Laramie CountyCWPP DRAFT REVIEW

Where Are We – What Do We Need to Do

� Draft Review Completed and Forwarded � Review Content and Take Input From Public and Joint Wildfire Task Force

�Make Revisions as Agreed Upon� Submit for Final Approval by JWFT� Signatures

CWPP Highlights

� Preamble and Required Content� Fire History� Public Involement� Fuel Types and Behavior Under Fire Conditions� Background and Legal Authority� Specifc Recommendations� Supporting Documents

CWPP Recommendations

� Review and Comment on Recommendations� Subject to Change Based on Agreement and Consensus.

� JWFT Will Have Final Approval Based on Review Input and Recommendations

Changes and Input – Must Be For the Overall Good of the Residents Within the County

General Overview Bruce Short

� General Conditions in the Planning Area� General Forest Health in the Planning Area� Fuel Types and Loading in the Planning Area� Fire Department Resources

General Conditions

Forest Health - fair to good

Cover and Fuel Types

� Fire District 2: 156,799 acres in Planning Area� Grass: 121,668 acres (78%)� Shrub: 27,301 acres (17%)� Timber: 2,613 acres (2%)� Non veg: 5,217 acres (3%)

Cover and Fuel Types

� Fire District 8: 88,085 acres� Grass: 43,991 acres (50%)� Shrub: 37,930 acres (43%)� Timber: 2974 acres (3%)� Non veg: 3,677 acres (4%)

Cover and Fuel Types

� Fire District 10: 102,985 acres� Grass: 72,657 acres (71%)� Shrub: 26,033 acres (25%)� Timber: 1,061 acres (1%)� Non veg: 3,182 acres (3%)

Fire District Resources and Challenges

� Two to 3 stations in planning area for each District

� Limited number of active firefighters

� Long travel distances� Complex terrain� Interstate 80 and two major rail

lines� Limited water hydrants and/or

drafting sources

Specific RecommendationsPublic Outreach and Education

� Conduct Annual Meetings� Introduce and Discuss Regulation� Bring in Technical Experts� Discuss Large Scale Projects and Funding* Avoid Patchwork Mitigaion

�Work with State Forestry

Specific RecommendationsBuilding Improvements

� Public Education – Roof and Gutter Cleaning�Mindful of Ember Receptive Fuel Beds� Cover Openings Such as Vents, Box Eaves and Decks

� Special Attention to HIZ 1

Defensible Space is Inconsequential if There are Ember Receptive Fuels on/near House

Specific RecommendationsDefensible Space

� Fuel Free Zone 5-15 Feet Around Homes in all Types of Fuels

� Homes in Timber – Thin, Crown Spacing, Remove Ladder Fuels and Limb, Minimum of 30’ HIZ 2

� Homes in Grass – 100’ of Maintained Mow Strip Around House. Extend Width Whenever Possible

� Coordinate with State or County on Mowing Along Roads

Specific RecommendationsShaded Fuel BreaksRoads Flanked by Heavy Vegetation in Subdivisonsand Communities Should be Targeted for Thinning

or Mowing

Improves EvacuationCreates a Potential Spot to Stop Fire

Use Existing Thinning/Spacing Standards

Specific RecommendationAccess and Egress Improvements

� Street Signs and Address Numbers � Construct Improve Turnarounds�Minimum Requirements for Private Roads� These Improvements Aid Non Wildfire Related Emergencies

� Identify Primary Exit Road/Loop – Mountain Meadows

� Railroad – Establish Means to Cross Tracks

Specific RecommendationsPrescribe Fire

� Part of the Natural Ecosystem� Benefits are Well Documented* Natural Reduction in Forest and Grasslands* Promotes New Growth and Plant Regenertion* Improves Wildlife Habitat

� Recommend That Whenever Possible Prescribed Fire be Considered as a Final Step in the Fuel Reduction Process

Specific RecommendationsCounty Ordinance

� Establish Best Bang Ordinance That Could Include but not Limited To (New Future Building)* Requirement of 30’ of Defensible Space* Use of Fire Resistive Construction Material* Minimum Road Requirements including widthturnaround and secondary egress* Road Signs and Clear Address

Implementation of a few Basic Codes have Proven to Make the Difference in a Wildfire

Specific RecommendationCounty Ordinance - Cont

CriticalEstablish a Task Force that Includes All

StakeholdersCounty EMA, Fire Districts, Elected Officials, Insurance Agencies, Home Builders,

Interested CitizensConsider Third Party Facilitation

Specific RecommendationCounty Firewise Organization

� Centralize Activity and Support Through County� County Administer Grant Funds & Projects� County Establishes and Supports Subdivision Firewise Embassador Program Through Fire Districts

� Facilitation of Large Scale Fuel Reduction Projects

We Are Listening

It is Your PlanPlease Tell us What WorksWhat Does Not Work

We Now Need to Establish Timelines

Final Steps

� Revise and Make Changes Based on Input � Present Draft Number 2 to JWFT�Make and Final Revisions� Submit for Final Signatures by Stakeholders

Estimated Time to Complete Mid - February

Simulation

�Models of Local Area� Show Fire Starts and Behavior with No Mitigation� Show Fire Starts and Behavior with Mitigtion� Show Fire Starts in Subdivisons� Show Aftermath of Fire with Water Run Off