 tu395 tu395 §¨¦80 2000 1997 1998 2000 Legend Community Boundary k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads Proposed Fuel Mitigation Brush Treatment éé Fuelbreak 0 1 20.5 Miles Figure 32-1. Reno - Southwest Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Proposed Mitigation Projects Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Reno-Southeast (See Figure 22-1) Juniper Hills Juniper Trails Caughlin Ranch Saddlehorn/ Whites Creek Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 318 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) 33.0 SPARKS (Reno Northeast) 33.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The City of Sparks is located generally east of US Highway 395, north of the Truckee River, and south of the Sun Valley and Spanish Springs communities. The community is situated in the valley bottom of the Truckee Meadows and adjacent to the west-facing slopes of Canoe Hill and the Pah Rah Range. The Sparks community boundary is shown in Figure 33-1. The community boundary encompasses geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for this project represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Sparks in the Low Hazard Category (40 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 33-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Sparks included the high availability of career-level fire suppression resources throughout the community, adequate access and address signage throughout the community, and the high number of homes constructed with flame-resistant materials. Portions of Sparks are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the communities could better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 33.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Sparks is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. Most of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395, Interstate 80, McCarran Boulevard, Sparks and Vista Boulevards are some of the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Ninety-five percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: Utilities are both above ground and below ground. Power lines have been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 33.1.2 Construction Materials Almost all of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Ninety-five percent of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 319 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) seven percent of the homes observed have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 33.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 77 percent of the homes surveyed in the City of Sparks have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. 33.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The Sparks Fire Department provides fire suppression resources for the City of Sparks fire protection. The Department has four fire stations, with a fifth station due to open in May 2005. The standard Sparks Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 33-1. Reno Fire Department assists with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 33-1. Standard Sparks Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Sparks TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Truck Water Tender Battalion Chief 2 2 1 1 1 Spark Fire Department (Closest available resources) Source: Andy Flock, Sparks Fire Department Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system. The City of Sparks Fire Department resources are dispatched through Sparks Police and Fire Dispatch in Sparks. The Reno Fire Department is dispatched through Reno Dispatch in Reno. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the Sparks Fire Department may no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 320 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) Water Sources and Infrastructure The City of Sparks has fire hydrants with a minimum flow capacity of 500 gallon per minute within 500 feet of structures. The hydrant system is gravity fed and supplied by several water storage tanks. They system has an emergency diesel generator backup power source to refill tanks during a power outage. The Marina Lake and several golf course ponds within the city can be used as helicopter dip-sites. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All members of the Sparks Fire Department meet the NWCG 310-1 requirements for wildland fire training. They are required to complete the forty-hour basic wildland firefighting course and attend an eight-hour refresher course annually. All Captains are trained to the level of Engine Boss, and all Battalion Chiefs are trained to the level of Strike Team Leader. The red card system is used for individual certification. Financial Support The Sparks Fire Department is funded through the City of Sparks General Fund. Community Preparedness The City of Sparks has an All-Risk Emergency Operations Plan. The last update was in 1998 with the intentions of incorporating the recommendations from this report into the City plan. The community is also included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 33.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain along the wildland-urban interface areas of Sparks is generally flat with west- facing hillsides east of the community. Slopes generally range between twenty and thirty percent in these hilly areas. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest and high wind speeds are common during summer afternoons. In the unburned areas on the east side of the city, the vegetative fuels consist of big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, Mormon tea, and greasewood. Cheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and Russian thistle occupy the interspaces between shrubs. In this vegetation type the fuel load was estimated at two tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. In the burned areas on the east side of Sparks, the fuel load was estimated at less than one ton per acre and was considered a low fuel hazard. 33.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario for Sparks would be a wind-driven fire starting on the north side of Interstate 80, east of Sparks. On a high hazard day with a south-southwest winds greater than twenty miles per hour, the fire would be wind and threaten custom and track homes located on the west facing slopes. 33.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The ignition risk within the wildland-urban interface area around the City of Sparks is low. There is a history of wildland fires and the area is prone to summer lightning activity. The ignition risk would be greater during years with high cheatgrass growth. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 321 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) 33.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The hazard reduction recommendations for the City of Sparks focus on maintaining defensible space. 33.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 322 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. ¾ Remove debris and flammable materials within defensible space. 33.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Sparks Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and enforce brush clearance and biomass disposal programs. 33.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Sparks Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire Department, and the Bureau of Land Management, to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 33.2.4 Community Coordination City of Sparks Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, county and state levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Sparks Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct more detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the community to better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. 33.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 323 Washoe County – Sparks (Reno Northeast) Sparks Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 33.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 33-2. Sparks Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Property Owners Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. City of Sparks Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the City meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the local, County, and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Resources and Training Meet annually with neighboring fire departments to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community and test radio compatibility. Community Coordination Consider the need for more detailed risk and hazard assessment of smaller neighborhoods. Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. City of Sparks Fire Department Fuels Reduction Develop community brush clearance and biomass disposal programs. Table 33-3. Sparks Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 1 2. Fire Behavior 7 3. Slope 7 4. Aspect 7 1. Water Source 1 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses486 46125 4788 33 453 not visible 23 visible95% 110 77% 0123363 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible463 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate376 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 95% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 98% 7% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible15 Residential Streets15 Score 40 /128 Æq Æq Æq © © © © © §¨¦80 tu395 1999 S torey C o. W ashoe C o. 1999 V IS TA B LV D S P A R K S B LV D K IE TZ K E L N N MC CARRAN BLVD E L R A N C H O D R GLENDALE AVE BARING BLVD S M C CA RR AN B LV D E 2ND ST E GLENDALE AVE SU N V AL LE Y B LV D Sparks OP445 tu395 §¨¦80 1997 Legend Community Boundary County Boundary k School Æq Hospital © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 3,000 6,0001,500 Feet Figure 33-1. Sparks Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Spanish Springs (See Figure 24-1)Sun Valley (See Figure 26-1) Reno - Southeast (See Figure 22-1) Truckee River Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 326 Washoe County – Stead 34.0 STEAD 34.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT The community of Stead is located east of Silver Knolls, west of Lemmon Valley, north of the Reno-Northwest community, and south of the Stead Airport. The community is situated in Lemmon Valley east of Silver Lake as shown in Figure 34-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Stead in the Low Hazard Category (27 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 34-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Stead included the high number of homes with adequate defensible space and the high availability of career-level fire suppression resources throughout the community. 34.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Stead is characterized as a classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. All of the residences are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: US Highway 395, Stead Boulevard, and Sky Vista Parkway are the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Signage: All of the streets signs in the community are easily visible. Also, all of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. 34.1.2 Construction Materials All of the homes in the interface are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. Also, all of the homes have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. No homes were observed to have unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 34.1.3 Defensible Space All of the homes surveyed in Stead have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 327 Washoe County – Stead 34.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources The community of Stead is included in the Reno Fire Protection District. The standard Reno Fire Department dispatch for a wildland fire is shown in Table 34-1. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 34-1. Standard Reno Fire Department Wildland Fire Dispatch for Initial Attack Near Stead TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 3 Engine Type 1 Water Tender Battalion Chief Safety Officer 3 1 1 1 1 Reno Fire Department (Closest available career and volunteer resources) Source: Roy Slate, and Marty Scheuerman, Reno Fire Department Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the Reno Fire Department may no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Stead has fire hydrants with minimum flow ratings of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures. The hydrant system is gravity fed and supplied by several water storage tanks. They do not have an emergency backup generator to refill storage tanks in the event of a power failure. The estimated round trip time from parts of the community that do not have hydrants to additional water supplies to refill fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes or less. Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications The Reno Fire Department firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and they are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. The Reno Fire Department meets the NWCG 310-1 wildland requirements for training. The Department is in the process of providing additional training for Captains and Chief Officers. They do not currently use the red card Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 328 Washoe County – Stead system. Many Reno Fire Department members are trained to a higher level and are certified through the red card system, but this is at the discretion of the individual. Financial Support The Reno Fire Department is funded from the City of Reno General Fund. Community Preparedness Stead is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 34.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The terrain in the wildland-urban interface areas of Stead is generally flat with less than eight percent slopes. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest. High wind speeds are common during summer afternoons. The vegetative fuels in the Stead area consist of big sagebrush and rabbitbrush with Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, skeleton weed, cheatgrass, and Russian thistle between and underneath shrub canopies. The fuel load in these areas was estimated at two tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. There are still large open space natural areas with moderate brush within the community and adjacent to many developed properties. 34.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case scenario for Stead would be a fire starting on a high hazard day in an undeveloped area of moderately dense brush within the community. With strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, this fire could quickly threaten wood and/or vinyl fencing and throw firebrands into structures. These large open space areas around structures could quickly be consumed by wildfire burning several hundred acres at a time. 34.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Stead has a moderate ignition risk. The area has a tendency for afternoon thunderstorm activity in the summer and increasing population density and heavy traffic increase the chances for a human caused ignition. 34.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATION The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The hazard reduction recommendations for Stead focus on defensible space and fuels reduction within the community. 34.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 329 Washoe County – Stead Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. 34.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 330 Washoe County – Stead volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Develop and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community and for biomass disposal. Continue to enforce the permit process for open burning. 34.2.3 Community Coordination Washoe County Recommendation ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. 34.2.4 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Reno Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 331 Washoe County – Stead 34.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 34-2. Stead Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Property Owners Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space measures. Fuels Reduction Develop and promote regular brush clearance and biomass disposal, and continue to enforce the open burn permit programs. Reno Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 34-3. Stead Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 1 6. Address Signs 1 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 3 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 1 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses229 2290 2290 0 229 not visible 0 visible100% 0 100% 00229 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible229 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate229 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 100% 0% B5. Street Signs not visible 0 visible100%visible18 Residential Streets18 Score 27 /128 ©© © Silver Knolls (See Figure 23-1) Reno-Northwest (See Figure 21-1) Anderson Acres (See Figure 11-1) R ED R O C K R D S TE A D B LV D LEAR BLVD ECHO AVE M O Y A B LV D M ILITARY RD BRAVO AVE S K Y V IS TA P K W Y N VIRGINIA ST Stead tu395 Legend Community Boundary k School © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Fire Boundary and Date Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet Figure 34-1. Stead Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. 1991 1999 1999 1999 Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 334 Washoe County – Wadsworth 35.0 WADSWORTH 35.1 RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Wadsworth is located approximately 25 miles east of Sparks. The community is situated at the junction of State Route 427 and State Route 447. The community is situated along the Truckee River as it enters the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. The community boundary is shown in Figure 35-1. The community hazard assessment resulted in classifying Wadsworth in the Low Hazard Category (37 points). A summary of factors that contributed to the hazard rating is included in Table 35-3. Primary factors that determined the hazard rating in Wadsworth include the low hazard fuel loads and limited fire suppression resources. 35.1.1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface area in Wadsworth is characterized as the classic interface condition. There is a clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the residential structures in the community. All of the residences in the community are located on lots less than one acre in size. Access: State Routes 447 and 427 are the primary transportation routes providing access to and from the community. The roads are greater than 24 feet wide and provide adequate space for two-way vehicular travel and for fire suppression equipment to maneuver. Secondary roads in the majority of the community have road grades less than five percent with adequate turn around areas for fire suppression apparatus. Signage: Approximately 75 percent of the street signs in the community are easily visible. Approximately 85 percent of the residential addresses are easily visible from the road. Clear and visible street signs and residential addresses are important in locating homes during low visibility conditions that occur during a wildfire. Utilities: All utilities are above ground. Power lines have been properly maintained in all areas of the community. Proper maintenance minimizes the possibility that arcing may start fires in nearby vegetation. In some areas of the community, the recommended ten feet of vegetation clearance does not exist around propane tanks. 35.1.2 Construction Materials Approximately 82 percent of the homes in the interface area are built with non-combustible or ignition resistant siding such as medium density fiberboard, stucco, or brick. All of the residences have roofs of non-combustible material such as tile, metal, or composition. Approximately fourteen percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks, or other architectural features that create drafty areas where sparks and embers can be trapped, smolder, ignite, and rapidly spread fire to the house. 35.1.3 Defensible Space Approximately 84 percent of the homes surveyed in Wadsworth have landscaping that meets defensible space guidelines to protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 335 Washoe County – Wadsworth 35.1.4 Suppression Capabilities Wildfire Protection Resources Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department provides fire suppression services for the Wadsworth community. The Wadsworth VFD is part of the Reno/Truckee Meadows Fire District. The Wadsworth VFD reported having two volunteers at the time that interviews were conducted for this report. Truckee Meadows Auxiliary Volunteer firefighters help staff the VFD on weekends. The closest resources for response to a reported wildland fire near Wadsworth are summarized in Table 35-1. Reno Fire Department responds with additional resources from the closest available career staffed station according to their standard wildland fire dispatch. Other local, state, and federal resources are available upon request through mutual agreements as described in Section 4.1.1. Table 35-1. Wadsworth Initial Attack Wildfire Suppression Resources TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COOPERATING PARTNER (RESOURCE LOCATION) Engine Type 1 Engine Type 3 Water Tender 1 1 1 Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department (Truckee Meadows Station 25) Source: Roy Slate and Marty Scheuerman Reno FD Detection and Communication Fires are reported in Washoe County through the 911 system, which connects the call with the Washoe County 911 Center. Washoe County 911 notifies the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center of wildland fires. The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center notifies the Volunteer Fire Departments, the Nevada Division of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service of fires through the use of pagers and radios. Communication frequencies are currently compatible between agencies. When the federal agencies go to narrow band digital radios, the volunteers will no longer be able to communicate with the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. Water Sources and Infrastructure Wadsworth has fire hydrants with minimum flow ratings of 1,000 gallons per minute within 1,000 feet of structures in most areas of the community. The estimated round trip time from areas without hydrants to additional water supplies for refilling fire apparatus is approximately twenty minutes. Wadsworth has a total water storage tank capacity of 470,000 gallons in two tanks that are filled with electric pumps. There is no emergency backup generator. Fire hydrants are gravity operated. The Truckee River can also be used for drafting. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 336 Washoe County – Wadsworth Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications Volunteer firefighters are required to have at least forty hours of basic wildland training and they are required to attend eight hours of annual wildland refresher training. Approximately half of the total volunteer firefighters are certified to respond to wildland fires. Financial Support The Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department is funded through the Truckee Meadows General Fund. Community Preparedness Wadsworth is included in the Washoe County All-Risk Emergency Plan. 35.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior The interface area around Wadsworth along the Truckee River is flat. The prevailing wind direction is from the south and southwest. High winds speeds are common during summer afternoons. On the southwest side of the community, the vegetation primarily consists of horsebrush, spiny hopsage, greasewood, Indian ricegrass, and Russian thistle. The fuel load was estimated at less than one ton per acre and considered a low fuel hazard. On the east side of the river, the vegetation consists of fourwing saltbush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, and quailbush, with saltgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail ground fuels. The fuel load in these areas was estimated at two to three tons per acre and was considered a moderate fuel hazard. Tall whitetop, a state-listed noxious weed, is also dominant along ditches and agricultural field edges. The fuel load in pure stands of tall whitetop was estimated at four tons per acre. 35.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-Case Scenario The worst-case wildfire scenario for this community would be a fire starting on the east side of the Truckee River on a high hazard day with strong winds, greater than twenty miles per hour, blowing from the south. A fire would quickly be wind-driven north through dense brush and threaten mobile homes and structures in the area. With the limited number of local volunteers, this fire could quickly escape initial attack before additional resources could arrive. 35.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment Wadsworth has a moderate ignition risk. There is a history of wildland fires in the area and a tendency for summer lightning activity. 35.2 RISK AND HAZARD REDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS The responsibility to keep a community fire safe falls not only on the local fire protection district but also on the residents of the community, businesses, and local governments. The hazard reduction recommendations for Wadsworth focus on maintaining defensible space and fuel reduction within the community. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 337 Washoe County – Wadsworth 35.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove flammable vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures. (Refer to Appendix E for the recommended defensible space area). Defensible space reduces the fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Property Owner Recommendations ¾ Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation to create defensible space around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept: Lean: There are only small amount of flammable vegetation. Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris. Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. ¾ Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures. ¾ Mow or remove brush growing against fences in the community. The minimum distance for clearance should be ten feet in grass and 25 feet in brush. ¾ Enclose areas under wood decks and porches when possible or maintain these areas to be free of weeds and other flammable debris. Box in eves and cover ventilation openings with very fine metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the attic and crawl spaces. ¾ Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks for a minimum of ten feet. ¾ Clear weeds and brush to a width of ten feet along both sides of the driveways. ¾ Maintain a minimum clearance of thirty feet from the crown of trees that remain within the defensible space zone. Keep this area free of smaller trees, shrubs, and other ladder fuels. ¾ Trim and remove tree branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels on all deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space zone. Prune all dead and diseased branches. ¾ Prune all tree branches to a minimum distance of fifteen feet from buildings, paying special attention around chimneys. ¾ Install spark arrestors on chimneys. ¾ Mow grass within the defensible space zone to maintain a maximum height of four inches. ¾ Thin sagebrush and other shrubs to a spacing between shrubs that is equal to twice the shrub height. ¾ Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site. ¾ Where possible, irrigate all trees and large shrubs that remain in close proximity to structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during drought conditions. ¾ Remove or board up abandoned trailers and structures to prevent sparks from entering and igniting the structure. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 338 Washoe County – Wadsworth ¾ Remove debris and flammable materials from within the defensible space area. ¾ Treat areas to control the spread of whitetop and knapweed. Refer to Appendix E for more information about treating this noxious weed. ¾ Maintain the defensible space as needed. Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. 35.2.2 Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. Permanently changing the fuel characteristics over large blocks of land to one of a lower volume and altered distribution reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the treated area. Reducing vegetation along roadways and driveways could reduce the likelihood of blocking access and escape routes, help contain the fire perimeter, and improve firefighter access and safety for protecting homes. Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. Develop a biomass disposal program and a permit process for open burning. 35.2.3 Fire Suppression Resources and Training Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Meet annually with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management to review pre-attack plans and to coordinate firefighting resources and response procedures including testing radio compatibility and coverage. Upgrade radios to new narrowband/digital technologies as needed to maintain communications with the federal agencies. 35.2.4 Community Coordination Property Owner Recommendation ¾ Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. Address characters should be at least four inches high, reflective, and composed of non-flammable material. Improving visibility of addresses will make it easier for those unfamiliar with the area to navigate under smoky conditions caused by a wildland fire. Washoe County Recommendations ¾ Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix F for an example of fire safe recommendations for planning new developments. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 339 Washoe County – Wadsworth ¾ Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. ¾ Improve street sign visibility. 35.2.5 Public Education A public education program that explains fire safe measures in clear and emphatic terms will have an impact on residents of the wildland-urban interface. Informed community members will be more inclined to make efforts to effectively reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and neighborhoods. Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department Recommendation ¾ Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 35.3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Table 35-2. Wadsworth Priority Recommendations to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Hazards INVOLVED PARTY RECOMMENDED TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION DESCRIPTION Defensible Space Treatments Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the defensible space guidelines in Appendix E. Property Owners Community Coordination Ensure residential addresses are visible from the road. Washoe County Community Coordination Continue to require all future development in the County to meet the National Fire Codes with regard to community design, building construction and spacing, road construction, water supply, and emergency access. Facilitate coordinated and collaborative efforts at the County and State levels for consistency in fire safe community planning and enforcement of fire safe ordinances in a unified manner. Improve street sign visibility. Defensible Space Treatments Conduct courtesy inspections of home defensible space and assist with implementation of defensible space treatments. Fuels Reduction Develop regular brush clearance, biomass disposal, and open burn permitting programs. Resources and Training Meet annually with neighboring fire agencies to discuss and update pre-attack plans for the community. Wadsworth Volunteer Fire Department Public Education Distribute copies of the publication “Living with Fire” to all property owners. Table 35-3. Wadsworth Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary 1. Ingress / Egress 1 2. Width of Road 1 3. Accessibility 1 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs 3 6. Address Signs 3 1 1. Lot Size 5 2. Defensible Space 1 1. Fuels 3 2. Fire Behavior 3 3. Slope 1 4. Aspect 1 1. Water Source 2 2. Department 7 1. Roofs 1 2. Siding 1 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 7. Utilities 1 Total Houses359 3590 29366 49 310 not visible 54 visible85% 59 84% 00359 C. Construction Materials E. Suppression Capabilities F. Fire Behavior D. Defensible Space B. Community Design A. Urban Interface Condition /5 /3 /5 /5 /15 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /5 /5 <1ac >1ac <10ac >10ac TALLIES B6. Address Signs visible305 D1. Lot Sizes D2. Defensible Space adequatenot adequat adequate300 C1. Roofs C2. Siding C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot not combust combust 100% not combust not combust combust not combust not enclosed enclosed not enclosed 82% 14% B5. Street Signs not visible 8 visible75%visible24 Residential Streets32 Score 37 /128 88 © Washoe Co. Lyon Co. Washoe Co . Storey C o. 5TH ST W T R U C K E E R IV E R R A N C H R D S P R IN G E R S T BORDER ST S C H O O L S T SAGEBRUSH ST TU M BL EW EE D ST 8TH ST Wadsworth §¨¦80 OP447 OP427 Legend Community Boundary © Fire Station 8 Fire Ignition Highways and State Routes Secondary Roads 0 0.5 10.25 Miles Figure 35-1. Wadsworth Fire History and Suppression Resources Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 . Nevada Community Wildfire Risk / Hazard Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map but cannot warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 342 Washoe County – Conclusions 36.0 CONCLUSIONS The RCI Project Team developed the recommendations in this report for Washoe County based on site-specific characteristics observed during the wildfire risk and hazard assessments and from information provided by local fire departments and agencies. General and specific recommendations provide a starting point for each community described in this report to take a proactive approach to implement projects that will reduce the risks of loss of life, property, and natural resources from wildland fire. Thousands of acres in the wildland-urban interface areas of Washoe County are exposed to the threat of wildland fire each year. There is an extensive wildfire and ignition history and the fuels around many Washoe County communities have burned or repeatedly burned in the recent past. Many burned areas are now dominated by cheatgrass and are more susceptible to ignition, especially during years with higher than normal precipitation and abundant cheatgrass growth. Future priorities should include rehabilitation treatments immediately following fires with adapted fire resistant species to reduce invasion of cheatgrass and other noxious weeds. Communities in west Washoe County are situated in areas of steep, heavily vegetated, mountainous terrain with dynamic wildland fire histories. Several wildland fire agencies share responsibilities for fire suppression in this region. The Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators is a unique coalition of local, state, and federal fire agencies working together to maximize fire suppression resources and coordinate pre-attack planning, communications, and dispatch. An area of future concern for cooperating agencies is the transition of federal agencies to narrow band digital radios and the potential inability to communicate with them while using existing radio equipment. Two thirds of the communities in Washoe County have high or extreme fuel hazard conditions in the wildland-urban interface areas. Serious fuel conditions in some communities, such as Verdi and Reno-Northwest, occur on interior lots within the community. Fuels reduction treatments are needed in steep drainages, greenbelts and open spaces. In these cases, local fire departments are recommended to coordinate community- wide fuel reduction and biomass disposal programs. The Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and the US Forest Service have already begun implementing fuel reduction treatments in many interface areas and are encouraged to continue in these efforts. Two Washoe County communities have formed local chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council and are organizing community efforts to encourage local involvement and responsibility for fire safety. Recommendations for additional chapters are given for high hazard communities and moderate hazard communities in need of widespread fuel reduction with multiple landowners. Many of the urban fire stations responsible for fire protection in Washoe County are within a one-hour response time to high-hazard wildland areas. Initial attack of wildland fires near many Washoe County communities is delegated to Volunteer Fire Departments. Training and equipment for volunteer firefighters meets the National Wildfire Coordinating Group 310-1 standards. Mandatory training and continuing refresher training are essential components of the existing Nevada Division of Forestry and Reno/Truckee Meadows Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 343 Washoe County – Conclusions volunteer programs. However, volunteer response during normal work hours may not be sufficient on a high hazard day and fires may quickly escape initial attack efforts. Several Washoe County communities are rapidly expanding and community boundaries shown in this report will need to be updated on a regular basis. In some cases (particularly Reno Northwest, Reno Southwest, Reno Southeast, and Reno Northeast), the community boundaries encompass geographically diverse conditions, varied fuel conditions, and a wide range of urban development styles. The results reported for these communities represent a general overview of the entire urban-interface condition. More detailed analyses of smaller neighborhoods within the communities would better reflect community risk and hazard conditions at the local level. It is therefore recommended that this follow-up analysis be conducted and that this plan be reviewed and updated at least annually. To be most effective, fire safe practices need to be implemented on a community-wide basis. There is no way to completely eliminate the threat that wildfires present to communities at the wildland interface. However, the recommendations in this report are intended to increase public awareness and encourage concerned community members to make proactive efforts to effectively reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions near their communities. Creating and maintaining defensible space on private property and increasing public awareness of the risks and potential for damage or loss of lives and property associated with living in a fire prone environment is best accomplished at the local level. The recommendations presented for each community in this report should be considered a starting point for addressing community wildfire safety. Long-term community safety from wildfire requires a permanent commitment to the enforcement of fire safe ordinances at the local level and dedicated attention to fuels management. Regular monitoring of fuel conditions and periodic updates to this report should include new recommendations for maintenance or implementation of additional treatments as development continues to encroach on the wildland-urban interface. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 344 Washoe County – References 37.0 REFERENCES American Meteorology Society Website. Glossary of Meteorology. Available online at: http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary FIREWISE Website, National Wildfire Coordinating Group Park, Quincy, Massachusetts. Available online at http://www.firewise.org National Fire Plan. 2001. A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10- year Comprehensive Strategy. Available online at http://www.fireplan.gov/reports/7-19-en.pdf National Fire Protection Association. 2001. NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. 2001 Edition. National Interagency Coordination Center. National Incident Management Situation Reports. Available online at http://www.nifc.gov/news/nicc.html National Register of Historic Places. County-specific information available online at http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NV/state.html Nevada Commission on Economic Development. 2004. Washoe County Demographics. Available online at http://www.expand2Nevada.com Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation. Nevada Employer Directory. Website available online at http://www.nevadaworkforce.com Nevada State Demographer. 2003 Population Estimate. Available online at http://www.nsbdc.org/demographer Nevada State Register of Historic Places. County-specific information available online at http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/shpo/statereg.htm Office of the Federal Register and National Archive and Records Administration. Urban wildland interface communities within the vicinity of federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire, list. 66 FR 160 (Aug. 17, 2001). 43383-43435[01-20592] (also available online at http://www.fireplan.gov/reports/351-358-en.pdf) Resource Concepts, Inc. 2003. Community Fire Risk, Hazard Reduction, and Project Implementation Plan for the Galena Forest Estates Unit 1 Community, Washoe County, Nevada. Prepared for the Nevada Fire Safe Council. July 2003. Resource Concepts, Inc. 2004. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Prepared for the Nevada Fire Safe Council. July 2004. Smith, E. and G. Adams. 1991. Incline Village/Crystal Bay Defensible Space Handbook. SP-91-06. University of Nevada, Reno. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 345 Washoe County – References SWCA Environmental Consultants. 2003a. Wildfire Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the Nixon Community, Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. Prepared for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Nevada Agency. January 2003. SWCA Environmental Consultants. 2003b. Wildfire Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the Sutcliffe Community, Pyramid Lake Reservation. Prepared for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Nevada Agency. January 2003. Uniform Fire Code. 1997. Article 32 – Liquefied Petroleum Gases, Section 8209. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Threatened and endangered species database system. Available online at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html University of Nevada, Reno, Reno Agricultural Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension, and the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators. n.d. Living With Fire: a guide for the landowner. Great Basin Fire Prevention Version. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. USDI Bureau of Land Management. 2003. North Valleys Fuels Treatment Project. Prepared by the BLM Carson City Filed Office. Environmental Assessment, EA-NV- 030-03-11. March 14, 2003. Western Regional Climate Center. Nevada Climate Summaries. Available online at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmnv.html APPENDICES Appendix A Glossary of Terms Used in Wildfire Management and Scientific Plant Names Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A – Page 1 of 5 Appendix A. Glossary of Terms Used in Wildfire Management Agency: Any federal, state, or county government organization with jurisdictional responsibilities. Air Attack: The deployment of fixed-wing or rotary aircraft on a wildland fire to drop retardant or suppressant, shuttle and deploy crews and supplies, or perform aerial reconnaissance of the overall fire situation. It can also refer to the person functioning as air attack officer and directing aerial operations. All-Risk County Plan: Similar to a pre-attack (pre-fire) plan but encompasses action plans for responding to all types of natural and human caused emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, structure fires, hazardous materials situations, terrorism, train, and vehicle accidents. Annual Grass Treatment: The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the volume of flashy fuels associated with annual grass growth (e.g. cheatgrass and red brome). Fuel reduction can be accomplished by chemical treatment or mechanical removal of plant biomass. Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied near residential areas at the proper rates and following all label instructions to inhibit seed germination. After plants have started growth, mowing annual grasses before seed maturity reduces the amount of fine fuels during the summer fire season, limits seed production, and reduces the potential for annual grass in the following year. Repeated mowing over several years should reduce the density of the annual grass in the long term. Aspect: Direction toward which a slope faces. Biomass Utilization and Disposal: Biomass utilization is an alternative to open pile burning or landfill disposal. It results in the use of the natural resource for beneficial purposes such as firewood, wood chips, compost, and other products. If residents cannot find an alternative to burning, then proper burning procedures should be followed. Brush Fire: A fire burning in vegetation that is predominantly shrubs, brush, and scrub growth. Buffer Zones: An area of reduced vegetation that separates wildland areas from vulnerable residential or business developments. This barrier is similar to a greenbelt in that it is often used for another purpose such as agriculture or recreation, such as parks or golf courses. Classic Interface: Structures abut native vegetation with a clear line of separation between structures and the wildland vegetation along roads and fences. The fuels do not extend into the developed areas. Contain a Fire: A fuel break around the fire has been completed. This break may include natural barriers such as a river or road and/or fireline built by hand and/or constructed mechanically. Control a Fire: The complete extinguishment of a fire, including spot fires. Fireline has been strengthened so that flare-ups from within the perimeter of the fire will not break through the line. Crown Fire: The movement of fire through the crowns or tops of trees or shrubs more or less independently of the surface fire. A fire is said to be crowning when the flames get up into the tops of trees and spreads. Defensible Space: Defensible space is defined as a minimum of a 30-foot area around houses and other structures where vegetation has been significantly modified or removed. The purpose of creating defensible space is to reduce the risk of losing homes and other property improvements to a wildfire (Smith and Adams, 1991). Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A – Page 2 of 5 Defensible space is especially important in communities with structures directly adjacent to wildland vegetation, as in the intermix or rural interface conditions where wildfires can spread quickly through the wildland fuels, threatening homes and lives. Dispatch Center: A facility from which resources are directly assigned to an incident. Dry Lightning Storm: Thunderstorm in which negligible precipitation reaches the ground. Also called a dry storm. Duff: The layer of decomposing organic materials lying below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil. Extreme Fire Behavior: “Extreme” implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following are usually involved: high rate of spread, prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, and/or a strong convection column. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously. Fine Fuels: Fast-drying fuels, generally with a comparatively high surface area-to-volume ratio, which are less than ¼-inch in diameter and have a timelag of one hour or less. These fuels ignite readily and are rapidly consumed by fire when dry. Fire Behavior: The manner in which a fire reacts to the influences of fuels, weather, and topography. Firebrands: Pieces of burning material carried on the wind ahead of an advancing wildfire that, in extreme cases, can ignite spot fires up to a mile removed from the flame front. Firebreak: A strip of land cleared of brush and trees down to the mineral soil. Fire Front: The part of a wildland fire in which continuous flaming combustion is taking place. Unless otherwise specified the fire front is assumed to be the leading edge of the fire perimeter. In ground fires, the fire front may be mainly smoldering combustion. Fire Hazard: As used in this report, vegetative factors that affect the intensity and the rate a fire spreads as well as urban factors that can facilitate or inhibit public safety and the containment of a fire in an interface area. Fire Perimeter: The entire outer edge or boundary of a fire, which may contain within it substantial areas of unburned fuels. Fire Regime: A term used by fire ecologists to describe the recurrence and intensity of fire relative to a specific plant community. Fire Risk: Potential ignition sources and factors that facilitate ignition of wildfires. Flash Fuels: Fuels such as grass, leaves, pine needles, ferns, tree moss, and some types of slash, flash fuels or flashy fuels ignite readily and are consumed rapidly when dry. Also called fine fuels. Fuel Bed: In a research setting, an array of fuels usually constructed with specific loading, depth, and particle size to meet experimental requirements; also commonly used to describe the fuels composition in natural settings. Fuelbreaks: Fuelbreaks are constructed in strategic locations where a cover of dense, heavy, or flammable vegetation has been permanently changed to one of lower fuel volume or reduced flammability. Fuelbreak construction may include removing, controlling and possible replacing Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A – Page 3 of 5 highly flammable vegetation with more fire resistant species. Ridge top fuelbreaks should have continuous length and width, which requires long-range planning. A fuelbreak network system could be used to protect critical watersheds while more remote areas might have narrower fuelbreaks that might serve as anchor points for prescribed fires. A fuelbreak strategy can be effective even if fuelbreaks are not connected. Fuel Loading: The amount of fuels present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight per unit area. Fuel Reduction Treatment: This treatment involves strategically locating blocks of land near communities where flammable vegetation has been permanently changed to one of lower fuel volume or reduced flammability. Fuel Type: An identifiable association of fuel elements of a distinctive plant species, form, size, arrangement, or other characteristics that will cause a predictable rate of fire spread or difficulty of control under specified weather conditions. Greenstrips: Greenstrips are usually non-irrigated linear bands of open space on private or public land (usually a minimum of 300 feet wide) that serve as a buffer zone between wildland and adjacent urban development to promote safer environments. These areas are usually seeded to establish vegetation that is relatively fire resistant or slow burning and with shortened flame lengths. Seedings also decrease soil erosion and prevent invasion of noxious weeds and other aggressive plants such as cheatgrass and Russian knapweed. Ground Fuels: All combustible materials below the surface litter, including duff, tree or shrub roots, punky wood, peat, sawdust, and other materials that can support a glowing combustion without flame. High Hazard Day: Also known as a “red flag day”, a combination of conditions such as low humidity (<15 percent), high winds (>25 mph), and low fuel moisture create a high probability of ignition and subsequent increased fire intensity. Various agencies have different trigger points to establish a “high hazard day”. Initial Attack: The actions taken by the first resources upon arrival at a wildfire to protect lives and property and prevent further expansion of the fire. Interface Condition: The density and distribution of structures with respect to the surrounding wildland environment. The four Interface Conditions are Rural, Intermixed, Occluded, and Classic. Intermix Interface: Structures are scattered throughout the wildland, with no clear boundary between the wildland vegetation and the community. Ladder Fuels: Fuels which provide vertical continuity between strata, thereby allowing fire to carry from surface fuels into the crowns of trees or shrubs with relative ease. They help start and continue crowning on a fire. Mutual Aid Agreement: Written agreement between agencies and/or jurisdictions in which they agree to assist one another upon request by furnishing personnel and equipment. Occluded Interface: This condition is usually within towns and cities where there are small islands of wildland fuels such as parks or open space. There is a clear boundary between the community and the wildland vegetation. Pre-Attack Plan: Also known as a pre-fire plan. A plan written in anticipation of a fire in a given community or specific area. This plan is made readily available to all local agencies and typically Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A – Page 4 of 5 lists expected need and availability of initial and extended attack resources, includes radio frequencies, name and number of contact person for each agency, and identifies the staging base, incident command post, evacuation center, location of water resources, and additional details unique to the locality being described. Red Card Certification: A fire qualifications management system used by many state and all federal wildland fire management agencies to ensure that individuals are qualified to fight wildland fires. Rural Interface: Clusters of structures such as ranches or summer homes are widely spaced, sometimes more than a mile apart. The rural homes are surrounded by the wildland vegetation, with no clear line of separation between the fuels and homes. Shaded Fuelbreaks: A shaded fuelbreak is created by altering surface fuels, and increasing the height of the base of the live crown, and opening the canopy by removing a portion of the woody plants in the treatment area. This type of fuelbreak spans a wide range of understory and overstory prescriptions. Construction methods include mechanical thinning, manual biomass removal, and the use of prescribed fires. Structure Fire: Fire burning any part or all of any building or structure. Volunteer Fire Department (VFD): A fire department of which some or all members are unpaid. Water Tender: A ground vehicle capable of transporting water in the field, generally used to supply engines. Wildland Fire: Any non-structure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in a wildland area. Wildland-Urban Interface: The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. SOURCES: FIREWISE. Glossary of Terms. National Fire Plan. Glossary of Terms. Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. 2001. Fuel load reduction treatments along the wildland-urban interface: Community level protection support document for National Fire Plan projects in Utah and Nevada. Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A – Page 5 of 5 SCIENTIFIC PLANT NAMES Common Name Scientific Name* Trees Curl-leaf mountain mahogany Cercocarpus ledifolius Jeffrey pine Pinus jeffreyi Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta Red fir Abies magnifica Russian olive Elaeagnus angulstifolius Singleleaf pinyon Pinus monophylla Utah juniper Juniperus osteosperma Western white pine Pinus monticola White fir Abies concolor Willow Salix sp. Shrubs Bailey’s greasewood Sarcobatus baileyi Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Bitter cherry Prunus emarginata Black greasewood Sarcobatus vermiculatus Bud sagebrush Picrothamnus desertorum Desert peach Prunus andersonii Fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens Green leaf manzanita Arctostaphylos patua Horsebrush Tetradymia sp. Mountain big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Mormon tea Ephedra viridis Pine mat manzanita Arctostaphylos nevadensis Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus sp. Shadscale Atriplex confertifolia Spiny hopsage Grayia spinosa Squaw carpet Ceanothus prostratus Tobacco brush Ceanothus velutinus Torrey’s quailbush Atriplex torreyi Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Grasses / Forbs Basin wildrye Leymus cinereus Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elymoides Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum Creeping wildrye Leymus triticoides Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Annual mustard Brassicaceae family Russian knapweed Acroptilion repens Russian thistle Salsola tragus Salt grass Distichlis spicata Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda Skeletonweed Lygodesmia sp. Tall whitetop (perennial pepperweed) Lepidium latifolium Yellow star-thistle Centaurea solstitialis Appendix B Community Wildfire Assessment Rating System Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix B – Page 1 of 2 Appendix B – Community Wildfire Assessment Rating System Community Design Score 1. Ingress/Egress Two or more primary roads One Road One-way road in, one way out 1 3 5 2. Width of Primary Road >24 feet >20 feet and <24 feet <20 feet 1 3 5 3. Accessibility Road grade 5% or less Road grade more than 5% 1 3 4. Secondary Road Terminus Loop roads, cul-de-sac w/outside turning radius of 45’ or greater Dead-end roads 200’ or less in length Dead-end roads greater than 200’ 1 3 5 5. Street Signs Present 90-100% Present 75-89% Present <75% 1 3 5 6. Address Signage Present 90-100% Present 75-89% Present <75% 1 3 5 Existing Building Materials Score 1. Roofing Materials Non-combustible covering 90-100% Non-combustible covering 70-89% Non-combustible <70% 1 5 10 2. Siding Materials Non-combustible siding >75% Non-combustible siding <75% 1 5 3. Unenclosed Features Less than 25% 25 - 50% >50% 1 3 5 Utilities Score Low risk of ignition Moderate risk of ignition High risk of ignition 1 3 5 Defensible Space Score 1. Average Lot Size 10 acres or larger 1 to 10 acres <1 acre 1 3 5 2. Defensible Space 70% or more adequate 30-70% adequate <30% adequate 1 7 15 Fire Protection Score 1. Water Source 500 gpm hydrants within 500’ of structures 500 gpm hydrants or draft source within 1000 feet of structures Water source 20 minutes away roundtrip Water source > 45 minutes away roundtrip 1 2 5 10 2. Fire Department Protection Within 5 Miles Career Department Combination Career / Volunteer Volunteer with Seasonal Staffing All Volunteer Department No Organized Department 1 3 5 7 10 Fire Behavior Score 1. Slope 8% or less 8% - 20% 20% - 30% >30% 1 4 7 10 2. Aspect North or <8% slope East West South 1 3 7 10 3. Fuels Light density Medium density High density 1 3 5 Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix B – Page 2 of 2 Fire Behavior (continued) Score Situation #3 – Fine and/or sparse fuels surround structures; infrequent wind exposure; flat terrain with little slope and/or north aspect. No large wildland fire history and/or moderate fire occurrence. Situation #2 – Moderate slopes; broken moderate fuels; some ladder fuels; composition of fuels is conducive to torching and spotting; conditions may lead to moderate suppression success; some fire history and/or moderate fire occurrence. Situation #1 – Continuous fuels in close proximity to structures; composition of fuels is conducive to crown fires or high intensity surface fires; steep slopes; predominately south aspects; dense fuels; heavy duff; prevailing wind exposure and/or ladder fuels that may reduce suppression effectiveness; history of some large fires and/or moderate fire occurrence. 3 7 10 Appendix C Photos of Representative Fuel Types Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C – Page 1 of 3 Photo 2. Big sagebrush and bitterbrush is a common wildland-urban interface fuel type in Washoe County. This fuel loads was estimated at three tons per acre and considered a moderate fuel hazard. As juniper encroaches on the fans and in the valleys, the fuel load increases and fuel hazard become more severe. Photo 1. Dense Jeffrey pine, dead and down fuels, and ladder fuels create an extreme fuel hazard condition susceptible to ignition of a dangerous and catastrophic crown fire. Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C – Page 2 of 3 Photo 3. The cheatgrass component in shrub communities greatly increase the ignition risk and fuel hazard condition. In years with above normal precipitation and abundaunt herbaceous plant growth, the fuel hazard can increase from moderate to high in one growing season. Photo 4. Shadscale and greasewood is a common wildland-urban interface fuel type in some parts of Washoe County. This area around Palomino Valley was estimated at two tons per acre and considered a moderate fuel hazard. Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C – Page 3 of 3 Photo 5. Irrigation ditches and drainages are prone to invasion of tall whitetop, a state- listed noxious and invasive species. Fuel reduction treatments should include re- seeding with fire-resistant species to control invasion of noxious weeds and cheatgrass. Photo 6. Open space areas within some communities are heavily vegetated and create hazardous fuel conditions that could “wick” fires into residential areas. Appendix D List of Persons Contacted Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix D – Page 1 of 1 Appendix D – List of Persons Contacted CONTACT NAME POSITION DATE CONTACTED TELEPHONE Mike Barry Fire Chief Peavine VFD Sept. 29, 2004 (775) 972-1717 Dick Boykin Fire Chief Cold Springs VFD Sept. 13, 2004 (775) 972-3027 Pete Cannizzaro Fire Chief Galena VFD Sept. 18, 2004 (775) 849-2881 Barry Cornely Fire Chief Lemmon Valley VFD Sept. 20, 2004 (775) 972-4258 Terry Donohue Fire Chief Brown Huffaker VFD Sept. 23, 2004 (775) 851-1110 Andy Flock Operations Chief Sparks Fire Department Sept. 30, 2004 (775) 353-2255 Bill Gooch Fire Chief Gerlach VFD Sept. 22, 2004 (775) 557-2373 John Harding Former Assistant Chief Washoe Valley VFD Sept. 22, 2004 (775) 741-2751 Brent Harper Truckee Meadows Community College Fire Science Program Sept. 14, 2004 (775) 789-5511 Robert Hilfer Engine Captain Bureau of Land Management Palomino Fire Station Sept. 22, 2004 (775) 475-0350 Bill Howe Fire Chief Silver Lake VFD Sept. 20, 2004 (775) 828-1771 Jerry Hunter Fire Chief Sutcliff VFD Sept. 21, 2004 (775) 476-0204 Mike Inskeep Fire Chief Red Rock VFD Sept. 25, 2004 (775) 969-3183 Brad Kosch Regional Manager Nevada State Parks Aug. 6, 2004 (775) 687-4384 Dave Matson Nixon VFD Sept. 21, 2004 (775) 574-0101 Mike McQueen Fuels Specialist Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office April 27, 2005 Ron Raum Auxiliary Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department Sept. 30, 2004 (775) 475-2910 Joe Reinhardt Battalion Chief, Nevada Division of Forestry Sept. 13, 2004 (775) 685-2400 Marty Scheuerman Chief of Operations Reno Fire Department Sept. 30, 2004. (775) 334-2300 John Schuler Pleasant Valley VFD Sept. 22, 2004 (775) 849-3584 Roy Slate Division Chief, Volunteer Coordinator Reno Fire Department Sept. 24, 2004 (775) 334-2300 Appendix E Homeowner Guidelines Defensible Space Guidelines Homeowner’s Annual Checklist Fuelbreaks and Fuel Reduction Treatments Seed Mix and Planting Specifications for Washoe County Jeffrey Pine Tree Thinning Guide Russian Knapweed Weed Profile: Russian Knapweed Weed Notes Spotted Knapweed Tall Whitetop Yellow Starthistle DEFENSIBLE SPACE GUIDELINES A FACT SHEET FOR WASHOE COUNTY HOMEOWNERS Defensible space refers to a minimum 30-foot area around houses and other buildings where vegetation has been significantly reduced or removed. The purpose of creating defensible space is to reduce the risk of losing homes and other property improvements to a wildfire. HOW TO CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE STEP 1 DETERMINE DEFENSIBLE SPACE DISTANCE. Use the table below to determine the minimum distance for defensible space, dependent upon slope and native vegetation type surrounding homes. Resource Concepts, Inc. STEP 2 REMOVE. Cut and remove all dead, diseased or dying trees and shrubs from within the defensible space area. Remove selected trees and shrubs to eliminate continuous fuels extending up to the house. Also remove any flammable debris and firewood piles from within the minimum defensible space distance. Weeds or other dry vegetation should be removed from underneath porches and decks. Eliminate any flammable vegetation or debris within 10 feet of propane tanks. Remove leaves and debris from rain gutters. Defensible Space Recommended Distances Dependent upon Slope V eg et at io n Ty pe . Resource Concepts, Inc. STEP 3 REDUCE. Reduce vegetation height of shrubs under mature trees to decrease “ladder” fuels. Prune low tree branches to a minimum height of 4 feet and prune branches within 15 feet of structures and chimneys. Reduce accumulations of annual grasses (cheatgrass) through mowing or pre-emergent selective herbicide treatments in the fall. Reduce the accumulation of vegetation around wood fences through mowing or plant removal. STEP 4 REPLACE. Substitute flammable vegetation such as juniper, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush with fire resistant plants. Replacement plantings may include low stature shrubs, decorative rock, lawn, flowerbeds, and succulent vegetation. Irrigation of vegetation throughout the fire season will decrease plant flammability. STEP 5 DISPOSE. It is essential that all tree branches, shrubs, and other plant biomass be removed from the site immediately to a safe disposal area. This material dries rapidly and can contribute to the fire hazard problem if allowed to remain on the premises. STEP 6 MAINTAIN. Maintenance of the defensible space area requires an annual review of fuel reduction guidelines around the home. Action should be taken to maintain an effective defensible space area. Remember, good defensible space is – Lean – There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation Clean – There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or flammable debris Green – Existing plants are healthy, green, and irrigated during fire season (Source: Living With Fire…In the Big Sagebrush/Bitterbrush Environment. Nevada State Bureau of Land Management. Produced by Ed Smith and JoAnne Skelly.) Resource Concepts, Inc. HOMEOWNERS’ANNUAL CHECKLIST A FACT SHEET FOR WASHOE COUNTY HOMEOWNERS This checklist includes actions homeowners can perform annually to help create a fire safe home and community. ‰ Check all address signs for ease of visibility. Metal signs with four-inch high reflective numbers are recommended for visibility by emergency responders. ‰ Continue clearing of all trees underneath and adjacent to overhead power lines and poles. This includes the poles and lines to individual parcels. Trees that can touch or blow into the power lines can easily be trimmed or removed, and maintained to reduce fire hazard. ‰ Remove shrubs and trees for a distance of 10 feet from propane tanks. ‰ Remove all tree limbs within at least 15 feet of chimneys, decks, and open overhangs. ‰ Remove woodpiles, obvious accumulations of trash, pine needles or other debris from defensible space areas. ‰ Remove all dead and diseased branches. After initial emergency treatments, it is recommended that tree limbing occur during late fall and winter to prevent disease and attacks by pests. ‰ Harvested vegetation and trimmings must be immediately removed from the premises to assure that fuel reduction treatments are effective. All harvested biomass should be moved to a predetermined disposal area or safe zone approved by the Fire Department. ‰ All soil disturbances including those during biomass removal should be broadcast seeded according to the recommended species and rates provided in the “pre- suppression seeding” section. ‰ Where possible, improve driveway access to assure an adequate turning radius for firefighting apparatus. ‰ Clear rain gutters of leaves, needles and other debris. Screen vents to prevent any embers from entering attics in the event of a wildfire. ‰ Check hoses, valves, and other water equipment to assure operability should a fire occur. ‰ During high precipitation years, when growing conditions produce exceptional amounts of weeds, care should be taken to reduce the height of fire-prone vegetation, particularly weeds and grasses that carry fire to the adjacent shrubs. Implements such as weed-eaters work well for this job. Resource Concepts, Inc. FUELBREAKS and FUEL REDUCTION TREATMENTS A FACT SHEET FOR WASHOE COUNTY HOMEOWNERS DEFINITIONS: A fuelbreak is a strategically located strip of land, on which a cover of dense, heavy, or flammable vegetation has been drastically changed to one of lower fuel volume or reduced flammability. Fuelbreak construction may include removing, controlling, and possibly replacing highly flammable vegetation with more fire resistant species. Ridgetop fuelbreaks generally have continuous length and width, which requires long-range planning. Fuel density is reduced, ladder fuels removed, and canopy closure reduced in fuelbreak treatments. Shaded fuelbreaks are created by altering surface fuels and increasing the height of the base of the live crown and opening the canopy by removing trees. This type of fuelbreak spans a wide range of understory and overstory prescriptions and methods of creation through manual, mechanical, and prescribed fire treatments. GENERAL RULES FOR FUEL MODIFICATION: ♦ Thin Jeffrey pine trees to a minimum spacing of ten feet (spacing increases with slope) between tree crowns. Pinyon and juniper trees should be thinned to a canopy spacing two times the height of the trees. Remove all shrubs from beneath tree crowns (ladder fuels). ♦ Thin shrubs so that canopies are spaced at least two times the height of the adjacent shrubs. ♦ For Jeffrey pine trees, remove limbs within a minimum of five feet from the ground and up to a distance one-third the height of the tree. For pinyon and juniper trees, prune limbs up a minimum of four feet and up to one-third the height of the tree. ♦ If possible, prune/limb trees in the winter to avoid insect infestations. If pruning in other seasons, the tree should be sprayed with approved products to protect tree from insects and disease. ♦ Contact your local Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) forester for additional recommendations regarding tree health and extensive tree removal projects. When applying thinning and pruning treatments it is essential that all tree branches, shrubs, pine needle litter, and other plant biomass be removed from the site immediately to a safe disposal area. This material dries rapidly and can contribute to the fire hazard problem if allowed to remain on the premises. Resource Concepts, Inc. SEED MIX AND PLANTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR WASHOE COUNTY SEEDING RATE (PLS LBS/ACRE) COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Broadcast Application Drill Application ‘Hycrest’ wheatgrass Agropyron fragile spp. sibericum 7.0 3.0 'Sodar' Streambank Wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus ssp. psammophilus 5.0 2.0 'Immigrant' Forage Kochia Kochia prostrata 2.0** Sandberg bluegrass Poa sandbergii 1.5 .75 TOTAL PLS POUNDS PER ACRE 15.5 7.75 **Kochia prostrata should always be broadcast seeded on the soil surface in all cases. This seed mixture is for treating all disturbed areas and areas cleared for fuel reduction purposes. Seeding application rates are specified on a "pure live seed" (PLS) basis. All seeds should be thoroughly mixed and seeded together at the same time. Drill seeding is recommended where feasible. Drill rows should be spaced as 12 inches apart and seed should be planted at a depth of 1/2 inch. Broadcast seeding is recommended for rocky, steep, or small treatment areas. The seed can be broadcast using hand held seeders such as a "Whirlybird" or a broadcast seeder mounted on an ATV. Continually mix the seed while seeding to equally distribute the small seeds throughout the mix. Following the broadcast seed application, seeded areas should be lightly raked to assure seed placement at an average depth of 1/2 inch. This can be done with hand held rakes, or by pulling a harrow implement or piece of chain link fence behind a truck or ATV in areas that are less rocky. Use of a pre-emergent herbicide prior to seeding may be advisable in areas where cheatgrass is an apparent problem. These guidelines are provided as overall recommendations. However, site-specific evaluation of the treatment areas by a specialist from a land management agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will provide even greater assurance for success. Resource Concepts, Inc. JEFFREY PINE TREE THINNING GUIDE Thin Jeffrey Pine trees to reduce the stocking level to 80 - 100 square feet of basal area per acre. Basal area of a tree is defined as the cross–sectional area at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground) and is expressed in square feet. The following is a chart of tree sizes and the spacing needed between trees of the same size. Thinning Guide Basal Area (sq. ft.) / Acre BASAL AREA TREE DIAMETER AT 4.5 FEET HIGH (inches) 60 sq ft Dia. X 2 80 sq ft Dia. X 1.7 100 sq ft Dia. X 1.5 20 17 15 Tree Spacing (ft.) 10 110 147 183 # Trees/Acre 24 21 18 Tree Spacing (ft.) 12 76 101 127 # Trees/Acre 27 24 22 Tree Spacing (ft.) 14 56 74 93 # Trees/Acre 32 28 25 Tree Spacing (ft.) 16 42 57 71 # Trees/Acre 36 31 28 Tree Spacing (ft.) 18 33 45 56 # Trees/Acre 40 34 31 Tree Spacing (ft.) 20 27 36 45 # Trees/Acre 44 38 34 Tree Spacing (ft.) 22 22 30 37 # Trees/Acre 48 41 37 Tree Spacing (ft.) 24 19 25 31 # Trees/Acre 52 45 40 Tree Spacing (ft.) 26 19 25 31 # Trees/Acre 56 48 43 Tree Spacing (ft.) 28 14 18 23 # Trees/Acre 60 52 46 Tree Spacing (ft.) 30 12 16 20 # Trees/Acre 1. Remove the trees with forked tops. Forked topped trees can be become a hazard, as part of the top could fail and damage buildings, cars, and people. 2. Remove trees with basal scars that are showing signs of wood boring insects and ants in the bole of the tree. 3. Remove trees with dead or broken tops. These trees will attract bark beetles. 4. Remove trees that are infested with dwarf mistletoe. If a tree only has dwarf mistletoe in the lower branches, then prune the branches off. Dwarf mistletoe is a parasitic plant that spreads by seed and will eventually kill the tree. 5. Remove the smaller trees that are not in a dominant position in the canopy and are being crowded by the taller trees. Remove enough trees to all for ten to fifteen (10-15) feet of space between crowns. Jeffrey and ponderosa pine need direct sunlight to survive. Trees in a shaded condition will slowly die from lack of sunlight, but until they die, they will continue to use moisture and nutrients the larger trees could use. This stress for moisture in a overstocked condition will predispose all the trees to attacks from bark beetles, especially during years of drought. 6. Treat the stumps with borax powder (decca hydrate borax) to prevent harmful root rot fungi (Fomes annosus) from becoming established. 7. Thinning debris (limbs, tops and tree trunks) should be promptly removed from the site. Ips beetles will breed in wood larger than three (3) inches in diameter if the wood and slash remain on the site longer than four weeks. If the homeowner wants to keep the wood to burn in a fireplace, then the wood should cut to the proper length and split to help dry it out. Do not stack the wood between trees, next to buildings or under decks. Dispose of the limbs and tops by burning or chipping and hauling the chips away. Your reward: A cleaner, healthier environment and the satisfaction that you have helped make the difference! For more information about controlling this and other invasive weeds, contact: Nevada Cooperative Extension 775-784-1334; Nevada Division of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, 775-688-1180; or Your local Weed District manager or Conservation District: This deep-rooted perennial can easily dominate cultivated fields and range- lands. WANTED— Dead, Not Alive! This outlaw weed is hiding out! Find it. Eradicate it. Russian Knapweed Alias: Centaurea repens ussian knapweed, like other knapweeds, is native to Eurasia. It is a perennial in Nevada and can be found in culti- vated fields, orchards, pastures, roadsides, and rangelands. It prefers areas where the water table is within 20 feet of the surface. It can easily dominate cultivated fields and rangelands where its deep roots penetrate to free water. Transporting infested soils and moving contami- nated equipment spreads this weed. Russian knapweed is listed as a noxious weed by Nevada Adminis- trative Code. R Distinguishing features: u Grows 18 inches to 3 feet tall. u Stems are erect and multi-branched. u Leaves are blue-green, toothed, and covered with fine hair. u Showy pink flowers bloom from June to September. The pearly bracts at the base of the flower head are rounded with papery margins. Flowers are small, ¼ to ½ inch, cone shaped, and usually pink, but can be white to purple. u Dense colonies can form from adventi- tious roots. Take action: u Report its location to the land owner, gardener, manager or park ranger. u Avoid walking on, driving on, or camping in Russian knapweed-infested areas and remove all weed seeds before moving out of an infested area. u Dispose of the seeds, shoots, and roots in a sealed garbage bag through the trash. Herbicides may be available to kill this plant. u Do not purchase, move, or use contaminated soil. WEEDS Fact Sheet 98-73 Weed Profile: Russian Knapweed COMMON NAME : Russian Knapweed BOTANICAL NAME : Acroptilon repens FAMILY : Asteraceae (Sunflower family) DESCRIPTION / IDENTIFICATION : Grows 18 to 36” tall. Deeply lobed leaves are 2 to 4” long with gray pubescence. Flowers are pink, lavender, or white, and are produced from June to September. Rosettes have toothed leaves covered with fine hair. _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ NATIVE TO : Ukraine, S.E. Russia, Iran, and Kazakh to Mongolia._____________________________________________ CURRENT DISTRIBUTION : Found in most western states in cultivated fields, pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides, waste areas, and dry rangelands. _____________________________________ L IFE CYCLE CLASSIFICATION : Perennial; emerges in early spring. _______________________________ MOST COMMONLY REPRODUCES ITSELF BY : Seed and rhizomes. _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ NUMBER OF SEEDS/ PLANT : 50 to 500 per shoot. ____________________________________________ Control Methods MECHANICAL : Use mowing in combination with herbicide treatments and then tilling to overcome allelopathic effects. Continuous tillage is somewhat effective, especially when combined with an her cide program. Hand-pull only while wearing gloves. _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ CULTURAL : A good management program is essential. Seed competitive perennial grasses after control measures. Avoid overgrazing pastures and range. Use proper irrigation and fertilization. _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ BIOLOGICAL : Russian knapweed gall nematode.____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ CHEMICAL : Picloram (Tordonâ, restricted use) should be applied after the first killing frost. Till the following spring to remove leaves, then treat again as needed with picloram. Control may be achieved in 2 to 4 years. Clopyralid (Stingerâ; Translineâ; Curtailâ (includes 2,4-D)) works well during flowering, but is not yet registered for use in Nevada. Use chlorsulfuron (Telarâ), 2,4-D, and/or dicamba (Banvelâ) with cultural practices. _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL COMMENTS : Exhibits allelopathy. Toxic to horses, with irreversible damage resulting in the inability of the horse to pick up and chew food. Does not appear to affect cattle and sheep. __________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ —HUMULUS.DOC— Weed Notes: Centaurea maculosa TunyaLee Morisawa The Nature Conservancy Wildland Weeds Management and Research http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu 28 June 1999 Mechanical Control: Hot prescribed burns may reduce established stands of knapweed. A follow-up of selective pulling and digging will further reduce populations. Annual burns have reduced populations by 5-90% and may be correlated with burn intensity. Reseeding with a native species is recommended. However, single, low intensity burns may actually worsen the problem since it is not hot enough to prevent resprouting a d seed germination. Also, fires may disturb the area promoting colonization. Chemical Control: Clopyralid (Transline) applied at 0.13-0.19 L/ha (0.66-1.0 pt/acre) or clopyralid + 1.12 kg/ha 2,4-D (Curtail) provide control with little soil residual. Apply during the bolt or bud stage. Less control was achieved when applied to the rosette, flowering and after flowering stages. Picloram (Tordon) (0.28 kg/ha), as listed in the ESA for C. maculosa, can control plants and seedling for 2-3 years. However, as mentioned in the ESA, there is a long residual and it is costly (as is dicamba - listed below). The residual may be shorter on gravel soils, wet areas and areas with high soil organic matter. The optimum time for the application of picloram is during the rosette growth stage in the fall or in the bud to bloom stage in the spring. Picloram can not be used near water or in porous substrata overlying ground water. Picloram does not affect grasses, but long term affects have been observed from it on shrubs and trees, possibly due to it leaching in ground water. Dicamba (Banvel) will also provide control of plants and shorter residual control of seedlings at a rate of 0.18-0.37 kg/ha (1-2 lbs/acre). A follow-up treatment of 2,4-D at 0.18 kg/ha (1 lb/acre) annually may be needed to prevent reinfestation. 2,4-D is listed in the ESA for control, however, after stem elongation it should not be applied since control is not very effective. There is no residual control and so annual applications are necessary. Triclopyr (water-soluble formulation) applied at the rate of 3% a.i. can be sprayed on the plant (except the flower) 3-4 times a year for control. T ic opyr does not affect grasses. For all chemical applications treat the area around C. maculosa patches (3-4.5 m). Follow-up treatments are extremely important for the continual control of spotted knapweed. Biological Control: In addition to the biocontrol agents listed in the ESA, a seedhead weevil, Bangasternus fausti (Reitter), that is native to Europe, was released in the US in 1991 for the control of spotted knapweed, diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa) and purple star-thistle (C. calcitrapa). The weevil has become established in several states: Montana, Nebraska and Oregon. It has not been shown to reduce populations or even significantly slow their spread. While the larvae can destroy 100 percent of the seeds in a se dh ad, ot all seedheads are affected and so seed production is still high. Many seeds that do develop may not germinate. TNC has not used this biocontr l and gaining approval would be a formidable task. References: 1. Sheley, R.L., J.S. Jacobs and M.F. Carpinelli. 1998. Distribution, biology, and management of diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) and spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). Weed Technology v. 12:353-362. 2. www.ndsuext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/weeds.h942w.htm 3. www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/factsheets/knapweed.htm 4. www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/weedfeeders/bangasternus_fausti.html Your reward: A cleaner, healthier environment and the satisfaction that you have helped make the difference! For more information about controlling this and other invasive weeds, contact: Nevada Cooperative Extension 775-784-1334; Nevada Division of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, 775-688-1180; or Your local Weed District manager or Conservation District: One of the leading problem weeds in the United States, knapweed suppresses the growth of other plants by releasing inhibiting chemicals from the roots. WANTED— Dead, Not Alive! This outlaw weed is hiding out! Find it. Eradicate it. Spotted Knapweed Alias: Centaurea maculosa potted knapweed, intro- duced as a contaminant in alfalfa and clover seeds from Eurasia, is one of the leading problem weeds in the United States. This plant can dominate rangelands that receive less than eight inches annual precipitation. Its early spring growth makes it very competitive with desirable native plants. Knap- weed suppresses the growth of other plants by releasing inhibiting chemi- cals from the roots. It is a biennial, with vegetative leaf growth the first year and pink flowers the second. Spotted knapweed is listed as a noxious weed by Nevada Adminis- trative Code. S Distinguishing features: u A rosette of small leaves appears close to the ground the first year. Leaves are deeply lobed and can be six inches long and up to one inch wide, particularly near the base of the second-year plant. u Grows up to 4 feet tall the second year. u Flowering stalks emerge from the rosette the second year. Flowers are pink to purple, occasionally white, solitary, and up to one inch in diameter, blooming from June to October. Abundant seed is produced. Take action: u Report its location to the land owner, gardener, manager or park ranger. u Avoid walking on, driving on, or camping in infested areas. u Remove all weed seeds from your clothing, shoes, pets, camping gear, vehicle, and tire treads before moving out of an infested area. Herbicides may be available to kill this weed. u Do not use any of these for dried floral arrangements. This can introduce the seed to your property. WEEDS Fact Sheet 98-76 Your reward: A cleaner, healthier environment and the satisfaction that you have helped make the difference! For more information about controlling this and other invasive weeds, contact: Nevada Cooperative Extension 775-784-1334; Nevada Division of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, 775-688-1180; or Your local Weed District manager or Conservation District: The robust, spreading roots and numerous seeds of this perennial make control difficult to impossible. It is found in waste places, wet areas, roadsides, ditches and croplands, including alfalfa fields. WANTED— Dead, Not Alive! This outlaw weed is hiding out! Find it. Eradicate it. Tall Whitetop Alias: Lepidium latifolium T all whitetop, or perennialpepperweed, is a native ofsouthern Europe and western Asia. It has naturalized in many parts of the United States, including Nevada. Many western states have declared it a noxious weed. This perennial grows in waste places, wet areas, ditches, roadsides, and croplands, including alfalfa fields. It is a problem in hay bales because it does not cure. The robust, spreading roots and numerous seeds make control difficult to impossible. Mechanical measures such as disking or mowing spread the plant. Chemical control treatments must be timed properly and applied only after last season’s debris is removed or the effort is wasted. Tall whitetop is listed as a noxious weed by Nevada Administrative Code. Distinguishing features: u Grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Leaves and stems are covered with a waxy layer. u Flowers are small and white. However, the entire top of the plant blooms in dense clusters in late spring. There may be sporadic blooms on young plants through fall. u Bright green leaves are blade-shaped and the basal leaves are larger than the upper leaves. Take action: u Report its location to the land owner, gardener, manager or park ranger. u Remove all weed seeds and plant parts from your clothing, shoes, pets, camping gear, vehicle, and tire treads before moving out of an infested area. u Monitor ornamental plantings, stream banks, and wetlands. Dispose of the seeds, shoots, and roots in a sealed garbage bag through the trash. Herbi- cides may also be available to kill this plant. u Do not collect this plant as a dried flower for arrangements. This will spread seed wherever it is taken. WEEDS Fact Sheet 98-79 Your reward: A cleaner, healthier environment and the satisfaction that you have helped make the difference! For more information about controlling this and other invasive weeds, contact: Nevada Cooperative Extension 775-784-1334; Nevada Division of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, 775-688-1180; or Your local Weed District manager or Conservation District: In Nevada, this weed dominates rangeland that receives less than 15 inches of annual precipitation. It completely changes the natural habitat it invades. WANTED— Dead, Not Alive! This outlaw weed is hiding out! Find it. Eradicate it. Yellow Starthistle Alias: Centaurea solstitialis ellow starthistle is a Medi- terranean weed that domi- nates rangelands, roadsides, and fields primarily in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho. It is found scattered throughout the rest of the U.S. In Nevada, it can dominate rangeland that receives less than 15 inches of annual precipita- tion. It completely changes the natural habitat it invades. The injurious nature of its vicious spines negatively impacts recreationists, livestock, and wildlife. It is poisonous to horses, causing a nervous disorder called “chewing disease” when they are forced to eat it. Yellow starthistle is listed as a noxious weed by Ne- vada Administrative Code. Y Distinguishing features: u Grows up to 3 feet tall as a multi- branched plant. u First leaves form a rosette of deeply lobed leaves up to 8 inches long. These form close to the ground in the fall or spring after germination. u Second year leaves grow low on the plant, are deeply lobed, and 2 to 4 inches long. Upper leaves are narrower, pointed and smaller, forming fringe-like extensions along the stems. Both stem and leaves of the mature plant have a wooly appearance. u Flower heads are yellow and located singly at the tips of branched stems with outward pointing, inch long, stiff spines. Take action: u Report its location to the land owner, gardener, manager or park ranger. u Remove all weed seeds from clothing, pets, vehicle, and tire treads before moving out of an area. u Monitor dry waste areas. Carefully remove any seeds, dig up the plant and dispose in a sealed garbage bag through the trash. Herbicides may be available to kill this plant. WEEDS Fact Sheet 98-80 Appendix F Fire Safe Community Guidelines Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix F – Page 1 of 1 Appendix F – Fire Safe Community Guidelines FIRE SAFE COMMUNITY PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS Sample Building Department Requirements 1. A complete fire flow water system capable of meeting the residential calculated fire flow requirements as prescribed by the Uniform Fire Code Appendix III-A shall be installed. 2. All roadways within the project shall meet requirements of paved all-weather surface, Uniform Fire Code Article 9, Section 901 and 902 conditions, and shall be designated no parking zones where roads are less than 24 feet wide. If steep roads prevent constructing 24-foot wide roads, then turnouts must be installed every ¼ mile. Homes with long private drives must have a turn around (50-foot radius), or a horseshoe drive or a hammerhead drive that allows large engines to turn around. Cul-de-sacs shall have a minimum 50- foot radius. 3. There shall be a minimum of two ways in and two ways out of the development. These shall be completed prior to the delivery of any combustible materials to the project site. 4. A fuels management/reduction program around all structures shall be maintained a minimum thirty feet in accordance with Uniform Fire Code Appendix 11-A-16. 5. Clearance of vegetative growth from roadways must be performed in accordance with Uniform Fire Code Appendix II-A-17. 6. Developers should submit a fuels modification plan for the entire acreage. A property line twenty-foot minimum fuelbreak shall be completed prior to approval of any final map. 7. All new structures shall be constructed with fire retardant roofing materials in compliance with Nevada Revised Statute 472.100. These recommendations are provided as a guideline to fire safe community development and are not intended to supercede existing fire codes. Check with your county building department for actual county building codes.