Clearwater County, Idaho
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Collins Creek Fire near Smith Ridge – Photo circa 1930’s
This plan was developed by the Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan committee.
Acknowledgments This Community Wildfire Protection Plan represents the efforts and cooperation of a number of organizations and agencies working together to improve preparedness for wildfire events while reducing factors of risk.
Clearwater County Commissioners Clearwater Resource Conservation and the employees of Clearwater County and Development Council, Inc.
USDI Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency
Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Idaho Department of Lands Nez Perce Tribe Association Evergreen Rural Fire District, Sunnyside Rural Fire District, Orofino City and Rural Fire, Grangemont Rural Fire District, Weippe Volunteer Fire Department, Twin Ridge Rural Fire District, Greer Fire District, Pierce Fire Department, Elk River Fire Department, Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District, the Potlatch Corporation, And Local Businesses and Citizens of Clearwater County
To obtain copies of this plan contact: Clearwater County Commissioners Office Clearwater County Courthouse Phone: 208-476-4064 1500 Michigan Avenue Fax: 208-476-7263 P.O. Box 586 Email: Orofino, Idaho 83544 [email protected]
Table of Contents FORWARD...... 1 CHAPTER 1 ...... 3 OVERVIEW OF THIS PLAN AND ITS DEVELOPMENT ...... 3 GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES...... 3 Planning Philosophy and Goals...... 3 United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) ...... 4 State and Federal CWPP Guidelines ...... 5 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER LOCAL PLANNING DOCUMENTS ...... 5 Clearwater County Emergency Operations Plan ...... 6 Clearwater County Comprehensive Plan...... 6 Clearwater County Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan...... 6 Clearwater County Amendment to Subdivision Ordinance #34...... 6 Clearwater County Building Ordinance 42...... 7 Clearwater County Zoning Ordinance...... 7 CHAPTER 2 ...... 9 DOCUMENTING THE PLANNING PROCESS...... 9 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS ...... 9 THE PLANNING TEAM ...... 9 Multi-Jurisdictional Participation ...... 10 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS ...... 11 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT...... 12 News Releases...... 12 Public Meetings...... 13 Documented Review Process ...... 14 Continued Public Involvement ...... 15 CHAPTER 3 ...... 17 CLEARWATER COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS ...... 17 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE ...... 17 DEMOGRAPHICS...... 17 Land Ownership ...... 18 NATURAL RESOURCES ...... 19 Biota...... 19 Hydrology ...... 21 Air Quality...... 21 CHAPTER 4 ...... 23 RISK AND PREPAREDNESS ASSESSMENTS ...... 23 WILDLAND FIRE CHARACTERISTICS ...... 23 Weather ...... 23 Topography ...... 23 Fuels...... 24 WILDFIRE HAZARDS ...... 24 Fire History ...... 24 Wildfire Ignition Profile...... 25 Wildfire Extent Profile ...... 28 WILDFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...... 29 Historic Fire Regime ...... 30 Fire Regime Condition Class...... 31 CLEARWATER COUNTY’S WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE...... 33 Potential WUI Treatments...... 36 CLEARWATER COUNTY CONDITIONS ...... 37 Overall Mitigation Activities...... 40 Overview of Fire Protection System...... 41 FIRE PROTECTION ISSUES...... 56 Urban and Suburban Growth...... 56
Rural Fire Protection ...... 56 Debris Burning ...... 56 Pre-planning in High Risk Areas...... 57 Fire Service “No Man’s Land”...... 57 Road and Bridge Standards ...... 57 Wildland Fire Specific Building Regulations...... 58 Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment ...... 58 Public Wildfire Awareness...... 58 Adoption of International Fire Code...... 58 Canal Creek Watershed ...... 59 CURRENT WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES ...... 59 Red Zone Program...... 59 Clearwater Fire Academy...... 59 Communications...... 59 North Central Idaho Fire Prevention Cooperative ...... 59 Public Education Programs ...... 60 CHAPTER 5 ...... 61 COMMUNITY FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS...... 61 INDIVIDUAL RISK ASSESSMENTS...... 61 Ahsahka...... 61 Cavendish...... 62 Dent...... 63 Elk River ...... 64 Freeman Creek ...... 66 Gilbert Grade...... 67 Grangemont and Rudo Area...... 67 Greer...... 68 Headquarters...... 69 Lakeview Estates...... 70 Orofino ...... 71 Pierce...... 72 Sunnyside area and New Hope Subdivision ...... 74 Wells Bench ...... 74 Weippe ...... 75 CHAPTER 6 ...... 77 MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS...... 77 MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING ...... 77 PRIORITIZATION OF MITIGATION ACTIVITIES ...... 77 Policy and Planning Efforts...... 78 Fire Prevention and Education Projects...... 79 Infrastructure Enhancements ...... 80 Resource and Capability Enhancements...... 82 Proposed Project Areas...... 85 Regional Land Management Recommendations ...... 87 CHAPTER 7 ...... 89 SUPPORTING INFORMATION ...... 89 LIST OF TABLES ...... 89 LIST OF FIGURES...... 90 SIGNATURE PAGES...... 91 Clearwater County Board of Commissioners ...... 91 Signatures of Participation by Clearwater County Fire Districts and Departments ...... 92 Signatures of Participation by other Clearwater County Entities...... 93
Forward
The process of developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) can help a community clarify and refine its priorities for the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure in the wildland–urban interface on both public and private land. It also can lead community members through valuable discussions regarding management options and implications for the surrounding land base. Local fire service organizations help define issues that may place the county, communities, and/or individual homes at risk. Through the collaboration process, the CWPP planning committee discusses potential solutions, funding opportunities, and regulatory concerns and documents their resulting recommendations in the CWPP. The CWPP planning process also incorporates an element for public outreach. Public involvement in the development of the document not only facilitates public input and recommendations, but also provides an educational opportunity through interaction of local wildfire specialists and an interested public. The idea for community-based forest planning and prioritization is neither novel nor new. However, the incentive for communities to engage in comprehensive forest planning and prioritization was given new and unprecedented impetus with the enactment of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) in 2003. This landmark legislation includes the first meaningful statutory incentives for the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to give consideration to the priorities of local communities as they develop and implement forest management and hazardous fuel reduction projects. In order for a community to take full advantage of this new opportunity, it must first prepare a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A countywide CWPP planning committee generally makes project recommendations based on the issue causing the wildfire risk, rather than focusing on individual landowners or organizations. Thus, projects are mapped and evaluated without regard for property boundaries, ownership, or current management. Once the CWPP is approved by the county board of commissioners, the planning committee will begin further refining proposed project boundaries, feasibility, and public outreach as well as seeking funding opportunities.
The Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan was originally drafted in 2005 through a partnership with the Clearwater RC&D and the Bureau of Land Management with project facilitation and support provided by Northwest Management, Inc. In 2007, Clearwater County’s CWPP planning committee and its partners completed an interim addendum to update ity Wildfire Protection Plan proposed project information. The 2011 update of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a full review of the document with funding provided through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The 2011 Community Wildfire Protection Plan expands on the wildfire chapter of the Clearwater County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was also updated in 2011.
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Chapter 1
Overview of this Plan and its Development This Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Clearwater County, Idaho, is the result of analyses, professional collaboration, and assessments of wildfire risks and other factors focused on reducing wildfire threats to people, structures, infrastructure, and unique ecosystems in Clearwater County. Agencies and organizations that participated in the planning process included: • USDI Bureau of Land Management • USDA Forest Service • Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. • Idaho Department of Lands • Nez Perce Tribe • Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association • Potlatch Corporation • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Clearwater County Planning and Zoning • Clearwater County Emergency Management • Evergreen Rural Fire District • Sunnyside Rural Fire District • Orofino City and Rural Fire • Grangemont Rural Fire District • Weippe Volunteer Fire Department • Twin Ridge Rural Fire District
• Greer Fire District • Pierce Fire Department • Elk River Fire Department • Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District • Northwest Management, Inc. Northwest Management, Inc. of Moscow, Idaho was selected by Clearwater County to assist the planning committee by facilitating meetings, leading the assessments, and authoring the ity Wildfire Protection Plan document. The project co-managers from Northwest Management, Inc. were Mr. Vaiden Bloch and Mrs. Tera R. King.
Goals and Guiding Principles
Planning Philosophy and Goals The goals of the planning process include integration with the National Fire Plan, the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, and the Disaster Mitigation Act. The plan utilizes the best and most appropriate science from all partners as well as local and regional knowledge about wildfire risks Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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and fire behavior, while meeting the needs of local citizens and recognizing the significance wildfire can have to the regional economy. Mission Statement To make Clearwater County residents, communities, state agencies, local governments, and businesses less vulnerable to the negative effects of wildland fires through the effective administration of wildfire hazard mitigation grant programs, hazard risk assessments, wise and efficient fuels treatments, and a coordinated approach to mitigation policy through federal, state, regional, and local planning efforts. Our combined prioritization will be the protection of people, structures, infrastructure, and unique ecosystems that contribute to our way of life and the sustainability of the local and regional economy. Vision Statement Institutionalize and promote a countywide wildfire hazard mitigation ethic through leadership, professionalism, and excellence, leading the way to a safe, sustainable Clearwater County. Goals 1. To reduce the area of WUI land burned and losses experienced because of wildfires where these fires threaten communities in the wildland urban interface 2. Prioritize the protection of people, structures, infrastructure, and unique ecosystems that contribute to our way of life and the sustainability of the local and regional economy 3. Educate communities about the unique challenges of wildfire in the wildland urban interface (WUI) 4. Establish mitigation priorities and develop mitigation strategies in Clearwater County 5. Strategically locate and plan fuel reduction projects 6. Provide recommendations for alternative treatment methods, such as brush density, herbicide treatments, fuel reduction techniques, and disposal or removal of treated fuels 7. Meet or exceed the requirements of the National Fire Plan and FEMA for a County level Fire Mitigation Plan
United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) Since 1984, wildland fires have burned an average of more than 850 homes each year in the
United States and, because more people are moving into fire-prone areas bordering wildlands, ity Wildfire Protection Plan the number of homes at risk is likely to grow. The primary responsibility for ensuring that preventative steps are taken to protect homes lies with homeowners. Although losses from fires made up only 2 percent of all insured catastrophic losses from 1983 to 2002, fires can result in billions of dollars in damages. , Idaho Community Wildfire Protection Plan , Idaho Community y GAO was asked to assess, among other issues, (1) measures that can help protect structures from wildland fires, (2) factors affecting use of protective measures, and (3) the role technology plays in improving firefighting agencies’ ability to communicate during wildland fires. The two most effective measures for protecting structures from wildland fires are: (1) creating and maintaining a buffer, called defensible space, from 30 to 100 feet wide around a structure, Clearwater County, Idaho Commun Count
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where vegetation and other flammable objects are reduced or eliminated; and (2) using fire- resistant roofs and vents. In addition to roofs and vents, other technologies – such as fire- resistant windows and building materials, chemical agents, sprinklers, and geographic information systems mapping – can help in protecting structures and communities, but they play a secondary role. Although protective measures are available, many property owners have not adopted them because of the time or expense involved, competing concerns such as aesthetics or privacy, misperceptions about wildland fire risks, and lack of awareness of their shared responsibility for fire protection. Federal, state, and local governments, as well as other organizations, are attempting to increase property owners’ use of protective measures through education, direct monetary assistance, and laws requiring such measures. In addition, some insurance companies have begun to direct property owners in high risk areas to take protective steps.1
State and Federal CWPP Guidelines This Community Wildfire Protection Plan will include compatibility with FEMA requirements for a Hazard Mitigation Plan, while also adhering to the guidelines proposed in the National Fire Plan, and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (2004). This Community Wildfire Protection Plan has been prepared in compliance with: • The National Fire Plan: A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy Implementation Plan (December 2006). • Healthy Forests Restoration Act (2003). • The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region 10 guidelines for a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as defined in 44 CFR parts 201 and 206, and as related to a fire mitigation plan chapter of a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. • National Association of State Foresters – guidance on identification and prioritizing of treatments between communities (2003).
The objective of combining these complementary guidelines is to facilitate an integrated wildland fire risk assessment, identify pre-hazard mitigation activities, and prioritize activities and efforts to achieve the protection of people, structures, the environment, and significant infrastructure in Clearwater County while facilitating new opportunities for pre-disaster mitigation funding and cooperation. Additional information detailing the state and federal guidelines used in the development of the
Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is included in Appendix 5. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
Integration with Other Local Planning Documents During development of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan, several planning and management documents were reviewed in order to avoid conflicting goals and objectives. Existing programs and policies were reviewed in order to identify those that may weaken or
1 Government Accountability Office. Technology Assessment: Protecting Structures and Improving Communications during Wildland Fires. Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-05-380. April 2005. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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enhance the mitigation objectives outlined in this document. The following sections identify and briefly describe some of the existing Clearwater County planning documents and ordinances considered during development of this plan.
Clearwater County Emergency Operations Plan The Clearwater County Emergency Operations Plan2 (CC-EOP) provides, to the extent possible, actions to be taken by responsible elements of Clearwater County, its municipalities, and of cooperating State, Federal agencies and private organizations. These actions are taken to prevent avoidable disasters, reduce the vulnerability of county residents to any disasters that may strike, establish capabilities for protecting citizens from the effects of disasters, respond effectively to the actual occurrence of disasters, and provide for recovery in the aftermath of any emergency involving extensive damage or other weakening influence. The purpose of the Clearwater County Emergency Operations Plan is to minimize personal injury or property damage resulting from the occurrence of a major emergency or disaster.
Clearwater County Comprehensive Plan The Clearwater County Comprehensive Plan3 has been developed as a planning guide for use in making decisions that affect the orderly growth and development of Clearwater County. The Plan was developed by Clearwater County government to guide the use of public lands and resources as well as private land, and to protect the rights of private landowners. The Comprehensive Plan has several goals and policies outlined that relate to natural resources and construction in hazardous areas.
Clearwater County Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan The Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan4 identifies and locates Clearwater County’s communication capabilities including points of contact, system redundancies, and improvement recommendations and long term goals. It is the County’s intent to promote interagency cooperation and provide policy-level direction to support efficient and effective use of resources
to achieve interoperable communications.
Clearwater County Amendment to Subdivision Ordinance #345 This amendment to the County’s subdivision ordinance requires platting for all subdivisions except “simple subdivisions”. Platting ensures that the developer establishes a reasonable access road, conforms to minimum lot sizes, and meets the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance and Idaho Code. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
2 Clearwater County. Clearwater County Emergency Operations Plan. Orofino, Idaho. January 2010. 3 Clearwater County. Clearwater County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Orofino, Idaho. Adopted December 1962. Amended September 1992. 4 Clearwater County. Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan. Clearwater County Emergency Management. Orofino, Idaho. Reviewed September 2009. 5 Clearwater County. Clearwater County Amendment to County Ordinance #34. Orofino, Idaho. Adopted July 2004. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Clearwater County Building Ordinance 42 The Building Ordinance6 adopts portions of the latest version of the International Building Code, Residential Code, and Energy Conservation Code. The purpose of the ordinance is to promote the establishment of safe building practices within Clearwater County, and to provide for enforcement by the County.
Clearwater County Zoning Ordinance The purpose of the Zoning Ordinance7 is to promote the orderly development of property within Clearwater County, in accordance with the general objectives of the Clearwater County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (hereafter “Comprehensive Plan”) and to establish and regulate viable Zoning districts to conserve and stabilize the value of existing properties in Clearwater County. These regulations shall apply to all property within Clearwater County located outside the designated boundaries of the cities of Elk River, Orofino, Pierce, and Weippe, but will not apply to lands held under Federal trust for the Nez Perce Tribe or other designated State or Federal lands.
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6 Clearwater County. Clearwater County Building Ordinance 42. Orofino, Idaho. Adopted October 2005. 7 Clearwater County. Clearwater County Zoning Ordinance. Orofino, Idaho. December 2004. Available online at http://www.clearwatercounty.org/?OrdinanceIndex. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Chapter 2
Documenting the Planning Process Documentation of the planning process, including public involvement, is necessary to meet FEMA’s DMA 2000 requirements (44CFR§201.4(c)(1) and §201.6(c)(1)). This section includes a description of the planning process used to develop the plan, including how it was prepared, who was involved in the process, and how all of the involved agencies participated.
Description of the Planning Process The Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan was developed through a collaborative process involving all of the organizations and agencies detailed in Chapter 1 of this document. The planning process included five distinct phases which were in some cases sequential (step 1 then step 2) and in some cases intermixed (step 4 completed throughout the process): 1. Collection of Data about the extent and periodicity of the wildfire hazard in and around Clearwater County. 2. Field Observations and Estimations about risks, location of structures and infrastructure relative to risk areas, access, and potential treatments. 3. Mapping of data relevant to pre-wildfire mitigation and treatments, structures, resource values, infrastructure, risk assessments, and related data. 4. Facilitation of Public Involvement from the formation of the planning committee to news releases, public meetings, public mail surveys, public review of draft documents, and acknowledgement of the final plan by the signatory representatives. 5. Analysis and Drafting of the Report to integrate the results of the planning process, provide ample review and integration of committee and public input, and signing of the
final document.
The Planning Team Leading the planning effort from Clearwater County was Don Gardner, Clearwater County Emergency Manager. Additional partners included local communities, fire departments, law enforcement, federal and state agencies, and others. Northwest Management Project Co- Managers were Vaiden Bloch, M.S., B.S. and Tera R. King, B.S. ity Wildfire Protection Plan The planning philosophy employed in this project included the open and free sharing of information with interested parties. Information from federal, state, and local agencies was integrated into the database of knowledge used in this project. Meetings with the committee were held throughout the planning process to facilitate a sharing of information between participants. When the public meetings were held, many of the committee members were in attendance and shared their support and experiences and their interpretations of the results. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Multi-Jurisdictional Participation 44 CFR §201.6(a)(3) calls for multi-jurisdictional planning in the development of Hazard Mitigation Plans which impact multiple jurisdictions. This Community Wildfire Protection Plan impacts the following jurisdictions: • Clearwater County • Evergreen Rural Fire District • City of Elk River • Grangemont Rural Fire District • City of Orofino • Greer Fire District • City of Pierce • Orofino City and Rural Fire District • City of Weippe • Sunnyside Rural Fire District • Unincorporated communities of • Twin Ridge Rural Fire District Clearwater County • Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District • Weippe Volunteer Fire Department • Elk River Volunteer Fire Department • Pierce Fire Department • Idaho Department of Lands • USDI Bureau of Land Management • Clearwater RC&D • USDA Forest Service • Nez Perce Tribe • Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association These jurisdictions were represented on the planning committee and in public meetings either directly or through their servicing fire department or district. They participated in the development of hazard profiles, risk assessments, and mitigation measures. The monthly planning committee meetings were the primary venue for authenticating the planning record. However, additional input was gathered from each jurisdiction in the following ways: • Planning committee leadership visits to local group meetings (e.g. county departmental meetings, city council meetings, local emergency planning commission, commission meetings) where planning updates were provided and information was exchanged. • One-on-one visits between the planning committee leadership and representatives of the participating jurisdictions (e.g. meetings with county commissioners, city councilors and/or mayors, fire district commissioners, or community leaders). • Written correspondence between the planning committee leadership and each jurisdiction updating the participating representatives on the planning process, making requests for information, and facilitating feedback. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Like other areas of Idaho and the United States, Clearwater County’s human resources have many demands placed on them in terms of time and availability. A few of the elected officials (county commissioners and city mayors) do not serve in a full-time capacity; some of them have other employment and serve the community through a convention of community service. Recognizing this and other time constraints, many of the jurisdictions decided to identify a representative to cooperate on the planning committee and then report back to the remainder of their organization on the process and serve as a conduit between the planning committee and the jurisdiction. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Planning Committee Meetings The following people participated in planning committee meetings, volunteered time, or responded to elements of the Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan’s preparation. NAME ORGANIZATION • Angela VanderPas...... Clearwater County GIS • Bill Maison...... Clearwater County Fire Mitigation • Bobbi Kaufman...... Clearwater County Building and Planning • Carrie Bird ...... Clearwater County Clerk • Chris Goetz ...... Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff • Daryl Ketchum...... Twin Ridge Rural Fire District • Don Gardner...... Clearwater County Emergency Management • Greg Parker ...... U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Howard Weeks...... Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association • James Martin...... City of Elk River - Mayor • Jeff Wilson...... City of Orofino Police – Chief • John Allen ...... Clearwater County Commissioner • John Barton ...... City of Orofino Public Works • Les Eaves ...... Clearwater County Ambulance • Mellisa Stewart ...... Clearwater County Assessor • Michael Martin...... City of Orofino • Mike Lee ...... Orofino City and Rural Fire District • Norman Steadman...... City of Weippe - Mayor • Pete Summerton...... U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Randy Gordon...... U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Rick Laam...... City of Orofino Administrator • Rob Simon ...... Clearwater County Road and Bridge • Ryan Smathers ...... City of Orofino – Mayor • Sandra Lee Pinel ...... University of Idaho ity Wildfire Protection Plan • Stan Leach...... Clearwater County Commissioner • Tammy Pippenger...... City of Elk River • Tera King ...... Northwest Management, Inc. • Todd Perry ...... City of Orofino Building Inspector • Vaiden Bloch ...... Northwest Management, Inc. Committee Meeting Minutes Committee meetings were scheduled and held from June 2010 through August 2010. These meetings served to facilitate the sharing of information and to lay the groundwork for the Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Clearwater County CWPP. Northwest Management, Inc. as well as other planning committee leadership attended the meetings to provide the group with regular updates on the progress of the document and gather any additional information needed to complete the Plan. Planning committee meeting minutes are included in Appendix 2.
Public Involvement Public involvement was made a priority from the inception of the project. There were a number of ways that public involvement was sought and facilitated. In some cases, this led to members of the public providing information and seeking an active role in protecting their own homes and businesses, while in other cases it led to the public becoming more aware of the process without becoming directly involved in the planning.
News Releases Under the auspices of the Clearwater County planning committee, periodic press releases were submitted to the Clearwater Tribune, the Clearwater Progress, Window on the Clearwater, the Lewiston Morning Tribune, and KLEW TV. Informative flyers were also distributed around town and to local offices within the communities by the committee members.
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Figure 2.1. Sample Press Release.
Public Meetings Public meetings were scheduled in several communities during the hazard assessment phase of the planning process to share information on the Plan, obtain input on the details of the hazard assessments, and discuss potential mitigation treatments. Attendees at the public meetings were asked to give their impressions of the accuracy of the information generated and provide their
opinions of potential treatments. ity Wildfire Protection Plan The public meetings were held in Orofino, Elk River, and Weippe and were attended by a number of individuals on the committee and from the general public. The public meeting announcement was sent to the local newspapers and distributed by committee members. A sample of the flyer is included below in Figure 2.2. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Figure 2.2. Public Meeting Flyer.
Documented Review Process Review and comment on this plan has been provided through a number of avenues for the committee members as well as the members of the general public. During regularly scheduled committee meetings in the summer of 2010, the committee met to discuss findings, review mapping and analysis, and provide written comments on draft sections
of the document. During the public meetings, attendees observed map analyses and photographic ity Wildfire Protection Plan collections, discussed general findings from the community assessments, and made recommendations on potential project areas. The first draft of the document was prepared after the public meetings and presented to the committee electronically for a full review. The completed draft document was released for public review on December 27th, 2010. The public review period remained open until January 10th, 2011. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Continued Public Involvement Clearwater County is dedicated to involving the public directly in review and updates of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The Clearwater County Commissioners, working through the CWPP planning committee, are responsible for review and update of the plan as recommended in chapter 6 of this document. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the Plan annually on the anniversary of the adoption of this plan, at the meeting of the County Commissioners. Copies of the Plan will be catalogued and kept at all of the appropriate agencies in the county. The existence and location of these copies will be publicized. Instructions on how to obtain copies will be made available on the County’s website. The Plan also includes the address and phone number of the Clearwater County Emergency Manager, responsible for keeping track of public comments on the Plan. A public meeting will also be held as part of each annual evaluation or when deemed necessary by the planning committee. The meetings will provide the public a forum for which they can express its concerns, opinions, or ideas about the Plan. The County Public Information Officer will be responsible for using county resources to publicize the annual public meetings and maintain public involvement through the public access channel, webpage, and newspapers.
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Chapter 3
Clearwater County Characteristics Adapted from the 2011 Clearwater County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.8 Clearwater County, Idaho is in the north central part of the Idaho Panhandle and home to Idaho’s oldest courthouse. Major population centers in the area are Elk River, Orofino, Pierce, and Weippe. Clearwater County contains a diverse landscape that ranges from steep rugged mountains dissected by large canyons, to highly productive farmland with the main crops being wheat, barley, and peas. Woodland areas are mostly in the higher rainfall zones in the northern and eastern regions. The western part of Clearwater County includes the dune-like topography of the Palouse hills. Elevation ranges from about 1,000 feet above sea level along the Clearwater River near Orofino, to about 8,000 feet in the rugged mountainous region found throughout the eastern portion of the County.
Geography and Climate Clearwater County is located in northern Idaho and covers about 2,461 square miles. The geography, topography, climate, and other natural attributes such as vegetation vary significantly across Clearwater County. The geographic diversity of Clearwater County is an important factor to consider in wildfire mitigation planning. The climate in Clearwater County is moderate. The highest average daily temperature occurs in July and is approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The lowest average daily temperature occurs in January and is approximately 20 degrees (F). The average annual rainfall is about 35 inches. Average monthly precipitation varies from about 1 inch in July and August to approximately 4.3 inches in November and December. Average annual snowfall ranges from about 26 inches near Orofino to approximately 110 inches near Elk River and Pierce.
Demographics Clearwater County has a total population of 8,167 according to a recent Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy produced by the Clearwater Economic Development District. Clearwater County has four incorporated communities, Elk River (pop. 136), Orofino (pop. 3,045), Pierce (pop. 527), and Weippe (pop. 370).9 The City of Orofino contains nearly 37% of Clearwater County’s total population. Other incorporated cities in Clearwater County contain approximately 13% of the County’s population. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
8 King, T. and V. Bloch. 2011 Clearwater County, Idaho, Multi Hazards Mitigation Plan. Northwest Management, Inc., Moscow, Idaho. Pp. 29. 9 Clearwater Economic Development Association. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for North Central Idaho. U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development, Administration. Lewiston, Idaho. Approved October 2009. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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The remaining population (approximately 50%) is scattered in small communities and in rural areas throughout the area.10
Table 3.1. Selected Demographic Statistics. Subject Number Percent Total population 8,930 100.0
SEX AND AGE Male 4,742 53.1 Female 4,188 46.9 Median age (years) 41.9 (X)
RELATIONSHIP In households 8,331 93.3 Householder 3,444 38.6 Spouse 2,116 23.7 Child 2,220 24.9 Under 18 years 84 0.9 Non-relatives 336 3.8
HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE Households 3,444 100.0 Family households (families) 2,485 72.2 With own children under 18 years 1,014 29.4 Married-couple family 2,100 61.0 Average household size 2.42 (X) Average family size 2.83 (X)
Land Ownership
A relatively large percentage Clearwater County is federally owned. Private parcels are becoming more and more expensive as the population grows and more property is developed. This factor combined with the highly variable topography throughout the county is expected to produce significantly higher demands on privately held land in the future. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
10 U.S. Census Bureau. 2000. American Fact Finder. Available online at http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 3.2. Ownership Categories. Landowner Acres Percent Bureau of Land Management 3,517 0% Bureau of Indian Affairs 8,969 1% City of Elk River 51 0% City of Orofino 102 0% City of Pierce 9 0% City of Weippe 13 0% Clearwater County 185 0% Idaho Fish and Game 4 0% Private 495,815 32% Railroad 0 0% State of Idaho 232,729 15% Idaho Transportation Department 32 0% United States 6,231 0% U.S. Army Corp of Engineers 29,863 2% U.S. Forest Service 794,726 51%
Natural Resources Clearwater County is a diverse ecosystem with a complex array of vegetation, wildlife, and fisheries that have developed with, and adapted to fire as a natural disturbance process. Nearly a century of wildland fire suppression coupled with past land-use practices (primarily timber harvesting and agriculture) has altered plant community succession and has resulted in dramatic shifts in the fire regimes and species composition. As a result, some forests in Clearwater County have become more susceptible to large-scale, high-intensity fires posing a threat to life, property, and natural resources including wildlife and plant populations. High-intensity, stand-replacing fires have the potential to seriously damage soils, native vegetation, and fish and wildlife populations. In addition, an increase in the number of large, high-intensity fires throughout the
nation’s forest and rangelands has resulted in significant safety risks to firefighters and higher costs for fire suppression.
Biota Fish and Wildlife – Clearwater County is home to a diverse array of fish and wildlife species. Clearwater County streams provide habitat for salmon and steelhead, including populations that are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Forestlands and interface
areas are important habitat for many species of birds and mammals. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Vegetation - In the early 1800s (pre-European settlement), the landscape in Clearwater County was strikingly different than that which is seen today. Conditions mirrored those found throughout the Palouse region and mountainous regions of northern Idaho. At that time the major vegetation types which occurred in the area were prairie grasslands, meadows, riparian forest and wetlands, open woodland and upland forest. Open grasslands dominated the vegetation throughout the western portion of Clearwater County. Isolated groves of trees within this area were primarily ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Throughout the central portion of the County forested lands intermingled with meadows and prairies ultimately giving way to a forest dominated landscape throughout the eastern portion of the County. The forested areas contained Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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a wide diversity of tree species the most predominant of which were ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, western larch, western white pine, grand fir, and western red cedar. Vegetation in Clearwater County is a mix of forestland, riparian, and agricultural ecosystems. An evaluation of satellite imagery of the region provides some insight to the composition of the vegetation of the area. The most represented vegetated cover type is a Mixed Mesic Forest type at approximately 17% of the County’s total area. The next most common vegetation cover type represented is a warm mesic shrubs cover type at 13% of the total area. Douglas-fir cover is the third most common plant cover type at 9%. A Douglas-fir / grand fir mixed forest represent approximately 9% of the total as well. Agricultural lands represent approximately 2% of the area of the county.
Table 3.3. Vegetative Cover Types.
Percent of County’s Total Acres Area
Mixed Mesic Forest 271,712 17% Warm Mesic Shrubs 211,577 13% Douglas-fir 146,695 9% Douglas-fir/Grand Fir 146,062 9% Western Red Cedar/Grand Fir Forest 138,574 9% Grand Fir 121,075 8% Ponderosa Pine 85,893 5% Lodgepole Pine 63,049 4% Mixed Subalpine Forest 55,989 4% Foothills Grassland 49,109 3% Agricultural Land 28,295 2% Western Red Cedar 27,777 2% Mixed Xeric Forest 26,185 2% Douglas-fir/Lodgepole Pine 25,041 2% Montane Parklands and Subalpine Meadow 23,426 1%
Western Red Cedar/Western Hemlock 18,548 1% Water 17,529 1% Western Larch/Douglas-fir 15,440 1% Subalpine Fir 14,462 1% Exposed Rock 13,844 1% Engelmann Spruce 12,795 1% Western Larch 12,790 1%
Shrub Dominated Riparian 9,761 1% ity Wildfire Protection Plan Western Hemlock 9,526 1% Western Larch/Lodgepole Pine 8,325 1% Needleleaf Dominated Riparian 7,679 0% Mixed Needleleaf/Broadleaf Forest 6,176 0% Graminiod or Forb Dominated Riparian 4,174 0% Mixed Barren Land 3,810 0% Mixed Riparian (Forest and Non-Forest) 3,357 0% Cottonwood 3,260 0% Needleleaf/Broadleaf Dominated Riparia 2,034 0%
Mixed Non-forest Riparian 1,800 0% Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 3.3. Vegetative Cover Types.
Percent of County’s Total Acres Area
Broadleaf Dominated Riparian 1,436 0% Urban 1,055 0% Disturbed Grassland 879 0% Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany 585 0% Mixed Whitebark Pine Forest 481 0% Cloud Shadow 408 0% Shoreline and Stream Gravel Bars 308 0% Perennial Ice or Snow 61 0% Rabbitbrush 7 0% Cloud 6 0% Total 1,590,998
Hydrology Clearwater County is within one of Idaho’s fastest growing regions and depends heavily on groundwater for private wells, public drinking water, irrigation, industrial operations, and other beneficial uses. The Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) is charged with the development of the Idaho Comprehensive State Water Plan. Included in the State Water Plan are the statewide water policy plan and component basin and water body plans which cover specific geographic areas of the state.11 The IWRB has not designated any ground water management or critical ground water areas in Clearwater County.
Air Quality The primary means by which the protection and enhancement of air quality is accomplished is
through implementation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards address six pollutants known to harm human health including ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, and nitrogen oxides.12 The Clean Air Act, passed in 1963 and amended in 1977, is the primary legal authority governing air resource management. The Clean Air Act provides the principal framework for national, state, and local efforts to protect air quality. Under the Clean Air Act, the Organization for Air Quality Protection Standards (OAQPS) is responsible for setting the NAAQS standards for pollutants which are considered harmful to people and the environment. OAQPS is also ity Wildfire Protection Plan responsible for ensuring these air quality standards are met, or attained (in cooperation with state,
11 Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. 2003. Rules of the Department of Environmental Quality, IDAPA 58.01.02, “Water Quality Standards and Wastewater Treatment Requirements”. Idaho Administrative Code (3-20- 97), IDAPA 58.01.02, Boise, Idaho. 12 USDA-Forest Service (United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service). 2000. Incorporating Air Quality Effects of Wildland Fire Management into Forest Plan Revisions – A Desk Guide. April 2000. – Draft. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Tribal, and local governments) through national standards and strategies to control pollutant emissions from automobiles, factories, and other sources.13 Smoke emissions from fires potentially affect an area and the airsheds that surround it. Climatic conditions affecting air quality in Central Idaho are governed by a combination of factors. Large- scale influences include latitude, altitude, prevailing hemispheric wind patterns, and mountain barriers. At a smaller scale, topography and vegetation cover also affect air movement patterns. In Clearwater County, winds are predominantly from the southwest but occasionally blow from the west to northwest. Air quality in the area and surrounding airshed is generally good to excellent. However, locally adverse conditions can result from occasional wildland fires in the summer and fall, and prescribed fire and agricultural burning in the spring and fall. All major river drainages are subject to temperature inversions which trap smoke and affect dispersion, causing local air quality problems. This occurs most often during the summer and fall months and would potentially affect all communities in Clearwater County. Smoke management in Clearwater County is managed by the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group. Much of the county is in Airshed Unit 12B; however, the southernmost region falls into Airshed Unit 13 and the westernmost region is in Airshed Unit 12A. An airshed is a geographical area which is characterized by similar topography and weather patterns (or in which atmospheric characteristics are similar, e.g., mixing height and transport winds). The USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Idaho Department of Lands are all members of the Montana/Idaho State Airshed Group, which is responsible for coordinating burning activities to minimize or prevent impacts from smoke emissions. Prescribed burning must be coordinated through the Missoula Monitoring Unit, which coordinates burn information, provides smoke forecasting, and establishes air quality restrictions for the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group. The Monitoring Unit issues daily decisions which may restrict burning when atmospheric conditions are not conducive to good smoke dispersion. Burning restrictions are issued for airsheds, impact zones, and specific projects. The monitoring unit is active March through November. Each Airshed Group member is also responsible for smoke management all year.
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13 Louks, B. 2001. Air Quality PM 10 Air Quality Monitoring Point Source Emissions; Point site locations of DEQ/EPA Air monitoring locations with Monitoring type and Pollutant. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Feb. 2001. As GIS Data set. Boise, Idaho. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Chapter 4
Risk and Preparedness Assessments
Wildland Fire Characteristics An informed discussion of fire mitigation is not complete until basic concepts that govern fire behavior are understood. In the broadest sense, wildland fire behavior describes how fires burn; the manner in which fuels ignite, how flames develop and how fire spreads across the landscape. The three major physical components that determine fire behavior are the fuels supporting the fire, the topography in which the fire is burning, and the weather and atmospheric conditions during a fire event. At the landscape level, both topography and weather are beyond our control. We are powerless to control winds, temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric instability, slope, aspect, elevation, and landforms. It is beyond our control to alter these conditions, and thus impossible to alter fire behavior through their manipulation. When we attempt to alter how fires burn, we are left with manipulating the third component of the fire environment; fuels which support the fire. By altering fuel loading and fuel continuity across the landscape, we have the best opportunity to control or affect how fires burn. A brief description of each of the fire environment elements follows in order to illustrate their affect on fire behavior.
Weather Weather conditions contribute significantly to determining fire behavior. Wind, moisture, temperature, and relative humidity ultimately determine the rates at which fuels dry and vegetation cures, and whether fuel conditions become dry enough to sustain an ignition. Once conditions are capable of sustaining a fire, atmospheric stability and wind speed and direction can have a significant effect on fire behavior. Winds fan fires with oxygen, increasing the rate at which fire spreads across the landscape. Weather is the most unpredictable component governing fire behavior, constantly changing in time and across the landscape.
Topography Fires burning in similar fuel types, will burn differently under varying topographic conditions. Topography alters heat transfer and localized weather conditions, which in turn influences vegetative growth and resulting fuels. Changes in slope and aspect can have significant influences on how fires burn. Generally speaking, north slopes tend to be cooler, wetter, more productive sites. This can lead to heavy fuel accumulations, with high fuel moistures, later curing ity Wildfire Protection Plan of fuels, and lower rates of spread. In contrast, south and west slopes tend to receive more direct sun, and thus have the highest temperatures, lowest soil and fuel moistures, and lightest fuels. The combination of light fuels and dry sites leads to fires that typically display the highest rates of spread. These slopes also tend to be on the windward side of mountains. Thus these slopes tend to be “available to burn” a greater portion of the year. Slope also plays a significant role in fire spread, by allowing preheating of fuels upslope of the burning fire. As slope increases, rate of spread and flame lengths tend to increase. Therefore, we can expect the fastest rates of spread on steep, warm south and west slopes with fuels that are exposed to the wind. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Fuels Fuel is any material that can ignite and burn. Fuels describe any organic material, dead or alive, found in the fire environment. Grasses, brush, branches, logs, logging slash, forest floor litter, conifer needles, and buildings are all examples. The physical properties and characteristics of fuels govern how fires burn. Fuel loading, size and shape, moisture content, and continuity and arrangement all have an effect on fire behavior. Generally speaking, the smaller and finer the fuels, the faster the potential rate of fire spread. Small fuels such as grass, needle litter and other fuels less than a quarter inch in diameter are most responsible for fire spread. In fact, “fine” fuels, with high surface to volume ratios, are considered the primary carriers of surface fire. This is apparent to anyone who has ever witnessed the speed at which grass fires burn. As fuel size increases, the rate of spread tends to decrease due to a decrease in the surface to volume ratio. Fires in large fuels generally burn at a slower rate, but release much more energy and burn with much greater intensity. This increased energy release, or intensity, makes these fires more difficult to control. Thus, it is much easier to control a fire burning in grass than to control a fire burning in timber. When burning under a forest canopy, the increased intensities can lead to torching (single trees becoming completely involved) and potential development of crown fires. That is, they release much more energy. Fuels are found in combinations of types, amounts, sizes, shapes, and arrangements. It is the unique combination of these factors, along with the topography and weather, which determines how fires will burn. The study of fire behavior recognizes the dramatic and often-unexpected effect small changes in any single component have on how fires burn. It is impossible to speak in specific terms when predicting how a fire will burn under any given set of conditions. However, through countless observations and repeated research, some of the principles that govern fire behavior have been identified and are recognized.
Wildfire Hazards In the 1930s, wildfires consumed an average of 40 to 50 million acres per year in the contiguous United States, according to US Forest Service estimates. By the 1970s, the average acreage burned had been reduced to about 5 million acres per year. Over this time period, fire suppression efforts were dramatically increased and firefighting tactics and equipment became more sophisticated and effective. For the 11 western states, the average acreage burned per year since 1970 has remained relatively constant at about 3.5 million acres per year. The severity of a fire season can usually be determined in the spring by how much precipitation is received, which in turn determines how much fine fuel growth there is and how long it takes ity Wildfire Protection Plan this growth to dry. These factors, combined with the annual wind events drastically increase the chance a fire start will grow and resist suppression activities. Furthermore, harvest operations are typically also occurring throughout the months of August and September. Occasionally, harvesting equipment causes an ignition that can spread into populated areas and timberlands.
Fire History Fire was once an integral function within the majority of ecosystems in Idaho. The seasonal cycling of fire across the landscape was as regular as the July, August and September lightning storms plying across the canyons and mountains. Depending on the plant community composition, structural configuration, and buildup of plant biomass, fire resulted from ignitions Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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with varying intensities and extent across the landscape. Shorter return intervals between fire events often resulted in less dramatic changes in plant composition.14 The fires burned from 1 to 47 years apart, with most at 5- to 20-year intervals.15 With infrequent return intervals, plant communities tended to burn more severely and be replaced by vegetation different in composition, structure, and age.16 Native plant communities in this region developed under the influence of fire, and adaptations to fire are evident at the species, community, and ecosystem levels. Fire history data (from fire scars and charcoal deposits) suggest fire has played an important role in shaping the vegetation throughout Clearwater County. Wildfires across the western part of the United States are on the increase. Although large fires of at least 250,000 acres have occurred in north central Idaho, Clearwater County has been successful with its initial attack through aggressive firefighting efforts from the Clearwater- Potlatch Timber Protective Association, the Idaho Department of Lands, the U.S. Forest Service, and the rural fire districts. The largest recorded fire on U.S. Forest Service lands between the period of 1986 and 2008, occurred in 2003 and grew to just over 3,500 acres. The largest recorded fire on Idaho Department of Lands protected property during this period occurred in 1986 and grew to 427 acres. Both of these fires were started by lightning. 1910 Fire In a brief 48-hour span, fires carried by hurricane-force winds burned more than 3 million acres, killed 85 persons, devastated the eastern part of Wallace, and destroyed between seven and eight billion board feet of timber. The hurricane force winds, which gave the big blowup its horror, came up from the southwest in the Nez Perce National Forest near Elk City. Nearly 2.5 million acres of the Clearwater River watershed, burning all of the River’s headwaters from Weitas Creek up through Kelly Creek and across the Bitterroot Range, were burned.
Wildfire Ignition Profile Detailed records of fire ignition and extent have been compiled by the Idaho Department of
Lands (IDL) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), with records of fire ignitions dating back to 1983 and 1986, respectively. Using this data on past fire extents and fire ignition data, the occurrence of wildland fires in the region of Clearwater County has been evaluated. In interpreting these data, it is important to keep in mind that this information is for IDL or USFS protected lands only and does not include all fires in areas covered only by local fire departments. Additionally, much of the information in the datasets is redundant since both agencies likely responded to the many of the same fires. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
14 Johnson, C.G. 1998. Vegetation Response after Wildfires in National Forests of Northeastern Oregon. 128 pp. 15 Barrett, J.W. 1979. Silviculture of ponderosa pine in the Pacific Northwest: the state of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report PNW-97. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 106 p. 16 Johnson, C.G.; Clausnitzer, R.R.; Mehringer, P.J.; Oliver, C.D. 1994. Biotic and Abiotic Processes of Eastside Ecosytems: the Effects of Management on Plant and Community Ecology, and on Stand and Landscape Vegetation Dynamics. Gen. Tech. Report PNW-GTR-322. USDA-Forest Service. PNW Research Station. Portland, Oregon. 722pp. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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The IDL and USFS databases of wildfire ignitions used in this analysis include ignition and extent data from 1986 through 2008 within their jurisdiction. An analysis of the IDL reported wildfire ignitions in Clearwater County reveals that during this period approximately 1,936 ignitions resulted in 3,129 acres burned (average 1.6 acres per fire). The USFS database shows that 1,400 ignitions resulted in 29,736 acres burned (21.2 acres burned per fire). Some of the larger fires within the IDL’s protection area (including CPTPA) include the Gold Creek Reburn (427 acres), Deer Creek Fire (230 acres), Weitas Creek North Fire (154 acres), Heywood Logging Fire (128 acres), Cobbler’s Knob Fire (100 acres), and the Winter Creek #1 Fire (100 acres).
Table 4.1. Summary of IDL and USFS databases 1986-2008. General Cause Number of Percent of Total Acres Burned Percent of Total Ignitions Ignitions Acres IDL USFS IDL USFS IDL USFS IDL USFS Fireworks 35 - 2% - 12 - 0% - Lightning 1450 1,313 75% 94% 2,057 28,586 66% 96% Arson 17 9 1% 1% 19 125 1% 0% Campfire 81 38 4% 3% 39 656 1% 2% Debris Burning 78 8 4% 1% 127 232 4% 1% Miscellaneous 115 13 6% 1% 231 73 7% 0% Equipment Use 52 4 3% 0% 338 62 11% 0% Juveniles 10 1 1% 0% 5 0 0% 0% Power Line 56 - 3% - 129 - 4% - Railroad 2 - 0% - 0 - 0% - Silvicultural Burning 22 - 1% - 147 - 5% - Smoking 18 14 1% 1% 25 3 1% 0% Total 1,936 1,400 100% 100% 3,129 29,736 100% 100% According to both datasets, the vast majority of ignitions and acres burned were caused by lightning with debris burning, equipment use, and other miscellaneous causes the most common human causes. Fires started by these types of causes are usually suppressed quickly due to
someone witnessing the event. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Figure 4.1. USFS Wildfire Ignition Summary.
USFS Ignitions
180
160
140
120 Smoking Miscellaneous 100 Lightning Equipment Use Debris Burning 80 Children Campfire Number of Ignitions of Number Arson 60
40
20
0
5 6 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 005 006 007 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 199 199 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 2 2 2 2008 Year
Figure 4.2. IDL Wildfire Ignition Summary.
IDL Ignitions
300
250
Smoking Silvicultural Burning 200 Railroad Power Line Miscellaneous Lightning 150 Juveniles Fireworks Equipment Use Number of Ignitions ofNumber Debris Burning 100 Campfire Arson
50
0
8 9 0 4 5 6 0 1 2 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 0 0 0 987 9 9 993 9 9 999 0 0 005 0 1986 1 1 1 199 1991 1992 1 1 1 199 1997 1998 1 2 2 200 2003 2004 2 2 200 200
Year ity Wildfire Protection Plan
Ideally, historical fire data would be used to estimate the annual probability for fires in the wildland urban interface areas of Clearwater County. However, current data does not appear adequate to make credible calculations because the data for local, state, and federal responsibility areas are not reported by the same criteria. Nevertheless, the data reviewed above provides a general picture regarding the level of wildland urban interface fire risk within Clearwater County. There are several reasons why the fire risk may be higher than suggested above, especially in developing wildland urban interface areas. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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1) Large fires may occur infrequently, but statistically they will occur. One large fire could significantly change the statistics. In other words, 26 years of historical data may be too short to capture large, infrequent wildland fire events. 2) The level of fire hazard depends profoundly on weather patterns. A several year drought period would substantially increase the probability of large wildland fires in Clearwater County. For smaller vegetation areas, with grass, brush and small trees, a much shorter drought period of a few months or less would substantially increase the fire hazard. 3) The level of fire hazard in wildland urban interface areas is likely significantly higher than for wildland areas as a whole due to the greater risk to life and property. The probability of fires starting in interface areas is much higher than in wildland areas because of the much higher population density. Most wildland or interface fires have human sources of ignition. Thus, the probability of a given acre burning is probably higher in interface areas than for the wildland areas of Clearwater County as a whole.
Wildfire Extent Profile Across the west, wildfires have been increasing in extent and cost of control. Data summaries for 2000 through 2006 are provided and demonstrate the variability of the frequency and extent of wildfires nationally.
Table 4.2. National Fire Season Summaries. Statistical Highlights 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Number of Fires 122,827 84,079 88,458 85,943 77,534 66,753 96,385 10-year Average ending with 106,393 106,400 103,112 101,575 100,466 89,859 87,788 indicated year Acres Burned 8,422,237 3,555,138 6,937,584 4,918,088 6,790,692 8,689,389 9,873,745 10-year Average ending with 3,786,411 4,083,347 4,215,089 4,663,081 4,923,848 6,158,985 6,511,469 indicated year
Structures Burned 861 731 2,381 5,781 1,095 -- -- Estimated Cost of Fire $1.3 $917 $ 1.6 $1.3 $890 $876 Suppression -- billion million billion billion million million (Federal agencies only) The National Interagency Fire Center maintains records of fire costs, extent, and related data for the entire nation. Tables 4.2 and 4.3 summarize some of the relevant wildland fire data for the nation and some trends that are likely to continue into the future unless targeted fire mitigation efforts are implemented and maintained. According to these data, the total number of fires is ity Wildfire Protection Plan trending downward while the total number of acres burned is trending upward. Since 2000 there has been a significant increase in the number of acres burned.17
17 National Interagency Fire Center. 2008. Available online at http://www.nifc.gov/. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 4.3. Total Fires and Acres 1980 - 2008 Nationally. Year Fires Acres Year Fires Acres 2008 68,594 4,723,810 1994 114,049 4,724,014 2007 85,822 9,321,326 1993 97,031 2,310,420 2006 96,385 9,873,745 1992 103,830 2,457,665 2005 66,753 8,689,389 1991 116,953 2,237,714 2004 77,534 6,790,692 1990 122,763 5,452,874 2003 85,943 4,918,088 1989 121,714 3,261,732 2002 88,458 6,937,584 1988 154,573 7,398,889 2001 84,079 3,555,138 1987 143,877 4,152,575 2000 122,827 8,422,237 1986 139,980 3,308,133 1999 93,702 5,661,976 1985 133,840 4,434,748 1998 81,043 2,329,709 1984 118,636 2,266,134 1997 89,517 3,672,616 1983 161,649 5,080,553 1996 115,025 6,701,390 1982 174,755 2,382,036 1995 130,019 2,315,730 1981 249,370 4,814,206 1980 234,892 5,260,825 These statistics are based on end-of-year reports compiled by all wildland fire agencies after each fire season. The agencies include: Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and all state agencies. The fire suppression agencies in Clearwater County respond to numerous wildland fires each year, but few of those fires grow to a significant size. According to national statistics, only 2% of all wildland fires escape initial attack. However, that 2% accounts for the majority of fire suppression expenditures and threatens lives, properties, and natural resources. These large fires are characterized by a size and complexity that require special management organizations drawing suppression resources from across the nation. These fires create unique challenges to local communities by their quick development and the scale of their footprint. Clearwater County has experienced high impact wildland fires that have threatened structures and infrastructure within their wildland urban interface; however, there has not been a large wildfire event in the last 50 years. This does not mean that the county is at low risk. In fact, many of the fire professionals in Clearwater County believe the question is not “if” there will be a large fire in this area; it is “when.” If Clearwater County experienced a wildfire similar in scale to the recent Cascade Complex in Valley County, Idaho (2007) or the Castle Rock Fire in Blaine County, Idaho (2007), it would have a severe impact on the region and local communities. It is important that regional planners as well as local residents understand what has happened in the past in order to be more effective in the future when preparing for the inevitable.
Wildfire Hazard Assessment Clearwater County was analyzed using a variety of models, managed on a Geographic ity Wildfire Protection Plan Information System (GIS) system. Physical features of the region including roads, streams, soils, elevation, and remotely sensed images were represented by data layers. Field visits were conducted by specialists from Northwest Management, Inc. and others. Discussions with area residents and local fire suppression professionals augmented field visits and provided insights into forest health issues and treatment options. This information was analyzed and combined to develop an objective assessment of wildland fire risk in the region. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Historic Fire Regime Historical variability in fire regime is a conservative indicator of ecosystem sustainability, and thus, understanding the natural role of fire in ecosystems is necessary for proper fire management. Fire is one of the dominant processes in terrestrial systems that constrain vegetation patterns, habitats, and ultimately, species composition. Land managers need to understand historical fire regimes, the fire return interval (frequency) and fire severity prior to settlement by Euro-Americans, to be able to define ecologically appropriate goals and objectives for an area. Moreover, managers need spatially explicit knowledge of how historical fire regimes vary across the landscape. Many ecological assessments are enhanced by the characterization of the historical range of variability which helps managers understand: (1) how the driving ecosystem processes vary from site to site; (2) how these processes affected ecosystems in the past; and (3) how these processes might affect the ecosystems of today and the future. Historical fire regimes are a critical component for characterizing the historical range of variability in fire-adapted ecosystems. Furthermore, understanding ecosystem departures provides the necessary context for managing sustainable ecosystems. Land managers need to understand how ecosystem processes and functions have changed prior to developing strategies to maintain or restore sustainable systems. In addition, the concept of departure is a key factor for assessing risks to ecosystem components. For example, the departure from historical fire regimes may serve as a useful proxy for the potential of severe fire effects from an ecological perspective.
Table 4.4. Historic Fire Regimes in Clearwater County. Historic Fire Regime Description Acres Percent of Area Fire Regime Group I <= 35 Year Fire Return Interval, Low and Mixed Severity 8,025 1% Fire Regime Group II <= 35 Year Fire Return Interval, Replacement Severity 4,564 0% Fire Regime Group III 35 - 200 Year Fire Return Interval, Low and Mixed Severity 1,158,725 74% Fire Regime Group IV 35 - 200 Year Fire Return Interval, Replacement Severity 201,132 13% Fire Regime Group V > 200 Year Fire Return Interval, Any Severity 168,897 11%
Water Water 14,729 1% Snow or Ice Snow or Ice 18 0% Barren Barren 13,936 1% Sparsely Vegetated Sparsely Vegetated 0 0% Indeterminate Fire Regime Indeterminate Fire Regime Characteristics 5,014 0% Characteristics
The table above shows the amount of acreage in each defined fire regime in Clearwater County. ity Wildfire Protection Plan The historic fire regime model in Clearwater County shows that much of the landscape throughout the County historically had an approximate 35-200 year fire return interval and typically experienced low and mixed severity fires (Fire Regime Group III). The remote mountainous terrain found in the eastern portion of the County, however, contained areas where differing historic fire regimes were found adjacent to one another. In this area, historic fire regime groups indicated that a much longer fire return interval with variable intensity fires was more common. In addition, fire regimes with shorter return intervals were present near the Clearwater River and along the western edge of the County.
A more in-depth explanation of the historic fire regime model is presented in Appendix 3. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Figure 4.3. Clearwater County Historic Fire Regime.
Fire Regime Condition Class A natural fire regime is a general classification of the role fire would play across a landscape in the absence of modern human mechanical intervention, but including the influence of aboriginal burning.18, 19 Coarse scale definitions for historic fire regimes have been developed by Hardy et al20 and Schmidt et al21 and interpreted for fire and fuels management by Hann and Bunnell. A fire regime condition class (FRCC) is a classification of the amount of departure from the historic regime. 22 The three classes are based on low (FRCC 1), moderate (FRCC 2), and high (FRCC 3) departure from the central tendency of the natural (historical) regime.23,24 The central
18 ity Wildfire Protection Plan Agee, J. K. Fire Ecology of the Pacific Northwest forests. Oregon: Island Press. 1993. 19 Brown. J. K. “Fire regimes and their relevance to ecosystem management.” Proceedings of Society of American Foresters National Convention. Society of American Foresters. Washington, D.C. 1995. Pp 171-178. 20 Hardy, C. C., et al. “Spatial data for national fire planning and fuel management.” International Journal of Wildland Fire. 2001. Pp 353- 372. 21 Schmidt, K. M., et al. “Development of coarse scale spatial data for wildland fire and fuel management.” General Technical Report, RMRS- GTR-87. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, Colorado. 2002. 22 Hann, W. J. and D. L. Bunnell. “Fire and land management planning and implementation across multiple scales.” International Journal of Wildland Fire. 2001. Pp 389-403. 23 Hardy, C. C., et al. “Spatial data for national fire planning and fuel management.” International Journal of Wildland Fire. 2001. Pp 353-
Clearwater County, Idaho Commun 372.
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tendency is a composite estimate of vegetation characteristics (species composition, structural stages, stand age, canopy closure, and mosaic pattern); fuel composition; fire frequency, severity, and pattern; and other associated natural disturbances. Low departure is considered to be within the natural (historical) range of variability, while moderate and high departures are outside. An analysis of Fire Regime Condition Classes in Clearwater County shows that a significant portion of the county (73%) that is not in agriculture is moderately departed from its historic fire regime and associated vegetation and fuel characteristics. In most scenarios, the more departed an area is from its natural fire regime, the higher the wildfire potential; however, this is not true 100% of the time.
Table 4.5. Fire Regime Condition Classes in Clearwater County. Condition Class Acres Percent of Area Fire Regime Condition Class I 289,055 18% Fire Regime Condition Class II 1,144,435 73% Fire Regime Condition Class III 83,336 5% Water 14,679 1% Snow or Ice 18 0% Urban 3,689 0% Barren 13,947 1% Sparsely Vegetated 0 0% Agriculture 25,881 2% Most of the forestlands in Clearwater County are in Condition Class II likely due to aggressive fire suppression activities since the early 1900s. Much of the mountainous region in the eastern portion of the county is considered a Condition Class I. This area is primarily owned by the United States Forest Service. This area shows very little departure from its natural fire regime because of the longer historic fire return interval. A more in-depth explanation of the fire regime condition class model is presented in Appendix 3.
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24 Schmidt, K. M., et al. “Development of coarse scale spatial data for wildland fire and fuel management.” General Technical Report, RMRS-
Clearwater County, Idaho Commun GTR-87. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, Colorado. 2002.
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Figure 4.4. Clearwater County Fire Regime Condition Class.
Clearwater County’s Wildland Urban Interface The wildland urban interface (WUI) has gained attention through efforts targeted at wildfire mitigation; however, this analysis technique is also useful when considering other hazards because the concept looks at where people and structures are concentrated in any particular
region. A key component in meeting the underlying need for protection of people and structures is the protection and treatment of hazards in the wildland urban interface. The wildland urban interface refers to areas where wildland vegetation meets urban developments or where forest fuels meet urban fuels such as houses. The WUI encompasses not only the interface (areas immediately adjacent to urban development), but also the surrounding vegetation and topography. Reducing the hazard in the wildland urban interface requires the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies and private individuals.25 “The role of [most] federal agencies in the wildland urban interface ity Wildfire Protection Plan includes wildland firefighting, hazard fuels reduction, cooperative prevention and education, and technical experience. Structural fire protection [during a wildfire] in the wildland urban interface is [largely] the responsibility of Tribal, state, and local governments”.26 The role of the federal agencies in Clearwater County is and will be much more limited. Property owners share a
25 Norton, P. Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge Fire Hazard Reduction Project: Final Environmental Assessment. Fish and Wildlife Services, Bear Valley Wildlife Refuge. June 20, 2002. 26 USFS. 2001. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Wildland Urban Interface. Web page. Date accessed: 25 September
Clearwater County, Idaho Commun 2001. Accessed at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/fire/urbanint.html
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responsibility to protect their residences and businesses and minimize danger by creating defensible areas around them and taking other measures to minimize the risks to their structures.27 With treatment, a wildland urban interface can provide firefighters a defensible area from which to suppress wildland fires or defend communities against other hazard risks. In addition, a wildland urban interface that is properly treated will be less likely to sustain a crown fire that enters or originates within it. 28 By reducing hazardous fuel loads, ladder fuels, and tree densities, and creating new and reinforcing existing defensible space, landowners can protect the wildland urban interface, the biological resources of the management area, and adjacent property owners by: • minimizing the potential of high-severity ground or crown fires entering or leaving the area; • reducing the potential for firebrands (embers carried by the wind in front of the wildfire) impacting the WUI. Research indicates that flying sparks and embers (firebrands) from a crown fire can ignite additional wildfires as far as 1¼ miles away during periods of extreme fire weather and fire behavior;29 • improving defensible space in the immediate areas for suppression efforts in the event of wildland fire. Three wildland urban interface conditions have been identified (Federal Register 66(3), January 4, 2001) for use in wildfire control efforts. These include the Interface Condition, Intermix Condition, and Occluded Condition. Descriptions of each are as follows: • Interface Condition – a situation where structures abut wildland fuels. There is a clear line of demarcation between the structures and the wildland fuels along roads or back fences. The development density for an interface condition is usually 3+ structures per acre; • Intermix Condition – a situation where structures are scattered throughout a wildland area. There is no clear line of demarcation; the wildland fuels are continuous outside of
and within the developed area. The development density in the intermix ranges from structures very close together to one structure per 40 acres; and • Occluded Condition – a situation, normally within a city, where structures abut an island of wildland fuels (park or open space). There is a clear line of demarcation between the structures and the wildland fuels along roads and fences. The development density for an occluded condition is usually similar to that found in the interface condition and the occluded area is usually less than 1,000 acres in size. ity Wildfire Protection Plan In addition to these classifications detailed in the Federal Register, Clearwater County has included three additional classifications to augment these categories:
27 USFS. 2001. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Wildland Urban Interface. Web page. Date accessed: 25 September 2001. Accessed at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/fire/urbanint.html 28 Norton, P. Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge Fire Hazard Reduction Project: Final Environmental Assessment. Fish and Wildlife Services, Bear Valley Wildlife Refuge. June 20, 2002.
29 Clearwater County, Idaho Commun McCoy, L. K., et all. Cerro Grand Fire Behavior Narrative. 2001.
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• Rural Condition – a situation where the scattered small clusters of structures (ranches, farms, resorts, or summer cabins) are exposed to wildland fuels. There may be miles between these clusters. • High Density Urban Areas – those areas generally identified by the population density consistent with the location of incorporated cities, however, the boundary is not necessarily set by the location of city boundaries or urban growth boundaries; it is set by very high population densities (more than 7-10 structures per acre). • Non-WUI Condition – a situation where the above definitions do not apply because of a lack of structures in an area or the absence of critical infrastructure. This classification is not considered part of the wildland urban interface. In summary, the designation of areas by the Clearwater County planning committee includes: • Interface Condition: WUI • Intermix Condition: WUI • Occluded Condition: WUI • Rural Condition: WUI • High Density Urban Areas: WUI • Non-WUI Condition: Not WUI, but present in Clearwater County Clearwater County’s wildland urban interface (WUI) is based on population density. Relative population density across the county was estimated using a GIS based kernel density population model that uses object locations to produce, through statistical analysis, concentric rings or areas of consistent density. To graphically identify relative population density across the county, structure locations are used as an estimate of population density. Aerial photography was used to identify structure locations in 2005. This existing structure layer was updated in 2010 using 2009 NAIP imagery for Clearwater County. The resulting output identified the extent and level of population density throughout the county. The updated and revised population density model output was adopted as the WUI for Clearwater County, Idaho.
By evaluating structure density in this way, WUI areas can be identified on maps by using mathematical formulae and population density indexes. The resulting population density indexes create concentric circles showing high density areas, interface, and intermix condition WUI, as well as rural condition WUI (as defined above). This portion of the analysis allows us to “see” where the highest concentrations of structures are located in reference to relatively high risk landscapes, limiting infrastructure, and other points of concern.
The WUI, as defined here, is unbiased and consistent, allows for edge matching with other ity Wildfire Protection Plan counties, and most importantly – it addresses all of the county, not just federally identified communities at risk. It is a planning tool showing where homes and businesses are located and the density of those structures leading to identified WUI categories. It can be determined again in the future, using the same criteria, to show how the WUI has changed in response to increasing population densities. It uses a repeatable and reliable analysis process that is unbiased. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act makes a clear designation that the location of the WUI is at the determination of the county or reservation when a formal and adopted Community Wildfire
Protection Plan is in place. It further states that the federal agencies are obligated to use this WUI Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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designation for all Healthy Forests Restoration Act purposes. The Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan planning committee evaluated a variety of different approaches to determining the WUI for the county and selected this approach and has adopted it for these purposes. In addition to a formal WUI map for use with the federal agencies, it is hoped that it will serve as a planning tool for the county, the IDL, and local fire districts. Figure 4.3. Wildland Urban Interface in Clearwater County, Idaho.
Potential WUI Treatments The definition and mapping of the WUI is the creation of a planning tool to identify where structures, people, and infrastructure are located in reference to each other. This analysis tool does not include a component of fuels risk. There are a number of reasons to map and analyze these two components separately (population density vs. fire risk analysis). Primary among these reasons is the fact that population growth often occurs independent from changes in fire risk, fuel
loading, and infrastructure development. Thus, making the definition of the WUI dependent on ity Wildfire Protection Plan all of them would eliminate populated places with a perceived low level of fire risk today, which may in a year become an area at high risk due to forest health issues or other concerns. By examining these two tools separately, the planner is able to evaluate these layers of information to see where the combination of population density overlays areas of high current relative fire risk and then take mitigative actions to reduce the fuels, improve readiness, directly address factors of structural ignitability, improve initial attack success, mitigate resistance to control factors, or (more often) a combination of many approaches. It should not be assumed that just because an area is identified as being within the WUI, that it will therefore receive treatments because of this identification alone. Nor should it be implicit Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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that all WUI treatments will be the application of the same prescription. Instead, each location targeted for treatments must be evaluated on its own merits: factors of structural ignitability, access, resistance to control, population density, resources and capabilities of firefighting personnel, and other site specific factors. It should also not be assumed that WUI designation on national or state forest lands automatically equates to a treatment area. The Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Idaho Department of Lands are still obligated to manage lands under their control according to the standards and guides listed in their respective forest plans. The adopted forest plan has legal precedence over the WUI designation until such a time as the forest plan is revised to reflect updated priorities. Most treatments may begin with a home evaluation, and the implicit factors of structural ignitability (roofing, siding, deck materials) and vegetation within the treatment area of the structure. However, treatments in the low population areas of rural lands (mapped as yellow) may look closely at access (two ways in and out) and communications through means other than land-based telephones. On the other hand, a subdivision with densely packed homes (mapped as brown – interface areas) surrounded by forests and dense underbrush, may receive more time and effort implementing fuels treatments beyond the immediate home site to reduce the probability of a crown fire entering the subdivision.
Clearwater County Conditions Clearwater County is characterized by relatively mild winters and warm, dry summers. Although infrequent, fires in the forest fuel types present throughout much of the County have the potential to result in large, intense and damaging fires such as the 1910 Fire or the Sundance Fire. Past timber harvest operations have created a mosaic of stand conditions that is evident from almost any viewpoint. The fire risk associated with these activities is highly variable depending on a plethora of factors, some of which include the amount of timber volume removed (i.e. number and size of trees left standing), treatment of slash post-harvest, reforestation success, use of equipment, and many site specific factors such as aspect. Generally, treatment of slash by
prescribed burning or pile burning can significantly reduce the risk of intense wildfire by removing hazardous fuels in the understory. Clearwater County has been experiencing steady growth, particularly in and around Orofino. At the same time, the number and value of resources at risk is on the increase, as more and more homes are built in the midst of fire prone fuels. Human use is strongly correlated with fire frequency, with increasing numbers of fires as use increases. The combination of frequent ignitions and flammable vegetation has greatly increased the probability that incendiary devices
will find a receptive fuel bed, resulting in increased fire frequency. Discarded cigarettes, tire ity Wildfire Protection Plan fires, and hot catalytic converters have increased the number of fires experienced along roadways. Careless and unsupervised use of fireworks also contributes their fair share to unwanted and unexpected wildland fires. Further contributing to ignition sources are the debris burners and “sport burners” who use fire to rid ditches of weeds and other burnable materials. Vegetative structure and composition in Clearwater County is closely related to elevation, aspect and precipitation. Relatively mild and moist environments characterize the undulating topography of the region which transitions from the Palouse prairie plant communities of the northwest region to the forest ecosystems that characterize the vast majority of the land area in
Clearwater County. These forest communities contain high fuel accumulations that have the Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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potential to burn at moderate to high intensities. Highly variable topography coupled with dry, windy weather conditions typical of the region is likely to create extreme fire behavior. At higher elevation mountainous regions, moisture becomes less limiting due to a combination of higher precipitation and reduced solar radiation. Vegetative patterns shift toward forested communities dominated by ponderosa pine, western larch, grand fir, and Douglas-fir at the lower and mid elevations, transitioning to lodgepole pine and subalpine fir at the higher elevations. Engelmann spruce and western red cedar are commonly found in moist draws and frost pockets. These forested conditions possess a greater quantity of both dead and down fuels as well as live fuels. Rates of fire spread tend to be lower than those in the grass and shrub lands, however, intensities can escalate dramatically, especially under the effect of slope and wind. These conditions can lead to control problems and potentially threaten lives, structures and other valued resources. As elevation and aspect increase available moisture, forest composition transitions to moister habitat types. Increases in moisture keep forest fuels unavailable to burn for longer periods during the summer. This increases the time between fire events, resulting in varying degrees of fuel accumulation. When these fuels do become available to burn, they typically burn in mosaic pattern at mid elevations, where accumulations of forest fuels result in either single or group tree torching, and in some instances, short crown fire runs. At the highest elevations, fire events are typically stand replacing, as years of fuel accumulation fuel large, intense wildfires. Many lower elevation forested areas throughout Clearwater County are highly valued for their scenic qualities as well as for their proximity to travel corridors. These attributes have led to increased recreational home development and residential home construction in and around forest fuel complexes. The juxtaposition of highly flammable forest types and rapid home development will continue to challenge the ability to manage wildland fires in the wildland urban interface. Fire suppression often depends on two important factors: availability of fire suppression resources and access. Fire suppression resources include firefighting personnel, equipment and apparatus as well as water and chemical fire suppressants. The greater the availability of fire suppression resources, the more likely it is that a given fire will be contained quickly. Fire suppression also depends on access. Fires in remote areas without ground access are more difficult to fight and thus harder to contain than are fires in roaded areas. Access and effective response is partially a function of land management objectives. Lands managed for natural conditions where roads have not been built or the existing roads have been obliterated tend to have a much poorer fire suppression response than commercial forestlands where road systems are maintained. Because wildland fires are being effectively suppressed, the patterns and characteristics of fires ity Wildfire Protection Plan are changing. Vegetation that historically would have been minimized by frequent fires has become more dominant. Over time, some species have also become more susceptible to disease and insect damage, which leads to an increase in mortality. The resulting accumulation of dead wood and debris creates the types of fuels that promote intense, rapidly spreading fires. Decades of logging and fire suppression have also changed the characteristics of forests, trending towards younger forest stands. Mature forests are typically less dense, and contain larger more fire-resistant trees. Young forests are denser with larger numbers of small, less fire-resistant trees. Younger trees have thinner bark and may sustain more economic damage than an older stand. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Areas subject to wildland urban interface fires have very different fire hazard characteristics. The defining characteristic of the wildland urban interface area is that structures are built in areas with essentially continuous (and often high) vegetative fuel loads. When wildland fires occur in such areas, they tend to spread quickly and structures in these areas may, unfortunately, become little more than additional fuel sources for wildland fires. The placement of homes in wildland urban interface settings has also changed over time. Historically pioneering families built their homes in low lands, close to water and the fields they intended to work. Within the last 50 years, rural homes have increasingly been built in locations chosen because of the view or other amenities. Thus, many newer homes are in locations more difficult to defend against wildland fires. Fire risk to structures and occupants in wildland urban interface areas is high due to high vegetative fuel loads and limited fire suppression resources compared to urban or suburban areas. Homes in wildland urban interface areas are most commonly on wells rather than on municipal water supplies, which limits the availability of water for fire suppression. Less availability of water resources makes it more likely that a small wildland fire or a single structure fire will spread before it can be extinguished. In many areas of Clearwater County, narrow winding roads, dead end driveways, and inadequate bridges impede access by firefighting apparatus. As with water supplies, the lower availability of firefighting personnel and apparatus and longer response times increase the probability that a small wildland fire or a single structure fire will spread. Developments in wildland urban interface areas often face high fire risk because of the combination of high fire hazard (high vegetative fuel loads) and limited fire suppression capabilities. Unfortunately, occupants in many wildland urban interface areas also face high safety risks, especially from large fires that may spread quickly. The safety risks in interface areas are often exacerbated by limited numbers of roads (in the worst case only one access road) that are often narrow and winding and subject to blockage by a wildland fire. Potential safety issues within interface areas are often increased by homeowners’ reluctance to evacuate homes quickly. Instead, homeowners often try to protect their homes with whatever fire suppression resources are available. Such efforts generally have very little effectiveness. Unfortunately, homeowners who delay evacuation often place themselves in jeopardy. Developments in rural wildland urban interface areas face a range of risk factors. Developments that have all or most of the following attributes are at the highest level of risk: 1) Location in or surrounded by heavy fuel loads with a high degree of continuity (i.e. few significant firebreaks). Risk may be particularly high if the fuel load is grass, brush, and
smaller trees subject to low moisture levels in short duration drought periods. ity Wildfire Protection Plan 2) Steep slopes, which cause fires to spread more rapidly. 3) Limited fire suppression capacity including limited water supply capacity for fire suppression purposes, limited firefighting personnel and apparatus, and typically long response times for fire alarms. 4) Limited access for firefighting apparatus and limited evacuation routes for residents at risk. 5) Construction of structures to less than fully fire-safe practices, Clearwater County, Idaho Commun 6) Lack of maintenance of firebreaks and defensible zones around structures.
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Overall, the threat of wildland fire appears moderate to high for Clearwater County. Communities at lower elevations are at risk from frequent lower intensity fires. The higher elevation communities are typically at risk from infrequent, but much more intense wildfires. Nevertheless, higher levels of rain and snowfall in these areas help minimize the period of time they are most susceptible to severe wildfires.
Overall Mitigation Activities There are many actions that will help improve safety in a particular area; there are also many mitigation activities that can apply to all residents and all fuel types. General mitigation activities that apply to all of Clearwater County are discussed below while area-specific mitigation activities are discussed within the strategic planning area assessments. Prevention. The safest, easiest, and most economical way to mitigate unwanted fires is to stop them before they start. Generally, prevention actions attempt to prevent human-caused fires. Campaigns designed to reduce the number and sources of ignitions can be quite effective and can take many forms. Traditional “Smokey Bear” type campaigns that spread the message passively through signage can be effective. Interpretive signs that remind folks of the dangers of careless use of fireworks, burning when windy, and leaving unattended campfires can also be effective. Active prevention techniques can involve mass media, radio, and the local newspapers. Fire districts in other Counties have contributed to the reduction in human-caused ignitions by printing a weekly “run blotter,” similar to a police blotter, in the paper. The blotter briefly describes the fire response calls for the week and is followed by a “tip of the week” to reduce the threat from wildland and structure fires. The federal government and the Idaho Department of Lands have been champions of prevention, and could provide ideas for such tips. When fire conditions are high, brief public service messages could warn of the hazards of misuse of fire or any other ignition sources. Limiting Use. Areas within the IDL protection district boundary are also subject to public use restrictions, referred to as “Regulated Use”, during fire season in an attempt to limit, or manage use of activities known to cause fires. Fire departments typically observe the State of Idaho’s closed fire season between May 10 and October 20. During this time, an individual seeking to conduct any type of burning shall obtain a permit to prescribe the conditions under which the burn can be conducted and the resources that need to be on hand to suppress the fire, from a State of Idaho fire warden. Defensible Space. Effective mitigation strategies begin with public awareness campaigns designed to educate homeowners of the risks associated with living in a flammable environment. Residents of Clearwater County must be made aware that home defensibility starts with the homeowner. Once a fire has started and is moving toward a structure, the probability of that ity Wildfire Protection Plan structure surviving is largely dependent on the structural and landscaping characteristics of the building. “Living with Fire, A Guide for the Homeowner” is an excellent tool for educating homeowners on the steps to take in order to create an effective defensible space. Residents of Clearwater County should be encouraged to work with local fire departments and fire management agencies within the county to complete individual home site evaluations. Home defensibility steps should be enacted based on the results of these evaluations. Beyond the homes, forest management efforts must be considered to slow the approach of a fire that threatens a community. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Evacuation. Development of community evacuation plans is necessary and critical to assure an orderly evacuation in the event of a threatening wildland fire. Designation and posting of escape routes would reduce chaos and escape times for fleeing residents. Community safety zones should also be established in the event safe evacuation is impossible and ‘sheltering in place’ becomes the better option. Efforts should be made to educate homeowners through existing homeowners associations or citizen participation organizations. Access. Also of vital importance is the accessibility of homes to emergency apparatus. The fate of a home will often be determined by homeowner actions prior to the event. A few simple guidelines such as widening or pruning along driveways and creating a turnaround area for large vehicles, can greatly enhance home survivability. Facility Maintenance. Recreational facilities near communities or in the surrounding forests such as parks or natural areas should be kept clean and maintained. In order to mitigate the risk of an escaped campfire, escape-resistant fire rings and barbeque pits should be installed and maintained. In some cases, restricting campfires during dry periods may be necessary. Surface fuel accumulations in nearby forests can also be kept to a minimum by periodically conducting pre-commercial thinning, pruning and limbing, and possibly controlled burns. Fire District Response. Once a fire has started, how much and how large it burns is often dependent on the availability of suppression resources. In most cases, rural fire departments are the first to respond and have the best opportunity to halt the spread of a wildland fire. For many districts, the ability to reach these suppression objectives is largely dependent on the availability of functional resources and trained individuals. Increasing the capacity of departments through funding and equipment acquisition can improve response times and subsequently reduce the potential for resource loss. Development Standards. Furthermore, county policies can be revised to provide for more fire conscious techniques such as using fire resistant construction materials; improved road, driveway, and bridge standard, establishment of permanent water resources, and adoption of a WUI building code.
Other Mitigation. Other actions to reduce fire hazards are thinning and pruning timbered areas, creating a fire resistant buffer along roads and power line corridors, and strictly enforcing fire- use regulations. Ensuring that areas beneath power lines have been cleared of potential high risk fuels and making sure that the buffer between the surrounding forest lands is wide enough to adequately protect the poles as well as the lines is imperative.
Overview of Fire Protection System
Mutual aid agreements have been made between each of the local fire districts and the Idaho ity Wildfire Protection Plan Department of Lands to supplement resources of a fire agency or district during a time of critical need. Mutual aid is given only when equipment and resources are available. On wildland fires, fire districts typically provide initial attack resources until the Idaho Department of Lands assumes command of the incident. Clearwater County has a single-point dispatch center located on the top floor of the Clearwater County Courthouse and within the Sheriff’s Office. Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) provides dispatch services for all first responding agencies and during the summer also notifies Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection Association (C-PTPA) of wildfire issues. The Clearwater
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Office and Orofino Police Department. The dispatch center has two fully functional consoles and CAD systems that provide backup in case ofa system failure. An additional radio with tone generator is also available as backup. CCSO has the ability to communicate with all local response agencies within the County. In addition, CCSO is able to communicate with the surrounding fire departments and has the ability to communicate with the State Police using a UHF radio located in the dispatch center. CCSO utilizes the State Communications Center, which can patch communication lines for CCSO to other agencies through out the state. Local Fire Department and District Summaries The firefighting resources and capabilities information provided in this section is a summary of information provided by the fire chiefs or representatives of the wildland firefighting agencies listed. Each organization completed a survey with written responses. Their answers to a variety of questions are summarized here. These synopses indicate their perceptions and information summaries. Appendix 4 contains contact information and a complete equipment list for each of the following fire service organizations.
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Sunnyside Rural Fire District District Summary: Sunnyside Fire District is a county tax-based volunteer organization housed in a 3 1/2 bay metal 54' X 36' building founded on a concrete slab. A new 26’ X 36’ training and fitness room was added in May 2007. The District is managed by elected fire commissioners who choose a fire chief. Sunnyside responds to structural, wildland, agricultural, and vehicle fires. The District covers 10 square miles including approximately 350 people and over 150 structures. Currently, the incident capacity is one single-family incident and the recovery requirements are to replenish water supplies on engines and tenders. Sunnyside Fire District has mutual aid agreements with: Nez Perce County Fire, Idaho Department of Lands, Nez Perce Tribe, Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, and all other Clearwater County Fire Districts. Sunnyside also contracts with IDL to the US Forest Service for off-district fire suppression. Issues of Concern: The population within the District is growing. Additional staff and suppression resources are needed. Water storage and supplies are also inadequate to meeting the growing need. The Sunnyside District is working on improving defensible space around homes through fuel mitigation projects; however, the need for these types of programs is ongoing. Brush and yellow star thistle are abundant in the area and needs mitigated. Road and driveway access into homes throughout most of the District is problematic due to the steep slope and one-way in, one-way out roads with few or nonexistent turnouts or turnaround
areas. Due to the District’s reliance on volunteer help, maintaining a viable work force is always difficult. New recruits are rare and the availability of day time responders is limited. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Orofino City and Rural Fire District District Summary: Orofino City and Rural Fire District is a city-based volunteer organization housed in two 2-bay buildings. Orofino City Fire is managed by the City Council. Orofino Rural Fire District is managed by three elected fire commissioners and an elected fire chief. Orofino responds to structural and wildland fires and performs rescue extrication for Clearwater County. Currently, the incident capacity is two single-family dwellings and the recovery requirements are at least one hour. Issues of Concern: Risk in the Orofino area is, to a large extent, a result of the wildland fuels that lay adjacent to residential development on the banks of the Clearwater River canyon. Access to some homes may be difficult due to narrow roads and lack of adequate turn-arounds. Orofino Rural has grown due to the annexation of adjacent lands. Communication throughout the District is adequate; however, replacement of equipment continues to be a challenge. The recruitment of volunteers has been low over the past 5 years. The current volunteer level puts existing firefighters at additional risk. Orofino Rural Fire District needs to construct an additional fire station in the northeast corner of the District’s coverage area where growth is increasing. The District already owns the land.
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Greer Fire District District Summary: Greer Fire District is managed by three fire commissioners. Greer no longer provides protection; however, they have contracted with Orofino Rural Fire District and Weippe Rural Fire Department to provide coverage. All items and personnel available for fire suppression from Orofino or Weippe is “Dependant upon Availability.” Issues of Concern: Risk in the Greer area is, to a large extent, a result of the wildland fuels that lay adjacent to residential development on the banks of the Clearwater River canyon. Access to some homes may be difficult due to narrow roads and lack of adequate turn-arounds. Communication throughout the District is adequate; however, replacement of equipment continues to be a challenge. The recruitment of volunteers has been low over the past 5 years. The current volunteer level puts existing firefighters at additional risk.
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Grangemont Rural Fire District District Summary: Grangemont Rural Fire District is a county-based volunteer organization located about 16 miles from Orofino. The District is managed by three elected fire commissioners who choose a fire chief. Grangemont RFD responds to structural fires. Currently, the incident capacity is one single-family dwelling with an approximate recovery time of two hours. Grangemont’s coverage area consists of meadow land, timber land, and farm land (mostly hay) with a deep canyon bordering one side. The roads are primarily gravel with the exception of Grangemont Road, which is paved and Rudo Road, which is partially paved with asphalt grindings. The District has many one lane driveways accessing 2 or more residences. Rudo Road is narrow and winds down into the canyon. There are approximately 65 residences in the District and less than 10 of those have school-age children. Issues of Concern: Inadequate access into new and existing structures in the rural area continues to be problematic for the District, particularly the lack of turnouts and/or turnaround areas. Rudo Road requires a significant amount of time to negotiate due to the steep grade. Due to the remoteness of the area, it may take an hour or so for mututal aid assistance to arrive from other fire stations. There is also a lack of water sources in the District. Currently, the primary water supply is a dry hydrant on a pond next to the station.
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Evergreen Rural Fire District District Summary: Evergreen Rural Fire District is a county-based volunteer organization housed in a 3 bay building and managed by elected fire commissioners who choose a fire chief. The District was established in 1981 and has provided a protection Class 8 and 9 since 1992. Evergreen responds to both structural and wildland fires, but is mainly protects agricultural and rural forested homesites. Currently, the incident capacity is one single family incident or one class C wildland fire with an approximate recovery time of one hour for a structural incident and eight hours for a wildland incident. Evergreen Rural Fire District has made agreements with the IDL and CPTPA for mutual aid and fire equipment. Issues of Concern: The Freeman Creek area is expanding with 5 acre and larger parcel subdivisions. The fire dispatch repeater coverage from Norton Knob is limited. Inadequate access into new and existing structures in the rural area continues to be problematic for the District, particularly the lack of standards and a maintenance program for private bridges. Due to the District’s reliance on volunteer help, maintaining a viable work force is always difficult. New recruits are rare and the availability of daytime responders is limited.
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Weippe Volunteer Fire Department District Summary: Weippe Volunteer Fire Department is a city-based volunteer organization housed in a 3 bay building and managed by a board of directors. Weippe responds to structural and wildland fires. Currently, the incident capacity is two single-family dwellings with an approximate recovery requirement of at least one hour. Issues of Concern: There is scattered development outside the community of Weippe. Homes’ defensibility in these areas could be improved; however, there are few highly hazardous areas. Many of the access roads in the coverage area are too narrow and have inadequate turnarounds for fire apparatus. Address markers in rural areas are often difficult to see or missing. There are individual homes that are at much higher risk to wildland fire loss largely due to use of ignitable materials in home construction or because of the lack of defensible space surrounding the home.
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Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District District Summary: The Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District is located 4 miles northeast of Orofino, Idaho. The District encompasses 13.6 square miles of urban/wildland interface environment servicing approximately 100 residents. The District contains 31 miles of roadway, of which 79% are unpaved gravel roads and driveways. Almost all of the unpaved miles are private roads which are not maintained by the County Road Department. The elevation of the District’s coverage area ranges from approximately 1800’ above sea level to almost 3300’ above sea level. Over 40% of the District contains productive timber. Water sources, mostly seasonal ponds, are scarce in the summer and difficult to reach in the winter. There are no hydrants within the District. The Upper Fords Creek District is served by the Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire Department. The Department consists of twelve all volunteer firefighters and five firefighting vehicles. The Department fleet consists of two structure pumpers, two tenders, and one fast attack vehicle. Annual revenue for the Department is approximately $12,000 from taxes and fundraising. The Department has averaged five calls per year since the inception of the department in August of 2004. The Department has county-wide mutual aid agreements and 66% of the Department’s responses are to mutual aid events. The Department’s average response time is 20 minutes. The Department’s vehicles currently reside in a rented structure and paperwork is kept in several locations with administrative personnel. The Department has purchased a 75’ x 40’ steel building and land has been donated for a fire station. The site is currently being cleared and excavated to make room for the building. The Department has little funding left after the purchase of the building for labor costs required to erect and finish the structure. Issues of Concern: The Upper Fords Creek District’s operational concerns include the lack of water resources, difficult access, lack of nearby mutual aid on the east end of the District, and the lack of a fire station to keep all apparatus response-ready.
Administratively, the District’s main concern is the lack of a central location to house all personnel and business records as well as the lack of computers and filing cabinets to store information. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Elk River Volunteer Fire Department District Summary: Elk River Volunteer Fire Department is a city-based volunteer organization housed in a 2 bay building and managed by the City Council and Mayor. Elk River responds to structural and limited wildland fires. Currently, the incident capacity is one single family dwelling with an approximate recovery requirement of five minutes.
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Pierce Fire Department District Summary: Pierce Volunteer Fire Department is a city-based volunteer organization housed in a two bay building and managed by fire department officers, which report to the City Council and Mayor. Pierce responds to structural fires and has a mutual aid agreement for wildland fire response. Currently, the incident capacity is two incidents with an approximate recovery requirement of two hours.
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Twin Ridge Rural Fire District District Summary: The Twin Ridge RFD covers about 26 square miles. The District contains 267 dwellings with about 500 structures. The District supports 1 main fire station, which houses 4 fire apparatus. The Fire District also positioned two shelters in outlying areas to house one Type 6 rapid response vehicle each. The District is building an additional Type 6 truck to be positioned 5 miles north of the main fire station. Twin Ridge RFD has a mutual aid agreement with all local fire departments and the State of Idaho through the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association. Issues of Concern: The Fire District has seven subdivisions. Two of the subdivisions contain over 20 parcels each and are currently being developed. One of these subdivisions has serious road access and water supply issues. Current growth in the district is estimated to be 5 new dwellings annually. An equal or greater number of out-buildings are also being constructed annually. All of the Fire District radios have been upgraded to narrow band, both handheld and mobile. One mobile radio meets the P25 standard. Topography severely limits P25 usability and compliance in the Twin Ridge District and Clearwater County in general. The Fire District needs to continue development of water sources across the District. Currently, the only water sources are drafting ponds. Residential structure defensible space needs to be promoted. Approximately 30% of the homes
currently meet defensible space criteria.
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USDA Forest Service – Clearwater National Forest District Summary: The Clearwater National Forest is responsible for wildland fire protection within the National Forest lands. The agency works collaboratively with the Idaho Department of Lands, the C-PTPA, and local fire departments on fire prevention and public education campaigns within Clearwater County.
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Idaho Department of Lands District Summary: The Maggie Creek Fire Protection District covers an area of approximately 400 thousand acres. There is a permanent fire staff of three people with a seasonal fire crew of 8-10 depending on the fire season. Rough district boundaries are the USFS forest boundary to the east, Peck to the north, Central Ridge- Nez Perce-Highway 7 to the west, and Snow Haven Ski Area to the south. The district has three distinct landform types: steep, dry canyon land, flatter prairie land, and rolling to steep mountainous terrain. The area is considered prime real estate and Wildland Urban Interface issues abound. Maggie Creek coordinates suppression efforts with eleven rural fire departments, four of them taxing and the remainder subscription or volunteer. Maggie Creek averages 31 wildfires per year and another 20 or so false alarms. District coordination is compounded because three counties lie within fire district boundaries. There is an active prevention program in place supported by interagency and fire departments alike. Maggie Creek issues approximately 500 burn permits each year. Issues of Concern: Canyon fires and associated Wildland Urban Interface issues especially in the Woodland Grade, Tom Taha, Adams Grade, Beaverslide, Big Cedar Area, and Clear Creek areas. Other issues include: multi-county mutual aid agreements; developing pre-fire plansthat evaluate evacuation routes, safety zones, suppression tactics, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and trigger points; and common communication for all responders.
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Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association The Clearwater Timber Protective Association and the Potlatch Timber Association were separately organized in the early 1900's. In 1966, these two entities merged to form the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, a non-corporate entity. Subsequently, on July 16, 1982, the Association completed filings for incorporation under the Idaho Nonprofit Corporation Act and became the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, Inc. The Association is controlled by forest landowners belonging to its membership and subject to the provisions of the Idaho Forestry Act. The Association is primarily responsible for the conservation and protection of the forests and forestland within the State of Idaho; specifically, the Palouse, Potlatch, and North Fork of the Clearwater River drainages. A cooperative agreement continues to this date between the Association and the State Board of Land Commissioners through the Director of the Idaho Department of Lands. The purpose of this agreement is to clarify the forest protection relationship between the Association and the Idaho Department of Lands. It defines the reimbursable expenditures and emergency fire suppression expenditures that may be incurred by the State and Association. In addition, the agreement addresses the following: (1) fire protection plans, (2) fire management, (3) reports and records, (4) budgets, (5) administrative matters, (6) payments, (7) duration, and (8) limited obligation by the State. The protection agreement with the Corps of Engineers to provide additional protection services around Dworshak Reservoir was continued during the 2003 fire season. This agreement provides for boat patrols, aerial patrols, fire prevention, prescribed fire, and maintenance efforts in the campsites. The C-PTPA maintains 5 stations located at Boehls Cabin, Headquarters, Elk River, and Orofino (administrative office). All aircraft resources are based out of Orofino. The Association has over 1 million acres of wildland fire protection in Clearwater, Latah, and Shoshone County. CPTPA has cooperative agreements in place with the IDL, US Forest Service, BLM, and rural fire districts. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Issues of Concern: Residential growth in the WUI is increasing at a fast rate. This will require additional response capabilities and prevention efforts for CPTPA fire wardens and local fire chiefs. CPTPA needs to update radio communication to meet narrow band requirement by 2013. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Fire Protection Issues The following sections provide a brief overview of the many difficult issues currently challenging Clearwater County in providing wildland fire safety to citizens. These issues were discussed at length both during the committee process and at several of the public meetings. In most cases, the committee has developed action items (Chapter 6) that are intended to begin the process of effectively mitigating these issues.
Urban and Suburban Growth One challenge Clearwater County faces is the large number of houses in the urban/rural fringe compared to twenty years ago. Since the 1970s, a segment of Idaho's growing population has expanded further into traditional forest or resource lands. The “interface” between urban and suburban areas and the resource lands created by this expansion has produced a significant increase in threats to life and property from fires, and has pushed existing fire protection systems beyond original or current design or capability. Many property owners in the interface are not aware of the problems and threats they face and owners have done very little to manage or offset fire hazards or risks on their own property. Furthermore, human activities increase the incidence of fire ignition and potential damage.
It is one of the goals of this document to help educate the public on the ramifications of living in the wildland urban interface, including their responsibilities as landowners to reduce the fire risk on their property and to provide safe access to their property for all emergency personnel and equipment. Homeowners building in a high fire risk area must understand how to make their properties more fire resistant using proven firesafe construction and landscaping techniques and they must have a realistic understanding of the capability of local fire service organizations to defend their property.
Rural Fire Protection People moving from urban to more rural areas frequently have high expectations for structural fire protection services. Often, new residents do not realize they are living outside a fire protection district, or that the services provided are not the same as in an urban area. The diversity and amount of equipment and the number of personnel can be substantially limited in rural areas. Fire protection may rely more on the landowner’s personal initiative to take measures to protect his or her property. Furthermore, subdivisions on steep slopes and the greater number of homes exceeding 3,000 square feet are also factors challenging fire service organizations. In the future, public education and awareness may play a greater role in rural or interface areas. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Great improvements in fire protection techniques are being made to adapt to large, rapidly spreading fires that threaten large numbers of homes in interface areas.
Debris Burning Local burning of trash and yard debris has been identified as a significant and growing cause of wildfires throughout Clearwater County. Not only are some people regularly burning outside of the designated time frame, but escaped debris fires impose a very high fire risk to neighboring properties and residents. A growing portion of local fire department calls are in response to debris fires or “backyard burning” that either have escaped the landowner’s control or are Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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causing smoke management problems. It is likely that regulating this type of burning will always be a challenge for local authorities and fire departments; however, improved public education regarding the county’s burning regulations and permit system as well as potential risk factors would be beneficial.
Pre-planning in High Risk Areas Although conducting home, community, and road defensible space projects is a very effective way to reduce the fire risk to communities in Clearwater County, recommended projects cannot all occur immediately and many will take several years to complete. Thus, developing pre- planning guidelines specifying which and how local fire agencies and departments will respond to specific areas is very beneficial. These response plans should include assessments of the structures, topography, fuels, available evacuation routes, available resources, response times, communications, water resource availability, and any other factors specific to an area. All of these plans should be available to the local fire departments as well as dispatch personnel.
Fire Service “No Man’s Land” Harmony Heights, Lower Fords Creek, Dent, Judgetown, and the Gilbert Grade are not currently within a structural fire protection district. In many cases, the homeowners in these areas are not aware that they do not have structural fire protection. Additionally, some landowners are aware of the inadequacy, but are resistant to formation of a new fire district or annexation into an existing district for various reasons. Clearwater County supports researching the options available to improve the fire services in this area, which may involve a well-organized public education campaign to ensure homeowners in the area are aware of the situation and understand the ramifications.
Road and Bridge Standards Fire chiefs throughout Clearwater County have identified home accessibility issues as a primary concern in many of the rural areas in the county. Some private driveways are too narrow and/or
too steep and most do not have adequate turnouts, turnaround areas, or alternative escape routes. In addition, some privately-maintained rural access roads have become overgrown by vegetation, effectively restricting safe access, particularly in a wildfire situation. Inadequate private bridges lacking weight rating signage are also a common problem. Due to the risk of bridge failure and resulting personnel injury and equipment damage, fire and medical service organizations will not cross bridges that may be incapable of handling the weight of emergency response apparatus. ity Wildfire Protection Plan The planning committee involved in the development of this CWPP found accessibility due to nonexistent or ineffective driveway and private bridge standards to be the number one difficulty for safe emergency ingress and egress. It is a clear goal of this planning process to begin the development, enforcement, and maintenance of accepted road, driveway, and private bridge standards countywide. As part of this process, the committee has recommended an action item for improvement of substandard roads, driveways, and private bridges as well as development of an inventory and certification process for privately owned bridges. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Wildland Fire Specific Building Regulations As the trend to build in the wildland urban interface continues, many counties and communities have begun to develop wildland urban interface codes for new construction that regulate the use of certain building materials (roofing, siding, vents, decking, etc.) in high fire risk areas. In addition, WUI codes regarding road and bridge standards, availability of water resources, proximity of vegetation, and other requirements have been adopted in communities and counties across the United States.
In 2005, the CWPP planning committee recommended the development of countywide policies to regulate the types of building materials used in high fire risk areas. As of 2011, Clearwater County has adopted the International Building Codes and is working towards adopting fire codes and enforcement rules that will best serve the County. It is the goal of the committee that these types of local code changes help prevent the high fire risk situations that are characteristic in numerous rural subdivisions already existing in Clearwater County.
Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment The rural fire departments in Clearwater County are dependent on volunteer firefighters. Each district spends a considerable amount of time and resources training and equipping each volunteer, with the hope that they will continue to volunteer their services to the department for at least several years. One problem that all volunteer-based departments encounter is the diminishing number of new recruits. As populations continue to rise and more and more people build homes in high fire risk areas, the number of capable volunteers has gone down. In particular, many departments have difficulty maintaining volunteers available during regular work day hours (8am to 5pm).
Public Wildfire Awareness As the potential fire risk in the wildland urban interface continues to increase, it is clear that fire
service organizations cannot be solely responsible for protection of lives, structures, infrastructure, ecosystems, and all of the intrinsic values that go along with living in rural areas. Public awareness of the wildland fire risks as well as homeowner accountability for the risk on their own property is paramount to protection of all the resources in the wildland urban interface.
Developing a mechanism to increase public awareness regarding wildfire risks and promoting “do it yourself” mitigation actions is a primary goal of the CWPP planning committee as well as
many of the individual organizations participating on the committee. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
Adoption of International Fire Code Currently, fire departments in Clearwater County are not consistently notified of new construction projects within their jurisdiction; thus, they are not aware of the new addresses or what to expect when they arrive at an incident. The committee working on this plan would like to see the County adopt the International Fire Code, which would place more restrictions on building permittees to provide for safer emergency response to their structures. This would
address minimum road widths and grade, adequate turn-around areas, turnouts for driveways Clearwater County, Idaho Commun over a designated length, and water availability among many other things.
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Canal Creek Watershed The community of Pierce is primarily dependent on surface runoff from the Canal Creek Watershed for their water resources. Water is collected near the mouth of the drainage, treated, and then piped to homes and businesses. A severe wildfire in this watershed could cause serious injury to this resource by removing vegetation, creating ash and sediments, and impairing soil properties. Fire mitigation treatments prior to a fire event are a high priority and are imperative to conserving the functionality of the watershed following a wildland fire.
The CWPP planning committee has recommended an action item to develop a Forest Management Plan for the Canal Creek Watershed to include a fuels reduction program as well as other silvicultural techniques.
Current Wildfire Mitigation Activities
Red Zone Program The Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department, Orofino Fire Department, and Grangemont Rural Fire District have successfully set up and are using the Red Zone program through assistance from the Idaho Department of Lands. The Red Zone software creates a database for the fire departments to record risk assessment information on individual structures in their district. This type of prior knowledge of potential fuels, access, and other risk factors is very useful when responding to both structural and wildland fire calls.
Clearwater Fire Academy The Clearwater Fire Chief’s Association has successfully implemented the Clearwater Fire Academy, which is a three day firefighting (structural and wildland) school open to all departments and agencies in the region. Offered courses cover a number of topics ranging from specific structural firefighting issues to basic wildland firefighting. The Academy has been very
well attended and is an excellent example of departments and agencies working together to provide quality training at a lower cost to everyone.
Communications Clearwater County has made significant upgrades to their communications system with installation of two new P-25 repeaters through funding provided by the BLM and Homeland Security. Many of the individual fire departments have also been successful in acquiring P-25
radio equipment. Clearwater County is currently working on a countywide interoperability plan. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
North Central Idaho Fire Prevention Cooperative The North Central Idaho Fire Prevention Cooperative is comprised of volunteer, federal, state, tribal, county, city, and private fire fighting agencies/organizations, emergency and disaster services agencies/organizations, as well as regulatory agencies from Latah, Lewis, Clearwater, Idaho, and Nez Perce counties. Their mission is to work collaboratively to educate the public by providing a unified message with regard to fire prevention, prescribed fire, Firewise landscaping, home fire safety, and the ecological importance of fire in Idaho’s forests. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Public Education Programs Many of the county’s fire departments and agencies are actively working on public education and homeowner responsibility by visiting neighborhoods and schools to explain fire hazards to citizens. Often, they hand deliver informative brochures and encourage homeowners to have their driveways clearly marked with their addresses to ensure more rapid and accurate response to calls and better access. The Firewise Program is also being utilized to help fire response organizations communicate fire hazards to the public. Clearwater County Emergency often distributes information to residents and prospective residents of forested areas, describing best practices for creating a homesite that is defensible in wildland fire events.
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Chapter 5
Community Fire Risk Assessments The majority of homes and structures within and surrounding these communities are along a spectrum from low to moderate to high risk of loss to wildland fire. Individual characteristics of each community and structure dictate the risk factors. The prevalence of tree and shrub fuels pose a moderate to high threat to homes surrounded by these fuels, as fire typically spreads quickly through the grasses and burns at relatively high intensities in the brush and forest tree fuels, especially where declining forest health is a factor. Many homes are at low risk because of the management of fuels in the area immediately surrounding the structures and their access routes. There are a number of individual homes that are at much higher risk to wildland fire loss in the area, largely due to use of highly ignitable materials in home construction, or by lack of defensible space surrounding the home. Home defensibility practices can dramatically increase the probability of home survivability. The amount of fuel modification necessary will depend on the specific attributes of the site. Considering the high spread rates possible in these fuel types, homes need to be protected prior to fire ignitions, as there is little time to defend a home in advance of fire.
Individual Risk Assessments
Ahsahka The community of Ahsahka is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Orofino on Cavendish Road. Ahsahka is situated in the small gorge created by the main Clearwater River and North Fork of the Clearwater River on the eastern side of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Although many residents of this community live near the town center, there are several small clusters of homes along the Cavendish Highway to the west and the Old Ahsahka Grade to the north, as well as southeast toward Orofino and outlying areas. Ahsahka is nestled on the toe of Dworshak
Reservoir to the east and a very steep slope rising northward toward the Cavendish Prairie. These slopes are dominated by ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and various grasses. The topography of the landscape near Ahsahka consists of mostly southern and western aspects. The surrounding area has been broken up into several ownerships including some state land, industrial property, and privately owned parcels. Different land management techniques on these mixed ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much of the overstory surrounding Ahsahka is represented by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir with an under-story of
grass, ninebark, and ocean-spray. Under normal weather conditions fire spread is primarily ity Wildfire Protection Plan through the fine herbaceous fuels, either curing or dead. A mixture of various logging operations over many years constitutes different fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in these fuel types are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Fuel types that have been well managed tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Ahsahka lie within the several residents located along timbered forest routes leading into the surrounding rural and wildlands. These clusters of Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases the likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging and mining, recreational use, and an active railroad system increase the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from Cavendish Road, a paved two-lane highway. To the east of Ahsahka is Dworshak Reservoir and directly west is the Clearwater River. As a result, the only vehicle access into the area is from the north and southeast along Cavendish Road. There are very few additional escape routes on forest roads that lead away from this community. Most of these routes are located in areas at moderate to high fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway. In the event of a wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation. Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one-way out access roads are not only dangerous for fire-fighters; they also increase the likelihood of residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Ahsahka lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power lines. Fire Protection The Orofino City and Rural Fire Departments provide structural fire protection within the Ahsahka city limits, while the surrounding areas are protected from wildfire by the Clearwater- Potlatch Timber Protective Association.
Cavendish
Cavendish is a small farming community located just north of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation on Cavendish Road approximately 15 miles north of Ahsahka. This area can be accessed by the Cavendish Road from Orofino or from Southwick to the north. Most of this area is relatively flat and has been converted from forested land to agricultural fields. Few residents actually live near the town site; however, there are clusters of homes and structures scattered along this road from Orofino and Southwick. Although this area is primarily used for agricultural purposes, it is bordered by forested land to the north, south, and east characterizing Cavendish as an interface condition by the wildland urban interface classification system. ity Wildfire Protection Plan There are a few small streams flowing through the area, most of which drain into the Clearwater River to the west and Dworshak Reservoir to the east. Cavendish sits on a gentle west aspect that becomes much steeper a few miles further east and west of the community. This area is a mixture of agricultural, pasture land, and mixed conifer forests; thus, providing several different fuel types. Fires in one fuel type under normal weather conditions tend to be slow moving ground and surface fires with occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching, which can make suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. The rate a fire spreads to another fuel type tends to be governed by the amount of continuous herbaceous fuels that have Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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cured or are nearly cured. When these fires consist of flashy fuels they are generally fast-moving surface fires. Fire Potential Slopes surrounding Cavendish show evidence of numerous past and recent logging operations. Slash and growth of brush and dense regeneration on these sites adds to the amount of surface and dead and down fuels available. Furthermore, the close proximity of logging and recreational use on the forested land to the east of the town further increases the fire risk by contributing to potential ignition sources. Although fuel accumulations in these areas could potentially lead to a severe wildland fire, due to its location and agricultural development, it is unlikely that the community would be threatened. However, a few homes in the outlying areas near the timber are at much higher risk. Many of the homes in the community have been built using wood siding and decking, which is unfavorable for protection against wildfire. Some homeowners also stack firewood under decks or against structures. Nevertheless, large fields surrounding most of the homes in this area provide an adequate defensible space against oncoming wildfires early in the fire season, but add to the fire risks when the fields cure or during harvest with the equipment in the area. The primary access into the area is on Cavendish Road, a two lane paved road from either Orofino or Southwick. Most of the roads near Cavendish are located in low fire risk areas near the community. However, the fire risk significantly increases as forested land along roadways becomes more common to the east of town. Many of the homes in this area are located on one- way in, one-way out forest routes or private drives, some of which are bordered by timber. This not only increases the risk of the residents becoming trapped, it is also dangerous for firefighters. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet bridges on many access roads lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences in the area access water and power through personal wells and above ground power lines. The power line corridor stretching from Dworshak to Cavendish travels through sections of very heavy fuels. This corridor has been cut and pruned; however, this area still maintains a very high risk of ignition
due to remaining surface fuels and nearby forest fuels. Fire Protection Cavendish is protected by the Evergreen Rural Fire Department. The Evergreen Rural Fire District provides structural fire protection in this area, while the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association and the Nez Perce Tribe provide wildland fire protection.
Dent ity Wildfire Protection Plan Dent Acres is located on the north shore of the North Fork of the Clearwater River near the entrance to the Dworshak Reservoir. This area, which is predominantly used for recreation, lies on a southern aspect with steep slopes. The vegetation can be characterized as scattered ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, with brush and grasses. The elevation ranges from 1600 to 2600 feet. A recreational vehicle park is located near the banks of the reservoir. There are approximately 58 structures within the project area, many of which are in high risk wildfire zones according to the risk analysis. The Dent area has a vast assortment of different structures, from year round residences to
summer cabins to trailer parks and a public campground (with RV’s, trailers and tents). Clearwater County, Idaho Commun Construction methods are highly variable ranging from manufacture homes to custom built
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cabins. Thus, the value of these structures also varies considerably. The spacing of these structures is very good throughout most of this area, with the exception of the trailer park and the campgrounds. The Dent area is becoming a very popular location for people to build summer cabins. With the sale of Potlatch land in this area and a couple of new subdivisions, more and more structures are popping up. Fire Potential The primary concern in this area is the high recreational use coupled with a xeric landscape. This combination results in a high probability of ignition and a potentially high rate of fire spread. Campfires and heavy traffic around the campground near the aquatic interface increase the risk of wildfire spreading uphill to the recreational homes and improved RV campsites. Residences in the area are typically surrounded by scattered timber, brush and grasses, many lacking a defensible space. Prevailing winds out of the southwest would likely drive wildfire upslope towards residences. Access to Dent Acres is limited. The Elk River Road from the north and Dent Bridge to the south provide access into and out of the area. Many of the residences and the RV park are accessed by narrow, one-way driveways contributing to the possibility of residents becoming trapped in the event of a wildfire. Due to the remoteness of the area, emergency response may be delayed. Developing adequate escape routes and evacuation plans for residents and campers should be given a high priority. This should include designated landing spots for helicopters placed in strategic locations. The Dent area does not currently have any kind of rural structure fire protection. However, there are several individuals in the Dent area that have expressed an interest in forming a rural fire district. There are several grassy meadows that would make very good safety zones. There are also a number of good ponds located in the Dent area. Most of these are good sources of water for helicopters. Not all them lend themselves to engines, as drivable access to most is limited. The best water source for engines would most likely be Dworshak reservoir. The Dent area has both overhead and underground power lines.
Fire Protection In terms of rural fire protection, the Dent area is without a structure protection and a rural fire district. It is recommended that a volunteer fire department be placed in this area with at least one rural engine and one wildland fire engine. Although Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association provides wildland fire protection services for this area, their closest engine and crew is located in Elk River, over half an hour away. This forward advanced engine would provide a rapid response to future wildland fires. In point of fact, the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber
Protective Association often does place an engine in this area during the high use periods of the ity Wildfire Protection Plan year. The addition of a rural engine (structure protection) would enhance the fire protection in this area greatly.
Elk River The community of Elk River is located approximately 17 miles southeast of Bovill at the end of State Highway 8. Elk River is situated in the small valley created by Elk Creek, Partridge Creek, and several other smaller draws that are bordered by the Clearwater National Forest and Potlatch Corporation. Elk Creek, Partridge Creek, Elk Creek Reservoir, and several other small streams
provide ample water resources. There are only about 100 residents that live year round within Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Elk River’s community, but there could be several hundred more loggers, hunters, campers, tourists, etc. during the summer months. Many of these homes in the area are nestled in or adjacent to stands of mixed conifer stands increasing their risk to fire. The topography of the surrounding forestland near Elk River consists of all aspects. Much of the area surrounding the Elk River community is encompassed by the Clearwater National Forest and Potlatch Corporation. Grand fir, lodgepole pine, western red cedar, Douglas-fir, and other conifer species dominate the vegetative structure of the landscape. The surrounding areas are broken up into several ownerships including state land, federal land, industrial property, and privately owned parcels. Different land management techniques on these mixed ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much of the area surrounding Elk River is represented by a thick over-story and multi-level under-story creating ladder fuels. Furthermore, there is a layer of dead and down fuels that greatly increases the risk of higher intensity ground and surface fires. Occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching of individual trees also makes suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. A mixture of various logging operations over many years constitutes several different fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in these fuel types tend to spread rapidly, creating high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Furthermore, these fuel types tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Elk River lie within escape routes and the several residents located along timbered forest routes leading into the mountains and directly adjacent to forest land. These clusters of residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases its likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging, mining, and recreational use increase
the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from State Highway 8, a paved two-lane highway that ends at Elk River. To the east, south, and north of Elk River is primarily logging roads that are two and one lane gravel roads with turnouts. There are several additional escape routes on forest roads that lead away from these communities in all directions; however, some may be restricted throughout parts of the year. Most of these forest routes are located in areas at moderate to high fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway. In the event of a
wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation. Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one- way out access roads are not only dangerous for fire-fighters; they also increase the likelihood of residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Elk River lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power
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Fire Protection This community and surrounding areas are protected from wildfire by the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Agency.
Freeman Creek The Freeman Creek recreation area lies approximately 6 miles east of Cavendish along the west shore of Dworshak reservoir. This area is heavily used by boaters, campers and seasonal homeowners. Located near the reservoir is a large established campground operated by the State of Idaho. The camping area contains several structures such as a dining hall, several cabins and boat launches. Above the campground there are approximately 75 structures in fairly dense timber. The majority of the structures are framed construction, with wood siding and metal roofs. Defensible spaces around numerous residences located within the forested area are inadequate. The eastern aspects are relatively steep, with mesic timberlands and elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,600 feet. Western red cedar and grand fir dominate the lower slopes, while Douglas- fir and ponderosa pine dominate upslope. During drought conditions combined with a wind event these fuels could create extreme fire behavior. A small inlet exists on the southern portion of the recreational area. Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch are dominant on this drier slope. Agricultural fields lie on the relatively flat ground west of Freeman Creek recreation area. These less hazardous areas could become a safety zone for both public and firefighter refuge during an extreme wildfire event. The primary access into the recreation area is a well- maintained, narrow, two-lane road with many switchbacks. Fire Potential The primary concern in this area stems from the higher probability of ignition due to recreational use. Campfires and heavy traffic surrounding the campground near the shore increase the risk of wildfire spreading uphill to the structures. Even though the timber type on the eastern aspect does not support a high probability of ignition, it is a relatively drier western red cedar habitat with heavy accumulations of ladder fuels.
The primarily eastern exposure presents several additional risk factors. The predominate timber type in this area would support a fire with a high potential for spotting and crowning. Additionally, a fire in this area would likely have a high rate of spread. The prevailing winds out of the southwest would possibly thrust the fire into the adjacent eastern slopes. The probability of ignition is greater in this area given the drier site and heavy recreational use. The residences in the area are typically located midslope along the eastern exposures. Many homesites are established on unmarked private driveways without adequate access for fire
fighting equipment. Residences are placed in small openings often without prudent clearing of ity Wildfire Protection Plan brush and timber away from buildings. Structure protection during an extreme wildfire event for many of these structures would impose serious danger to firefighters. These residences may be determined as not defendable during extreme wildfire triage events. There are a few ponds that provide engine fill and helicopter dip sites. There are additional needs for pond development and maintenance. Some landowners have accomplished pruning, thinning, and brush disposal around their residences. These improvements in defensible space, combined with large green lawns will improve the homes survivability in a wildfire event. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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The Freeman Creek road is the main paved arterial route to this area. This access road is not only difficult for fire fighting equipment to negotiate due to steepness and switchbacks, but it is also the only road available for ingress and egress. Heavy accumulations of timber and fuels are immediately adjacent to the road making it unsafe as an exit route in a wildfire situation. There is an additional escape route from the campground along the reservoir; however, drivability is questionable at this time and it would not serve residents upslope. Overhead power lines provide power to all residences and state park facilities. Although these power lines are maintained regularly, they are vulnerable to falling trees during wind events creating possible fire ignitions during extreme fire conditions. Fire Protection The Evergreen Rural Fire District protects structures within the Freeman Creek area. Evergreen Fire Department combined with C-PTPA has provided public education for residents to take measures to improve their homes survivability from wildfire.
Gilbert Grade The Gilbert Grade is the northern terminus of State Route 7 providing fairly rapid access from the Clearwater River corridor near Orofino to the farmland of the Camas Prairie above. The Gilbert Grade area is mainly composed of mature Douglas fir and ponderosa pine timber types and brush. Several grassy meadows and farm fields are located throughout the area, but timber is the dominant fuel type. The continuity of fuels is the major component aiding fire spread. Given the steepness of the area, a wind driven fire would quickly move through the area. The topography varies from rolling, timbered hills to flat benches and steep, rocky cliffs. Dwellings are interspersed from the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and State Route 7 southwest to the end of the Grade almost seven miles later. Fire Potential There are a few narrow spots, but the Gilbert Grade right of way will accommodate large trucks. Given the limited accessibility and fuel continuity, a wind-driven fire would cause severe
damage. Residents at either end of the grade have an excellent escape route, with the quality diminishing towards the middle. The timber’s proximity to the road would inhibit the fuel break qualities a gravel road would normally demonstrate. A fire moving in the crowns of the trees would move across the road without hesitation. Crockett Bench and several other roads dead end at home sites, which poses accessibility issues for fire suppression forces. Power lines run up the hill from Orofino and cross the road about four miles from Highway 12. Structures range from all wood to wood and metal and are located in both meadows and within the timber stands.
Fire Protection ity Wildfire Protection Plan There is a rural fire department in place to protect structures near the bottom of the grade. Existing safety zones, in the form of cleared agricultural fields or livestock pasture, are located from the mid-slope upwards, with the top of the grade flattening out into the Camas Prairie. Ponds capable of dipping or drafting are scattered throughout the area; however, few are visible or readily accessible from the main road.
Grangemont and Rudo Area The small community of Grangemont is located on Grangemont Road about half way between Clearwater County, Idaho Commun Orofino and Pierce. The Rudo area refers to the group of homes south of Grangemont scattered
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along Rudo Road towards the Orofino Creek drainage. The greater Grangemont and Rudo area is mainly composed of mature timber and brush. Several grassy meadows are located throughout the area, but timber is the dominant fuel type. The continuity is the major component aiding fire spread. The topography is primarily gently sloping with some smaller canyons and ridges tapering towards the Orofino Creek drainage. Construction materials for structures in this rural area range from all wood to wood and metal and are located in both open meadows and within the timber type fuels. Fire Potential Given the limited accessibility and fuel continuity, a wind-driven fire would cause severe damage. The Grangemont Road is a paved, two lane access route that will accommodate emergency and large truck traffic in either direction. The Rudo Road, on the other hand, is a narrow, winding gravel road that would cause problems for equipment bigger than a pickup. The timber’s close proximity to the road would inhibit the fuel break qualities a gravel road would normally demonstrate. A fire moving in the crowns of the trees would move across the road without hesitation. Power lines throughout Grangemont and Rudo appear to be in good condition. A power line corridor, relatively free of hazardous fuels, is maintained; however, it may not be wide enough given the adjacent timber fuels. Fire Protection The Grangemont Volunteer Fire Department provides structural fire protection, while the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association is responsible for wildland fire protection. There are several grassy meadows that would make adequate safety zones, the best being located around Grangemont and at the southern end of Rudo Road. There are also several ponds capable of dipping or drafting scattered throughout the area. Some of these are visible from the road and some are not readily accessible.
Greer The community of Greer is located approximately 8 miles southeast of Orofino at the
intersection of U. S. Highway 12 and State Highway 11. Greer is situated in the small gorge created by the Clearwater River nestled on the eastern side of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Although many residents of this community live near the town center, there are several small clusters of homes along Highway 11 to the east toward Weippe and outlying areas. Greer is nestled on the toe of a very steep slope rising eastward toward the Weippe Prairie. These slopes are dominated by ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and various grasses. Much of the area surrounding the Greer community is encompassed by the private ownership.
Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and many grass types dominate the vegetative structure of the ity Wildfire Protection Plan landscape. Various land management techniques on these ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much of the area surrounding Greer is represented by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir over-story, with a mix of grass, ocean-spray, and ninebark under-story. Under normal weather conditions fire spread in this vegetation type is primarily through the fine herbaceous fuels, either curing or dead. A mixture of various logging operations over many years constitutes different fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in other fuel types are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Other fuel types tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Greer lie within the several residents located along timbered forest routes leading into the mountains. These clusters of residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases its likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging and mining, recreational use, and active railroad system increase the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from State Highway 11, a paved two-lane highway. To the east of Greer is the Greer Grade, which is a steep windy road traveling to the east up slope to the Weippe Prairie. There are very few additional escape routes on forest roads that lead away from this community. Most of these routes are located in areas at low to moderate fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway. In the event of a wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation. Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one-way out access roads are not only dangerous for fire-fighters; they also increase the likelihood of residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Greer lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power lines. Fire Protection Greer has contracted the Orofino Rural Fire Department to provide structural protection to the community. The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association is responsible for wildfire
protection in this area.
Headquarters The community of Headquarters is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the Intersection of the Grangemont Road and State Highway 11. Headquarters is situated in the small valley created by Reeds Creek, which is bordered by the land owned mainly by Potlatch Corporation. Reeds Creek, North Fork of Reeds Creek, and several other small streams provide ample water
resources. There are only a few residents that live in within the Headquarters’ communities there ity Wildfire Protection Plan are several small clusters of homes along Highway 11 to the southwest toward Pierce and outlying areas. Many of these homes are nestled into stands of lodgepole pine, grand fir, and Douglas-fir or other fuels increasing their risk to fire. The topography of the forestland near Headquarters consists of all aspects. Much of the area surrounding the Headquarters community is encompassed by the by Potlatch Corporation. Grand fir, lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and other conifer species dominate the vegetative structure of the landscape. The surrounding areas has been broken up into several ownerships including some mainly industrial property and some state and privately owned parcels. Different land
management techniques on these ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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of the area surrounding Headquarters is represented by various mixtures of conifer trees, with a mixture of grasses and brush types, which under normal weather conditions tend to support higher intensity ground and surface fires due to greater quantities of dead and down fuels. Occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching of individual trees also makes suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. A mixture of various logging operations over many years constitutes different fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in these fuel types are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Other fuel types tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Headquarters lie within the several residents located along timbered forest routes leading into the mountains, Potlatch Corporation’s office, and recreationists. These clusters of residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases its likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging and mining and recreational use increase the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from State Highway 11, a paved two-lane highway that ends at Headquarters. To the east of Headquarters is primarily logging roads that are two and one lane gravel roads with turnouts. There are several additional escape routes on forest roads that lead away from these communities in all directions; however, some may be restricted throughout parts of the year. Most of these forest routes are located in areas at moderate to high fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway. In the event of a wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation.
Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one-way out access roads are not only dangerous for fire-fighters; they also increase the likelihood of residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Headquarters lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power
lines. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Fire Protection This community and surrounding areas are protected by the CPTPA.
Lakeview Estates The Lakeview Estates are located northeast of Orofino on Eureka Ridge. This small peninsula juts out into Dworshak Reservoir just north of the dam. The Lakeview Estates Development is primarily well-spaced, year around residences with the exception of a couple summer homes.
Fuels on this southwest aspect are typical for a dry site consisting primarily of an open ponderosa Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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pine stand with a grassy understory. Fires in these fuels would tend to spread rapidly, but burn at low intensities. These forest types historically burned relatively frequently. The Eureka Ridge Road is the main access route into the Lakeview Estates and is capable of accommodating emergency vehicles. Nevertheless, most of the driveways accessing structures are narrow with only one way in and one way out and inadequate turnaround areas. These characteristics limit the size and number of emergency vehicles able to respond at one time. Fire Potential The Lakeview Estates Development has continued to grow since the 1970’s. The major threat of wildfire to the Lakeview Estates comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land downslope of the development. Intense recreational traffic associated with Dworshak Reservoir increases the risk of a fire starting on the Corp’s ownership. In the spring of 2004, the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association conducted home fire risk assessments in which approximately 75 percent of participating Lakeview Estates homeowners’ with the conclusion that 50 percent of the homes are at high risk of loss in the event of a catastrophic fire. Mitigation of these risks before a wildfire occurs is imperative for homeowners’ safety. Fire Protection Lakeview Estates is within the boundaries of the Twin Ridge Rural Fire District. The Lakeview Estates Development has constructed reservoirs that contain approximately 50,000 gallons of water with a pump system to fill emergency fire engines. There are also two large ponds, both containing approximately one million gallons each. These ponds are accessible by helicopter; however, there are power lines that could pose a safety hazard. Hayfields along the ridge could potentially serve as safety zones for both residents and fire fighters in the event of a compromised evacuation.
Orofino The community of Orofino is located approximately 30 miles east of Lewiston along U.S. Highway 12. Orofino is situated in a steep canyon created by the Clearwater River nestled on the
eastern side of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Although many residents of this community live near the town center, there are several smaller communities in all directions out of the canyon. Orofino is nestled on the toe of a very steep slope rising eastward toward the Weippe Prairie. These slopes are dominated by ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and various grasses. The topography of the area surrounding Orofino consists of mostly southern and northern aspects. Much of the area surrounding the Orofino community is encompassed by the private ownership and the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The surrounding areas have been broken up into several ownerships including some state land, industrial property, and privately owned ity Wildfire Protection Plan parcels. Different land management techniques on these mixed ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much of the area surrounding Orofino is represented by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir overstory and grass, ocean spray, and ninebark in the under-story. Ponderosa pine and grass constitutes the southern aspects, and Douglas-fir, ninebark, and ocean- spray on the northern aspects. The ponderosa pine fuel type under normal weather conditions, fire spread is primarily through the fine herbaceous fuels, either curing or dead. The Douglas-fir fuel type supports higher intensity ground and surface fires, due to greater quantities of dead and down fuels. Occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching of individual trees
also makes suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. A mixture of various Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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logging operations over many years constitutes a mixture of fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in one fuel type are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs, while other fuel types tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Orofino lie within the smaller communities located up the small timbered canyons in all directions from Orofino. These small clusters of residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases its likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging and mining, recreational use, and active railroad system increase the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from State Highway 12, a paved two-lane highway that runs along the banks of the Clearwater River. To the east of Orofino is the Grangemont Road, which is a steep windy road traveling to the east up slope to the Weippe Prairie. There are very few additional escape routes on forest roads that lead away from this community. Most of these routes are located in areas at moderate to high fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway and steep funnel like canyons. In the event of a wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation. Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one-way out access roads are not only dangerous for fire-fighters; they also increase the likelihood of residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Orofino lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power lines. Fire Protection The Orofino City and Rural Fire Departments provide structural protection, while the surrounding areas are protected from wildfire by the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective
Association and the Idaho Department of Lands. ity Wildfire Protection Plan
Pierce The community of Pierce is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Weippe on State Highway 11. Pierce is situated in the small valley created by Orofino Creek, which is bordered by the Potlatch Corporation lands on all sides. Orofino Creek, Rhodes Creek, Jim Brown Creek, and several other small streams provide ample water resources. Although many residents of these communities live near the town center, there are several small clusters of homes along forest roads in outlying areas. Many of these homes are nestled into stands of lodgepole pine, grand fir,
and Douglas-fir or other fuels increasing their risk to fire. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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The topography of the surrounding forested land near Pierce consists of all aspects. Grand fir, lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and other conifer species dominate the vegetative structure of the landscape. The surrounding areas has been broken up into several ownerships including some state land, industrial property, federal, and privately owned parcels. Different land management techniques on these mixed ownerships have led to varied vegetation and fuel types. Much of the area surrounding Pierce is represented by Douglas-fir, grand fir, lodgepole pine, and other conifer species in the overstory and mixed brush species in the understory, which under normal weather conditions tend to support higher intensity ground and surface fires due to greater quantities of dead and down fuels. Occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching of individual trees also makes suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. A mixture of various logging operations over many years constitutes different fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in these fuel types are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Other fuel types within the area tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Fire Potential The primary fire risks to the community of Pierce lie within the residential areas located along timbered forest routes leading into the mountains. These clusters of residences are commonly nestled into stands of timber on dead end secondary roads or driveways. The lack of a defensible space around homes increases its likelihood of ignition by oncoming wildfires. Residences throughout the area are frequently constructed with wood siding and decks; thus, further increasing their risk of ignition. Heavier fuel loading and steeper topography in these areas increases the chance of an uncontrolled wildfire endangering lives and property. Current logging and mining, recreational use, and active railroad system increase the risk of fire by contributing to potential ignition sources. The primary access into the area is from State Highway 11, a paved two-lane highway that extends to the north and south. There are several additional escape routes on forest roads that
lead away from these communities in all directions; however, some may be restricted throughout parts of the year. Most of these forest routes are located in areas at moderate to high fire risk due to the close proximity of continuous fuels along the roadway. In the event of a wildland fire, it is likely that one or more of the escape routes would become impassable. Signing of drivable alternate escape routes would reduce confusion and save time in a wildfire situation. Additionally, many homes are located on high risk one-way in, one-way out secondary roads and/or private driveways that could become threatened by wildland fire. One-way in, one-way
out access roads are not only dangerous for fire fighters, they also increase the likelihood of ity Wildfire Protection Plan residents becoming trapped. Road names and house numbers are generally present throughout the area, yet many of the bridges in the vicinity of Pierce lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Most residences access water and power through personal wells or city water hook ups and above ground power lines. Fire Protection Structural protection in Pierce is provided by the Pierce Fire Department while the Clearwater- Potlatch Timber Protective Association and the USDA Forest Service provide wildland fire protection. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Sunnyside area and New Hope Subdivision The Sunnyside area and New Hope subdivision are located on the north side of the Clearwater River east of Ahsahka extending to the Clearwater-Nez Perce County line. In the last ten years this area has experienced the largest growth in Clearwater County and this trend is expected to continue. Vegetation on this south aspect is typical of a dry site consisting primarily of open ponderosa pine with a grassy understory. Fires in these fuels will tend to spread very rapidly, particularly upslope due to convection. This fuel type historically burned relatively frequently, but at lower intensities. The Ahsahka Grade and Sunnyside Road Bench Road access the lower slope while Cavendish Road, South Road, and Teaken Road access the mid and upper slope. These main roads are adequate to accommodate large emergency vehicles; however, the private roads and driveways are narrow with typically only one way in and one way out. Both Sunnyside and New Hope have overhead power lines, which provide power to the homes. Additionally there is high voltage transmission lines that cross part of the New Hope subdivision. Fire Potential The Sunnyside area and New Hope subdivision have moderate to high fire risk. An ignition near the Clearwater River, depending on environmental conditions, would move very rapidly upslope through the cured grasses. Access to homes on dead end driveways with hazardous fuels adjacent to the roadway is a major hindrance to fire suppression resources along with fuel type, topography, and continuity. Fire Protection Both areas are within the structural protection boundaries of the Sunnyside Rural Fire District. The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association and the Nez Perce Tribe provide wildland fire protection. There are a number meadows and hay fields that could serve as safety zones for both residents and fire fighters in the event of a compromise evacuation. The Sunnyside Rural Fire District has installed two 10,000gallon water tanks with gravity fed hydrants. One is located at the fire station and the other at the top of the Old Peck Grade. The New Hope subdivision has a 40,000 gallon community reservoir. There are also many private ponds scattered throughout the area, most of which are accessible by helicopter.
Wells Bench The Wells Bench area is located northeast of Orofino along and extending from Wells Bench Road. Many of the homes in this area are small ranchettes with several associated outbuildings. This is a relatively xeric south aspect site with fuels ranging from grasses and brush at the lower elevations to a Douglas fir and ponderosa pine forest type at higher elevations. The continuity of ity Wildfire Protection Plan these fuels is repeatedly broken by cleared farm or grazed pasture ground. These more defendable, less hazardous areas may serve as potential safety zones for both residents and fire fighters. The Wells Bench area and surrounding ranchettes and rural homes has a good primary road system that can handle large emergency vehicles. Like most of the rural interface areas in Clearwater County, the private roads and driveways are narrow and typically one way in, one way out with hazardous fuels either adjacent to or overhanging the roadway. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Fire Potential The fire history for the Wells Bench area has been, for the most part, small fires that were easy to contain with initial attack crews from both the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association and the rural fire districts of Orofino and Twin Ridge. Many homeowners currently maintain an adequate defensible space in the form of managed farm or pasture fields; however, there are some homes that are at high fire risk due to their abutment to hazardous fuels or storage of flammable materials such as wood piles or propane tanks near the home. Fire Protection The Wells Bench area is within the boundaries of the Twin Ridge Rural Fire District and the Orofino Rural Fire District has protection responsibilities for part of the lower portion of Wells Bench. The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association provides wildland fire protection. Rural addressing is poor, but is currently in the process of being updated. The Wells Bench area has many large ponds that would serve well as helicopter ponds as well as engine refill sites. The Twin Ridge Rural Fire District has established a refill site next to their fire hall witch contains approximately two million gallons of water.
Weippe Weippe is a small community on the Weippe Prairie near the Clearwater National Forest and located approximately 17 miles east of Greer along Highway 11. There are many residences located near the community center; however, many homes, farms, and ranches are scattered throughout the area for several miles. Many of these are larger landowners are located in the flatter regions known as the Weippe Prairie. Somewhat isolated islands of forest land separate these areas. Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, grand fir, lodgepole pine and other conifers are dominant on the slopes. Some landowners have built homes on the lower slopes abutting or mingling with these wildland fuels. Although the very small drainages of Ford Creek, Grasshopper Creek, and Winter Creek provide some water resources, the closest large water body is the Clearwater River approximately 17 miles to the east. Weippe is characterized as an interface condition by the wildland urban interface classification system.
The topography of Weippe is relatively flat. The topography changes drastically though in all directions to very steep canyons and gorges. The majority of the regions fuel types are a mixture of agricultural, pasture land, and mixed conifer forests. Fires tend to support varying degrees of intensity, which under normal weather conditions tend to support higher intensity ground and surface fires due to greater quantities of dead and down fuels. Occasional “jackpot” burning, crowning, spotting, and torching of individual trees also makes suppression efforts difficult and dangerous for firefighters. The rate of fire spread in fuel model 1 tends to be governed by the amount of continuous herbaceous fuels that have cured or are nearly cured. These fires are ity Wildfire Protection Plan generally fast-moving surface fires. Mixtures of various logging operations over the forested area for many years have left a variety of fuel types depending on the treatment of slash and the amount of volume left standing. Fires in the dense timber types are rapidly spreading, high intensity surface and ground fires that are generally sustained until a fuel break or change in vegetation occurs. Other fuel types tend to support much less intense surface fires due to lighter fuel loading and a lack of volatile material. Developed agriculture and livestock grazing in the flat, grassy valleys creates the conditions for another fuel type, which tend to support low intensity, fast-moving surface fires. This lower risk area provides not only a fuel break, but also a safety zone for firefighters and residents of Weippe. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Fire Potential Although the flatter areas provide buffers for many residents against uncontrolled wildfire, the conditions for potentially severe, high intensity fires such as heavy continuous fuels, steep slopes, and up slope winds are all present near the Weippe Prairie. Furthermore, numerous logging operations, annual field burning, and recreational activities in the area increase potential ignition sources. Many homes in Weippe and surrounding areas have been built using wood siding, roofing, and decking, which is unfavorable for protection against wildfire. Also, some homeowners stack firewood under decks or against other structures. Homes built within the grassy valley bottoms generally have an adequate defensible space; however, those in more mountainous areas are commonly adjacent to or within heavier fuels. Additionally, many residences are located on long, one-way in, one-way out roads or private drives. The primary access into the area is on Highway 11 which is a paved two lane road. Three Mile Road, Musselshell Road, and various other roads offer additional escape routes traveling in all directions away from the community. Most of these roads are located in areas at low risk of wildland fire due to agricultural development. Road names are generally present throughout the area, yet bridges on many access roads lack adequate signing and weight ratings. Also, house numbers in some areas seem to be missing or difficult to see. Most residences access water or city water hook ups and power through personal wells and above ground power lines. Fire Protection The Weippe Rural Fire Department provides structural protection and Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association and the USDA Forest Service provide wildland fire protection in the surrounding area.
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Chapter 6
Mitigation Recommendations Critical to implementation of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan are the identification and implementation of an integrated schedule of action items targeted at achieving a reduction in the number of human caused fires and the impact of wildland fires in Clearwater County. This section of the plan identifies and prioritizes potential mitigation actions, including treatments that can be implemented in the county to pursue that goal. As there are many land management agencies and thousands of private landowners in Clearwater County, it is reasonable to expect that differing schedules of adoption will be made and varying degrees of compliance will be observed across various ownerships. The federal land management agencies in Clearwater County, specifically the USDA Forest Service and USDI BLM, are participants in this planning process and have contributed to its development. Where available, their schedule of land treatments have been considered in this planning process to better facilitate a correlation between their identified planning efforts and the efforts of Clearwater County. Clearwater County encourages the building of disaster resistance in normal day-to-day operations. By implementing plan activities through existing programs and resources, the cost of mitigation is often a small portion of the overall cost of a project’s design or program. All risk assessments were made based on the conditions existing during 2010. Therefore, the recommendations in this section have been made in light of those conditions. However, the components of risk and the preparedness of the county’s resources are not static. It will be necessary to fine-tune this plan’s recommendations regularly to adjust for changes in the components of risk, population density changes, infrastructure modifications, and other factors.
Maintenance and Monitoring
As part of the policy of Clearwater County, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be reviewed at least annually at special meetings of the planning committee, open to the public and involving all municipalities/jurisdictions, where action items, priorities, budgets, and modifications can be made or confirmed. A written review of the plan should be prepared (or arranged) by Clearwater County Emergency Management, detailing plans for the year’s activities, and made available to the general public ahead of the meeting (in accord with the
Idaho Open Public Meeting Laws). Amendments to the plan should be detailed at this meeting, ity Wildfire Protection Plan documented, and attached to the formal plan as an amendment. Re-evaluation of this plan should be made on the 5th anniversary of its acceptance, and every 5-year period following.
Prioritization of Mitigation Activities The action items recommended in this chapter were prioritized through a group discussion and voting process. The action items in Tables 6.1 – 6.4 are ranked as “High”, “Moderate”, or “Low” priorities for Clearwater County as a whole. The CWPP committee does not want to restrict funding to only those projects that are high priority because what may be a high priority Clearwater County, Idaho Commun for a specific community may not be a high priority at the county level. Regardless, the project
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may be just what the community needs to mitigate disaster. The flexibility to fund a variety of diverse projects based on varying criteria is a necessity for a functional mitigation program at the county and community level. The proposed treatment areas listed in Table 6.5 were ranked on a 1, 2, 3 . . . hierarchical scale by the committee. This method results in a set of highest priority project recommendations for the Clearwater County wildfire planning committee.
Policy and Planning Efforts Wildfire mitigation efforts must be supported by a set of policies and regulations at the county level that maintain a solid foundation for safety and consistency. The recommendations enumerated here serve that purpose. Because these items are regulatory in nature, they will not necessarily be accompanied by cost estimates. These recommendations are policy related and therefore are recommendations to the appropriate elected officials; debate and formulation of alternatives will serve to make these recommendations suitable and appropriate.
Table 6.1. Action Items in Safety and Policy. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.1.a: Continue to improve rural CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: County Ongoing In progress road and addressing signage Commissioners countywide. Priority Ranking: Support: Clearwater Highway District Moderate
6.1.b: Develop County policy CWPP Goal #1, 2, 4, Lead: Clearwater 5 years In progress concerning building materials and 6 County Commissioners used in high-risk WUI areas on Support: Rural Fire existing structures and new Districts construction. Priority Ranking: High
6.1.c: Amend existing building CWPP Goal #1, 2, 4, Lead: County Ongoing In progress codes to apply equally to new and 6 Commissioners single housing construction as it Support: County does to subdivisions. Priority Ranking: Planning and Zoning and Rural Fire Districts High 6.1.d: Continue to encourage CWPP Goal #1, 2, 3, Lead: County Ongoing In progress rural residents in the Harmony and 4 Emergency Heights, Lower Fords Creek Management Dent, and Judgetown areas to Priority Ranking: Support: County ity Wildfire Protection Plan form a rural fire district or annex Commissioners and High into an existing fire district. Rural Fire Districts 6.1.e: Adopt the International CWPP Goal #1, 2, 4, Lead: County 3 years New Fire Code including provisions and 6 Emergency project for adequate fire suppression and Management other emergency access and Priority Ranking: Support: County establish a mechanism to enforce Commissioners, Moderate the standards. County Planning and Zoning, and Rural Fire Districts Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.1. Action Items in Safety and Policy. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.1.f: Organize a collaborative CWPP Goal #1, 2, 3, 4, Lead: County 3 years New process to develop pre-fire plans and 6 Emergency project to evaluate evacuation routes, Management safety zones, suppression tactics, Priority Ranking: Support: County multi-jurisdictional coordination, Commissioners, Idaho High trigger points, and other issues in Department of Lands, high wildfire risk wildland urban and Rural Fire Districts interface areas. Since the original document was written in 2005, Clearwater County has completed 3 of its original “Safety and Policy” action items including: 1. The County has adopted the International Building Codes. The County continues to work towards adopting fire codes and enforcement rules that will best serve the County. 2. Clearwater County has hire a Fire Mitigation Coordinator to develop hazardous fuels mitigation projects, apply for grants, and implement projects. 3. The Orofino Rural Fire District and Weippe Volunteer Fire Department are being contracted for the structural protection of the Greer area. The Orofino Rural Fire District has also been contracted to provide structural protection for the Harmony Heights area.
Fire Prevention and Education Projects The protection of people and structures will be tied together closely because the loss of life in the event of a wildland fire is generally linked to a person who could not, or did not, flee a structure threatened by a wildfire or to a firefighter combating that fire. Many of the recommendations in this section involve education and increasing wildfire awareness among Clearwater County residents. Residents and policy makers of Clearwater County should recognize certain factors that exist today, the absence of which would lead to increased risk of wildland fires in Clearwater County. The items listed below should be acknowledged and recognized for their contributions to the reduction of wildland fire risks: Forest Management has a significant impact on the fuel composition and structure in Clearwater County. The forest management programs of the Idaho Department of Lands and numerous industrial forestland companies in the region have led to some reduction of wildland fuels where they are closest to homes and infrastructure; however, there is significant room for ity Wildfire Protection Plan growth in these organizations’ fuels reduction programs. Furthermore, forests are dynamic systems that will never be completely free from risk. Treated stands will need repeated treatments to reduce the risk to acceptable levels in the long term. Livestock Grazing in and around the communities of Clearwater County has led to a reduction of many of the fine fuels that would have been found in and around the communities and in the wildlands of Clearwater County. Domestic livestock not only eat these grasses, forbs, and shrubs, but also trample certain fuels to the ground where decomposition rates may increase. Livestock ranchers tend their stock, placing additional sets of eyes into the forests and rangelands of the county where they may observe ignitions, or potentially risky activities. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Livestock grazing in this region should be encouraged in the future as a low cost, positive tool of wildfire mitigation in the wildland urban interface and in remote areas.
Table 6.2. Action Items for Fire Prevention and Education. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 3) Organization Status 6.2.a: Continue to develop youth CWPP Goal #2, 3, and Lead: North Central Ongoing In progress and adult education programs. 4 Idaho Fire Prevention Cooperative Priority Ranking: Support: County Fire Mitigation High 6.2.b: Continue to develop and CWPP Goal #1, 2, 3, 4, Lead: County Fire Ongoing In progress implement the Clearwater 5, and 6 Mitigation County Fire Mitigation program Support: County to complete hazardous fuels Priority Ranking: Emergency treatment projects. Management and Rural High Fire Districts 6.2.c: Continue to develop and CWPP Goal #2, 3, and Lead: Natural Ongoing In progress support programs that help 4 Resources control and eradicate noxious Conservation Service and invasive weeds. Priority Ranking: Support: County Moderate Emergency Management Since the original document was written in 2005, Clearwater County has completed 3 of its original “Prevention and Education” action items including: 1. Clearwater County is an active member and supports the North Central Idaho Fire Prevention Cooperative. 2. Clearwater County has hired a Fire Mitigation Coordinator who works with Emergency Management to develop hazardous fuels and other wildfire mitigation projects throughout the County.
3. Sunnyside Fire District has annexed approximately four miles on the west side of their district (towards Lenore). Additionally, the Coeur d’Alene Mill area is working on annexation into the Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District.
Infrastructure Enhancements Critical infrastructure refers to the communications, transportation (road and rail networks),
energy transport supply systems (gas and power lines), and water supply that service a region or ity Wildfire Protection Plan a surrounding area. All of these components are important to northern Idaho and to Clearwater County specifically. These networks are, by definition, a part of the wildland urban interface in the protection of people, structures, infrastructure, and unique ecosystems. Without supporting infrastructure, a community’s structures may be protected, but the economy and way of life lost. As such, a variety of components will be considered here in terms of management philosophy, potential policy recommendations, and mitigation recommendations. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.3. Action Items for Infrastructure Enhancements. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 3) Organization Status 6.3.a: Continue to update and CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: County 2 years In progress add to existing Transportation Commission Plan. Priority Ranking: Support: County Planning and Zoning Moderate 6.3.b: Develop a Forest CWPP Goal #1, 2, 4, 5, Lead: City of Pierce 2 years Deferred Management Plan for the Canal and 6 Support: County Fire due to lack Creek Watershed near Pierce. Mitigation of funds Priority Ranking: Moderate
6.3.c: Complete improvements CWPP Goal #2, 4, 5, Lead: County Ongoing In progress such as widening, installation of and 6 Highway District turnouts and turnarounds, and Support: County fuels reduction on primary Priority Ranking: Commission, Idaho ingress/egress routes for the Transportation High communities of Greer, Freeman Department, and Creek, Dent, Elk River, Pierce, CPTPA Grangemont, Jaype, Cardiff, and Headquarters. 6.3.d: Conduct roadside fuels CWPP Goal #2, 4, 5, Lead: County Fire Ongoing In progress reduction projects on the Upper and 6 Mitigation Fords Creek Road, Lower Fords Support: County Creek Road, Deer Creek Road, Priority Ranking: Commission, County State Routes 8 and 11, Freeman Highway District, High Creek Road, Elk River Road, Idaho Transportation Grangemont Road, View Point Department, and Road, and Huckleberry Bench CPTPA Road. 6.3.e: Obtain funding to CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: County 3 years In progress purchase alternative power Emergency
sources for community water Management Priority Ranking: systems where needed. Support: Cities and Moderate communities 6.3.f: Evaluate conditions and CWPP Goal #2, 4, and Lead: County Ongoing In progress complete access improvements 6 Highway District such as fortification/replacement Support: County of substandard bridges and Commission and Rural culverts and enhance road Priority Ranking: High Fire Districts surfaces on Wells Bench Cutoff, ity Wildfire Protection Plan Upper Fords Creek Road, Lower Fords Creek Road, Old Ahsahka Grade, Old Peck Grade, Crockett Bench, Deer Creek, and Huckleberry Bench Road. Since the original document was written in 2005, Clearwater County has completed 2 of its original “Infrastructure Enhancements” action items including: 1. The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association has made access improvements within and near the communities of Elk River and Headquarters. Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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2. The Corps of Engineers has completed roadside fuels treatments near Ahsahka and in the Big Eddy area. 3. Clearwater County used Western States grant funding to treat hazardous roadside fuels along the Grangemont Road and the Dent access road.
Resource and Capability Enhancements There are a number of resource and capability enhancements identified by the rural and wildland firefighting districts in Clearwater County. All of the needs identified by the districts are in line with increasing the ability to respond to emergencies and are fully supported by the Community Wildfire Protection Plan committee. Specific repeated themes of needed resources and capabilities include: • Retention and recruitment of volunteers • Training and development of rural fire fighters in structure and wildland fire • Development of structural fire protection in populated areas not covered by a rural fire district • Improvement and upgrades to the regional communications capabilities including establishment of narrow band compatibility by 2013 Although additional, and specific, needs were enumerated by the districts in Clearwater County, these items were identified by multiple districts. The advancement of each issue will rely on either the isolated efforts of the rural fire districts or a concerted effort by the county to achieve equitable enhancements across all of the districts. Given historic trends, individual departments competing against neighboring departments for grant monies and equipment will not necessarily achieve countywide equity.
Table 6.4. Action Items for Resource and Capability Enhancements. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.4.a: Continue to enhance radio CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: County 3 years In progress availability in each district and Emergency improve range within the region. Management Priority Ranking: Support: County High Commission
6.4.b: Develop programs, such as CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Rural Fire Ongoing In progress retirement options, to improve Districts ity Wildfire Protection Plan retention of volunteer Priority Ranking: Support: County firefighters. Emergency Moderate Management
6.4.c: Continue to improve CWPP Goal #2, 3, and Lead: Clearwater Ongoing In progress training program and capabilities 4 Fire Chief’s of firefighters. Association Priority Ranking: Support: Rural Fire Districts High Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.4. Action Items for Resource and Capability Enhancements. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.4.d: Obtain funding to update CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Rural Fire Ongoing In progress PPE, hand tools, portable radios, Districts and other miscellaneous Priority Ranking: Support: County equipment for city and rural fire Emergency High departments. Management
6.4.e: GPS and map water CWPP Goal #1, 2, and Lead: County 2 years Deferred resources available for fire 4 Emergency due to lack suppression throughout the Management of funds county and make this Priority Ranking: Support: Rural Fire information available to fire Districts agencies. Moderate
6.4.f: Establish onsite water CWPP Goal #1, 2, and Lead: Rural Fire 5 years Deferred sources such as dry hydrants or 4 Districts due to lack underground storage tanks for Support: County of funds rural housing developments and Emergency in remote areas: Priority Ranking: High Management and County Fire Mitigation
6.4.g: Develop dry hydrants on CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: City of Pierce 3 years Deferred Orofino Creek through Pierce to Support: County due to lack supplement city water supply of funds Priority Ranking: Emergency during a fire emergency. Management Moderate 6.4.h: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Orofino Rural 5 years New fire station in the northeast Fire District project corner of the Orofino Rural Fire Priority Ranking: Support: County District (District owns the land). Emergency High Management
6.4.i: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Upper Fords 5 years New fire station for the Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire project Creek Rural Fire District District Priority Ranking: (District owns the land). Support: County High Emergency Management
6.4.j: Obtain funding for CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Clearwater 3 years New ity Wildfire Protection Plan communications upgrades Potlatch Timber project including a repeater, mobile Protective radios, and handheld radios for Priority Ranking: Association Moderate the Clearwater Potlatch Timber Support: County Protective Association. Emergency Management
6.4.k: Obtain funding to update CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Evergreen Ongoing New apparatus and equipment, Rural Fire District project personal protective gear, and fire shelters for the Evergreen Rural Priority Ranking: Fire District. High Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.4. Action Items for Resource and Capability Enhancements. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.4.l: Install an underground CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Evergreen 2 years New water tank at Freeman Creek. Rural Fire District project Priority Ranking: Support: County Emergency Moderate Management
6.4.m: Develop access to CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Grangemont 2 years New additional water sources within Rural Fire District project the Grangemont Rural Fire Priority Ranking: Support: County District. Emergency High Management
6.4.n: Obtain funding to CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Grangemont 3 years New purchase an updated 4-wheel Rural Fire District project drive engine as well as hoses and heavier steel air cylinders for the Priority Ranking: Grangemont Rural Fire District. High
6.4.o: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Grangemont 5 years New substation capable of house 2 Rural Fire District project apparatus near the end of Rudo Road in the Grangemont Rural Priority Ranking: Fire District. High
6.4.p: Work on stationing a 3,000 CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Idaho 2 years New gallon water tender at the Maggie Department of Lands project Creek Supervisory Area office. Priority Ranking: Moderate
6.4.q: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Sunnyside 4 years New larger main station to house all Rural Fire District project equipment with showers, larger restrooms, and a lounge/training Priority Ranking: area for the Sunnyside Rural Fire High District.
6.4.r: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Sunnyside 6 years New second station for the Sunnyside Rural Fire District project Rural Fire District. Priority Ranking: ity Wildfire Protection Plan High
6.4.s: Obtain funding to purchase CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Sunnyside 3 years New updated apparatus and command Rural Fire District project vehicles and an all wheel drive water tender for the Sunnyside Priority Ranking: Rural Fire District. High Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.4. Action Items for Resource and Capability Enhancements. Goals Addressed Responsible 2011 Action Item Timeline (see page 4) Organization Status 6.4.t: Obtain funding to purchase CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Upper Fords 3 years New office supplies, furniture, Creek Rural Fire project computers, and other basic District Priority Ranking: equipment for the Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District station. High
6.4.i: Obtain funding to build a CWPP Goal #2 and 4 Lead: Orofino Rural 5 years New new fire station for the Orofino Fire District project Rural Fire District in Orofino. Priority Ranking: Support: County Emergency High Management Since the original document was written in 2005, Clearwater County has completed many of its original “Resource and Capability Enhancements” action items including: 1. Clearwater County has developed and/or updated mutual aid agreements between local fire districts and the state and federal agencies. 2. The County has installed two new P-25 repeaters through funding provided by the BLM and the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. 3. Clearwater County is nearing completion on a countywide interoperability plan. 4. The Clearwater Fire Chief’s Association has continued to grow the Clearwater Fire Academy as a regional training opportunity for firefighters.
Proposed Project Areas The following project areas were identified by the CWPP planning committee as having multiple factors contributing to the potential wildfire risk to residents, homes, infrastructure, and the ecosystem. Treatments within the project areas will be site specific, but will likely include homeowner education, creation of a wildfire defensible space around structures, fuels reduction, and access corridor improvements. All work on private property will be performed with consent of, and in cooperation with the property owners. Specific site conditions may call for other types of fuels reduction and fire mitigation techniques as well. Defensible space projects may include, but are not limited to commercial or precommercial thinning, pruning, brush removal, chipping, prescribed burning, installation of greenbelts or shaded fuel breaks, and general forest health improvements. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Table 6.5. Proposed Hazardous Fuels Treatment Project Areas. Project Name Project Type Projected # of # of Priority CWPP Goals # Year Acres Structures Ranking Elk River I Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2011 788 270 High Elk River II Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2012 412 0 Moderate Freeman Creek IDPR Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2011 413 13 Moderate Lolo Creek Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2013 857 0 Moderate Loseth Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2013 668 15 High Fuels Reduction/Community Moose City 2013 2,087 22 High Defensible Space NPT Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2011 450 16 Moderate Pierce/Cardiff Fuel Break Community Fuel Break TBD 6,099 348 High Pines Addition Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space 2011 115 132 High Sunnyside NPT Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space TBD 806 47 High Upper Fords NPT Fuels Reduction/Defensible Space TBD 316 5 Moderate The Clearwater County Fire Mitigation Program, individual fire districts, or the Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service may take the lead on implementation of many of these projects; however, project boundaries were purposely drawn without regard to land ownership in order to capture the full breadth of the potential wildland fire risk. Coordination and participation by numerous landowners will be required for the successful implementation of identified projects.
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Figure 6.1. Map of Proposed Hazardous Fuels Treatment Projects.
Regional Land Management Recommendations Wildfires will continue to ignite and burn depending on the weather conditions and other factors enumerated earlier. However, active land management that modifies fuels, promotes healthy forestland conditions, and promotes the use of natural resources (consumptive and non-
consumptive) will ensure that these lands have value to society and the local region. The Idaho Department of Lands, U.S. Forest Service, Nez Perce Tribe, industrial forestland owners, private forestland owners, and all agricultural landowners in the region should be encouraged to actively manage their wildland urban interface lands in a manner consistent with reducing fuels and risks in this zone. ity Wildfire Protection Plan Clearwater County, Idaho Commun
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Chapter 7
Supporting Information
List of Tables Table 3.1. Selected Demographic Statistics...... 18 Table 3.2. Ownership Categories...... 19 Table 3.3. Vegetative Cover Types...... 20 Table 4.1. Summary of IDL and USFS databases 1986-2008...... 26 Table 4.2. National Fire Season Summaries...... 28 Table 4.3. Total Fires and Acres 1980 - 2008 Nationally...... 29 Table 4.4. Historic Fire Regimes in Clearwater County...... 30 Table 4.5. Fire Regime Condition Classes in Clearwater County...... 32 Table 6.1. Action Items in Safety and Policy...... 78 Table 6.2. Action Items for Fire Prevention and Education...... 80 Table 6.3. Action Items for Infrastructure Enhancements...... 81 Table 6.4. Action Items for Resource and Capability Enhancements...... 82 Table 6.5. Proposed Hazardous Fuels Treatment Project Areas...... 86
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List of Figures Figure 2.1. Sample Press Release...... 13 Figure 2.2. Public Meeting Flyer...... 14 Figure 4.1. USFS Wildfire Ignition Summary...... 27 Figure 4.2. IDL Wildfire Ignition Summary...... 27 Figure 4.3. Wildland Urban Interface in Clearwater County, Idaho...... 36 Figure 6.1. Map of Proposed Hazardous Fuels Treatment Projects...... 87
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Signature Pages This Clearwater County Community Wildfire Protection Plan has been developed in cooperation and collaboration with representatives of the following organizations and agencies.
Clearwater County Board of Commissioners
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Signatures of Participation by Clearwater County Fire Districts and Departments This Community Wildfire Protection Plan and all of its components identified herein were developed in close cooperation with the participating entities listed.
By: Howard Weeks, Chief Date Evergreen Rural Fire District
By: Fred Allen, Chief Date Grangemont Rural Fire District
By: Mike Lee, Acting Chief Date Greer Fire District
By. Mike Lee, Chief Date Orofino City and Rural Fire District
By: John Willard, Chief Date Sunnyside Rural Fire District
By: Deryl Ketchum, Chief Date Twin Ridge Rural Fire District
By: Rob Smith, Chief Date Upper Fords Creek Rural Fire District
By: James Cahala, Chief Date Weippe Volunteer Fire Department
ity Wildfire Protection Plan By: MarvCook, Chief Date Pierce Fire Department
By: Brian Richmond, Chief Date Elk River Volunteer Fire Department
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Signatures of Participation by other Clearwater County Entities This Community Wildfire Protection Plan and all of its components identified herein were developed in close cooperation with the participating entities listed.
By: Dave Summers, Fire Warden Date Idaho Department of Lands
By: Mike Lubke, Fire Management Officer Date Clearwater National Forest
By: Don Gardner, Coordinator Date Clearwater County Emergency Management
By: Jeff Handel, Fire Management Officer Date Nez Perce Tribe
By: Howard Weeks, Fire Warden Date Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association
By: Tera King, Project Manager Date Northwest Management, Inc.
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This plan was developed by Northwest Management, Inc. under contract with Clearwater County. Funding for the project was provided by the Board of County Commissioners and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Citation of this work: King, Tera R. and V. Bloch. Lead Authors. Clearwater County, Idaho Community Wildfire Protection Plan. 2011 Revision. Northwest Management, Inc., Moscow, Idaho. 2011. Pp 94. King, Tera R. and V. Bloch. Lead Authors. Clearwater County, Idaho Community Wildfire Protection Plan Appendices. 2011 Revision. Northwest Management, Inc., Moscow, Idaho. 2011. Pp 49.
Northwest Management, Inc. 208-883-4488 Telephone 233 East Palouse River Drive 208-883-1098 Fax PO Box 9748 [email protected] Moscow ID 83843 http://www.Consulting-Foresters.com/
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