apache ridge wildland hazard report

apache ridgecommunity assessment and

fuels reduction project

2008-2009

Santa Fe County Fire Department—Wildland Division in conjunction with the NM State Land Office

apache ridge community assessment and fuels reduction project

santa fe county fire department—wildland division 505.995.6523 http://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/



table of contents

introduction

area fire potential

hazard assessment findings

apache ridge fuels project

if fire happens

evacuations

crossword

who to call





area fire potential

The fire season has arrived for the year and from all views looks to be a bad one. The summer is looking hot and dry and ripe for dry lightning strikes.

This area and those surrounding it have been identi-fied as extreme hazard areas in Santa Fe County’s CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan) - view the plan here:

http://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/

While standing dead piñon can reduce the risk of crown fire spread by creating breaks in the canopy, the area here is thick and overgrown and dead, dry wood provides a huge source of fuel. Lack of thin-ning, fire apparatus access and water availability also contribute, as well as the extreme difficulty of a potential evacuation make this area even more haz-ardous.





hazard findingsIn October of 2008 and continuing in 2009, Santa Fe County fuels crew members did a house by house assessment of the Apache Ridge area. Using a hazard assessment model, members rated each home based on defensible space, home construction and access, surrounding fuels load and topography. A map of the results is at left.

The major issue found at many of the homes in this area is simply too much fuel too close to the house. Simply moving wood piles and limbing trees around the home could reduce the risk of complete loss of the home. Other common problems are wood fences screening propane tanks, unscreened vents on roofs and wood fences attached to homes. Seemingly small things that could make a difference in a large wildfire.

Suggestions for improving a home’s risk during a fire include the following list of general recommendations. Should an individual homeowner like more specific ideas, our crew is available to come out and do a detailed assessment—just give us a call.

SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING RISK:

Thin trees in yard creating at least 10 feet of space between trees and limb the remaining trees at least 4 feet from the ground

Be aware of the 3 feet of ground all around the home. Make sure it contains nothing combus-tible

Move wood piles at least 30-50 feet away from home

Remove debris/leaves from under decks and enclose with 1/4” or less screening

Consider screening propane tanks with non-combustible material

Consider widening drives and removing over-hanging branches (for EMS access as well)





apache ridge projectThe Apache Ridge fuels reduction project is bounded by Lone Pine Spur and the north side of Apache Ridge Rd. Approximately 11 acres of state land in this area has been treated. Treat-ment has consisted of general thinning.

In this approach, small diameter trees, and any additional larger diameter trees were removed to achieve a target goal of 50-100 trees per acre. Prior conditions in this section were approxi-mately 200-300 trees per acre. The effect was to open the area up, creating a fire break and wildlife habitat as well as improving forest health.

Wood generated from this project was left each day for residents of the area to utilize. Chips were spread creating a thin layer to encourage nutrient recycling.

All in all, we’ve received a lot of of positive feed-back from residents in the immediate area, and have enjoyed the process.



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santa fe county fire department—wildland division 505.995.6523 http://www.sfcfire


if fire happensIf a fire does break out, keep these tips in mind:

Phone Trees

Lots of neighborhoods use phone trees to keep each other informed of emergencies within and around their communities. Think about setting one up with all your neighbors. If anyone in your area is mobility-impaired this can be especially important.

Household Emergency Plan

Designate a person with an out of state number as the emergency con-tact. Out of state numbers are often more reliable than ones in the same area code. Make sure all family members have that contact in their phone book. Also have a pre-determined meeting place for all family members in the likely event that the area is inaccessible. Also, contact the Sheriff's Office for information regarding livestock evacuation.

Personal Effects

Important paperwork such as birth certificates, titles, insurance should be stored in a fire-proof safe in your home or off-site in a safe deposit box. Think about moving heirloom and irreplaceable mementos to a different location during fire season.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has volunteer animal evacuation specialists available in the Apache Ridge area.



When evacuation is ordered, you need to go IMMEDIATELY.

Evacuation not only protects lives, it also helps to protect property. The roads in the Apache Ridge area are too narrow for two way traffic, espe-cially with fire apparatus. Fire vehicles often can't get into an area until all the residents are out. Also, airplanes and helicopters can't make their water and retardant drops if there are civilians still in the area.

Expect emergency managers to delegate a check-out location for evacu-ees. This process helps to ensure that everyone is accounted for and informs emergency personnel as to who may be remaining in the commu-nity. Every resident should check out at the designated location before proceeding to any established family meeting place.

A light-colored sheet closed in the front door can serve as a notice to re-sponders that your family has left safely. This saves firefighters precious time, as it takes 12-15 minutes per house to knock on doors and inform residents of the evacuation.

Before you go, close all windows, doors and vents including the garage door. If you have light-weight curtains, remove them. Heavy drapes and blinds should be closed. Leave a light on in each room.

Move any furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors.

Turn off the propane at the tank or shut off the gas meter. Get flammable patio furniture off decks and into a garage or away from the house. Turn pilots off in appliances.

Connect garden hoses to all available outdoor faucets and leave them in a noticeable place. If you have a ladder, place it against the side of the house opposite the direction of the approaching fire.

evacuations


santa fe county fire department—wildland division 505.995.6523 http://www.sfcfire



crosswordapache ridge community assessment and fuels reduction project

Across2. a common heating gas4. what all firefighters appreciate on fire scenes8. some fire department's best friend9. those in charge of a fire scene10. what needs to be wide enough for fire trucks to use11. common in a new mexico spring12. a large factor in determining fire danger14. at least how many feet away you should store your wood pile16. what you may need to do if a wildfire starts20. a fire prevention item for commercial buildings22. designated for hot, dry, windy conditions24. an access box for emergency personnel26. one who suppresses fire28. one of 3 things that a fire needs to exist29. a good project to do for those with many trees in yard30. most common fire suppression agent31. what wildland firefighters use to navigate the woods32. _____ fuel, combustibles near ground level that help bring fire up into the trees34. fire prevention item for homes that should be checked twice per

year35. area around home landscape to prevent fire36. _____ firefighter, someone who fights fires in the woods37.

Down

1. species of tree that needs fire to propagate3. a great tasting nut5. another name for an emergency situation6. taking branches off the bottoms of trees7. in hot, dry weaher, santa fe county enforces these13. to put out15. something that poses a threat17. fireproof roof covering18. a large column of smoke19. one of 3 things a fire needs to exist20. _____ jumpers, firefighters that jump out of planes21. one of 3 things a fire needs to exist23. airborn flaming debris, dangerous to your roof or deck25. rooftop structures that should be screened27. vehicle for water28. organization that assists communities in protecting themselves

from wildfire33. on the weekend honey-do list, for those of us with grass

who to call



For more information on the Apache Ridge project or home assessments, please con-tact us at:

Santa Fe County Fire Department

Wildland Division

505.995.6523

Or visit our website at:

http://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/

Documents

apache ridge wildland hazard report