SFPUC Experience with Rim Fire

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Arnold Gibson
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1 SFPUC Experience with Rim Fire David A. Briggs SFPUC October 8, 2013 Groveland, CA August 23,

2 Water System Schematic

3 Presentation Outline 1. Coordinated Emergency Response 2. Contingency Planning 3. Communications 4. Recovery Phase Management

4 Rim Fire Summary Wildfire originated August ,000+ acres burned as of September 30: 92% contained Full containment now expected by October kv transmission lines, which deliver power generation from Holm and Kirkwood hydroelectric powerhouses to the grid, were deenergized on August 19 Fire perimeter in 2% of Hetch Hetchy watershed; actual burned area is significantly less in the steep granite terrain Fire in backcountry remains uncontained strategically between Eleanor and Cherry watersheds About ¾ of an inch of rain on September 21 aided suppression efforts, but with no runoff 4

19 Fire perimeter in 2% of Hetch Hetchy watershed; actual burned area is significantly less in the steep granite terrain Fire in backcountry remains

5 Emergency Response Timeline August 20 - SFPUC activates 525 Golden Gate Department Operations Center and Moccasin Emergency Operations Center August 20 - SFPUC declares Departmental Emergency August 21 - City and County of San Francisco issues declaration of emergency August 23 - Governor ratifies San Francisco s emergency declaration 5

declares Departmental Emergency August 21 - City and County of San Francisco issues

6 Unified Emergency Response Incident Command Structure (ICS) led by Cal-Fire, US Forest Service and the National Park Service SF Fire Department liaison assigned to ICS Mobilization of Bay Area SFPUC resources to support Hetch Hetchy Water and Power activities near fire Coordination with SF Recreation & Park Department regarding evacuation and protection of Camp Mather Regular updates with Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Commissioners, SF Department of Emergency Management, Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency and Wholesale Customers Public outreach through press conferences, website and social media updates 6

Park Department regarding evacuation and protection of Camp Mather Regular updates with Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Commissioners, SF Department of

7 7

8 Daily Progression of Rim Fire Aug. 23 Aug. 22 Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Aug. 21 Aug sq. miles 8

9 Progression of the fire by Sept. 2,

11 No Impact to Water Deliveries SFPUC s 2.6 million Wholesale and Retail Customers continued to receive high-quality water deliveries Prior to fire as a precautionary measure Began transferring Hetchy water to local reservoirs Increased to 302 MGD from 292 MGD Local storage would be used to meet demands if supplies needed to be switched Could meet 3 4 months total system demand 11

Prior to fire as a precautionary measure Began transferring Hetchy water to local reservoirs

12 Project demand graphic 12

13 Ash Rains on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Aug. 25, 2013 Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press 13

14 San Francisco Chronicle Aug 28, 2013

15 No Use of Fire Retardant in Watershed Pink Wildfire Retardant Below O'Shaughnessy Dam on Hetch Hetchy Road 15

16 Camp Mather

17 O Shaughnessy Dam Compound Protected 17

18 Firefighters at O Shaughnessy Dam 18

19 O Shaughnessy Dam Note small ash piles blown onto dam 19

20 O Shaughnessy Dam Note propeller clearly visible below water 20

21 Mather Road Burned Areas Along Mather Road Returning Toward Highway

22 Recovery Phase Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Sept. 17,

23 Cherry Lake Road Burned area across from South Fork Yard 23

24 Cherry Distribution System

25 HHWP Workers Falling Hazard Trees

26 O Shaughnessy Dam Sept. 17, 2013 Note: small ash piles no longer visible on dam 26

27 Hetch Hetchy Road 27

28 BAER / SFPUC Coordination Three phases of rehabilitation following wildfires on federal lands: Fire Suppression Repair: Repair of dozer/hand lines, staging areas (Underway) Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): Rapid assessment of burned watersheds to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to life, property and critical natural or cultural resources. Proposes emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms. Long-Term Recovery and Restoration: Non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. SFPUC staff working closely with US Forest Service and National Park on BAER Team coordination and data gathering. 28

29 Assessment and Recovery Initial damage assessment nearly complete. Tree debris/hazard work on roads complete. 4 of the 5 hydroelectric generation units at Kirkwood and Holm Powerhouses are operating and delivering power to the grid. Holm Powerhouse repairs complete. Remaining hydroelectric unit at Holm testing and commissioning over the next two weeks. Over 20 miles of the power distribution system sustained major damage. Rebuild of the system is in progress. Erosion control: Damage is still being assessed, many projects in progress. Repairs continue at the remote communication sites. The Lower Cherry Aqueduct diversion structures were destroyed in the fire which is an emergency water supply system for the SFPUC customers. Repairs have not begun. 29

30 Cost Recovery Activities Some losses will be covered through Property Insurance Coverage Claims Adjustors completed fire-damaged sites assessments last week Awaiting SFPUC claim to the Insurers Tracking costs to maximize State and FEMA Disaster Assistance funding, if it becomes available SFPUC and Controller s Office submitted initial damage estimates with affected counties to California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) last week Fall rains and winter snowfall may continue to create continued emergency State/Federal reimbursements process likely to be lengthy Insurance reimbursements can be sooner 30

31 Thank you! 31

32 Current Estimated Damage Costs 32

The State of the Sierra Nevada s Forests

Urgent action is needed in the Sierra Nevada to avoid devastating impacts on California's environment and economy. Photo: U.S. Forest Service The State of the Sierra Nevada s Forests A Report of the Sierra