Guenoc Valley Fire History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

SITE CONTEXT WILDFIRE HISTORY Guenoc Valley is located in a fire prone region of California. Although wildfire is a year-round possibility, risk increases during the late summer into the fall. During this time of the year, hot days with a lack of precipitation dry out vegetation, which increases the risk for wildfire, particularly during windy days. Climate change could further affect these risk factor patterns. Wildfires have affected the site throughout its history. Since the 1950s, fires of varying size and intensity have burned parts of the project site. A few of the more recent fires, including the Butts Fire in 2014 and the Jerusalem and Valley Fires in 2015, were large-scale fires which spread from off-site and affected large portions of the site as well as nearby properties. In particular, the Valley Fire caused wide-spread damage to the southern portion of the site, including along Butts Canyon Road. These effects are still visible and present today. The scale, severity, and effects of the most recent wildfires are all important considerations in developing a rigorous wildfire prevention strategy. JERUSALEM FIRE (2015) 25,118 ACRES 0’ 2500’ 5000’ 10000’ VALLEY FIRE (2015) 76,085 ACRES SITE WILDFIRE HISTORY SINCE 1950s SOURCE: California Fire Return Interval Departure (FRID), USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, 2012 with 2016 update OAK HILL MINE (1952) HOMESTAKE 2 (2006) UNBURNED W.M. ALDERSON #2 (1953) RX GUENOC VMP (2006) LOW FOLEY FARM RI ESCAPE (1963) BUTTS (2014) MODERATE JERICHO (1996) JERUSALEM (2015) HIGH YANKEE VALLEY (1976) VALLEY (2015) RX (1980) NO DOCUMENTED FIRE INCREASED BUTTS FIRE (2014) VEGETATION 4,267 ACRES GUENOC (1996) WATER VALLEY FIRE (2015) BURN SEVERITY OF MOST RECENT WILDFIRES SOURCE: National Burn Severity Mapping Project, National Park Service - U.S. Geologic Survey, 2014 and 2015 II. SITE CONTEXT PG June 1, 2020 6.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Fire Codes Used in the Kern River Valley
i The Kern River Valley Community Fire Safe Plan Created by HangFire Environmental for the Kern River Fire Safe Council and the citizens they strive to protect. October 2002 The Kern River Valley Community Fire Safe Plan was funded by a grant to the Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council by the United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service, National Fire Plan-Economic Action Program. In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture policy, Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council in cooperation with the Kern River Valley Revitalization Incorporated is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write the United States Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice or TDD). The United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ii Table of Contents Kern River Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan................................................................i The Kern River Valley Community Fire Safe Plan........................................................................ii Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................iii Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1
[Show full text]
The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity
fire The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity s is evidenced year after year, the na- ture of the “fire problem” in south- Jon E. Keeley, Hugh Safford, C.J. Fotheringham, A ern California differs from most of Janet Franklin, and Max Moritz the rest of the United States, both by nature and degree. Nationally, the highest losses in ϳ The 2007 wildfire season in southern California burned over 1,000,000 ac ( 400,000 ha) and property and life caused by wildfire occur in included several megafires. We use the 2007 fires as a case study to draw three major lessons about southern California, but, at the same time, wildfires and wildfire complexity in southern California. First, the great majority of large fires in expansion of housing into these fire-prone southern California occur in the autumn under the influence of Santa Ana windstorms. These fires also wildlands continues at an enormous pace cost the most to contain and cause the most damage to life and property, and the October 2007 fires (Safford 2007). Although modest areas of were no exception because thousands of homes were lost and seven people were killed. Being pushed conifer forest in the southern California by wind gusts over 100 kph, young fuels presented little barrier to their spread as the 2007 fires mountains experience the same negative ef- reburned considerable portions of the area burned in the historic 2003 fire season. Adding to the size fects of long-term fire suppression that are of these fires was the historic 2006–2007 drought that contributed to high dead fuel loads and long evident in other western forests (e.g., high distance spotting.
[Show full text]
Fire Vulnerability Assessment for Mendocino County ______
FIRE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY ____________________________________________ _________________________________________ August 2020 Mendocino County Fire Vulnerability Assessment ________________________________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION I- OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 6 A. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 6 B. Project Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 6 C. Mendocino County Description and Demographics ................................................................ 7 D. Planning Area Basis .................................................................................................................. 8 SECTION II- COUNTY WILDFIRE ASSESSMENT ............................................................ 9 A. Wildfire Threat ......................................................................................................................... 9 B. Weather/Climate ........................................................................................................................ 9 C. Topography ............................................................................................................................. 10 D. Fuel Hazards ..........................................................................................................................
[Show full text]
Living with Wildfire in Mendocino County
LIVING WITH WILDFIRE IN MENDOCINO COUNTY Protecting OURSelveS, OUR property, AND OUR NATURAL RESourceS FOREST FACTS ... WHEN TO MOW ... RESCUING YOUR HORSES ... SAFE growing PRACTICES BURN PILES ... FIRE WATER SUPPLY ... AND MORE! The reality of wildfire A Mendocino scenario Suddenly the water stops flowing. The one wildfire can move. And they don’t know power line along the road has burned, so that most people killed by wildfires die IT’S A HOT DAY in early October. It’s 2:30 the pump has quit. Phones go dead too. while trying to evacuate—too late. and the afternoon wind has just kicked up. There’s been no rain since May, and Now really in panic, Joe and Barbara make Fire engines from other counties begin everything is tinder dry. Our CDF air one last attempt to capture their animals. to arrive. They check in with the chief in tankers, command plane, and helicopter With heavy hearts, they leave without them. charge. He tells them to stop at the local are fighting a fire near Santa Cruz. Nearly fire station for maps. In the confusion, The drive downhill takes a long time. In half our county’s fire engines are near L.A., the maps can’t be found. Radio waves are places the road is only one lane, so they where160 homes burned earlier this week. jammed and instructions aren’t clear. must back up to turnouts to let fire engines A wildfire breaks out in Mendocino County. pass. Other cars are collecting behind A fire chief from Napa is assigned to them, making matters worse.
[Show full text]
Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit 2020 Strategic Fire Plan
Figure: 1 Capell Incident Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit 2020 Strategic Fire Plan Unit Strategic Fire Plan Amendments Description of Updated Date Section Updated Page Numbers Updated Update By 5/26/2020 ALL ALL Annual Update S.Cardwell 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE ........................................................................................................ 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 5 SECTION I: UNIT OVERVIEW ....................................................................................... 6 SECTION II: UNIT PREPAREDNESS AND FIREFIGHTING CAPABILITIES ............... 9 SECTION III: VALUES .................................................................................................. 12 History of Large Fires ................................................................................................. 12 Values at Risk ............................................................................................................ 12 Section IV: PRE-FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATAGIES & TACTICS ........................... 13 Communication and Collaboration ............................................................................. 13 Pre-Fire Planning ....................................................................................................... 14 Section V: MONITORING PROGRAMS EFFECTIVNESS .......................................... 16 Emergency Command Center ...................................................................................
[Show full text]
Ojai Community Builds Wildfire Resilience
Best Practices Federal Emergency Management Agency / Region IX February 2019 Disaster Mitigation Working in California Ojai Community Builds Wildfire Resilience Ventura County, CA Since its founding in 1874 the beautiful town of Ojai, ringed by rugged mountains and steep chaparral-covered can- yons, has been threatened with de- struction at least nine times. The Wheeler and Day Fires in 1985 and 2006 burned over 280,000 acres and destroyed homes and other struc- tures near the town. The Ojai com- munity placed a bronze plaque to express gratitude for the heroism of firefighters who successfully battled the Wheeler Fire during extremely dangerous conditions. years; developed high-quality years of Ojai Valley preparation Those experiences brought an online resources; and built strong and planning. Extremely hot, dry awareness of vulnerability, along effective partnerships with the and windy conditions caused that with a determination to become a USDA Forest Service, Ventura fire to grow and move with incredi- wildfire resilient community. Ojai County Fire Protection District, ble speed. Readiness and detailed Valley residents realized that aware- City of Ojai, County of Ventura, evacuations plans were critically ness and vigilance alone would not Ventura County Sheriff Depart- important, since the two-lane coun- suffice. To develop a plan of action ment, Ventura County Resource ty egress roads can be overwhelmed a group of fire professionals, educa- Conservation District and others. by traffic. Fortunately, the wind tors, insurance experts, homeowner direction during the Thomas Fire associations and others formed the The board of directors and adviso- spared the City of Ojai the fate of Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council ry council have been able to effec- Paradise, California, but this lesson (OVFSC), a nonprofit organization tively engage and coordinate with has not been lost on the Ojai Valley dedicated to promoting wildfire other agencies, organizations, vol- community.
[Show full text]
2007 Fire Activity Report
U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE Regional Map Akaska REGION 7 Pacific REGION 1 Mountain - Prairie Northeast REGION 6 REGION 5 Great Lakes-Big Rivers California and Nevada REGION 3 REGION 8 Southeast Southwest REGION 4 REGION 2 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 2007 Fire Statistics Regional Map .............................................................................................................. i Regional Activity Summaries Pacific .............................................................................................................. 1 Southwest ........................................................................................................ 5 Great Lakes-Big River .................................................................................... 8 Southeast ......................................................................................................... 12 Northeast ......................................................................................................... 18 Mountain-Prairie ............................................................................................. 24 Alaska .............................................................................................................. 28 California and Nevada...................................................................................... 41 Wildfires Fire Activity Map ............................................................................................. 50 Number / Acres ..............................................................................................
[Show full text]
Sonoma County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Sonoma County Community Wildfire Protection Plan FIRE SAFE SONOMA Disclaimer Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of any governmental agency, organization, corporation or individual with which the authors may be affiliated. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. The Sonoma County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (the Plan) is a work in progress. Various changes are anticipated throughout the Plan over the next several years. Readers are urged to consult with their own agencies having jurisdiction regarding the use or implementation of this Plan, as well as their own legal counsel on matters of concern. While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this Plan, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by receiving this publication. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your specific situation. The publisher, sponsors and authors shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any other damages, including but not limited to, special incidental and/or consequential damages. This Plan is not to be construed as indicative of project “activity” as defined under the “Community Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act, Chapter Three; Projects Subject to CEQA.” Because the Sonoma County CWPP does not legally commit any public agency to a specific course of action or conduct and thus, is not a project subject to CEQA or NEPA.
[Show full text]
2016 ODF Protection Fire Season Report
PROTECTION FROM FIRE FIRE SEASON REPORT 2016 Protecting Oregon’s forestlands from fire through a complete and coordinated system. TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Protection Division at a glance _________________________________________________ 3 Fire Season Overview_________________________________________________________ 4 Fire Season at a glance _______________________________________________________ 5 Wildfire causes and prevention ________________________________________________ 10 Fire Operations ____________________________________________________________ 13 Equipment Pool ____________________________________________________________ 17 Smoke Management ________________________________________________________ 19 Fire investigation ___________________________________________________________ 22 Agency Contact Information __________________________________________________ 23 FIRE SEASON 2016 REPORT MISSION AND STRATEGY The mission of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division is to protect more than 16 million acres of private and public forestland in Oregon from wildfire. This is accomplished through a complete and coordinated system that brings together the personnel and other resources of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) with: other state agencies city fire departments • rural fire protection districts • rangeland protection associations • federal wildfire agencies • contractors • forest landowners • •As the largest fire department in Oregon, the Division’s over-arching goal is to minimize cost and loss through
[Show full text]
Yolo Emergency Management Annual Report 2015-2016
Yolo Emergency Management Annual Report 2015-2016 Message from the Emergency Services Director The Yolo County Office of Emergency Services is the lead agency responsible for countywide emergency management services in Yolo County. The office assists with all hazards disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts throughout the Yolo Operational Area under a Shared Services Agreement with the cities of Davis, West Sacramento, Winters and Woodland, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yolo County Housing. I am pleased to present to you our 2015-2016 Annual Report. As you will see upon review, we have continued to strengthen our program and progress with our partners in developing a well-structured and synchronized emergency management program throughout Yolo County. We look forward to another year of ensuring that all of our communities are prepared for all hazards. Jill Cook Deputy County Administrator Mission/Vision Yolo County and its partner organizations work collectively through an organized planning, preparedness, training, mitigation and evaluation effort to ensure that all of our community is reasonably protected and prepared for all hazards. Mitigation Mitigation measures may be implemented prior to, during, or after an incident to help reduce or eliminate long-term risk to persons or property, or lessen the actual or potential effects or consequences of an incident. In 2016, Yolo County began consultations with CalOES regarding the 2018 Yolo Operational Area Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update. A tentative schedule has been established to begin the update process with a kickoff meeting in the spring of 2017: Preparedness Since it is not possible to prevent or mitigate every hazard that poses a risk, we use preparedness measures to reduce the impact of hazards by taking certain actions before an emergency occurs.
[Show full text]
2018 Sanitary Survey
LAKE BERRYESSA 2018 WATERSHED SANITARY SURVEY Final Report October 2018 Prepared for Napa County Flood Control Water Conservation District and Solano County Water Agency Lake Berryessa 2018 Watershed Sanitary Survey FINAL REPORT October 2018 Technical Committee: Napa County Flood Control Water Conservation District Annamaria Martinez Phillip Miller Solano County Water Agency Justin Pascual Prepared By: Leslie Palencia, Palencia Consulting Engineers PREPARED BY TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Section 1 – Introduction Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1-1 Objectives of the Update .............................................................................................. 1-1 Constituents and Potential Contaminating Activities Covered in the Current Update ... 1-2 Report Organization ..................................................................................................... 1-3 Section 2 – Watershed and Water Supply Systems Background .................................................................................................................. 2-1 Watershed Description ................................................................................................. 2-2 Land Use ........................................................................................................... 2-2 Precipitation ....................................................................................................... 2-2 Water Treatment Plants ..............................................................................................
[Show full text]
Guenoc Valley Mixed-Use Planned Development Project Draft Environmental Impact Report, SCH No
4/21/2020 Sent via email and FedEx County of Lake Community Development Department Attn: Mark Roberts, Principal Planner 255 N. Forbes Street Lakeport, CA 95453 [email protected] Re: Guenoc Valley Mixed-Use Planned Development Project Draft Environmental Impact Report, SCH No. 2019049134 Dear Mr. Roberts: These comments are submitted on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity (the “Center”) regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (“DEIR”) for the Guenoc Valley Mixed-Use Planned Development Project (“the Project” or “Proposed Project”). The Proposed Project is anticipated to build 450 resort and 400 hotel units, luxury resort amenities, 1,400 residential estates, 500 workforce cohousing units and extensive infrastructure in an undeveloped area of Southwest Lake County. The Project will degrade the current ecosystem on the Project site as well as negatively impacting sensitive biological resources in the area surrounding the Project. In addition to the ecological damage of paving over pristine natural habitat, the Project will put people in harm’s way by building in an area prone to wildfire. The Center has reviewed the DEIR closely and is concerned that the DEIR fails to adequately disclose, analyze and mitigate the Project’s potentially significant impacts on biological resources, greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, wildfire risk and water resources, among other impacts. For these reasons, detailed below, we urge that the DEIR be revised to better analyze and avoid the Project’s significant environmental impacts. The Center is a non-profit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of native species and their habitats through science, policy, and environmental law.
[Show full text]