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HomeMy WebLinkAbout043 03 STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of: WildlandlUrban Interface Fire Prevention } } } RESOLUTION NO. 43-03 :: WHEREAS, development in forested areas is a typical part of the rural nature of many areas of Jefferson County; and, WHEREAS, residences and recreational activity in the wildland/urban interface heightens the risk to life, property, natural resources, and critical habitat should a wildfire occur; and WHEREAS, extraordinarily dry weather conditions, higher than normal temperatures, low precipitation, and the presence of plentiful dry fuels poses an increasing danger of wildland/urban interface fires this year; and WHEREAS, special care taken by residents and visitors can significantly lessen the potential for devastating forest fire. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VED, by the Board of County Commissioners that keen awareness ofthe potential for fire is critical, and that Jefferson County citizens and visitors be urgently reminded to use extreme caution and follow prudent fire prevention practices that are detailed at the Firewise website APPROVED AND ADOPTED this ,2003. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that property owners are asked to observe strict compliance with bum bans and other defensive measures that may be imposed part of the County, State~ and Federal cooperation in averting disastrous losses from wi! fire. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEAL: ATTEST: , (/ Lorna L. Delaney, CMC Clerk of the Board (Vacant) Member 1) Remove dead or overhanging branches. During the windy conditions that exist during a wildland fire, flames, sparks and firebrands could travel from the tree to the roof of this structure. 2) Remove leaf accumulation from your yard. Leaf accumulation provides fuel for a wildland fire. 3) Remove leaf clutter from your roof and gutters. During a wildland fire, leaves on the roof and/or in the gutters could be ignited by flying embers. 4) Remove taU, dry grasses. Tall, dry grasses provide a path for fire that can lead directly to a house. 5) Remove Ifladder fuels". Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6' - 10' from the ground. Fire burning through tall, dry grass could ignite these limbs and climb to the top of the tree with relative ease. 6) Check your generator and/or hose to be sure it is in good repair. Refuel garden equipment carefully. Yard equipment needs annual maintenance and proper fueling. Hoses develop leaks and deteriorate with age and exposure. During wildland fire season, fuel your lawn mower properly --away from dry, flammable grasses. 7) Prune bushes and shrubs regularly. Remove excess growth as well as dead and branches to decrease their flammability, and the threat they could pose during a fire. Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations. Find more Firewise tips at our website. www.firewise.org FACT Contacts: Amy Schneider, (314) 982-8638 Ken Fields, (314) 982-0556 FIREWISE COMMUNITIES Where You Live. How You Live. Overview Over the past century, America's population has nearly tripled, with much of the growth fI into traditionally natural areas. This trend has created an extremely complex landscape that come to be known as the wildland/urban interface. Encroaching development into forests, grasslands and farms has put lives, property and natural resources at risk from wildland fire. Unfortunately, once a wildland fire ignites, the firefighters are limited in what they can do to protect the values in its path, Since 1970, more than 10,000 homes and 20,000 other structures and facilities have been lost to severe wildland fire. The Firewise Communities program is a national initiative designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others to protect people, property, and natural resources from the dangers of wildland fire - before a fire starts. Firewise Communities encourages the efforts of federal and state agencies, local co and individual homeowners in a proactive approach to design, build, and maintain their homes and properties to be compatible with the natural environment. Compatibility with nature will help homes, structures and ultimately the entire community, to withstand wildland fire events. Firewise Approach The best approach involves utilizing the wide range of Firewise practices. The Firewise Communities program offers a series of practical steps (landscaping, home construction and design, community planning, etc.) that individuals and community groups can take to protect themselves and their properties from the risks of wildfire. Rei . only one element of a Firewise program is not enough to protect against the danger fire in the wildland/urban interface. Examples of Firewise techniques for property owners include creating a defensible space around residential structures by thinning trees and brush; choosing fire-resistant plants; selecting ignition-resistant building materials; positioning structures away from slopes; and working with firefighters to develop emergency plans, May 2003 Sponsors The Firewise Communities program is only one part of the National Wildland/Urban Int Fire Program, which is directed and sponsored by the Wildland/Urban I of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a consortium of wildland fire organizations and federal agencies responsible for wildland fire management in the United States, including: · International Association of Fire Chiefs · National Association of State Fire Marshals · National Association of State Foresters .. National Ernergency Management Association .. National Fire Protection Association .. USDA Forest Service .. USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs .. USDI Bureau of Land Management .. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service . USDI National Park Service .. Federal Emergency Management . US Fire Administration Programs The Firewise Communities program offers a vast array of resources for individuals and organizations wanting to reduce the risks from wildfire, · Firewise Web Site: The Firewise Web site provides educational information about wildland/urban to horneowners and agency fire staff, The interactive site features a wealth of how to mitigate wildland fire risks at the homeowner and community levels can view streaming video; download documents; browse an extensive list of helpful links; and use a searchable library of national, state, and local documents on a wide range of wildland fire safety issues, .. Firewise Communities Workshop Series Firewise Communities workshops prepare community leaders and fire service professionals to recognize wildland/urban interface fire hazards, make homes and landscapes Firewise, deliver fire education to residents, and incorporate Firewise planning into existing and developing areas of communities, These dynamic workshops feature interactive discussions, mapping, and wildfire simulations, Firewise workshops are most successful when they are attended by a variety of community representatives, such as planners, business leaders, homeowner association members and emergency service professionals. The series began in 1999 and has reached more than 3,000 participants, many of whorn have sponsored their own local or regional workshops using materials supplied by the Firewise Communities program. Eleven national workshops are scheduled in 2003 in cities throughout the U.S. · Firewise Communities/USA Recognition P ram In cooperation with the National Association of oresters (NASF), Firewise Communities/USA is a nationwide initiative that recognizes communities for taking action to protect people and properties from the dangers of fire in the wildland/urban interface. This program is of special interest to small communities and neighborhood associations that are willing to by adopting and implementing programs tailored to their ommunities create themselves with cooperative assistance from state forestry agencies and local fire staff. · Firewise Information Resources In addition to its Web site, the Firewise Communities program is continuously developing informational materials to help community organizations understand and address wildland/urban interface issues, including the Firewise stakeholders' newsletter, landscaping and home construction checklists, mini~documentaries, CD-ROMs, school education projects, and more. . r . Firewise Technical Support Resources The Firewise Communities program staff provides assistance and advice to communities engaged in planning and mitigation of wildland/urban interface fire hazards. In cooperation to communities and their advocates by helping to a into local comprehensive plans and multi-hazard mitigation plans; helping to connect communities with appropriate tools, techniques and technologies to further their Firewise activities, History of Firewise After the catastrophic fire season of 1985, representatives of NFP A and the USDA Forest Service met to discuss the increasing trend of wind-driven fire in populated areas, and formed what is now the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program. In 1992, the advisory group for the Program adopted the term "Firewise" to describe the state of and prepared for wildfire in residential or urban settings. In Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) Working Team of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, which oversees the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program and Communities program. The Firewise Web site launched in 1996, and the series began in 1999. Today, the Firewise Communities team continues its mission of wildland/urban interface fire education through its Web site, workshop series, community recognition program, and information resources.