Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN

November 2006

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 2 PFA District Profile 2.0 Summary 2.1 WUI General Description 2.2 Local Fire Regimes 2.2.1 Ponderosa Pine and Ponderosa Pine Douglas-fir Communities 2.2.2 Mountain Mahogany Shrublands Communities 2.2.3 Grassland Communities 3 Hazard / Risk Assessment 3.0 Summary 3.1 Fuels 3.1.1 Timber 3.1.2 Brush 3.1.3 Grass 3.2 Potential Fire Behavior 3.2.1 Grass Fire 3.2.2 Brush Fire 3.2.3 Timber Fire 3.3 Fire Behavior Hazard Rating 3.4 Ignitions 3.4.1 Seasonal Distribution 3.4.2 Geographic Distribution 3.4.3 Fire Occurrence Indices 3.5 Values at Risk 3.5.1 Structures 3.5.2 Other Values at Risk 3.6 PFA Wildfire Preparedness and Capabilities 4 PFA Hazard Reduction Priorities and Action Plan 4.1 Hazard Reduction Priorities 4.2 Proposed Action Plan 4.3 Hazard Reduction Methods 4.3.1 Defensible Space 4.3.2 Fire Resistant Construction Features 4.3.3 Fuel Breaks and Area Fuel Treatments 4.3.4 Infrastructural Changes 5 Areas of Special Concern 5.1 City of Fort Collins Natural Areas 5.2 Lory State Park / Horsetooth Mountain Park and Reservoir 5.2.1 Lory State Park Mitigation Efforts 5.2.2 Horsetooth Mountain Park Mitigation Efforts 5.2.3 Bureau of Reclamation Land 5.3 Whale Rock – Saddle Ridge Area 5.4 Redstone Canyon Area 5.5 North Horsetooth Area 5.6 South Horsetooth Area 6 Conclusion Appendix A Supporting Documents and Works Cited Appendix B Community Meeting Minutes

Process for Revision and Updates

This CWPP is a living document that should be reviewed annually and updated as needed. The core groups for designated Areas of Special Concern are encouraged to track projects and record needed revisions in an addendum section of their copy of the CWPP. It is requested that these revisions be submitted to the PFA WUI coordinator once a year for inclusion in the PFA master CWPP. PFA will maintain a single master CWPP in which all revisions and updates will be tracked.

The revised CWPP will be submitted for approval to the PFA WUI team, Operations Division, Fire Prevention Bureau, and the Colorado State Forest Service during each PFA strategic planning process (approximately every five years) or more frequently if needed.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

ii Acknowledgements

This planning effort was supported by a matching grant through Larimer County Emergency Services.

The support and assistance of numerous individuals was essential to the completion of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including:

Mr. Tony Simons Larimer County Emergency Services Ms. Wendy McCartney Colorado State Forest Service Mr. Mike Gress Operations Chief, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Kevin Wilson Fire Marshal, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Gary Nuckols Special Operations Chief, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Holger Durre Assistant Fire Marshall, Poudre Fire Authority

The Whale Rock / Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department Core Team: Mr. Jeff Elsner Lieutenant, Rist Canyon VFD Ms. Rosemary Fry Board Member, Rist Canyon VFD Mr. Ron Fry Medical Officer, Rist Canyon VFD Mr. Mike Haynie Assistant Chief Rist Canyon VFD Ms. Barbara Monesson Board Member, Rist Canyon VFD Mr. Larry Monesson Firefighter, Rist Canyon VFD Mr. John Snyder Ms. Tam Snyder Firefighter, Rist Canyon VFD

The Redstone Canyon Core Team: Mr. Phil Kessler Captain, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Ron Anthony Firefighter, Poudre Fire Authority

The Poudre Fire Authority Core Team: Mr. Geoff Butler Fire Inspection Coordinator, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Sean Jones WUI Team Coordinator, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Kelly Close Captain, Poudre Fire Authority Mr. Ron Lindroth Captain, Poudre Fire Authority

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

iii Executive Summary

This Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was developed by the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) with guidance and support from Larimer County, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), and the United States Forest Service (USFS). The objectives of this report are to:

- Identify and describe PFA’s areas of wildland-urban interface - Determine community risks associated with the wildland-urban interface - Provide recommendations for mitigating those risks - Provide an Action Plan for implementing recommendations

While many CWPPs concentrate on fuels management activities, much of this CWPP focuses on preparedness and prevention activities that are within the purview of PFA. Fuels management projects are addressed as action items to be implemented by other agencies and homeowners within PFA’s jurisdiction. PFA may assist with these projects when appropriate.

Within Poudre Fire Authority’s jurisdiction there are a substantial number of structures intermixed with fire adapted vegetation. Intense fires in these ecosystems can be natural or the result of fire exclusion and often exceed the suppression capabilities of handcrews. PFA has a vital role in local wildland fire suppression, which is likely to grow with increased development in the wildland-urban interface.

Studying fire occurrence in terms of geographic location, climatic indices, and values at risk affords a situational understanding upon which pre-fire planning and mitigation efforts can be based. Several points are critical to an understanding of the interface situation in the district:

1.) Local wildland fuels can produce extreme fire behavior under historical conditions and as exacerbated by fire exclusion.

2.) Fire occurrence is grouped into two distinct seasons peaking in March and July.

3.) Fire occurrence is statistically correlated to 10 hour fuel moisture, while fire growth is most closely associated with 1000 hour fuel moisture.

4.) Geographic fire occurrence is heaviest in the occluded interface of PFA’s developed areas, but the potential for large fire growth and pronounced property loss forces attention to the west side of the district.

5.) Modeled and observed fire behavior illustrate the need for rapidly deployable engines, indirect line construction, and air resources during times of severe fire weather.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Public lands and four WUI areas of special concern (ASC) were evaluated in terms of hazard, risk, and future mitigation actions. With the input from land managers and community core teams, action items were defined and prioritized.

Table ES1. Action items by WUI Areas of Special Concern.

Area Community Hazard Current Mitigation Activities Planned Actions Rating Ft. Collins Natural Areas N/A 1) Thinning 1) Develop foothills fire restoration plan 2) Rx fire 2) Continue Bobcat Ridge fuels reduction 3) Mowing project 3) Develop Poudre River fire restoration plan 4) Develop Soapstone Prairie Rx fire program 5) Support above initiatives with continued training of personnel and acquisition of equipment Lory State Park N/A 1) Fuel breaks via mechanical 1) Continue implementing fuel breaks mastication 2) Hazardous fuels area treatments 3) 10 yr Rx fire program beginning yr 8 Horsetooth Mt. Park N/A 1) Hand thinning, pile burning 1) Complete forest health area treatments by 2007 2) Initiate Rx fire program Bureau of Reclamation N/A None None Whale Rock Severe / Extreme 1) Initial community action plan 1) Home assessments developed 2) Outreach and pub ed 2) Limited d-space activity 3) Develop pre-attack plan and maps 3) Extensive thinning by one 4) Clarify escape routes and procedures landowner 5) Thin along roadways, fuels treatments Redstone Canyon Severe 1) Initial community action plan 1) Home assessments 2) Outreach and pub ed 3) Develop pre-attack plan and maps 4) Establish water supplies 5) Fuel treatments North Horsetooth Area Moderate to Severe Undetermined 1) Community and home assessments 2) Contact community leaders to develop initial action plan 3) Outreach and pub ed 4) Develop pre-attack plan and maps South Horsetooth Area Moderate to Severe Undetermined 1) Community and home assessments 2) Contact community leaders to develop initial action plan 3) Outreach and pub ed 4) Develop pre-attack plan and maps

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Specific action items were developed for the Poudre Fire Authority by the WUI team. These are combined with the ASC action items from table ES1 in a master time line.

Table ES2. Action item timeline Year Action Lead 2007 Detailed community and home assessments of Whale Rock PFA Detailed community and home assessments of Redstone PFA Firewise education and outreach in Redstone and Whale Rock Core Teams / CSFS Clarify escape routes and procedures for Whale Rock Core Team / RCVFD Develop incident public information plan Ft. Collins OEM / PFA Complete review of the IFC WUI code PFA Develop foothills fire restoration plan Ft. Collins Natural Areas

2008 Tactical maps and preplans for Whale Rock and Redstone PFA Detailed community and home assessments of North Horsetooth PFA Detailed community and home assessments of South Horsetooth PFA Implement incident public information plan Ft. Collins OEM / PFA Develop Poudre River corridor fire restoration plan Ft. Collins Natural Areas

2009 Tactical maps and preplans for North and South Horsetooth Areas PFA Develop Soapstone Prairie fire management plan Ft. Collins Natural Areas Lory State Park Horsetooth Mountain Park ongoing Implement at least two Rx fires per annum Ft. Collins Natural Areas Bobcat Ridge fuels reduction project Ft. Collins Natural Areas Lory State Park fuels management projects Lory State Park / CSFS Horsetooth Mountain Park fuels management projects Larimer County dependant Enhanced staffing on high fire danger days PFA on Creation of dedicated wildland fire coordinator position PFA funding and Thin along roads in Whale Rock and Redstone Canyon Core Teams approval Development of fire service water supply in Redstone Canyon Core Team / PFA

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

vi 1. INTRODUCTION

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is essentially a strategic plan that identifies wildland fire issues facing the community and outlines prioritized mitigation actions. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 provides the impetus for wildfire risk assessment and planning at the county and community level. HFRA refers to this level of planning as Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP). The CWPP allows a community to evaluate its current situation with regards to wildfire risk and devise ways to reduce risk for protection of human welfare and other important economic or ecological values. The CWPP may address issues such as community wildfire risk, structure flammability, hazardous fuels and non-fuels mitigation, community preparedness, and emergency procedures. Core Teams provides oversight to the development of the CWPP and its implementation within each assessment area.

The Poudre Fire Authority was created in 1981 when the City of Fort Collins and Poudre Valley fire departments merged. The department is responsible for fire control within the 235 square miles stretching from lower Poudre Canyon, south to near the town of Masonville, and east past I-25 and Timnath area. This area includes the city of Fort Collins, several small neighboring towns, and over 8,500 acres of federal, state, county, and city open spaces.

PFA recognizes a variety of wildland and WUI threats throughout its district. Areas on the periphery of developments to the eastare at risk from escaped agricultural burns and grassland fires. Natural areas, fallow lots, and water and trail corridors can present a hazard to structures within the city limits. The more heavily vegetated and forested western portion of the district is a more classic example of wildland-urban interface or intermix.

This plan addresses the entire fire district but focuses on the western areas of PFA. Diversity of fuel types, steep and broken terrain, difficulties of access and water supply, diversity of land management jurisdictions, and fuel loading are all at a maximum in this area. This area also holds the largest protected wildlands within PFA’s jurisdiction including Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Park, and several of the city’s larger natural areas. While the western portion of the district does not see the majority of ignitions, it does host the greatest potential for loss of structures to wildfire.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

1 2. PFA DISTRICT Profile

2.0 Summary

PFA’s jurisdiction encompasses the City of Fort Collins, the towns of Timnath and LaPorte, and a population of over 160,000. Three general WUI categories have been defined: eastern agricultural/grassland areas, occluded pockets of wildland fuel s within the urban area, and most substantially the brush and forest dominated western portion of this district.

As the elevation rises from 5000 feet to 7500 feet, three major vegetation zones are encountered: plains grassland, Lower Ecotone, and Lower Montane. Invasive species, fire exclusion, and other factors have exacerbated potential fire behavior in these zones to varying degrees. The impact is most acute in the mountain mahogany shrublands and ponderosa pine of the Lower Ecotone, where WUI housing patterns are of a high concern.

2.1 WUI General Description

PFA's 235 square miles comprise over 11 percent of Larimer County as a whole, and over 20 percent of state and private lands (Farmer 1997). Out of 63 Colorado counties, the CSFS ranks Larimer County fourth for size of interface with 148,030 acres. Fifty- eight percent of the county's subdivisions are rated as extreme, severe, or high wildfire hazard (Farmer 1995). Other studies conducted by CSFS foresters have ranked Larimer County as either the first (Summerfelt 1993) or second (Jones 1992) most hazardous county in Colorado with respect to wildfire.

PFA has three general categories of WUI threat:

1) Agricultural and Grassland Intermix: grass fuels intermixed with agricultural lands and interfaced with emerging subdivisions to the north, south, and east of Fort Collins.

2) Occluded Interface: pockets of heavy vegetation fuel loads that have been absorbed and enclosed within the developed areas of the fire district.

Figure 2.1. Occluded interface can include vacant lots or formerly rural areas surrounded by subdivisions.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

3) Classic Interface or Wildland-Urban Intermix: grass, brush, and timber in the steep terrain to the west of town adjoining or intermixed with small subdivisions and rural housing patterns.

Figure 2.2. Classic interface areas west of Fort Collins host subdivision built adjacent to large areas vulnerable to wildland fire.

Additionally, PFA’s district has areas that may be considered true wildland where homes are not immediately at risk and access is difficult. This includes large state and county parks. In general, west of Overland Trail is the jurisdiction’s most complex area in terms of diversity of fuel types, steep and broken terrain, difficulties of access and water supply, fragmented land management jurisdictions, and heavy fuel loads.

Within PFA’s jurisdiction, the City of Fort Figure 2.3. Open Space. Lory State Park and Horsetooth Collins maintains approximately 15,000 Mountain Park cover 5,000 acres of wildland west of Ft. Collins. acres of natural areas. On the west side of the district Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Park, and Bureau of Reclamation lands cover approximately 7,000 acres of open space.

In addition to the open spaces within PFA’s jurisdiction, the Arapaho National Forest is in close proximity to the western boundary of PFA’s jurisdiction and abuts City of Fort Collins Natural Area and PFA’s boundary in several places. This proximity was very pronounced when the Bobcat Gulch Fire threatened to burn into PFA’s jurisdiction in 2000. Conversely, the Picnic Rock Fire of 2004 burned from PFA’s jurisdiction onto USFS lands. This emphasizes the need to improve cooperative prevention planning between local and federal fire management agencies.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 2.4. Arapaho National Forest lies in close proximity to the western boundary of PFA. There are over 20,000 acres of protected open space within PFA’s jurisdiction.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 2.5. PFA’s WUI can generally be divided into three categories: the occluded interface of developed areas, agricultural and grasslands surrounding the developed areas, and a more classic wildland intermix in the foothills to the west of Fort Collins.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

2.2 Local Fire Regimes

An understanding of local historic fire regimes is essential for developing sound fire and natural resource management strategies. The western portion of PFA's fire district consists of timber, brush, and grasslands. Of primary interest for this fire regime discussion are ponderosa pine and ponderosa pine / Douglas-fir forest, mountain mahogany shrublands, and to a lesser extent grasslands (Figure 2.1). Understanding the range of historic Figure 2.6 Foothills Ecotones. West of Fort Collins the fire intensity and frequency will help ecotones transition from grasslands, to shrublands, to timber. fire managers evaluate the extent of problems associated with fire exclusion and anticipate possible future fire behavior.

2.2.1 Ponderosa Pine and Ponderosa Pine / Douglas-Fir Communities

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is the dominant tree throughout the Larimer County foothills with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) being co-dominant or dominant along north facing slopes in the western section of PFA's district. Other common tree species present include Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) and aspen (Populus tremuloides). Understory may include litter, grasses, or shrubs such as mountain mahogany and common juniper (Juniperus communis ssp. alpina) (Peet 1981; Hendon 1984; Botto and Thomas 1989).

Recent studies along the Front Range by Brown et al. (1999), Veblen et al. (2000), and Kaufmann et al. (2006) support several general conclusions: 1) Fire frequency and behavior in the ponderosa pine ecosystem are more variable and complex than has often been portrayed.

2) Front Range ponderosa pine at lower elevations (~5500-7000 feet) reflects a relatively high fire frequency and open stand structure similar to ponderosa pine forests of the Southwest.

3) Forests in the Upper Montane and much of the Lower Montane (~6000-9000 feet) are characterized by a mixed fire regime which includes less frequent fires and increased stand densities, with a corresponding increase in potential for high intensity fires.

4) Ponderosa pine forests on the Colorado Front Range seem to be outside of their historic range of variability, most notably in the lower elevations. The resulting increase

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

6 in stand density and potential for disease and insect infestation has implications for increased fire behavior and fire management requirements.

Doug Van Reeth

Figure 2.7. The Bobcat Fire. Extreme fire behavior is a characteristic of the local ponderosa pine fire regime.

2.2.2 Mountain Mahogany Shrubland Community

The mountain shrub community is found throughout the western area of PFA’s district. True mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is the dominant shrub. Other common shrubs include chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), skunk brush (Rhus trilobata), common rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), common snow berry (Symphoricarpos albus), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and common juniper (Juniperus communis) (Botto and Thomas 1984; Hendon 1984; Balok 1997). These may be found as predominantly shrub communities or as an understory in open ponderosa pine or ponderosa pine / Douglas-fir (USDA Forest Service 2001).

Little has been written about the fire regime for mountain mahogany shrublands, and what is available is often not specific to this region. In general, mountain mahogany burns less readily than some other types of shrubs (Pase and Lindenmuth 1971), but it does have the potential to present a significant wildfire threat as stands become decadent or when fuel moisture is particularly low (Botto and Thomas1989; Bradley et al. 1991).

Mountain mahogany grows on droughty soils and rocky sites typified by a lack of fuel continuity. These conditions will favor small, low severity fires. Fire exclusion can allow a build-up of surface litter and dead branches as well as conifer encroachment. These conditions may constitute a substantial hazardous fuel profile (Bradley 1991; Cook et al. 1994). Where mountain mahogany has moved into more productive soils, the understory is typically composed of grass and litter. This provides a contiguous fuel bed for fire spread where historically the brush crowns alone may not have been dense enough to carry the fire (Ryan 1976).

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

7 2.2.3 Grassland Communities

As the elevation rises from less than 4800 feet to over 7200 feet, a variety of grass types are found in the short grass and mixed grass ecosystems. The lower elevations are dominated by short grass prairie species, including buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). Mid-grass types, mostly bunchgrasses, are also found throughout the foothills: western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), needle-and-thread (Stipa comata), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides)(Balok 1997; Lory State Park 1997; CSFS 1998).

Fire exclusion can result in the encroachment of brush and conifers into grasslands. Another major issue on the prairie is the invasion of non-native species. Each of these issues can result in increased fire intensity.

A non-native graminoid that may be found throughout the foothills in the fire district is cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). This species is notorious for its explosive fire behavior and pyrophilia. This invasive annual will often out-compete native vegetation, forming dense fine-stalked monocultures, ripe for rapid fire spread. Additionally, cheatgrass cures four to six weeks earlier than most native perennials, making it highly volatile during the height of the fire season (USDA Forest Service 2001). While not yet a dominant species across this area, the presence of this invader and other brome species is a complicating factor to be considered in the management of both wildfire and prescribed fire.

3. HAZARD / RISK ASSESMENT

3.0 Summary

1.) Local wildland fuels can produce extreme fire behavior under historical conditions and as exacerbated by fire exclusion.

2.) Fire occurrence is grouped into two distinct seasons peaking in March and July.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

8 3.) Fire occurrence is statistically correlated to 10 hour fuel moisture, while fire growth is most closely associated with 1000 hour fuel moisture.

5.) Modeled and observed fire behavior illustrate the need for rapidly deployable engines, indirect line construction, and air resources during times of severe fire weather.

3.1 Fuels

Using Anderson’s (1982) guide for determining fuel models, most of the grass, brush, and timber fire behavior fuel models are represented within PFA. These fuel models are defined by the surface fuels, not necessarily the overstory. For example, when ponderosa pine occurs with a grass understory, a grass fuel model is selected. As indicated in the fire regime discussion, these fuel models have been affected to varying degrees by fire exclusion, invasive species, and other factors.

3.1.1. Timber

In timber fuel models surface fire is carried by needle cast and dead and down limbs. In PFA’s area, the timber is comprised of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Fire history studies indicate that the timber fuel models of the lower montane have been less effected by fire exclusion than the ponderosa pine stands in the grass and brush of the lower ecotone (Kaufmann 2006). Regardless of the degree of deviation from their historic condition, these forests are susceptible to extreme fire behavior due to their density and the surface fuel build-up. All three of the timber fuel models may be found in the foothills west of town: 8 (closed timber litter), 9 (long-needle pine litter), and 10 (timber litter w/ dead and down understory).

3.1.2 Brush

While brush fires in Colorado may regularly occur March through December, they are most frequent during the mid summer months (Ryan 1976). Brush stands in PFA's district can become very dry during much of the fire season and have been identified as a "high risk" concern, deserving management (Botto and Thomas 1989). Fuel model 5 (low shrubs) represents the brush types most common along the hogbacks west of Fort Collins and extending into the timbered areas.

Mountain mahogany shrublands are an area of increasing concern for fire managers as homes are built in these areas and the stands appear to become more flammable. Despite this, the fuels management strategy for this vegetation type in the Fort Collins area is very limited.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

9 Figure 3.1. FBPS fuel models in PFA’s western WUI area.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

3.1.3 Grass

Grass fuels are best represented by models 1 (short grass) and 2 (short grass with open timber or brush overstory). These grass fuel types are the primary carrier of fire in the occluded interface, dominant in open areas east of the foothills, and prevalent throughout the entire district.

Though less impressive than timber or brush in terms of fire intensity, the significance of the rapidly moving grassfires should not be underestimated. Light, flashy fuels are a common factor in firefighter deaths. This fuel should be respected as a potential hazard both in understories and as a climax species.

3.2 Potential Fire Behavior

To illustrate potential fire behavior, a PFA case study was selected for each of the major fuel types: timber, brush, and grass. Observed fire behavior is provided next to modeled fire behavior under conditions similar to those observed on the actual fire. Fire behavior was modeled using the Behave program. This program is designed to model only surface fire behavior through a uniform fuel bed, absent the effects of suppression efforts.

The brief examination of fire behavior illustrates that rates of spread and / or fireline intensity will often exceed the capability of handcrew suppression in grass, brush, and timber fuels, with wind as a key cause. As a result, local fire officers must be prepared to employ engines and indirect line construction techniques on a regular basis. Where engine access is impossible or delayed, locations for indirect fireline and air resources should be considered early in the incident. This should influence the training and pre- suppression planning of local fire agencies.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

11 3.2.1 Grass Fire

The “Vern’s Fire” of January 11, 2000 burned 10 acres of fuel model 1 grass in less than an hour. Twenty foot winds were 27 mph, gusting to 44 and produced flame lengths of 1 to 3 feet across flat terrain (Close, Vern’s Fire 2000). Relative humidity was 15 percent. The BEHAVE program was unable to model fire behavior over 9.6 mph. The 1 hour fuel moisture was set at 3% based on the rule of thumb taking 1/5 of the relative humidity (National Wildfire Coordinating Group 1999).

Table 3.1. BEHAVE Runs, Grass Fire. Documented observed fire behavior is compared with modeled results on a 0 % slope with wind speeds varied by run. INPUT OBSERVED RUN 1 RUN 2 RUN 3 Fuel Model 1 1 1 1 1 Hr FM (%) 3 3 3 3 Slope (%) 0 0 0 0 20’ Wind Speed (mph) 27, gusts to 44 25 5 2.5 Mid Flame Wind Speed (mph) - 10 2 1 Wind Direction from uphill N/A N/A N/A N/A OUTPUTS Flame Length (ft) 1-3 10 2.5 1.7 Fire Area (acres) in 1 hr 10 998.3 34.6 8.7 Rate of Spread (chains / hr) - 446.5 22.4 9.4 Fire Line Intensity (BTU/ ft/ s) - 844 42 18 Reaction Intensity (BTU/ ft2/ s) - 939 939 939

The observed flame lengths were within the hand crew direct attack guideline of 4 feet, though behave predicts mush longer flames (Table 3.1). The largest problem for fire control was the rate of spread. BEHAVE results show how quickly a wind-driven grass fire can grow in the absence of effective suppression.

3.2.2 Brush Fire Figure 3.2. The Michaud Ln. fire demonstrated explosive fire behavior in Mountain Mahogany brush The “Michaud Lane Fire” burned in mountain mahogany best represented by fuel model 5 (Figure 3.1). This fire consumed approximately 11 acres of brush in about an hour on June 8, 2000. Fire behavior ranged from creeping with 1 foot flame lengths to 12 foot flame lengths moving at explosive rates as it completely consumed the brush crowns. This variation corresponded to erratic shifts in wind direction and speed. Wind direction varied from 90 degrees of upslope to directly upslope, while wind speeds were 9 to 12 mph with gusts to 30 mph. J. Weaver BEHAVE returned flame lengths within observed limits (Table 3.2). The modeled fire size closely mirror actual fire size.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Table 3.2. BEHAVE Runs, Brush Fire. Documented observed fire behavior is compared with modeled results on a 20 percent slope with wind speed and direction varied by run. INPUT OBSERVED RUN 1 RUN 2 RUN 3 Fuel Model 5 5 5 5 1 Hr FM (%) - 3 3 3 10 Hr FM (%) - 8 8 8 Live FM (%) 100 100 100 100 Slope (%) 20 20 20 20 20’ Wind Speed (mph) 9-12, gusts 30 7.5 11.25 22.5 Mid Flame Wind Speed (mph) - 3 9 9 Wind Direction from uphill 0 - 90 0 45 0 OUTPUTS Flame Length (ft) 1 – 12 5.3 6.5 9.9 Fire Area (acres) in 1hr 11 13.0 26.0 99.1 Rate of Spread (chains / hr) - 15.9 25.3 62.9 Fire Line Intensity (BTU/ ft/ s) - 211 336 837 Reaction Intensity (BTU/ ft2/ s) - 3179 3179 3179

3.2.3 Timber Fire

The Buckhorn-Davis Ranch Fire of April 26 through 28, 2000, burned across 80 acres of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, driven by winds of 16 mph. Most of the acreage burned occurred during the first burn period. The surface fire was active enough to consume half of the downed heavy fuels in the area and support “intense torching” in “dog hair” stands and areas of thick reproduction on slopes of 30 to 45 percent (Close, Buckhorn-Davis Ranch 2000).

Figure 3.3. Timber fires can display extreme fire behavior.

Kris Lindahl

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Table 3.3. BEHAVE Runs, Timber Fire. Documented observed fire behavior is compared with modeled results on a 35 percent slope with wind speed varied for fuel models 9 and 10. INPUT OBSERVED RUN 1 RUN 2 RUN 3 RUN 4 Fuel Model 9, 10 9 9 10 10 1 Hr FM (%) 6 6 6 6 6 10 Hr FM (%) - 8 8 8 8 100 Hr FM (%) - 10 10 10 10 Slope (%) 30 to 45 35 35 35 35 20’ Wind Speed (mph) 16, gusts 30 16 30 16 30 Mid Flame Wind Speed (mph) - 4.8 9 4.8 9 Wind Direction from uphill variable 20 20 20 20 OUTPUTS Flame Length (ft) 3 to 8 3.1 4.7 5.4 7.6 Fire Area (acres) in 6 hours 80 122 516 121.6 355.9 Rate of Spread (chains / hr) - 9.8 24.1 9.7 20.2 Fire Line Intensity (BTU/ ft/ s) - 66 164 225 471 Reaction Intensity (BTU/ ft2/ s) - 2392 2392 5840 5840

Two wind scenarios were run for two different timber fuel models. The model represents conditions under the pervasive winds of 16 mph and the gusts of 30 mph with an adjustment factor of 0.3 for mid flame wind speed. The resulting outputs (Table3.3) fall within the observed 3 to 8 feet.

3.3 Fire Behavior Hazard Rating

The fire behavior hazard rating for the western part of PFA’s district is illustrated by figure 3.3, an adaptation of Larimer County’s hazard fuel map. The Larimer County hazard map combines data from Larimer County and the USFS which do not always match one another. This map does not include the eastern portion of PFA’s jurisdiction, but does cover the more complex western portion of the area. This is different than the subdivision hazard rating to be discussed in section 3.5.

The hazard rating in the Larimer County map depicts relative fire hazard based on vegetation cover type and habitat structural stage, with no specific consideration given slope, aspect, or elevation. The PFA adaptation (figure 3.4) incorporates slope by moving any area with a slope of over 60% into the next higher hazard class. While much of PFA’s district was not included in the county map, this sketch of relative hazard in the western portion of the district reveals that much of the area is considered moderate to high hazard based on cover type, crown density, aspect, and slope.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

14 Figure 3.4. WUI Hazard Rating, derived from Larimer County data.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

15 3.4 Ignitions

Nationally the vast majority of wildfire ignitions are lightning caused. By contrast, on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests over 50 percent of fires are human caused (Farmer 1995), including the Bobcat (2000, 10,599 acres), Picnic Rock (2004, 8900 acres), and the deadly Big Elk (2002, 4413 acres) fires. The majority of PFA fires are human ignitions and occur in the occluded interface or agricultural areas east of town.

3.4.1 Seasonal Distribution

With an average occurrence of 133, vegetation fires comprise approximately 22 percent of PFA’s reported fire calls. Data from 1986 through 1999 illustrate a bimodal distribution of vegetation fires throughout the year with a spring season peaking in March and a summer season peaking in July (Figures 3.5 and 3.6). July is consistently the busiest month with an average of 25 vegetation fires followed by March with a mean fire occurrence of 20.

Figure 3.5. Seasonal distribution of wildland fires

While several large historic fires along the Front Range have occurred in the fall, it is not typically a busy season for fire. Frequent agricultural burns combined with high winds during the Spring, lead to a large number of escaped burns in March and April prior to green-up. Lightning and seasonally dry conditions are factors contributing to July’s fires.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

16 3.4.2 Geographic Distribution

Displaying fire occurrence by the square mile illustrates that the majority of ignitions take place in the urban areas of the fire district and along the I-25 corridor (figure 3.5). By definition, this means that the fires are close to structures, yet fire growth will usually be limited by man-made barriers such as pavement and green lawns. Wood shake roofs and accumulations of fuels along fence and hedge lines pose a threat to structures via fire brands and direct flame impingement, but rapid access and abundant water supplies mitigate many of the common wildland fire concerns. Nevertheless, these fires can pose a substantial threat to property and life.

Figure 3.6. Wildland fire occurrence per square mile in PFA’s district, 1986 to 1999.

While fire business is not the heaviest in the western part of the district, the more frequent ignition occurrence at the north and especially south ends of the Horsetooth Reservoir correspond to areas of densest development. Additional attention may be paid to a threat to water quality.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

17 3.4.3 Fire Occurrence Indices

Rather than assuming that standard fire indices such as energy release component (ERC) or burn index (BI) are accurate indicators of fire danger in PFA’s jurisdiction, Fire Family Plus was used to statistically determine the best index. The 2002 study found that the 10 hour fuel moisture is the best measure for overall wildland fire occurrence, while 1000 hour fuel moisture is the best indicator for large fire development (table 3.4). Large fires were defined by response rather than size with “Class 2” fires having over three pieces of apparatus and eight firefighters responding while “class 3” fires had over five pieces of apparatus responding.

Figure 3.7. Probability of fire occurrence vs. 10 hr fuel moisture for all PFA fires. As the 10 hr fuel moisture drops to 5%, probability of a wildland fire approaches 50%.

Table 3.4 1000 hr fuel moisture proved the best statistical fit as an overall fire danger index for multiple unit wildland fires in PFA’s district.

Years Fire Days R2 X2 p-value 10 hr all fires 86-99 453 0.97 0.85 4.1 1000 hr, class 2&3 fires 93-03 77 0.93 2.9 0.94 1000 hr, class 3 fires 93-03 36 0.92 3.8 0.80 10 hr class 2&3 fires 93-03 77 0.93 1.8 0.94 Summer 10 hr class 3 fires 93-03 36 0.93 1.6 0.82 Summer

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

With the help of Fire Family Plus fire danger levels were used to establish fire danger levels which can be used to determine staffing and response needs. Conditions during several significant fires were consistent with these fire danger levels (Butler and Close 2004).

Table 3.5 Fire Family Plus was used to set sample fire danger levels based on 1000 hr and 10 hr fuel moistures.

Fire Danger Level 1000 hr fuel moisture 10 hr fuel moisture 1 >12% >7% 2 >12 % >7% 3 <8% <4%

3.5 Values at Risk

Although the WUI discussed in this plan may be found throughout PFA’s entire jurisdiction, the western portion of this area requires particular attention. Approximately 50 square miles or 32,000 acres of the fire district's west side may be categorized as wildland or wildland urban interface, 22 percent of PFA's district. PFA’s western WUI is generally defined by Overland Trail on the east and PFA’s jurisdictional boundaries to the north, south, and west (figure 3.8). This area holds the largest designated open spaces within PFA’s jurisdiction. As mentioned, this area has the most complex fuels, topography, access, and water supply within the jurisdiction. This is also a complex area in terms of jurisdiction, sharing boundaries with Larimer County, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of Colorado, Loveland Fire, and Rist Canyon VFD.

3.5.1 Structures

On the western side of the fire district, over 800 residences intermix with public and private wildlands (Figure 3.9). Of the 11 WUI subdivisions identified by the CSFS as being in PFA's district, 7 are rated as having a high potential for fire loss (Table 3.6). The other 4 are rated as moderate (Farmer 1997). This rating is based on a combination of weighted factors, including fire hazard (comprised of emergency access, fuels, topography, construction characteristics, and water access), number of fires, and average fire size.

Within the PFA western WUI, four areas of special concern have been identified: Whale Rock, Redstone Canyon, North Horsetooth Area, South Horsetooth Area. Within these areas Larimer County has rated 18 subdivisions in terms of wildfire hazard, ten of which are high, severe, or extreme hazard (Table 3.7). This rating is based on factors such as access, defensible space, home construction, surrounding fuels, and fire protection.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Table 3.6. CSFS Subdivision Hazard Ratings

Fire Loss Risk Factor 1 Risk Factor 2 Subdivision Hazard Fire District Potential (avg. # of fires) (avg. fire size) Glades West Moderate Moderate Extreme Moderate PFA Horsetooth Heights Moderate Moderate Extreme Moderate PFA Lakeview Cottages High High Extreme Moderate PFA McMurry Ranch Moderate Moderate Extreme Moderate PFA Pine Crest High High Extreme Moderate PFA Redstone Canyon High Severe Extreme Moderate PFA Redstone Heights High High Extreme Moderate PFA Rimrock Pass Moderate Moderate Extreme Moderate PFA Soldier Canyon Estates High High Extreme Moderate PFA Saddle Ridge High Extreme Extreme Moderate PFA Whale Rock High Extreme Extreme Moderate PFA / Rist Canyon Bonner Peak High Severe Extreme Moderate Livermore Davis Ranch High Severe Extreme Moderate Rist Canyon Penosa Estates High Severe Extreme Moderate Rist Canyon Redstone Estates High Severe Extreme Moderate Rist Canyon Rist Canyon Road High High Extreme Moderate Rist Canyon

Table 3.7. Larimer County Subdivision Hazard Ratings by PFA defined Areas of Special Concern Wildfire Subdivision Ratings by Area of Special Concern Hazard Rating Whale Rock Redstone Canyon Horsetooth North Horsetooth South Extreme Saddle Ridge Morrill Whale Rock Redstone Canyon Lakeview Cottages Severe Continental West* Cushmans Lakeview High Soldier Canyon Horsetooth Estates Kintzleys Continental North Garcia Ranch Red Rock Estates Thompsons Lakeside Moderate Mill Canyon Spring Canyon Horsetooth Heights Low Inlet Knolls *Changed from the Larimer County rating of Moderate

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

20 Figure 3.8. The WUI area west of Fort Collins is worthy of special consideration due to a number of complex issues. The WUI Buffer represents a ½ mile distance around homes and roads which the National Fire Plan uses as a general guideline for defining the WUI.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

21 Figure 3.9. Number of houses per square mile in PFA’s western interface area. Data: PFA, 1999

3.5.2 Other Values at Risk

In additions to structures, there are many other values at risk in PFA’s WUI. These include public health and safety, utilities, watersheds, reservoirs, wildlife habitat, and recreational resources.

Public safety and health is of paramount importance to PFA and are its primary charges. The risks to the public include entrapment and the impacts of smoke. This is currently addressed through aggressive suppression of wildfire. Several other mitigation strategies are addressed in the action plan of section 5.

The utility infrastructures most commonly at risk from wildfire are electrical transmission lines. Input was solicited from electric, water, and gas companies within PFA’s district. Most expressed support for the CWPP but had little specific input to offer at this time.

Watersheds and reservoirs can sustain damage that far outweighs the cost of suppression and structure loss. Horsetooth and Seman are the two reservoirs at highest risk due to their proximity to heavy fuels and steep terrain. Siltation resulting from runoff subsequent to wildfires can fill-in reservoirs and damage filtration facilities, costing tens of millions of dollars.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

22 Wildlife habitat and recreational areas can also suffer damage from intense wildfires. The effects on flora and fauna are too complex and varied to be addressed in detail here, but with approximately 9,000 acres of preserved lands in PFA’s district and over 20,000 acres of city owned open space outside of this jurisdiction, these values deserve attention.

3.6 PFA Wildfire Preparedness and Capabilities

All of PFA’s 150 career firefighters are cross-trained and red carded as wildland firefighters. There are currently 10 NWCG qualified Engine Bosses, 3 Helicopter Crewmembers, 3 Strike Team Leaders, 3 Division Bosses, 1 Fire Behavior Analyst, and a variety of other qualifications. In addition the majority of PFA’s 40 or so volunteer firefighters are red carded.

PFA operates a fleet of firefighting apparatus which includes:

6 Type-6 4x4 engines 3 Type-3 awd engines 3 Type-1 awd engines 11 Type-1 engines 1 awd water tender 2 water tenders 3 aerial ladder trucks 1 heavy rescue squad

PFA maintains a WUI team which addresses a breadth of issues in this operational arena. There is also an out-of-district wildland team which provides firefighters with the opportunity to gain experience fighting wildfires across the United States.

PFA is a close cooperator with Larimer County Emergency Service and the surrounding fire protection districts. These relationships are governed by a variety of formal and informal interagency agreements and MOU’s.

Wildland fire equipment, training, and operational capabilities in PFA are all quite good. Pre-attack planning, mobilization procedures for emerging fires, and management of fires which escape initial attack are areas which will benefit from attention.

4. PFA HAZARD REDUCTION PRIORITIES AND ACTION PLAN

PFA hazard reduction priorities and an initial action plan were established by an ad hoc committee. They were based on the department’s 2004 Strategic Plan, WUI team documents, and the input of other WUI team members. These priorities are specific to PFA. Specific hazard reduction priorities for public lands and special areas of concern are addressed in section 5.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

23 4.1 Hazard Reduction Priorities:

1) Pre-fire planning 2) Enhanced wildland fire staffing 3) Public education and staffing 4) Improved interagency coordination 5) Application of codes and regulations 6) Hazardous fuels mitigation

4.2 Proposed Action Plan

1) Pre-Fire Planning • Complete CWPP process. 2006 - near completion • Obtain appropriate methodology, technology, and training to conduct more detailed community assessments. 2006 – proposal to Operations Team under review • Conduct home assessments and detailed community assessments in Whale Rock and Redstone Canyon. 2007 – proposal under review, grant funding being sought • Produce pre-fire plans and tactical maps for Whale Rock and Redstone Canyon. 2007-2008 • Conduct home assessments and detailed community assessments in North and South Horsetooth areas. 2007-2008 • Produce pre-fire plans and tactical maps for North and South Horsetooth areas. 2009

2) Enhanced Wildland Fire Staffing • Enhance response to wildfires on high fire danger days - completed • Improve integration of volunteer firefighters into wildfire response • Examine possible use of seasonal wildland firefighters • Examine possible use of a dedicated wildland fire coordinator position

3) Public Education and Outreach • Utilize the CWPP process as a public education opportunity. - underway • Utilize home assessments as a face-to-face outreach opportunity. 2006-2008 • Develop home and community assessment data base. 2007-2009 • Develop web page, reverse 911, information phone line, and/or other media as public information tools during active incidents. - in concert with Ft. Collins OEM 2007-2008

4) Improved Interagency Coordination • Consistently participate in Larimer Fire Council meetings. - underway • Remain active in development of local type 3 IMT. - underway

5) Application of Codes and Regulations in the WUI • Review the IFC WUI code for possible application to PFA’s jurisdiction. 2006-2007 • Continue to improve the open burn permitting system. - underway

6) Hazardous Fuels Mitigation • Continue to support local prescribed fire operations. - underway • Assist communities in obtaining funding for fuel reduction work. • Examine possible sponsoring of fuel disposal or utilization efforts.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

24 4.3 Hazard Reduction Methods

There are a number of hazard reduction strategies and methods. This includes fuels management on a variety of scales to alter fire behavior as well as a number of infrastructural changes that can facilitate suppression efforts. The most often used methods are briefly introduced here.

4.3.1 Defensible Space

The WUI, where communities and wildland meet, is the central focus of this CWPP. The past several decades have seen an alarming loss of life and property in the WUI, and the creation of defensible space around homes is of critical importance to reducing such losses. Defensible space consists of pruning trees, applying low flammability landscaping, and cleaning up surface fuels and other fire hazards near the home. These efforts are typically concentrated within 30 to 75 feet of the home to increase the chance for structure survival or create an area for firefighters to work in the event of a wildfire.

Resource: Creating Wildfire Defensible Zones, http://csfs.colostate.edu/library.htm

4.3.2 Fire Resistant Construction Features

While reducing hazardous fuels around a structure is of great importance to preventing fire loss, recent studies indicate that the attributes of the structure itself determine ignitability to a great extent. Experiments suggest that even the intense radiant heat of a crown fire is unlikely to ignite a structure that is over 30 feet away as long as there is no direct flame impingement. Studies of home survivability indicate that homes with noncombustible roofs and a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space had an 85 percent survival rate. Conversely, homes with wood shake roofs and less than 30 feet of defensible space had a 15 percent survival rate.

Resource: Construction Design and Materials Factsheets, Firewise Construction: Design and Materials, http://csfs.colostate.edu/library.htm

4.3.3 Fuel Breaks and Area Fuel Treatments

By breaking-up vertical and horizontal fuel continuity in a strategic manner, fire suppression resources are afforded better opportunities to contain wildfires and community assets will have an increased probability of survival. In addition to the creation of defensible space, fuel breaks may be utilized to this end. These are strategically located areas where fuels have been reduced in a prescribed manner, often along roads. These fuel breaks may be associated with or tapered into larger area treatments. When defensible space, fuel breaks, and area treatments are coordinated, a community and the adjacent natural resources are afforded an enhanced level of protection from wildfire.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

25 The objectives of fuels management may include reducing surface fire intensity, reducing the likelihood of crown fire initiation, reducing the likelihood of crown fire propagation, and improving forest health. These objectives may be accomplished by reducing surface fuels, limbing branches to raise canopy base height, thinning trees to decrease crown density, and/or retaining larger fire resistant trees. Fuel reduction projects should also be consistent with other community values such as wildlife habitat and esthetics.

Improperly implemented fuel treatments can have negative impacts in terms of forest health and fire behavior. Thinning forest stands in wind prone areas too rapidly can result in subsequent wind damage to the stand. Thinning can also increase the amount of sun and wind exposure on the forest floor, which can increase surface fire intensity if post treatment debris disposal and monitoring are not properly conducted. The overall benefits of properly conducted mitigations treatments are, however, well documented.

Resource: Fuelbreak Guidelines for Forested Subdivisions and Communities, http://csfs.colostate.edu/library.htm

4.3.4 Infrastructural Changes

In many WUI areas, improvements to fire service water supplies and access can greatly facilitate suppression efforts. Issues of cost and land ownership can prove substantial hurdles to these efforts, but they should be closely considered.

Water supply may be improved with the installation of cisterns or by adding dry hydrant attachments to existing static water sources. Widening roads, adding turn-outs, adding turn-arounds large enough for fire apparatus, and creating secondary points of access can improve both fire depart ingress as well as evacuation.

Resource: NFPA 1144 Standard for Protection of Life and Property from Wildfire 2002, http://www.nfpa.org

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

5. AREAS of SPECIAL CONCERN

Areas of special concern focus on public lands that contain large areas of contiguous wildland fuels as well as the homes and communities in PFA’s western WUI zone. The narrative for each area discusses planned or desired projects to address wildfire issues specific to each.

Table 5.1. Action items by WUI Areas of Special Concern.

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27 Table 5.2. Action item timeline

Year Action Lead 2007 Detailed community and home assessments of Whale Rock PFA Detailed community and home assessments of Redstone PFA Firewise education and outreach in Redstone and Whale Rock Core Teams / CSFS Clarify escape routes and procedures for Whale Rock Core Team / RCVFD Develop incident public information plan Ft. Collins OEM / PFA Complete review of the IFC WUI code PFA Develop foothills fire restoration plan Ft. Collins Natural Areas

5.1 City of Fort Collins Natural Areas

The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program manages over 36,000 acres, with approximately 15,000 acres of these lands within PFA’s jurisdiction. These areas include river and stream corridors, small parcels within the City of Fort Collins, prairie and restored agricultural lands, shrublands and woodlands along the foothills, and two large properties outside of PFA’s jurisdiction: the 2,600 acre Bobcat Ridge Natural Area and the 17,500 acre Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Fire is a historic process in all of these ecosystems.

These areas are maintained for ecosystem preservation / restoration, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation. Fire management within these natural areas focuses on the prevention / suppression of unplanned wildfire and the reintroduction of prescribed fire to restore fire adaptive ecosystems. The Natural Areas staff currently supports the primary

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

28 firefighting agencies in suppression operations, but does not conduct wildfire suppression independently.

The Natural Areas program has redcarded a number of its personnel and has built a type 6 wildland engine. At least eight prescribed and agricultural burns have been implemented on Natural Areas property since 2002. A hazard fuels reduction program is underway on the Bobcat Ridge property. Though fire management priorities focus on ecosystem health, hazardous fuel reduction and vegetation type conversion to less combustible species is a consistent result.

Fire Management Priorities 1) Preservation of ecosystem health 2) Restoration of agricultural lands using prescribed fire 3) Hazardous fuels management

Action Plan 1) Develop a fire restoration plan for the foothills properties. 2) Continue the Bobcat Ridge fuels reduction project. 3) Develop a fire restoration plan for the Poudre River corridor. 4) Plan / implement large scale prescribed fire program for the Soapstone Prairie Area. 5) Support the above initiatives with continued training and equipment acquisition.

5.2 Lory State Park / Horsetooth Mountain Park and Reservoir

Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Park are each comprised of approximately 2500 acres of grass, brush, and forest lands. An additional 2,000 acres of Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) land surround Horsetooth Reservoir and are managed by Larimer County. The BOR land is dominated by mountain mahogany brush lands and is managed by Larimer County. These preserved lands border wildland intermix areas with over 800 homes.

5.2.1 Lory State Park Mitigation Efforts

Lory State Park is currently implementing a wildfire mitigation plan that was written in 2005. This plan calls for the creation of four fuel breaks and five hazard reduction areas. The fuel breaks are to be created primarily by mechanical mastication. Initial treatment in the first 40 acre fuel break was completed in the spring of 2006, with treatment of the second 32 acre fuel break scheduled for the fall of 2006. These breaks are approximately one mile long and 300 to 400 feet wide along ridge tops. The project schedule calls for 462 acres to be mechanically treated and 350 acres to be treated with prescribed fire over the next ten years.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 5.1. Lory State Park fuel treatment map from the Wildfire Hazard and Mitigation Plan, 2005, Land Stewarship Associates, LLC

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

30 5.2.2 Horsetooth Mountain Park Mitigation Efforts

Horsetooth Mountain Park has been thinning along its roadways and implementing forest health and restoration projects since 2003 pursuant to its 1998 Forest Management Plan. The goals of these thinning projects have been to improve forest health and reduce fire hazard. Implementation has been by hand cutting and pile burning. Prescribed fires are also planned within the park.

Figure 5.2. Horsetooth Mountain Park fuels treatment map.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

31 5.2.3 Bureau of Reclamation Land

No fuels treatment or fire mitigation plan currently exists for the BOR lands surround Horsetooth Reservoir. This area is heavily utilized for recreation and is surrounded by homes. These lands surround an important reservoir and border Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Park, and City of Fort Collins Natural Areas. Under dry and windy conditions the brush fuels on this land will support rapid fire spread. All of these factors dictate that mitigation efforts on these lands should be seriously considered.

5.3 Whale Rock – Saddle Ridge Area

The Saddle Ridge and Whale Rock subdivisions are organized under the Mountain Estates and Saddle Ridge Rd. Association. These subdivisions include residences on both sides of the section line that divides the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department (RCVFD) and PFA jurisdictions, making close coordination between the two departments recommended for fire management efforts in this area. RCVFD station 4 is located in the center of Whale Rock. PFA station 7 is the closest paid station, approximately 5.5 miles away. This station houses a Type 1, Type 3, and Type 6 engine and serves as the department’s wildland specialty station with a crew of three firefighters.

Saddle Ridge and Whale Rock have been rated extreme and severe respectively by Larimer County in terms of fire hazard. The CSFS rated both subdivisions as extreme. Access is characterized by steep narrow roads. The predominant fuel models are FBPS 9 and 10, thick timber. A few land owners have created adequate defensible space, with some undertaking extensive forest management efforts. However, less than 30% of the homes have adequate defensible space.

A core team of residents, comprised largely of members of the RCVFD, developed a list of concerns and potential solutions, though a timetable has not yet been established for specific projects.

Table 5.3. Whale Rock mitigation priorities and proposed action items Wildfire Concern Potential Solution Safe evacuation for residents and access for Thin vegetation along roadways firefighters Identify traffic pull-outs and turn-arounds Clarify escape routes Saving Homes Defensible space / Firewise education Develop personal home evacuation plans Possible medical emergencies during wildfire Have resources assigned to a medical resource event group during wildfires

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32 Figure 5.3. Whale Rock ASC

Figures 5.4 and 5.5. Fuel treatment project, Whale Rock, Snyder property

Fuel mitigation tools Treated vs. Untreated

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 5.6. Whale Rock ASC hazard map

5.4 Redstone Canyon Area

Eighty percent of the homes in Redstone Canyon are members of the Redstone Canyon Association (RCA). PFA station 11 is midway up the canyon and is staffed by community volunteers. Two of these volunteers have served as the core team and the conduit between the RCA and PFA. PFA Station 9 is also a volunteer station and is approximately 2.5 miles from the entrance to Redstone Canyon. Station 4 is the closest paid station, approximately 9 miles from the canyon entrance. Loveland Fire Rescue and Larimer County Emergency Services also respond to wildfires in this area.

This community borders Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Park to the East. Surface fuels are predominantly grass or grass with timber overstory. There are areas of mountain mahogany brush throughout the canyon and timber on the upper slopes of the canyon. Most of the homes in this canyon are located in grass fuels.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

34 Larimer County and the CSFS rate Redstone Canyon as severe hazard. Many of the rating criteria are costly or impossible to mitigate, such as slope, number of entrances to the community, road width and grade. However, there are some readily achievable actions that can drop the community’s hazard rating to moderate: adequate street signs, defensible space on at least 70% of the homes, and installation of a fire service cistern. Several other projects have been proposed by the core team that will substantially enhance resident and firefighter safety. Among the concerns is the fact that reverse 911 procedures will not work in a community that is so reliant on cell phones.

Figure 5.7. Redstone Canyon ASC

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

35 Table 5.4. Whale Rock mitigation priorities and proposed action items Wildfire Concern Potential Solution Fire preparedness Create pre-suppression and evacuation plans Home survivability Professional outreach and education for homeowners Facility D-space creation and slash disposal Public information during Public information hotline and/or web page incidents Fire department capabilities Install a fire service water supply Increase available resources during high fire danger Hazardous fuels Thin fuels along roadways Study the need for larger fuel reduction projects

Figure 5.8. Redstone Canyon ASC hazard map

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

36 5.5 North Horsetooth Area

This area lies immediately north of Lory State Park at the northwest end of Horsetooth Reservoir. Four subdivisions are included and range in their hazard rating from moderate to severe. Grass and brush fuels are predominant throughout most of the area, though timber is present along the western and southern edges of the area.

Wildfire response in this area comes from PFA station 7 and Larimer County Emergency Services. Station 7 is 3.5 to 5.5 miles from the homes in this area and houses a Type 1, Type 3, and Type 6 engine. This station serves as the department’s wildland specialty station and is staffed by a crew of three.

Though Lakeview Cottages receives a the highest hazard rating in this area from the county, Mill Canyon Estates is actually the highest priority given its population, proximity to heavier fuels, steepness of slope, and access issues. The pending actions for this area are:

1) Update community assessments. 2) Contact community organizations and leaders, and form a core team. 3) Perform individual home assessments.

Figure 5.5. North Horsetooth ASC subdivision hazard ratings Subdivision Larimer County Hazard Rating Lakeview Cottages Severe Soldier Canyon Estates High Red Rock Estates Moderate Mill Canyon Estates Moderate

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 5.9. North Horsetooth ASC

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 5.10. Redstone Canyon ASC hazard map

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

39 5.6 South Horsetooth Area

The South Horsetooth Area is comprised of eleven subdivision ranging in hazard rating from low to severe. Most of the homes lie on steep brush covered slopes. Egress and fire department access are an issue on many of the steep and narrow roads in this area. The subdivisions of this area bounded on all sides by open space and preserved lands that for the most part have seen only very limited hazard fuel mitigation.

Wildfire response in this area is provided by PFA volunteer station 9, PFA station 4, and Larimer County Emergency Services. Station 9 houses a Type 1 and Type 6 engine as well as an all-wheel-drive water tender, but response is dependant upon the available of volunteers who generally do not reside in the area. Station 4 is the closest fully staffed company and houses a Type 1 and Type 6 engine. This station is approximately five to ten miles from most of the homes in the area.

At this time the priority action items for the area are:

1) Update community assessments 2) Contact community organizations and leaders / form a core team 3) Perform individual home assessments

Figure 5.6. South Horsetooth ASC subdivision hazard ratings Subdivision Larimer County Hazard Rating Morrill Severe Cushman’s Lakeview Development High Horsetooth Lake Estates High Kintzley’s High Continental West Moderate (considered Severe by PFA) Continental North Moderate Garcia Ranch Moderate Thompson’s Lakeside Moderate Spring Canyon Heights Moderate Horsetooth Heights Moderate Inlet Knolls Low

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

40 Figure 5.11. South Horsetooth ASC

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Figure 5.12. South Horsetooth ASC hazard map

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

42 6. CONCLUSION

Of PFA’s three major WUI classifications, the most significant in terms of extent, complexity, and degree of risk is the wildland-urban intermix in the western 25% of the district. This are was divided into three areas of special concern for evaluation. The two most at risk of these ASCs, Whale Rock and Redstone Canyon, have formed core teams to develop mitigation action plans. These plans are in their initial stages.

The extensive areas of open space and proximity to national forest land also pose issues requiring attention and improved coordination between agencies. Most of these land mangers are implementing stewardship plans that address wildfire mitigation, though the communication of these efforts to adjoining jurisdiction is often incomplete. Recent large fires have illustrated the importance inter-jurisdictional communication and coordination.

PFA has committed to detailed WUI assessments and pre-fire planning of the ASCs within its jurisdiction. This process and the information gathered will not only assist PFA with tactical pre-suppression planning, but will also support the efforts of the core teams and communities in the ASCs.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

43 Appendix A. – Supporting Documents and Works Cited

Anderson, H.E. 1982. Aids to determining fuel models for estimating fire behavior characteristics. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-122.

Andrews, P.L., C.D. Bevis, D.W. Carlton, M. Dolack. 2000. Behave Plus. USDA Forest Service. Missoula, MT. Available: http://fire.org/; Internet.

Andrews, P.L. and L.S. Bradshaw. 1997. FIRES: Fire information retrieval and evaluation system – a program for fire danger rating analysis. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-367.

______. 1995. Fire danger rating and the go/no-go decision for prescribed natural fire. In Proceedings: Symposium on Fire in Wilderness and Park Management; 1993 March 30– April 1; Missoula, MT. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-320.

Babler, M. 2000. Interview by author, October 2000. Fort Collins, CO.

Balok, R., editor. 1998. Cache la Poudre River natural areas management plan. City of Fort Collins Natural Resource Department. Fort Collins, CO.

______. 1995. Cathy Fromme Prairie site management plan. City of Fort Collins Natural Resource Department. Fort Collins, CO.

______. 1997. Foothills natural areas management plan. City of Fort Collins Natural Resource Department. Fort Collins, CO.

Botto, R. and B. Thomas. 1989. Timber management plan, Lory State Park. Fort Collins, CO.

Boulder Daily Camera. 2000. “State and local fires.” Boulder Daily Camera. 17 September. B5.

Bradley, A.F., N.V. Noste, and W.C. Fischer. 1991. Fire ecology of forests and woodlands in Utah. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-287.

Bradshaw, L. 2002. Electronic mail to author. February 2002.

Bradshaw, L. and S. Brittain. 2000. Fire Family Plus, 2.0. USDA Forest Service. Missoula, MT. Available: http://fire.org/; Internet.

Brown, P.M., M.R. Kaufmann, and W.D. Shepperd. 1999. Long-term, landscape patterns of past fire events in a montane ponderosa pine forest of central Colorado. Landscape Ecology 14:513-532.

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44 Butler, Geoffrey. 2002. Wildland Urban Interface Issues in Poudre Fire Authority’s Jurisdiction. Fort Collins, Colorado. unpublished.

Butler, Geoffrey. 2004. Selecting Climatic Indicators to Determine Fire Danger for PFA. Fort Collins, Colorado. unpublished.

Butler, Geoffrey and Kelly Close. 2004. Enhancing Efficiency in Poudre Fire Authority’s Wildland Urban Interface Operations. Fort Collins, Colorado. unpublished.

Colorado State Forest Service. 1998. Horsetooth Mountain Park Forest Management Plan. Fort Collins, Colorado. unpublished.

City of Bend Fire Department (1999, December). FireFree Program, [Online]. Available: http://www.ci.bend.or.us/firedept/firefree.htm.

Close, K. 2000. Documentation of the Buckhorn-Davis Ranch fire. Poudre Fire Authority. Fort Collins, CO.

______. 2000. Documentation of the Vern’s fire. Poudre Fire Authority. Fort Collins, CO.

Colorado State Forest Service. 1998. Horsetooth Mountain Park forest management plan. Fort Collins, CO.

Cook, J., T. Hershey, and L. Hershey. 1994. Vegetative response to burning on Wyoming shrub big game range. Journal of Range Management 47(4): 296-302.

Cooper, C. F. 1960. Changes in vegetation, structure, and growth of southwestern pine forest since white settlement. Ecological Monographs 30: 129-164.

Covington, W.W. and M.M. Moore. 1994. Southwestern ponderosa pine forest structure: changes since Euro-American settlement. Journal of Forestry 92:39-47.

Covington, W.W., P.Z. Fule, M.M. More, S.C. Hart, T.E. Kolb, J.N. Mast, S.S. Sacket, and M.R. Wagner. 1997. Restoring ecosystem health in ponderosa pine forests of the southwest. Journal of Forestry 95:23-29.

Deeming, J.E., R.E. Burgan, and J.D. Cohen. 1977. The National Fire-Danger Rating System – 1978. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-39.

Dennis, C. 2000. Interview by author, 8 October 2000. Fort Collins, CO.

Elliot, D. 2000. “Wildfires top state’s news for 2000.” Denver Post. 31 December. A18.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

45 Farmer, D. 1995. Larimer County wildfire mitigation plan. Colorado State Forest Service. Fort Collins, CO.

______. 1997. Recommendations for improving wildfire safety in Larimer County. Colorado State Forest Service. Fort Collins, CO.

Goldblum, D. and T.T. Veblen. 1992. Fire history of a ponderosa pine / Douglas-fir forest in the Colorado Front Range. Physical Geography 13:133-148.

Hart, R.H. and J.A. Hart. 1997. Rangelands of the great plains before European settlement. Rangelands 19(1): 4-11.

Hendon, A.W.L. 1984. Horsetooth Mountain Park and Lory State Park: natural resource inventory, history and user survey. Master of Science Thesis. Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO.

Harnett, D.L. and J.F. Horrell. 1998. Data, Statistics and Decision Models with Excel. New York; John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Jones, J.R. 1992. Wildland urban interface fire risk: a cumulative analysis of Colorado counties. Colorado State Forest Service. Fort Collins, CO.

Land Stewardship Associates. 2005. Lory State Park Wildfire Hazard and Mitigation Plan. Fort Collins, Colorado. unpublished.

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Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

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Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

47 Appendix B. – Community Meeting Minutes

Whale Rock CWPP Meeting Minutes June 10, 2006 Rist Canyon Fire Station 4

In attendance: Wendy McCartney (CSFS), Geoff Butler (PFA), Tam Snyder, Larry Monesson, Barbara Monesson, Rosemary Fry, Ron Fry, Jeff Elsner, Mike Haynie (RCVFD Asst. Chief)

- Attendees were Rist Canyon VFD members, both from the Whale Rock area and other areas of Rist Canyon. All were well aware of fire department access limitations, evacuation issues, defensible space, and fuel loading / potential fire behavior. General knowledge on these issues on the part of the community at large may not be as advanced.

- Wendy and Geoff introduced the CWPP process and how PFA plans to complete its CWPP. Interest in participating in the CWPP was high among the attendees.

- A Whale Rock area tour was conducted which illustrated many of the wildfire issues as well as some outstanding forest health / fuel reduction projects that have been conducted and others that are planned. There are two marked “escape routes” in addition to the primary Whale Rock Rd.

- The Whale Rock area is best organized under the Mountain Estates and Saddle Ridge Rd. Association. This includes residents on both sides of the section line that divides the Rist Canyon VFD and PFA jurisdictions. Including the Cloudy Pass subdivision in this section of the CWPP should also be considered.

- Rist Canyon VFD’s involvement in this part of the CWPP will continue to be invited. Neighboring subdivisions will be informed of the CWPP efforts as they develop.

- Geoff requested that two questions be discussed by the end of July:

1) What does your community perceive as its major wildfire issues or values at risk?

2) What potential solutions or mitigative actions would your community like to see investigated?

- The suggestion was made that further information be acquired and the above questions be discussed by the attendees of this meeting prior to presentation to the community at large.

- Geoff and Wendy will assemble and send further information on: grants, CWPP descriptions and templates, fire department response to the area, and what support PFA and CSFS can offer.

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan

48 Minutes, Redstone CWPP meeting June 4, 2006 PFA Station 11

In Attendance: Geoff Butler, Wendy McCartney (CSFS), Phil Kessler, Ron Anthony

- This was an initial discussion to discuss Redstone Canyon community interest in participating in the CWPP.

- Geoff and Wendy introduced the CWPP process and presented background work that has been completed to date.

- Phil and Ron pointed out that in addition to the Redstone HOA there is an unaffiliated road association and several unaffiliated residences within the canyon.

- Perceived top priorities discussed included: life safety, pet and livestock evacuation, and home defense.

- Other priories that might get less consensus on a community wide basis included: wildlife habitat, forest and grasslands from a “view shed” standpoint, erosion, tactical cruxes (areas where the immediate threat may not be apparent, but where suppression is critical to fire containment), communications during an incident (reverse 911 to cell only homes, info line, web page, what “voluntary evacuation” means?).

- Ron and Phil will attempt to convene the HOA board by the end of July to discuss the following two questions:

1) What does your community perceive as its major wildfire issues or values at risk?

2) What potential solutions or mitigative actions would your community like to see investigated?

Poudre Fire Authority Community Wildfire Protection Plan