monitor You Too Can Prevent Wildfires Smokey Bear Turned 65! the Environmental

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1 Published quarterly by the Association of Environmental Professionals NAEP Affiliation monitor the Environmental Fall 2010 You Too Can Prevent Wildfires Smokey Bear Turned 65! 2011 AEP Award Submittal Information 2011 AEP Conference Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration Sign up early for the best locations in the exhibit area!

2 FEATURE ARTICLE By: Cheryl Miller with Kenneth S. Blonski and Carol L. Rice You Too Can Prevent Wildfires Smokey Bear turned 65 last year On August 9, 1944, the first poster of Smokey Bear depicted a bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. i Kicking off what would become the longest running campaign in Ad Council history, the message focused on accidental fires that accounted for nine out of 10 forest fires that destroyed millions of acres every year. Today, we recognize that fire is a natural, reoccurring event in many wildland ecosystems. As a natural event, wildfire is not necessarily a disaster. When wildfire interacts with the edge of an urban area it can result in catastrophe. Where human settlement creates communities adjoining wildland areas, it is critical to recognize the force of fire and act to minimize the potential damage before a fire begins. In April 2001, the Ad Council updated Smokey s message to address the use of prescribed fire and the increasing number of wildfires occurring outside forests, changing the slogan to Only you can prevent wildfires. The 21st century continues to bring a richer understanding of the role of fire. The tools that can be used to fight wildfire have been modernized from a shovel and bucket, to helicopters and the gel found in baby diapers. Land use planners play a critical role in preventing wildfires using up-to-date tools including GIS, land use data, General Plans, and ordinances to address urban development that is located next to wildland areas. Land use plans, ordinances, building codes and standards, vegetation management, and preparedness influence a community s vulnerability to wildfire. A fire s impact on human life, loss of property, and natural Smokey Bear Smokey says : Ad Council Smokey Bear Remember sign: July 1, 2009 accessed 8/19/2010 Smokey Bear Get your smokey on : Ad Council resources can depend on whether the community is primarily residential or institutional and whether it adjoins wildlands. The types of structures and vegetation associated with human habitation can determine the extent of damage from fire. Reduction of these vulnerabilities is a community-wide, multi-disciplined responsibility that is most effective when coordinated regionally and locally. Who can do that better than you? Timing is critical in getting wildfire and life safety issues factored into community planning. Unfortunately, many fire professionals are not familiar with the land use planning process and planners are not familiar with wildfire prevention strategies. It is critical to bridge knowledge and communication gaps. Land use policy and plans play a significant role in developing the legal and practical nexus that require wildfire be taken into account in the land development process. Key Elements Contributing to Fire Damage To better understand how you can prevent wildfire, it is helpful know the key elements that contribute to fire damage. At the most fundamental level, fuel, heat, and oxygen are required for fire to burn. These elements form the basic fire triangle. Fire suppression focuses on eliminating one or more legs of the triangle: by removing or reducing fuels, eliminating oxygen by addition of dirt or foam, or reducing heat by application of water. A second fire triangle describes three key elements that influence potential wildfire behavior: topography, fuel, and weather. The elements of this triangle influence the frequency and intensity of an urban wildland interface fire, and the options for mitigation to reduce damage. Table 1 lists tools that can be used to reduce elements of threat. The primary tools address the first two legs of the fire behavior triangle, topography and weather build awareness through ignition-prevention programs. Planners and community leaders should participate in developing outreach programs, fire awareness watches, and ignition reduction policies, such as restricting use of barbecues, or requiring safety measures for construction or maintenance activities during periods of high fire danger weather. In California, severe weather and increased fire danger is called a red flag warning. Effective communication is broadcast to many communities by the National Weather Service, ii and a red flag flown at fire stations and through local media broadcasts. Fuel can be defined in terms of Structure-related Elements and Landscape/Wildland Vegetation-related Elements as noted in Table 1. The amount of available fuel created by structures can be controlled through structure density, structure construction, design and materials, and structure setback from steep terrain. Landscape and wildland vegetation include both domestic landscapes/defensible space established around structures, as well as wildland vegetation of either continued on page 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR FALL

3 continued from page 4 native or introduced species in parks or open space. The density, arrangement, and condition are equally as important as the actual species in how the vegetation behaves as fuel in a wildfire. California has powerful planning tools, such as the General Plan, that can provide the legal framework to control the level of fuels in communities. A community can adopt its own fuel reduction-related ordinances, or link through its General Plan to the minimum standards developed by the State. These ordinances and planning documents provide the nexus for many of the other solutions, such as structure setback, roofing type, and defensible space that effectively reduce the potential damage created by the various elements of fuel. Table 1 lists tools that can be used to reduce elements of threat. The first of the two categories of Elements That Affect the Ability to Suppress Fire is Utilities and Infrastructure, which includes Water Supply for Suppression Services, and Utility Locations (Gas, Electric/Propane). The final category describes Community Fire Protection. Emergency Access includes roads, bridges, gates, and other features that can help with fire suppression, as well as evacuation of residents. The capabilities of firefighting forces in the Level of Suppression Service, and Community Involvement and Education, can make a difference in the effectiveness of community fire protection. The Tools that You Can Use Four different strategies are available to create a community-based solution to prevent wildfire for either a new development or an existing neighborhood. Planners may use many of these strategies on a daily basis. Awareness through ignition prevention programs can be effective at many levels, from targeted local programs to national campaigns. continued on page 6 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR FALL

4 continued from page 5 Table 2. Tools for Carrying Out Best Practices continued on page 7 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR FALL

5 continued from page 6 Policy and Planning includes development standards, codes, and ordinances regulating land use and building in a community. These can include zoning designations, environmental and planning reviews, developer agreements, and subdivision ordinances. Community Design that physically reduces fuel loads or vulnerabilities throughout a community. Emergency Services and Residents Response to fire that improves the ability for suppression forces and citizens to reduce a fire s impact. Table 2 identifies specific tools available to implement a variety of practical solutions and management approaches. Columns on the right represent various tools that can be used to give practices the weight of law needed to ensure success. These are listed in order of precedent from left to right the General Plan, Safety Element and Zoning tiering down to project specific CEQA review or construction permit. The left column describes the four strategies for managing wildfire that include planning processes and practices. The most important use of the table is to identify the links between various opportunities that implement best practices. For example, if a community s zoning does not identify high fire hazard areas, a key opportunity for influencing new residential layouts is lost. For those interested in developing an ignition prevention education program, there are opportunities to include triggers for increased education in neighborhoods within extreme fire hazard areas using tools such as the Safety Element, zoning, emergency response plans, or other community awareness campaigns. During the process of developing more fire-safe land use designations and zoning ordinances, the general plan or zoning documents are the only effective tools. If the community missed these opportunities your job of reducing fire loss will be more difficult. The construction permit cannot affect land use designation or zoning; if fire loss prevention was not addressed in the general plan or zoning documents, the opportunity was missed. At a smaller scale, the project planning and review processes can only be carried out using projectoriented tools such as a specific plan, CEQA documents, design guidelines, development review, or a construction permit. You may have options during these reviews to influence the smaller elements including building materials to reduce wildfire threat, but critical neighborhood features such as road network, density or utility locations may be difficult to change. Effective Use of Land Use Policy and Planning Tools Armed with an understanding of the strategies, types of tools and a background in the basics, how do you proceed? How do you even know the extent of your community or neighborhood s wildfire problem? Where do you look for ideas to see if existing programs measure up or could be strengthened? Hazard Assessments In California we are fortunate that CAL FIRE has provided the big picture of our state s wildfire hazard ( prevention/fire_prevention_wildland_zones.php). A quick click will show fire hazard severity zone maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) for cities and fire districts, as well as the State Responsibility Areas (SRA). It is important to remember that these maps were developed on a statewide basis and may differ from fire hazard maps done by your local fire jurisdiction. Staff at your local CAL FIRE ranger unit may also be helpful in identifying hazards for your locale. Local Hazard Mitigation or Multi-hazard plans done for compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 often provide a more detailed look at fire hazard for an area. These plans offer mitigation ideas, as well as locally designated high fire hazard areas, overlay zones, requirements for new development, and specific requirements for defensible space or hazard abatement in existing neighborhoods. The Association for Bay Area Governments ( provides an example of this resource. Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) Many regions have completed countywide community wildfire protection plans using a comprehensive forest planning and prioritization process ( cwpphandbook.pdf). A CWPP is especially useful if your community is adjacent to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. There are meaningful statutory incentives for these federal agencies to consider the priorities of local communities as they develop and implement forest management and hazardous fuel reduction projects. But even if you are not near federal lands, these documents are useful in the identification of hazards and strategies for mitigation. The underlying legislation (Healthy Forest Restoration Act 2003) also influences how additional federal funds may be distributed for projects on nonfederal lands. Several grant programs that fund fuel reduction projects require completed CWPPs for funding eligibility ( Planning Documents General Plans, CEQA Documents and Project Reviews Since the general plan, and its seven mandatory elements, is placed at the top of the hierarchy of local government laws regulating land use, it plays a paramount role in establishing policies and implementation strategies relevant to wildfire prevention. By state law all land use actions and approvals (zoning, development agreements, specific plans etc.) must be consistent with general plan documents. In 2003 the Office of Planning and Research published guidelines that are helpful in addressing wildfire at this level. The guidelines outline the content of the general plan elements and provide examples of integrating fire hazard mitigation into the data analysis and policy development for the Safety, Lands Use, Housing and Conservation elements. Topics include assets at risk from wildfire, water supply, emergency services, emergency evacuations, firefighter safety, fire effects (minimizing loss), urban interface hazards, fuel and structure modifications among others ( Final_Report.pdf). Early in the subdivision tentative map process is a key opportunity to influence road access, infrastructure and community green spaces at the stage when developers are more open to fire related improvements. Once the infrastructure is installed the die is cast and the time to reduce potential loss from wildfire passed. If the general plan has not set continued on page 8 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR FALL

6 continued from page 7 standards, other options include looking at national or state codes, such as NFPA and Public Resource Codes. iii Project level reviews are a commonly used tool for wildfire prevention and often easier for a community to accept. In addition to the standard fire department service needs (water supply, personnel and equipment) associated with the proposed development, other factors need to be evaluated. Review should include road connectivity, vehicle turnaround, water supply, structure density, setbacks, position of lot and house on slope, surrounding topography, fuel loads and weather patterns. Evaluation of fuel conditions and proposed management should include not only the immediate mitigation, but also the long-term sustainable maintenance and funding strategies. A challenge during these reviews is resolving the potential impacts of fuel related mitigation measures on other environmental concerns such as wetlands, biotics or water quality. Suppression related mitigation measures can include residential sprinklers, independent power sources and foam systems. While these reviews may be easier for the community to accept, it may be difficult at this stage to be able to influence the number of roads accessing the site, water supply availability or the number of building lots due to earlier approvals. Zoning and Building Codes A zoning overlay in areas of high hazard can be used to require larger minimum lot size that accommodates necessary set-backs from adjacent slopes, design and construction requirements or even a requirement for site specific fire plans with mitigation and fuel maintenance/funding mechanisms. These overlay zones could be based on water availability, road network, as well as those three legs of the wildfire behavior triangle steep slopes, fuels or weather patterns. Many local jurisdictions have adopted regulations contained in California Building Code Chapter 7A. This code requires new buildings constructed in a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area to be designed and constructed with the intent of lessening the vulnerability of a building by resisting the intrusion of flames and burning embers projected during a wildfire. Even if your local jurisdiction has not adopted the code, it applies to all construction in the SRA (areas where the State provides fire protection). The code covers roofing, attic ventilation, exterior walls, windows, doors, decking, floors, under-floor protection, ancillary buildings and structures ( ICC_2009_Ch7A_2007_rev_1Jan09_Supplement.pdf). Remember! Only You Can Prevent Wildfires You can be as effective with your planning tools as firefighters are with theirs. Your tools offer unique opportunities to integrate fire prevention into a community s guiding plans, policies, standards and guidelines that can reduce potential damage from wildfire for generations to come. You bring to the prevention team knowledge about the potential opportunities and challenges hidden in the interconnected planning framework and legal authorities. You can identify environmental impacts from actions before they happen and provide potential mitigation measures. By working with other professionals, firefighters, and community members you can build a resilient community to reduce damage when the next wildfire ignites. Professionals on the Move Philip Williams & Associates Ltd. has merged with Environmental Science Associates (ESA). The merger supports ESA s strategy to deepen technical services in its water practice through specialized habitat restoration and water science services. Chris Rogers has been promoted to ESA s San Francisco Bay Area Biological Resources and Land Management Manager. Chris takes on leadership of ESA s Bay Area team of more than 20 wildlife biologists, botanists, watershed ecologists, fisheries specialists, planners, scientists, and public involvement specialists. Michael Burns has joined ESA as Geology- Hydrology Technical Services Group Manager. As the firm s senior geologist, he will lead ESA s team of geologists, hydrologists, and water scientists in addressing the broad range of geotechnical and groundwater issues faced by clients. Mitch Marken, Director of ESA s cultural resources practice, has been promoted to vice president. Dr. Marken s promotion was announced after the company s Board of Directors meeting in June PMC is pleased to announce that John W. Cowdery has been named as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Cowdery has more than 25 years in the consulting industry in various roles. Chris Rogers Michael Burns Mitch Marken John W. Chowdery Your work can be as effective as Smokey the Bear in preventing wildfire. i ii Ad Council historic campaigns and campaign history Fire weather forecasts in the U.S. can be found at accessed 8/19/2010 iii Useful standards to consider include: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1141 Standard for Fire Protection in Planned Building Groups. Public Resource Code 4290 and 4291 for road standards and vegetation clearance regulations (Government Code offers similar language applicable to a local jurisdiction ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR FALL