SEQUOIA CREST

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE

PROTECTION PLAN

ALDER CREEK FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

KENNETH DELFINO Registered Professional Forester # 506

January 2008

SEQUOIA CREST Community Wildfire Protection Plan Certification and Agreement

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Sequoia Crest

• Was collaboratively developed with the Sequoia Crest Property Owners Association, Alder creek Fire Safe Council, Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council, USDA Forest Service, Tulare County Fire Department and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

• The plan provides an analysis of the fire/fuel situation in the community, community attitudes toward wildland fire, and information on the fire safe condition of 101 properties.

• The plan identifies fuel reduction projects for Sequoia Crest.

• The plan provides recommendations on increasing information and communication on wildland fire issues and problems.

• The plan recommends that the most effective fire defenses are the actions of the residents of the community to improve the survivability of their properties.

The following entities attest that the standards listed above have been met and mutually agree with the contents of this Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

______Edward Royce, President Harry Love, President Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council Alder Creek Fire Safe Council

______Ed Wristen, Unit Chief, Priscilla Summers, District Ranger Tulare Unit Tule River Ranger District California Department of Forestry Sequoia National Forest and Fire Protection

______Steve Sunderland, Chief Tulare County Fire Department

2 CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... 5 Sequoia Crest Recommendations...... 10 Overview of Project Area History and Setting of Sequoia Crest...... 14 Fire Protection Resources………………………………………………………… 18 Tulare County……………………………………………………………….. 21 California Department of Forestry and Fire Prot……………………… 23 Forest Service…………………………………………………...... 24 Mutual Aid………………………………………………………...... 26 Self Protection………………………………………………………………. 27 Wildland Fire Fundamentals……………………………………………………… 30 Fire Environment and Fire History of Sequoia Crest ………………………... 31 Vegetation …………………………………………………………………… 31 Fuels ………………………………………………………………………….. 34 Topography …………………………………………………………………. 39 Weather ………………………………………………………………………. 40 Fire Behavior ………………………………………………………………... 40 Fire History ………………………………………………………………….. 40 Fire Behavior ………………………………………………………………………... 41 Topography ……………………………………………………. …………... 41 Weather ………………………………………………………………………. 44 Fuel …………………………………………………………………………… 45 Extreme Fire Behavior Conditions ……………………………………… 47 Fire Danger Rating System ………………………………………………. 48 Evaluation of Structures ………………………………………………………….. 50 Evacuation Plan ……………………………………………………………………. 70 Protect Your Property …………………………………………………………….. 73 When a Fire Approaches …………………………………………………………. 85 Purpose of the Project ……………………………………………………………. 87 Request for Proposal ………………………………………………...... 88

3 Submitted Proposal ……………………………………………………………….. 88 Project Tasks …………………………………………………………. …………… 89 Prospect for Future Success …………………………………………………….. 90 Acknowledgments ………………………………………………………………... 100 About the Author …………………………………………………………………. 100 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………...... 101 Appendix I, PRC 4291 ……………………………………………...... 104 Appendix II, LE – 100 …………………………………………………………….. 106 Appendix III, Letter to Property Owners ……………………………………… 107 Appendix IV, Forest Service Evacuation Plan ………………………………. 108 Appendix V, Address Number Order Form ………………………………….. 109 Appendix VI, Property Evaluation Form ……………………………………… 110 Appendix VII, Vegetation Types …………………………………..………….. 111 Appendix VIII, Vegetation Classification ……………………………………... 115 Appendix IX, Fire Fighting Gel …………………………………………………. 116 Appendix X, Fire Protection Agreement, Fire Laws ………………………... 117 Appendix XI, Sequoia Tree Lighting Fire …………………………………….. 119 Map 1, General Location ………………………………………………………….. 8 Map 2, Sequoia Crest Subdivision ……………………………………………… 9 Map 3, Proposed Fuel Break …………………………………………………….. 13 Map 4, Fire History ………………………………………………………………… 94 Map 5, Fuel Types …………………………………………………………………. 96 Map 6, Fuel Type Detail …………………………………………………………... 97 Map 7, Aerial View of Project Area ……………………………………...... 98 Map 8, Aerial View of Project Area ……………………………………………... 99

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sequoia Crest is a rural mountain community of 104 habitable structures located in the Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County, California. Vegetation in this community are typical Southern Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests at the 6000 to 7000 foot elevation range. Sequoia Crest is a subdivision of 140 acres adjacent to a 540 acre parcel which is a section of land surrounded by the recently created Giant Sequoia National Monument. The most unique feature of this property is the number of Giant Sequoia Redwoods on individual lots and on the adjacent private parcel. Growth of the forest and the lack of natural fire has created a tinder box situation that endangers the community and the Giant Sequoias. Springville, a small foothill town, lies approximately 12 air miles to the west, directly down-canyon from Sequoia Crest and Camp Nelson about 3 air miles south, are both listed as a “communities at risk” from wild land fire. Most recently, the “Deep Fire” burned over 3000 acres between Springville and Sequoia Crest. Aggressive fire fighting and a wind change kept the fire from moving upslope toward Sequoia Crest. In 2002, the “McNally Fire” burned over 150,000 acres and came within 8 air miles of Sequoia Crest. The conditions that supported both of these major fires exist within the Sequoia Crest community. Sequoia Crest, with only 12 full time residents, is about one hour from full shopping services in Porterville. This one hour trip is along the relative twisted and steep Highway 190, past Camp Nelson and about five miles north on Redwood Drive. The community has the normal public utilities including electrical power, telephone and a community owned water system. Tulare County provides garbage service at a central transfer station near Camp Nelson, although it is only open a few days a week. Tulare County maintains all the paved roads and they are snow plowed on a regular schedule during the winter. The nearest fire station is at Camp Nelson, about 20 minutes away. Wildland fire protection is provided by The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service during the summer months only. Year around structural fire protection is

5 provided by Tulare County (since July 1, 2007). Ambulance service is provided by a volunteer group in Camp Nelson (at the same site as the County fire station). Air ambulance (helicopter) is provided by Hall Ambulance in Bakersfield, 30 minutes away. Law enforcement, Tulare County Sherriff, must come from Porterville, Springville or Camp Nelson, wherever a Deputy is on duty. Wildland fire is the Sword of Damocles hanging over this community. The question is not “if a fire will occur”, but “when it will occur” and “how much damage it will do”. The community is located on a northwest to south aspect with over 100 percent slopes on some lots. Fire history records, kept since 1910, indicate that no recent fires have burned near this community. Fire scars on the old growth Giant Sequoias indicate that this area probably experienced historic and pre-historic natural or indigenous fire at approximately the same frequency as the west slope of the Sierra’s, about a 25 to 40 year frequency. All of the permanent residents and many part-timer owners were interviewed during three visits to the project area and some had a high level of interest and knowledge about wildfire conditions and fire safe principles. Unfortunately many of the part-time owners had minimal understanding, other than the requirement for vegetation clearance protection zones. Many have hazardous conditions that could be easily remedied. Most did not realize that fire protection resources are scarce in this area and that engines and equipment may not be available during the initial stage of a fire. Some thought that fire engines would descend on the area as soon as a fire is reported as they watched on television during Southern California fires. This project involved the evaluation of 101 properties with report prepared for each property (see Appendix VI for a sample of an evaluation report). Those property evaluations have been given to all owners and no copies have been retained. A summary of the conditions found is contained in the section “Evaluation of Structures: Construction and Clearance”. A companion section “Protect Your Property” should also be given to each owner to assist them in improving their chance of survival when a fire occurs. Recommendation #1 describes owners responsibilities.

6 Recommendation #2 describes a fuel reduction project on National Forest land that needs to be installed (map # 3). This fuel break will improve the capability of firefighters to protect developed areas in the community. Recommendation #3 suggests fuel reduction on vacant lots within the community. Vacant lots were not individually evaluated however most have had little or no vegetation removal. Strategically removing vegetation on lots as suggested in #3 will provide a significant margin of protection for homeowners and firefighters. Recommendations 12, 16, and 17 will increase information provided to residents and the public. Recommendations 8, 9, 10, 14 and 19 focus on improving fire protection resources and deployment in the community. Tulare County needs to enhance their structural protection and evacuation plan and their visibility in the community. Sequoia Crest needs to be represented on the Volunteer Fire Department at Camp Nelson. A Wildland Fire Protection Plan for any community rests with the community members. The only way any plan succeeds is where property owners have ownership and buy-in. An outside consultant can create a framework plan but that plan will not work until it becomes the Sequoia Crest Community Plan. The consultant can only provide information, offer recommendations and point community members in a logical direction. Success will be measured by how many recommendations the community agrees to implement. This is the heavy lifting that needs to be done for a plan to work. Information on the Purpose of the Project, Request for Proposal, Submitted Proposal, and Grant Tasks is contained at the end of this report.

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MAP I GENERAL LOCATION

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MAP 2 Sequoia Crest Subdivision

9 Sequoia Crest Recommendations:

1. Ultimate responsibility for protecting property from wildfire rests with each owner. All property owners should seriously consider taking steps to improve their survivability from fire by taking actions suggested in the section “PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY”. Taking the most drastic steps such as building with only fire safe materials, placing heavy shutters on windows, providing defensible space, keeping flammable material well away from structures, and having water and hydrants can not guarantee that a structure will survive a severe wildfire, but it will help. Most owners, lacking the funds or ability to achieve this level of protection, should take all the steps recommended that are within their capability. Each step taken will increase their chance of survival. One hundred and one properties were evaluated and each evaluation is on an individual report. Each owner is encouraged to obtain their report from Kurt Wendelyn and do those things recommended on their evaluation. It is important to remember that fire protection resources in this area are thin. Response times are long and the local protection resources effort may not be available in a timely manner. Property owners and their neighbors need to be prepared to take care of each other by obtaining information, training and equipment.

2. Fuel break: Encourage the Forest Service to create a shaded fuel break around the community. Plans for this fuel break are under discussion but the time line is well into the future. The Fire Safe Council needs to strongly emphasize to the Forest Service the need to speed up the process. Political support for the project needs to be generated through the local congress person. Details on the nature of the fuel break are discussed in the fuels section of CWPP report on page 36 and Map 3

3. Seek a grant to provide funds for vacant lot clearance. These would be selected lots in critical locations and usually only include thinning brush and small cedar and fir trees within about 20 feet of roads. Details on lots needing clearing are contained on page 38 in the report.

4. Continue seeking grants to sponsor chipper days. Request the use of FS and CDF chippers whenever they are available.

5. Request that the Forest Service provide a key for the Fox Farm Road so that residents can have emergency access during all seasons. This gate is usually opened during the summer but may be closed at the lower end during critical fire weather to remove the risk of an accidental fire along the road. An alternative might be to provide a way for a second lock, owned by the Fire Safe Council, to be installed. This would require a modification

10 to the gate since the current lock is installed in a tamper proof steel box and can only accommodate one lock.

6. Request that the private land strip west of the sub-division be thinned (logging) to a density of approximately 50 to 70 trees per acre (trees larger than 20 inches dbh). This thinning should have 100% slash removal and 75% of the native brush should be removed. This logging will require a Timber Harvesting Plan from CDF.

7. Owners of lots that border the Sequoia National Forest should seek permission from the Forest Service to allow them to thin brush on National Forest lands up to 150 feet from their structures. National Forests in Southern California allow this practice with an approval letter to individual owners. The following lots are affected: a. 54958 Alder – 433-24 b. 54607 Alder – 433-73 c. 54706 Alder – 433-12 d. 54713 Cedar – 433-11 e. 54403 Hossack – 308-10 f. 54425 Hossack – 308-11 g. 54443 Hossack – 308-12 h. 54459 Hossack – 308-13

8. Encourage the three protection agencies to meet with the Alder Creek Fire Safe Council (FSC) at least once per year, all at the same time, before fire season. This would be a coordination meeting designed to improve communication and education between the FSC and the agencies. Agency representatives (Forest Service and Tulare County) should be encouraged to attend Alder Creek Fire Safe Council meetings. The Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council has agency representatives at their monthly meetings.

9. Pre-designate a fire safety area (evacuation area) large enough to accommodate 50 or 60 people including an adjacent helicopter landing zone to provide air evacuations (see section on Evacuation Plan). The helicopter crew from Peppermint should be invited to tour the area and recommend the best landing zones for evacuation.

10. Request the Forest Service and Tulare County create a new pre-attack fire plan for Sequoia Crest.

11. Expand the Alder Creek Fire Safe Council to include the communities of Alpine Village, Ponderosa, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. These communities have a common interest and nearly the same fire problem as SC. The most important common issue is that a fire starting in any of these communities threatens all the others. If each

11 community is Fire Safe, the entire Highway 190 corridor is better off. Each of these communities should have a CWPP prepared.

12. Create a reverse 911 calling system so that all residents can be notified when a fire occurs and be informed on the need to evacuate. This system is established with the local telephone company and needs to be coordinated with the County Sheriff, County Fire and the Forest Service so that it is clear who is responsible for placing the call order. [This system was used successfully in Southern California in October 2007, where 500,000 people were evacuated]

13. Request that the Forest Service fill their vacant Prevention Inspector for the 2008 fire season and conduct clearance inspections at Sequoia Crest in a timely manner.

14. Recruit at least one qualified resident to become a member of the Camp Nelson Volunteer Fire Department. This effort would bring Sequoia Crest into closer coordination with the emergency services system established within the surrounding communities.

15. Encourage all residents to post house numbers (to code) at the street utilizing the sign number services provided by the Camp Nelson Fire Station (see Appendix V).

16. A fire danger information sign should be posted at the entrance to Sequoia Crest notifying residents and guests of the hazardous conditions in the area. Daily updates (using a Fire Danger arrow) provided by the Forest Service. The county Fire Department and Forest Service should be able to assist in designing and funding the sign.

17. The Alder Creek Fire Safe Council should develop a fire safe homeowner’s guide specific to the conditions found at SC. The elements of such a guide can be found in the final report under the section “Protect Your Property”. This guide should include suggestions on making the property safe, evacuation procedures, safety zones, and the care of domestic animals during an emergency.

18. Request that the Forest Service utilize the triangular parcel of National Forest land between Redwood Drive and Alder Drive at the east side of the project area as a fuel reduction demonstration area.

19. Sequoia Crest should form a community fire brigade composed of full time local residents. Tulare County would recognize this organization and provide additional equipment such as hose packs and medical aid supplies and provide organized training on firefighting tactics and strategy.

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20. Some Sequoia Crest residents might want to consider one of several new spray gel products that might be able to protect a home for several hours as a fire approaches. These products can be purchased and applied by the owner and might provide an extra margin of protection while the fire passes. Information can be obtained by using an internet search such as “google” with the words “fire retardant gel”. Information on one products is provided in Appendix VIII.

MAP 3 Approximate location of proposed fuel breaks

13 OVERVIEW OF PROJECT AREA

History and Setting of Sequoia Crest Humans have traveled and/or lived in the Southern Sierra forests for probably more that 10,000 years. In the higher mountains, and also down into the western foothills, hunters and gatherers known as the Monache or Western Mono lived. West of the Monache, in the lower foothills and across the Central Valley, was a second group, the Yokuts. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Spanish began exploring much of present day California. Soon afterwards, trappers, sheepherders, miners, and loggers came into the Sierras looking for gold, game, grazing and timber. By the end of the 19th century, San Joaquin Valley communities increasingly looked to the Sierras for water and recreation. (Dilsaver & Tweed, 1990). Sequoia Crest, a small subdivision in the South Sierras, is nestled in the center of the Sequoia National Forest, about 12 air miles east of Springville in Tulare County. [United States Geological Survey coordinates – Section 16, Township 20 South, Range 31 East, Mt. Diablo Meridian. International coordinates – 36° 11.17’ North, 118° 37.84’ West]. It is not a typical subdivision because it is situated in a grove of Giant Sequoia redwood, probably the largest group of privately owned redwoods remaining in the Sierra Nevada range. These trees were known to Native Americans for thousands of years and discovered by early explorers, probably the Walker party, in 1833. The trees were first described in 1852 when hunters stumbled into the Calaveras Grove. Sequoia redwoods occur on the west slope of the Sierras from Placer County in the north through Tulare County in the south in a mixed conifer forest made up primarily of white fir, Ponderosa pine, sugar pine and incense cedar (see Appendix VII and VIII). They are found in elevations between 3000 and 8900 feet, with the best groves at 5000 to 7500 feet. Sequoia Crest is between 6000 and 7000 feet in elevation. (Johnson, 1966) These giants have survived for millions of years because of the unique environment of the Sierra Nevada range and their own evolutionary

14 development. They resist most all insects and diseases that infect other native tree species. Unfortunately humans, European settlers, have upset this ecological balance and the species has been threatened by abuse and poor management decisions for the past 100 years. Some of these mistakes continue today. Extensive logging occurred in many redwood groves from the 1880s to the 1920s. Fortunately, for the Sequoias, wood quality of these trees for construction was not as good as the coast redwood, Douglas-fir and pine species. Sequoia redwood lumber, at least from old growth trees, could not be used for construction because it was brittle and would not hold nails. Wood was extensively used for shakes, shingles and grape stakes in the central valley of California. The federal government stepped in early to preserve the most spectacular groves at Yosemite (1872) and Sequoia Kings National Park (1890). The Timber and Stone Act, passed by Congress in 1878, divided up the northern branches of the Upper Tule area into Ranges and Townships (and most of the rest of the west). This act created surveyed land areas of approximately 36 square miles (6 mile by 6 mile squares numbered into 36 sections). Each section was roughly 1 square mile containing about 640 acres. In California, Section 16 and 36 of each Township was designated for “schools” and offered for a price of $1.25 per acre! (Harrell, 2007) Congress established the National Forests in 1905, removing lands in the west that might otherwise have been purchased by logging, mining and ranching interest. Most of the un-sold “school” sections were absorbed by the National Forests. The Sequoia Crest development is part of a “Section 16” that was patented in 1888 by Frank M. Pixley. After passing through several other owners, the section was purchased by Claude Rouch in 1944. Rouch had started a sawmill in Springville in 1941 and needed a dependable supply of logs for the mill. (Otter, 1963) The first road was built into the property in the late 1940s by Sonny Rouch, Claude’s son, to access the timber. This is the lower road known as the Fox Farm Road. Timber harvesting has occurred on the property periodically until the current time.

15 In the early 1950’s, the Rouch family constructed 4 rope ski lifts on and above the area called Ski Hill. Sonny transported skiers from Wishon Camp up the dirt logging road in a 3 axle truck (whose frame can still be seen near Ski Hill). After several years of losing money, that effort was abandoned. In the late 50’s the concept of a “bustling” ski resort community was conceived for Sequoia Crest. Sonny Rouch again found himself laying out and “cutting” a new road into the property, which is the present day Redwood Drive. Five subdivision tracts were established along with a water system, a new ski area, a motel, a lodge, a store, and a small lake. Aggressive advertising was pursued both locally and around Los Angeles. Phrases like ”own your own Redwood Tree”, “primeval forest”, “off Highway 190, an excellent state highway eventually to become a trans-Sierra route”, and “$2000 to $6000 per lot, good terms” appeared in brochures and newspaper ads. The commercial ski venture was not successful and abandoned after a few years. The first sub-division plan was filed with Tulare County in 1963 with five tracts totaling about 140 acres. Sales occurred and the first cabin was built in 1964. The last tract was established in the mid 1970s. The lodge and motel units are still on the Rauch property and the so called Ski Hill is a popular cross-country ski spot for residents of Sequoia Crest. There is currently no other commercial activity in this area. There are 104 structures on the private land within section 16 that have the necessary facilities for habitation. Three are part of the lodge-motel units owned by the Rauch family (Jordon Peak LLC.). One is the Webb property on a 12 acre parcel at the northwest edge of the section and 100 are houses/cabins on the developed lots within the county approved subdivision. Electric power is provided by Southern California Edison from overhead lines originating at highway 190. Most residents/cabin owners utilize propane tanks for space and water heating. The subdivision has a community water company with hydrants located throughout the subdivision. A new 150 thousand gallon water tank supplies domestic water supported with three electric pump wells. Two older tanks, one

16 at 100 thousand gallons (old redwood tank that only holds 50,000 gallons) and one at 30 thousand gallons provide emergency backup for firefighting. This water system is run by a full time resident who is the only employee of the water company. He is diligent in checking for leaks and line breaks and has a monitor in his residence that alerts him if there is a flow problem (break) within the system. For firefighting purposes there are a number of 2 ½ inch upright (charged with water) hydrants throughout the community located in blue barrels with insulation that are protected from freezing. These are being replaced (so far four) with municipal four inch dry hydrants. A dry hydrant has a valve buried in the ground (protected from freezing) that can be actuated from the top of the hydrant. These are standard hydrants used in most municipal environments. Giant Sequoia redwoods are the most unique feature of this property. Many lots have trees in the 6 to 15 foot diameter range. A spectacular grove stands in the Ski Hill basin. There is no accurate count of the old growth trees but there are probably several hundred. The Amos Alonzo Stagg tree, reported as the sixth largest in the world, is located north of the subdivision. Stagg measures 243 feet tall with a diameter of 29 feet. Giant Sequoia National Monument was created by the Clinton administration in April 2000 after several years of study (and controversy). Sequoia Crest is surrounded by this 320,000 acre monument and the monument status adds more environmental review for any activity proposed by the Forest Service, such as the construction of a fuel break around the community.

17 FIRE PROTECTION RESOURCES - General outlook

Wildland fire is similar to many other natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes and hurricanes in that it can be predicted for certain areas with a significant level of confidence. Damage produced from these events can be analyzed for different levels of severity for given events. As with all natural disasters, precautions can be taken to minimize the damage or at least anticipate possible consequences. Protection agencies approach wildland fire through direct response to the incident when it occurs and through a variety of prevention measures taken in high risk areas where a fire is likely to occur. Unfortunately funding for proactive (prevention) efforts, such as the grant for this project, lag behind funding for suppression efforts by a ratio of 4:1. In 2005, $475 million in federal funds was appropriated for prevention efforts such as thinning, prescribed fire, information and education and state prevention grants. Approximately $1.8 billion was appropriated for preparedness and suppression (USDA Forest Service 2004). In addition to appropriated funds, state and federal agencies have access to additional “Emergency Fire Fighting” funding which may come from other resource programs such as prevention. Wildland firefighting agencies spent about $2 billion fighting fires in 2006. The 2006 season set several records with 96,385 fires burning a record 9,873,429 acres. This was 125% of the 10 year average. For 2007 the Forest Service has a suppression budget level of $741 million. They have spent more than $1 billion on suppression in four of the last seven years. (Forestry Source, May 2007) As of September 11, 2007 (before the October Southern California fires) 69,320 fires have burned 7.4 million acres. (Forestry Source, October 2007). The October 2007 fires in southern California consumed 500,000 acres with10 deaths and over 2000 homes lost or severely damaged. Many of the destroyed homes fully complied with strict current wildland building standards. 2003 set records during late October, hundreds of firefighters battled several Southern California wildfires that scorched more than 750,000 acres, destroyed 3,600 homes and killed 22 people. (USDA Forest Service News Release, 2004)

18 Fire suppression agencies are risk adverse when it comes to their efforts to protect life and property. Any hint that extraordinary efforts were not extended to protect private property would bring blame and recriminations on the fire fighters involved and the political bodies that provide the resources (funding) for these efforts. Consequently expensive air tankers, expensive helicopters, engines and hand crews are supplied, to the extent they are available, throughout the United States to fight fire with little regard to the cost or sometimes even the value of the resource being protected. Many resources (engines) are diverted to protecting structures in wildland urban interface areas at the expense of containing the fire and preventing additional resource damage. From a political perspective, this is a wise choice; from an economic perspective this may not be the best choice. Extra effort on the fire perimeter during the early stage of a fire in a wildland urban interface area might succeed in containing a fire at a small acreage. When resources are diverted to protecting structures, the fire continues to grow. Expanding urban interface zones in California have exacerbated this problem and with predictions of climate change toward warmer times, this trend is likely to continue. Protecting structures in rural forest and brush environments, also known as the “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI) has been a high priority for wildland fire protection agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management. Finding ways to protect small isolated communities like Sequoia Crest is just as important as protecting large urban communities in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Public apathy towards natural disasters is directly proportional to the likelihood of the disaster occurring. Rural communities threatened by wildfire usually actively support fire agency resources such as fire stations and firefighting crews. Personal efforts, such as fire safe construction and adequate clearance, unless required by law and backed by vigorous enforcement, appear to be a matter of choice by property owners and not a high priority by some. That is, until a fire occurs. Communities, such as Kennedy Meadows, that

19 experience a significant and devastating wildfire in 2000 (Manter Fire), acquire a strong interest in supporting increased prevention efforts and better suppression resources. Sequoia Crest has not experienced such a fire and there is a level of apathy with some in the community that is apparent by the lack of property maintenance and clearing around some structures. Sequoia Crest is an isolated community with the nearest fire engine at Camp Nelson approximately 20 minutes away, if the county captain is on duty when the fire occurs. The Forest Service helicopter at Peppermint is about 5 to 7 minutes away, again if it is not otherwise assigned. Poppy Lake, located adjacent to the southeast subdivision lots, has been used by helicopters for dipping water and provides an excellent source of water with a turn-around time of just a few minutes for helicopter water drops. Porterville Air Attack base, located about 28 air miles to the west, is staffed with CDF and Forest Service air tankers. Flight time to Sequoia Crest would be a matter of minutes and the turn- around times for reload would be rapid. These two resources provide ideal air craft fire protection for the community. There are three agencies that have some involvement with wildland and structural fire protection in the project area. Tulare County has primary responsibility for structural fire protection within the county boundaries. Wildland – brush and forest lands that are privately owned are classified as State Responsibility Area (SRA) by the California Legislature and fall under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) (totals about 33 million acres statewide). Federal lands classified as National Forests are the responsibility of the Forest Service. All these conditions exist in the project area. Although the Bureau of Land Management has no direct fire responsibility for this area, during a major wildfire BLM fire resources would respond from Kern County and their desert facilities. Specific roles for each agency are explained below listed in order from local, state to federal.

20 Tulare County Prior to July 1, 2007, fire protection service for Local Responsibility Area [land and property not classified as State Responsibility Area (SRA)] was provided by CDF through a contract with the county. In 2006 the Tulare County Board of Supervisors decided to terminate the 50 year contract with CDF and form the Tulare County Fire Department. This transition has caused some confusion because some facilities had to be relocated and new county employees hired. Fortunately the county hired a team of experienced retired CDF employees to create the new department. The transition has not been without its problems, but residents of Tulare County have not noticed a diminution in services. Tulare County Fire is now (since July 1, 2007) responsible for structural protection in Sequoia Crest. Camp Nelson Fire Station provides fire protection services for all structures and other emergencies on the highway 190 corridor from Springville to the crest of the Sierras. This is a resident station staffed with one Captain (currently Adam Pfenning). Captain Pfenning has a duty schedule of 3 days on-3 days off. No back-fill staffing is provided during days off; however, since the employee lives at the station, he is usually available and responds to calls when off duty (on over-time). Back-fill staffing is provided at the station for sick and vacation days. Captain Pfenning has no special wildland fire training, he was a new hire (on July 1, 2007) with a structure fire protection background. Camp Nelson houses one Type 2, 4X4 engine with 750 gallons of water and class A foam capabilities and one Type 4 engine (patrol) with 300 gallons of water. The Type 4 is not currently in service (not certified) but will be soon. Camp Nelson depends on the services of 9 trained volunteer firefighters that respond when called. They have pagers and radios and are dispatched through the county fire dispatcher. Captain Pfenning reports that usually all the volunteers respond to each call, often arriving at the incident before the county fire engine. Volunteers include: 4 in Ponderosa, 2 in Pierpoint Springs and 3 in Camp Nelson. Six are Firefighters and 3 are Engineers (Engineers can drive the

21 engines and operate the pumps). All are Paid Call Firefighters (PFC), they receive pay when working on fires and training. Captain Pfenning reports that emergency calls at the Camp Nelson station average one per week, 90% are medical aids and auto accidents. There are no records on past year responses so it is impossible to report historic structural fire responses for this area. Records that might have been kept were not transferred when CDF turned over responsibility to Tulare County Fire on July 1, 2007. Structure fires within the knowledge of local residents include one in August 2007, the last one before this was over two years ago. There is a volunteer Ambulance on site (Camp Nelson fire station) and is staffed with volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s). The nearest medical helicopter is in Bakersfield about 30 minutes away. There are 4 preplanned heli-spots in the area. Emergency 911 calls placed from hard line telephones are routed to the Tulare County Sheriff. Cell phone 911 calls go to a local California Highway Patrol dispatcher and if they are fire or medical related they are routed to County Fire, CDF or the Forest Service, or to all three. There is still some confusion on routing of 911 calls. Automatic and mutual aid system for emergency incidents is not fully worked out but all agencies agree that if there is a question on first response responsibility, they all respond. Some local residents call the Camp Nelson station directly, the CDF dispatcher, or the Forest Service Peppermint Station directly with emergencies. Structural firefighting capabilities are somewhat limited in rural areas because of limited staffing. Firefighters cannot enter burning structures unless there are at least 4 trained people present with Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), known as two firefighters in-two firefighters out. The Fire Captain can fight an exterior structure fire but cannot enter a structure until at least three other trained volunteers arrive.

22 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) Private lands in Sequoia Crest, classified as SRA, are protected by the Forest Service through long standing agreements with CDF. Historically, private in-holdings surrounded by National Forest and BLM lands have been protected by the respective federal agencies. Isolated National Forest and BLM lands surrounded by private lands, on the fringes of National Forests and BLM Management areas are protected by CDF. These operational protection decisions were made to eliminate protection gaps where it would not be cost effective to build state or federal fire stations with small areas to protect and eliminate overlapping protection areas. Consequently, the Forest Service protects private forest lands in Highway 190 corridor. Protection practices among the various agencies are similar; therefore it is not especially important which agency provides fire protection. However, there is one difference that deserves mention regarding Forest Service fire fighting policies. Federal firefighters are allowed to suppress fires on a structure from the exterior to prevent the spread of fire to forest lands, but they cannot enter a structure to suppress the fire. Federal firefighters can enter a structure to rescue people if it is determined safe by the chief officer at the incident (see section on Forest Service below for details). CDF and county firefighters are trained to aggressively attack structure fires and enter structures as necessary to protect the structure or rescue people. Federal policies on structural protection may come under critical review because of the 2006 tragic loss of five Forest Service firefighters protecting a structure in Southern California. CDF fire protection resources in this area include the Balch park station, with a Type 2 engine 4173, which is about 70 minutes from Sequoia Crest. Mountain Home Conservation Camp has 4 inmate hand crews is about 1 hour, 40 minutes from Sequoia Crest. Additional CDF stations and engines are located throughout the foothill areas of Tulare and Fresno counties.

23 United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Federal wildland fire agencies establish priorities for firefighting protection purposes as follows:

From a federal wildland fire policy review in 2001: “The protection of human life is the single, overriding suppression priority. Setting priorities among protecting human communities and community infrastructure, other property and improvements, and natural and cultural resources will be done based on the values to be protected, human health and safety, and the costs of protection.”

From the BLM manual: “Protection priorities are (1) human life and (2) property and natural/cultural resources. If it becomes necessary to prioritize between property and natural/cultural resources, this is done based on relative values to be protected, commensurate with fire management costs.” (Ryan, 2007)

Sequoia Crest, along with the other private communities along the highway 190 corridor is protected by the Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, Tule River Ranger District, under the authority of long standing agreements known as “Balancing of Acres”. This allows the Forest Service to protect private forest lands with an approximately equal number of Forest Service acres protected by CDF lower foothills on the western slope of the Sierras and Cascades (along with some acres in the coast ranges). These trades of protection areas, as discussed above, provide fire protection efficiency for both agencies. Similar agreements cover Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the desert areas of California (Kennedy Meadows is protected by BLM). Forest Service fire stations that protect Sequoia Crest include: Springville – with one Type 3 engine, one Hot Shot Crew, about 1 hour from Sequoia Crest. Peppermint – with one type 3 engine, closest to Sequoia Crest at about 35 to 40 minutes travel time. The helicopter at Peppermint is about 5 minutes away. Jordan Peak Lookout, staffed from the end of April to end of October. Mule Peak Lookout, ½ FS, ½ CDF. Stations are staffed from 8 am to 6 pm, usually 5 days a week with a one hour call back for staff during off-duty periods.

24 The Forest Service is considering a fuel break system in the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Tule River drainage that covers Sequoia Crest. Preliminary planning and analysis might occur in 2008-2009. It will take at least two additional years for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. Sequoia Crest is within the federal boundaries of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, which complicates environmental analysis. This fuel break would surround Section 16, which contains the Rouch property and Sequoia Crest. Known as a shaded fuel break, trees would be thinned to a density of about 70 large trees per acre and removal of about 75% of the brush. This break (map 3) would be about 400 feet wide on the western and southern slopes (down-hill) and about 200 feet on the northern and eastern slopes (up-hill). Additional fuel breaks would be created along Redwood Drive from highway 190 and down the Fox Farm road. Fuels work is usually done with Forest Service crews and private contractors. Funding for such a project has not been identified. (Sanders, 2007) Vegetation clearance inspections, as required by state law, are conducted by Forest Service [California Public Resources Code 4290-4291 (Appendix I)]. A full time fire prevention position on the Tule District was vacated (retirement) in 2006 and has not been refilled. It is hoped that someone will do inspections in 2008. None were done in 2007. Enforcement of state law by federal agents is accomplished annually by the Forest Service submitting the name or names of their employees that will conduct inspections to CDF. CDF then designates these employees as Public Officers for the purpose of doing 4291 inspections, issuing citations and issuing burning permits on private lands (Appendix X). The Forest Service has two chippers on the District that might be available to Sequoia Crest. A unified command dispatch center in Porterville serves the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for all emergency operations in Fresno, Tulare, Kern and Inyo Counties. They are well coordinated with CDF (Visalia) and Kern County (Bakersfield) on all incidents.

25 Forest Service engines on the Sequoia carry full turnout Fire Fighting Personal Protection Equipment as well as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Forest Service crews will respond to almost any emergency when requested by CDF, Tulare County Fire and Sheriff or other responsible jurisdiction. They will not play a lead role, only support, unless it is a wildland fire within FS responsibility area. (Williams, 2006) Forest Service policies regarding structural protection are under nation- wide review since the tragic loss of five Forest Service Fighters on the Esperanza Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in 2006. “We are not going to die for your property” said Tom Harbour, national director for Fire and Aviation Management for the Forest Service. “It’s time for homeowners to take responsibility for the protection of their homes.” A CDF report indicated that some responsibility for the deaths could be social and political pressure to put homes before the safety of firefighters. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell stated that the Forest Service plans to address flaws in the response to these wildland urban interface fires. (Flaccus, 5-28- 2007)

Mutual Aid California has a long tradition of providing emergency assistance to communities regardless of jurisdiction. Emergency responders will come to the aid of people affected by disasters such as fire, earthquake, flood, oil spill or any other incident that threatens people or the environment. Recent fires in Southern California (October 2007) were fought by firefighters from all over California and several western states. Costs for these incidents are usually borne by Federal Disaster Declarations or state emergency funds. That is why one might see Type 1 and 2 municipal fire engines from Los Angeles or Sacramento protecting structures on a wildfire in Sequoia Crest. This system has served California well and insures that adequate protection resources are available regardless of where it might occur.

26 SELF PROTECTION Most residents of Sequoia Crest have long recognized that fire protection from resources discussed above is some distance away. In addition to maintaining an adequate water system with numerous hydrants, they have obtained hose and nozzles that can be used by residents. Five hose boxes with 200 feet of hose, a spanner wrench and nozzle are spotted at various cabins around the community. Several medical aid kits are also spotted around the community. There has been only one structure fire in Sequoia Crest which occurred in 1995. Local residents attacked the fire long before the local engine arrived. Unfortunately the fire destroyed the cabin. A recent lighting strike in a redwood tree was attacked by residents and damage was limited to the immediate area of the tree. See Appendix XI for a detailed account of the lighting fire. An additional incentive for self protection is looming from home insurers. Fires, including wildfires have caused $6.4 billion in insurance losses between 1986 and 2005. Over $2 billion in losses were from the 2003 Southern California fires. (No one yet knows the dollar loss of the October/November 2007 Southern California fires). Some insurance companies have refused to write new policies in fire prone areas and others have dropped policies. Most insurance companies have expressed that they will be conducting inspections on rural properties and requiring owners to replace roof materials, increase vegetation clearance and some may require sprinkler systems. Owners in San Diego County report that insurance policies on houses replaced after the 2003 fires must carry more insurance that the cost of replacement and premiums have gone through the roof. (Flaccus, 5-21-2007)

27

New dry hydrant

2 1/2 inch hydrant - Address posted to code

28

Homeowners meeting, September 2007

Recreation use, Wishon Fork

29 Wildland Fire Fundamentals A wildland fire is functionally the same as any fire in its chemical and physical properties. Fire needs three components in order for combustion to occur (Fire Triangle). It must have HEAT, FUEL and OXYGEN. Oxygen in the air can only be controlled by smothering (covering with dirt) or replacing the air with steam or an inert gas (CO2). Wildland firefighting normally involves attacking the heat and/or the fuel side of the triangle. Fuel is the vegetation, structures, vehicles and any other flammable material in the environment. Cutting fire breaks or dozer lines and backfiring remove fuel from the fire and assist in extinguishment. Fire Prevention techniques such as cutting fire breaks, creating Defensible Space Zones and using “Prescribed Fire” (Rx fire) can greatly assist firefighters when a fire occurs. Heat is provided by lightning or some human cause, either accidental or intentional. Heat is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction is the transfer or movement of molecules through a solid object and is not very important in wildland fire because forest fuels are poor conductors of heat. Convection is the movement of a heated air mass. Hot air rises and pre- heats fuels bringing them nearer to the point of ignition. On a slope, heated air moves up slope and is brought in contact with vegetation or structures by wind drafts that tend to hug the slope. As heated air rises, cooler air is drawn into the base of the fire providing fresh oxygen and added wind. Radiation refers to rays or waves of heat that move through the air and heat surfaces even in the absence of warm air (like the rays of the sun heating the earth). These rays can pass through transparent objects such as glass windows and ignite objects on the other side. Radiant heat can also ignite vegetation, decks and wood siding if the temperature reaches the ignition point (about 500 degrees). Water, retardant, throwing soil or various other methods can remove heat from a fire and assist in putting the fire out.

30 FIRE ENVIRONMENT AND FIRE HISTORY OF SEQUOIA CREST Sequoia Crest falls into the major risk interface area and as such is considered to be part of a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Fires starting within WUI communities become a threat to National Forest and other private forest and grazing lands. Fires moving into WUI communities present a major firefighting problem for agencies. It is in the best interest of private and public landowners to make the WUI community as fire safe as possible. Wildland fire environments of Sequoia Crest have the same elements as the Fire Environment Triangle and consist of FUEL, TOPOGRAPHY and WEATHER. Topography and weather are parts of the natural environment that humans can little influence. Fuels are also part of the environment; however humans can and do modify this element, thereby modifying their fire environment. (See next section on Fire Behavior)

VEGETATION Vegetation has intrinsic properties that include the structure of the plant and its chemical properties. Stems, bark, leaves, flowers and cones are all combustible. Some plants are more combustible than others. Unfortunately the most common plant communities found in the project area are highly combustible. Fir and cedar have a high pitch content and produce extreme heat when burned. All the brush, grasses and annual plants are highly flammable under the right conditions. Extrinsic fuel properties include the size, arrangement, ratio of dead to live and vertical arrangement. Fuels in close contact with the ground, such as litter (duff) will burn slowly with short flame lengths, usually less than one foot. Brush and small trees are surface fuels. If the plants are mostly live material they will burn with flame lengths about 2 to 3 times their height. If they contain dead branches in about one to one live to dead ratio, they will generate longer flame lengths. Aerial fuels, also known as ladder fuels, are larger brush species and young trees that retain their branches (fir and cedar). Fire in this fuel can carry to the forest canopy and create a crown fire.

31 Mixed conifer/ Giant Sequoia forest types have evolved with natural fire for millions of years. Native Americans set fires and/or allowed their camp fires to escape for thousands of years. These low-intensity ground fires kept the forest open and provided excellent forage for game animals that were a significant part of the Native American diet. Historic fire frequency in this forest type is 25 to 40 years, at least until the early 1900s when modern firefighting techniques developed. Modern fire prevention and suppression since the early 1930s have been successful, consequently fuels have accumulated. Forests produce a level of biomass each year depending on site productivity, moisture and sun light. Biomass breaks down naturally as leaves, needles, cones, branches and trees fall and decompose on the ground. However these relatively dry conifer forests produce far more biomass than is removed through decomposition. Fire historically removed this excess biomass (fuel) and recycled nutrients to the soil John Muir described the west slope Sierra forest in these words: “The inviting openness of the Sierra woods is one their most distinguishing characteristics. The trees of all species stand more or less apart in groves, or in small irregular groups, enabling one to find a way nearly everywhere, along sunny colonnades and through openings that have a smooth, park-like surface, strewn with brown needles and burrs… One would experience but little difficulty in riding a horse through the successive belts all up to the storm-beaten fringes of the icy peaks.” (Webster, 1972) Few Sierra forests resemble this condition today except in some developed parks or areas logged periodically. Fires that have occurred in the past 30 or 40 years have usually been stand replacement fires rather than low intensity ground fires because of the increase in fuel loading. Firefighting strategies over the past 100 years have created forest conditions with far more fuel, including brush and trees, than existed prior to the modern era. Logging provided some of this clearing and fuel reduction but the environmental effects some times offset benefits. Logging in the three decades

32 starting in 1950 removed the largest pines and often left lower value trees such as fir and cedar. Additionally, logging slash often created more fire hazard. Forests within the Sequoia Crest community appear to be relatively green and healthy, even after a low moisture year (2006-07). Little tree mortality was observed in the general forest. Most trees that show stress are victims of human abuse such as poor pruning or disturbance of the root systems. If low moisture (rain and snow) continues in the future, as predicted by some because of global climate change, the forest will probably suffer increased stress and mortality. Thinning of brush and smaller fir and cedar trees, as recommended, will lessen moisture competition for older trees and help maintain a more healthy forest. Less vegetation equals more moisture available to the remaining forest. It is not recommended that property owners add moisture with sprinklers in the general forest. This creates an artificial condition that cannot be maintained over time and actually disrupts the normal development of the forest. Excessive or artificial watering can damage native forest by causing the growth of unwanted species and generation of surface roots on mature trees that cannot be maintained. Sequoia Crest is located in a mixed conifer forest consisting of the following tree species: Sequoia redwood, Sequoiadendron giganteum. Sugar Pine, Pinus lambertiana. White fir, Abies concolor. Incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrers. California black oak, Quercus kelloggii. Shrub species include the following: Bitter cherry, Prunus emarginata. Hazelnut, Corylus cornuta var. californica. Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus. Mountain whitethorn, Ceanothus cordulatus. Gooseberry, Riber roezlii. Dogwood, Cornus nuttalli. Wild lilac, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus.

33 Elderberry, Sambucus Mexicana. Willow, Salix spp. Manzanita, Arctostaphylos spp. Mountain misery, Chamaebatia follolosa. Bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum. A description of forests types is included in Appendix VII and VIII.

FUELS Map 5 depicts forest fuel types within the Middle Fork of the North Fork Tule River [ hereafter referred to as the “Wishon Fork”]. . There is only one major fuel type within the project area known as Fuel Model 10, described as follows:

Fire Behavior Fuel Model 10 The fires burn in the surface and ground fuels with greater fire intensity than the other timber litter models. Dead-down fuels include greater quantities of 3-inch (7.6-cm) or larger limb wood resulting from over maturity or natural events that create a large load of dead material on the forest floor. Crowning out, spotting, and torching of individual trees are more frequent in this fuel situation, leading to potential fire control difficulties. Any forest type may be considered heavy if down material is present; examples are insect- or disease-ridden stands, wind thrown stands, over mature situations with deadfall, and aged light thinning or partial-cut slash. Fuel model values for estimating fire behavior Total fuel load, < 3-inch Dead and live, tons/acre 12.0

Dead fuel load, 4-inch, tons/acre 3.0

Live fuel load, foliage, tons/acre 2.0

Fuel bed depth, feet 1.0

34 The fire intensities and spread rates of these timber litter fuel models are indicated by the following values when the dead fuel moisture content is 8 percent, live fuel moisture is 100 percent, and the effective windspeed at mid-flame height is 5 mi/h (8 km/h): Rate of spread Flame length Model Chains/hour Feet 8 1.6 1.0 9 7.5 2.6 10 (Sequoia Crest) 7.9 4.8 Fires such as above in model 10 are at the upper limit of control by direct attack. More wind or drier conditions could lead to an escaped fire. (Anderson, 1982)

Six fuel plots were established in the project area. Plot locations were selected to represent the various slopes and aspects. One plot was located on a developed lot; the remaining five plots were in native forests. Plot # trees/acre tree species present brush 1- developed lot 100 100% WF 10-34” dbh * none 2- undeveloped lot 170 70% WF, 30%IC, 10-30” dbh 20% 3- undeveloped lot 110 60% WF, 40%IC, 10-30” dbh 90% 4- undeveloped lot 320 100% WF, 2-10” dbh 40% 5- forest 260 90%RW, 10%WF, 10-40” dbh none 6- forest 320 60%IC, 40%WF, 2-20” dbh 20%

*[WF = white fir; IC = Incense cedar; dbh = diameter breast high (4.5 feet above the base of the tree on the up-hill side)]

Fuel loading on about 80 percent of the developed lots is within an acceptable condition. Fuel loading on 90% of the undeveloped lots and the surrounding private forest to the southwest and west is highly hazardous and poses a significant threat to the developed community. One objective for a fuels reduction prescription for hazardous areas is to increase the probability of stopping a wildfire in the initial attack stage or preventing a fire from entering the community. The most likely direction of an

35 approaching fire is from the southwest and west, up slope from the Wishon Fork Tule River and the lower section of Highway 190. Fuel reduction efforts should be focused in these areas. Another objective of fuels reduction is to remove ladder fuels so that fire can not move into the crowns of the mature forest. Ladder fuels are defined as any vegetation that allows a fire to move from ground fuels into higher fuels. These fuels are brush and smaller trees that have low branches. White fir and cedar retain their branches until they reach maturity (70 to 100 years). These branches allow fire to move from a ground or surface fire into the canopy of the mature forest. Once the fire reaches the canopy, it cannot be suppressed by firefighters on the ground. Ladder fuels are the major threat to old growth Sequoia Redwoods. Their thick bark protects them from ground fire. They are self pruning so fire cannot travel up individual trees however, if fire is able to reach their crowns from the surrounding forest, they will burn.

Fuels reduction prescription - general • Thin trees to 50 - 75 trees per acre where trees are 20 inches dbh or larger. Remaining trees should be spaced to about 20 feet. Trees to be removed should be white fir and incense cedar. Do not remove sugar pine unless they are diseased or dying. Prune all larger trees up to 20 feet above the ground. • Thin trees to 75 - 100 trees per acre where trees are 10 to 20 inches dbh. Remove small white fir and incense cedar. Do not remove healthy sugar pine. Clumps of young growth Sequoia Redwood should be thinned to about 10 to 15 foot spacing. Prune lower branches of all conifers up to 10 to15 feet or 1/3 of their crown, depending on the size of the tree. • Thin all brush plants so that no plant is closer than 6 – 10 feet from any other plant. Thin all dead branches and twigs from brush plants. • Weed whack all annual plants such as bracken fern and thimbleberry when they start to dry in late summer. Chopped plants can be left on the

36 ground if they are in contact with the ground and no more that 3 – 4 inches above the soil. They should be removed at least 18 inches from all structures. • Remove branches and twigs from the surface of the soil. A light litter layer (duff) should remain on the ground. This decomposing vegetation consists of leaves, needles and cones and helps prevent erosion and maintain a healthy nutrient level in the soil. Litter should be raked at least 18 inches from all structures. • Remove all dead trees and brush as soon as they start to fade. Dead trees and brush dry quickly during the summer and can spread fire much more readily that live plants.

Larger tree removals on lots are usually merchantable as saw logs. There is at least one timber operator in the area that will remove these logs without charge and might even pay for some depending on species, size and quality. The California Forest Practice Act provides various exemptions for removing commercial timber in developed areas without the need of a Timber Harvesting Plan (THP). A local Licensed Timber Operator (LTO) should be familiar with these regulations. Tulare County has some restrictions on yarding (dragging) logs on paved roads but a good timber operator should be able to load from the shoulder on most lots. Smaller trees can be utilized locally as fire wood, which should be stacked well away from structures. Limbs and brush can be piled and burned when it safe to do so, or can be chipped during the annual chipper days sponsored by the Fire Safe Council. Chipped material can be scattered on the lot, especially on bare soil, to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. This provides excellent moisture retention, erosion protection and decomposes in a few years. Chipped vegetation scattered and in contact with the ground does not carry fire well and is a minor hazard. Chips should not be left in a pile. If wet they can develop spontaneous combustion and if they catch fire they are difficult to extinguish. Trees in the surrounding private forest are commercial and can be harvested under a normal Timber Harvesting Plan. This plan must be prepared

37 by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and under-go state environmental review before harvesting can occur. There is only one sawmill in this part of California that can handle large quantities of commercial saw logs. The mill, located in Terra Bella has an RPF on staff that prepares THPs for these operations. Care must be taken during and after the timber harvest to ensure that slash created by logging is properly treated. Without proper slash treatment the logged area could be more hazardous after operations than before harvesting.

Fuels reduction prescription – Recommendation # 2 and 3 • Recommendation # 2 deals with the proposed Forest Service fuel break around the private section 16 that includes Sequoia Crest (see Map 3). The fuel break would thin conifer stands to about 70 larger trees per acre with a preference to keeping larger pine, black oak and any redwood in the zone. Brush and hardwood species would be thinned by 75 percent and all slash would be chipped, burned or otherwise removed from the zone. Generally the zone would be 200 feet wide on the eastern (up-hill) portion of the section and 400 feet on the western side (down-hill). Redwood Drive, parts of the Fox Farm Road and a couple of adjacent ridges are also scheduled for treatment. Similar treatments are proposed for Alpine Village, Camp Nelson and Doyle Colony. These treatments will assist firefighters in stopping or slowing a fire as it enters the Sequoia Crest community. If the fire has crowned into the conifer canopy below the community, this fuel break should cause the fire to drop to the surface fuels and become more manageable. • Recommendation # 3 deals with the approximately 113 vacant lots in the subdivision (the number might vary because of merged or split parcels). Historically one or two new houses are built each year so the number of vacant lots is getting smaller over time. Some of the lots are owned by current cabin owners and have been purchased adjacent to their cabins as buffers from their neighbors. Most of these lots have been or are in the

38 process of having fuels treatments. Approximately 65 lots located along Alder Drive (38), Cedar Drive (5), Redwood Drive (15), Chinquapin Drive (2), and Ponderosa Drive (5) need treatment. It is recommended that lots on the down-hill side of the paved roads be treated 20 feet from the edge of the road. Lots on the up-hill side of the road should be treated 10 feet from the edge of the road. The recommended treatment is the same as described in the Fuels Reduction Prescription - general on page 36. Lots vary as to the amount of vegetation that needs to be removed but on average the down-hill lots (38) should cost on average $400 to $500 each. The up-hill lots (23) should cost $200 to $300 each. Four lots have roads on both sides and need both up-hill and down-hill clearance which should cost $700 each. The approximate estimated cost would be $26,000 however due to various uncertainties; the grant request should be $30,000. Several lots are steep and could cost double the estimate above. Some owners may not grant permission to have their lots treated so the total number of lots might be less than 65. Individual lots have not been identified on the ground because individual lot lines were difficult to determine at the time of the inspections. This contractor is willing to visit the site (at no additional cost) and identify each lot if this recommendation is accepted by the Fire Safe Council.

TOPOGRAPHY Most of the developed properties in the project area are located on relatively steeper slopes. Aspects range from 120 degrees (southeast) through west to 360 degrees (north). The major slope tends to the west towards the Wishon Fork Tule River. Elevations range from 6,400 at the lower end of Alder Drive to 7,800 feet on the east end of section 16. Implications of various topographic features are discussed in the “Wildland Fire Fundamentals” section of this report.

39 WEATHER There is a permanent weather station, maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at Hossack Meadow. Sequoia Crest and the surrounding forest are subject to frequent summer thunderstorms, often occurring without precipitation. Forest Service lookouts track strikes and watch for smoke. Forest Service firefighters usually search for lighting down-strikes that are reported from the various lookouts. Aerial patrols are often launched after dry lighting storms.

FIRE BEHAVIOR Fire season at Sequoia Crest is shorter than most other parts of Central and Southern California. It starts in early June, peaks in late July to early August and is usually ended by late September when nighttime temperatures dip into the low to mid 30s. Elevation is the major factor that shortens the fire season and holds down extreme fire behavior. Unfortunately fires will burn intensely and can be difficult to control under the right conditions in this zone. The Manter Fire of 2000 and McNally Fire of 2002 burned vigorously in the 5000 to 8000 foot elevation zone, crowning in many locations. These conditions occur infrequently but they have occurred in the past and will occur in the future at Sequoia Crest. For more on this issue see the section on FIRE BEHAVIOR.

FIRE HISTORY The most recent fire that threatened Sequoia Crest occurred in August 2004. Known as the Deep Fire, it consumed 3,141 acres. This human-caused fire ignited near the PG&E Powerhouse along Highway 190 in the Tule River Canyon on Thursday August 12 at 5:48 p.m. (USDA Forest Service, News Release. 2004). It was extinguished by August 17 within 4 miles of Sequoia Crest. There were no evacuations in the Camp Nelson – Sequoia Crest area and the fire was never a serious threat; however, if the southwest wind would have continued for two more days, this fire could have reached Sequoia Crest.

40 Map 4 depicts fire history in the Wishon Fork Tule River watershed since 1910. It appears that a fire in the 1950s reached within 2 miles of Sequoia Crest. Any analysis of fire history and fuels indicates that a wild fire is inevitable in the Sequoia Crest area. Creating fuel breaks, conducting prescribed fires and requiring clearing around structures will help the community survive a low to moderate intensity fire. A high intensity fire will probably destroy some structures because of lack of clearance, combustible building materials, or just poor physical location in the community. The Angora Fire at Lake Tahoe started on June 24, 2007 and burned 3100 acres, destroying 254 residential structures and 75 commercial structures. This wind driven fire occurred in the same elevation range as Sequoia Crest. There are many similar structure and clearance issues in Lake Tahoe that indicate that this could happen in Sequoia Crest. The following web site contains an interesting assessment of the conditions in the Angora Fire. www.fs.fed.us/r5/amgorafuelsassessment

FIRE BEHAVIOR A wildland fire environment has a triangle composed of FUEL, TOPOGRAPHY and WEATHER. These three elements constitute the science of Fire Behavior which is extremely important in understanding wildland firefighting. Fuels found in Sequoia Crest are discussed in detail in the section on the “Fire Environment of Sequoia Crest”.

TOPOGRAPHY Topography or “lay of the land” includes slope, aspect, elevation, canyons, saddles, ridges and all the geographic features. Topography changes slowly over time as mountains erode or grow, streams down-cut and valleys form, however some changes can happen quickly as during a volcanic eruption,

41 earthquake or landslides. Landowners should consider topography when making building decisions. Roads located on steep slopes will be more difficult to maintain and may present a problem for firefighting vehicles. Structures should not be located in chimneys or on the edge of steep slopes. Firefighters cannot change topography but must be acutely aware of the effect of topography on fire behavior.

Aspect Aspect is the direction that the slope faces. This is an important factor when considering fire behavior. Aspect affects the spread of a fire in several ways. Vegetation growth is dependent on the amount of moisture and solar radiation received. Vegetation in the project area is more dependent on adequate moisture because of the influence of the dryer mountain climate. Fuels on north slopes are generally heavier in tons per acre but retain moisture longer seasonally and diurnally. Fuels on south and west-facing slopes have less volume per acre because moisture evaporates more quickly and are exposed to longer thermal heating by the sun, temperatures are higher and humidity is lower. Fuels are warmer and dryer during critical burning periods (afternoon). The following chart indicates an important fire behavior feature -- fuel temperature rises during the day depending on aspect:

42

(Teie, 2001)

Slope Slope affects a fire in two ways: by preheating fuels and structures as it moves up-hill and by creating a draft as heat rises. Fires spread significantly faster up-slope. Flames are closer to exposed fuel on the up-slope side of an approaching fire, depending on the direction of wind. Fuel is pre-heated and ignites quickly with longer flame lengths. Fires create their own wind when spreading up-slope because of the physical phenomena of heat rising. Fire spread - slope effect is slight on slopes up to 5%, effective rate of fire spread is increased by a factor of X2 on slopes up to 30%, effective rate of spread doubles again when slopes reach 55%. Normally fires burning down slope spread slowly. Fires burn down-hill by spreading burning material such as pine cones, logs, and branches as they roll down-slope.

Elevation Elevation affects fire behavior in several ways. Air moves from warmer valleys to cooler ridges during the day creating up-drafts. Elevation affects fuel

43 types, usually becoming lighter in higher elevations. Fire season is usually shorter in higher elevations.

Canyons, Saddles and Ridges Canyons, saddles, and ridges have a direct influence on how fires burn primarily because of winds that tend to become erratic when these features are encountered. Narrow canyons channel winds and cause an increase in velocity as the canyon narrows. Wind eddies occur when canyons intersect with other features and these winds facilitate spotting by burning embers. Saddles provide a point where winds are increased during up-slope fires. Ridges divide terrain and often have different wind conditions on opposite sides although gentle rounded ridges often provide an ideal location for fire breaks. Chimneys are special features in steep, narrow draws with a saddle feature at the top. Winds can draw fire up a chimney feature just like the flue in a fireplace.

WEATHER Weather has a significant influence on fire behavior and is a natural phenomenon that firefighters cannot influence. Weather factors that firefighters must consider and understand are temperature, wind (the least predictable factor), humidity, cloud cover and atmospheric stability. The weather station at Hossack Meadow only collects temperature and rainfall which is not enough information to predict fire behavior. Air temperature has a direct effect on how a fire will burn in several ways; first, high temperatures heat fuel and allow it to burn more readily; second, the warmer the air, the lower the humidity; third, warm temperatures affect firefighters ability to work. As the summer progresses, high temperatures during the day dry forest fuel and dryer fuel carries wildfire and increases the severity of fire behavior. Relative Humidity (RH) is the amount of moisture present in the air. All air in the natural environment has some moisture ranging from dry (less than 10%) to wet (100%) during a rain or fog event. RH is a critical factor in wildland

44 firefighting because it directly affects the amount of moisture of forest fuels. Dry fuels absorb moisture from high humidity air and dry air sucks moisture from wet fuels. This occurs in both live and dead vegetation although it is most critical in dead vegetation. Dryer fuels ignite more quickly and burn hotter. Fires generally burn more slowly at night when RH is higher and burn more vigorously as the day progresses.

Sp ring 200If5 RH is 30% or less, fires willF Mburn 7B freely. When RH reaches 10%, fire48 danger is extreme and fire behavior will be extreme. (Teie, 2001).

FUEL Fuel is all the vegetation, structures and other human made objects on the landscape that are flammable. Volume and condition of vegetation fuel is a critical factor in determining how fast and hot a wildland fire will burn (rate of spread and intensity). Fuels are classified several ways: as light, medium or heavy depending on the volume on the site; as ground, surface or aerial depending on their location; and as live or dead. Fuel volume is usually measured in tons per acre. Light fuels consist of grass, dead leaves, pine needles, short brush (less than 2 feet tall) and small trees. Medium fuels are larger brush, trees up to 10-15 feet tall and down

45 material up to about 3 inches in diameter. Heavy fuels are larger trees and down branches and logs more than 4 inches in diameter. The amount of fuel also depends on elevation and the amount of precipitation. Elevations above 6000 feet usually have lighter fuels than lower level forests although fuels in the native forest around Sequoia Crest would be considered heavy. Precipitation determines how much vegetation can grow. Heavy rainfall areas have heavier vegetation than lighter rainfall areas. Light fuels are fast burning but do not produce much heat. The small size of the stems allows fire to consume them quickly which produces a fire that is usually easier to suppress. Unfortunately fires in light flashy fuels result in many injuries because firefighters underestimate the speed and erratic nature of these fires. Heavy fuels are slower burning but produce more heat and longer flame lengths. They are more difficult to control because more material needs to be moved to create a fire break and more water or retardant is needed to cool the fuel. Light fuels dry more quickly during the day and gain moisture during the night if RH rises as it normally should (an exception is a condition of Santana or Mono winds that are heated by compression). Heavy fuels respond slowly to changes in humidity or precipitation. They dry slowly in the spring and early summer but the stay dry longer in the fall. Fuel moisture in both dead and live fuels is a measure of the absolute volume of moisture in vegetation between its condition in the field and a “bone dry” condition. This is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the bone dry condition. Vegetation is picked, weighted and heated in an oven until no more moisture can be driven off. It is re-weighted and the percentage of moisture is calculated. Dry fuel ignites more quickly and burns hotter than wet fuel. Fuel temperature is influenced by ambient air temperature and the amount of solar radiation that reaches the fuel. Warm fuels lose more moisture and ignite more quickly. The figure under the section on Aspect provides information on the effect of solar radiation fuel temperature. Fuel arrangement is the location of fuel in relation to the ground surface. Ground fuels are the leaves, needles, twigs, cones and short grass and weeds

46 that are close the ground surface. This layer is usually referred to as duff or forest litter. Fire will burn slowly through this layer because it is usually closely compacted, has higher moisture content and has begun to decompose. It is easily removed for fire safe clearance and creating fire breaks. Surface fuels consist of grass, weeds, short brush and small seedling and sapling size trees. Brush is usually less than 2 to 3 feet tall and trees are less than 5 to 7 feet tall. Fire burns quickly through this fuel arrangement because of the high ratio of surface area to exposure. Flame lengths can reach 2 to 3 times the height of the fuel and can ignite fuels higher in the tree or brush canopy. These fuels can present difficult control problems under extreme burning conditions which include moderate to high wind. Cutting fire lines through this material is moderately difficult depending on arrangement and volume. Aerial fuels are those above the surface fuels and consist of taller brush and trees. These fuels catch fire from surface fuels (also called ladder fuels) and allow the fire to burn well above the ground. In taller timber stands these are called crown fires. Fires in aerial fuels are difficult to control because fire crews cannot attack them directly. Retardant and water drops can cool fires so that they drop back into surface fuels where they can be fought directly. Cutting fire breaks through aerial fuels is slow with hand crews because of the larger size of the material. Dozers are effective in this fuel type but there are many restrictions on their use because of environmental damage. Fires in aerial fuels produce flame lengths that can reach over 100 feet above the forest canopy. Fires in aerial fuels produce flying embers that can spot well ahead of the main fire front.

EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR CONDITIONS Extreme fire behavior conditions can occur when temperatures are high, humidity is low, winds are strong and sustained or erratic, weather is unstable, and vegetation is dry. This condition can occur in any terrain and in fuel types of moderate or heavy volume. Firefighters must be aware of conditions and be prepared to “back-off” when the following conditions occur:

47  A rapid increase in fire intensity.  High sustained rate of fire spread.  Well-developed convection column.  Long-distance spotting (over 600 feet).  Fire whirlwinds or horizontal flame spread.  Sudden calming of wind with unstable upper air conditions.  The approach of a dry weather front. (Teie, 2001)

FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM The National Fire danger Rating System is a set of computer programs and algorithms that allow land management agencies to estimate today's or tomorrow's fire danger for a given rating area. NFDRS characterizes fire danger by evaluating the approximate upper limit of fire behavior in a fire danger rating area during a 24-hour period. Calculations of fire behavior are based on fuels, topography and weather, or the fire triangle. NFDRS output provides relative ratings of the potential growth and behavior of any wildfire. Fire danger ratings are guides for initiating pre-suppression activities and selecting the appropriate level of initial response to a reported wildfire in lieu of detailed, site- and time- specific information. It links an organization's readiness level (or pre-planned fire suppression actions) to the fire problems of the day. (NOAA. 2007)

48

Adjective Class Rating

Fire Danger Rating Description and Color Code Low (L) Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands although a more intense heat source, (Dark Green) such as lightning, may start fires in duff or punky wood. Fires in open cured grasslands may bum freely a few hours after rain, but woods fires spread slowly by creeping or smoldering, and burn in irregular fingers. There is little danger of spotting. Moderate (M) Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in (Light Green or Blue) some areas, the number of starts is generally low. Fires in open cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious and control is relatively easy. High (H) All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended (Yellow) brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. Very High (VH) Fires start easily from all causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and (Orange) increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels. Extreme (E) Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially (Red) serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous except immediately after ignition. Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer stands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or the fuel supply lessens.

(USFS-WFAS. 2007)

Fire danger ratings are calculated for general regions such as the Tule River Ranger District. Those predictions are posted at fire stations and along major roads. Fire Danger ratings at Sequoia Crest would normally be somewhat lower than those predicted at Springville because of the difference in elevation. However, a fire starting at Wishon during an “Extreme” rating day with a westerly wind would race up towards Sequoia Crest even though the rating at 6000 feet might be only “Moderate”.

49 EVALUATION OF STRUCTURES: CONSTRUCTION AND

CLEARANCE One of the most critical tasks required for this project was to evaluate structures within the project area. This was the most time consuming effort in the field and included walking around each structure looking for critical fire safe elements. An evaluation form was created including the critical elements (Appendix VI). To prepare for this task, Kurt Wendelyn sent information to all property owners on May, 2007 announcing the project and noting that any resident could request that their property not be inspected (Appendix III). All property evaluations were kept confidential and are not published in the final project report. The only copies of the individual evaluation records have been given to owners. Evaluations were conducted on June 14 to June 18 assisted by Kurt Wendelyn, Rick Spansail, Gaby Kidwell and Jim McWilliams. One hundred and one properties (101 with structures) were evaluated including the old lodge, the two motel units and the Webb property, which is not part of the Sequoia Crest subdivision. Only three properties with structures stated that they did not want an evaluation which equals a total of 104 structures within the project area. Vacant parcels were not individually evaluated but are addressed in the fuels loading section of the report. Twelve properties are occupied full time, including a small occupied apartment at the lodge and workers in the two motel units. Part-timers and vacation owners occupy the remaining 92 properties. (Wendelyn, 2007).

PROPERTY ADDRESSES Having posted addresses is an important issue for protecting residents of Sequoia Crest. Firefighters must be able to find structures in the event of an emergency, either fire or medical. Structures without posted addresses cause confusion and delays during emergency operations. Twenty-seven properties

50 had addresses posted to code with the required 4 inch high reflective numbers. Thirty-three structures had addresses posted and were clearly visible but not with the required 4 inch high reflective numbers (code). Fifteen structures had numbers posted but the numbers were not visible from the road or were in such a location that it was not clear which structure went with the number. Twenty-two structures had no address posted and four structures did not have postal addresses (Lodge, motel units and Webb property). Some of the structures cannot be seen from the main roads and firefighters from out of the area would not know how to locate structures that might need protection. Several structures are not accessible from the road where the official address occurs but are accessed from an upper or lower road or from an unmapped right-of-way crossing other properties. These structures would be almost impossible to find during an emergency.

ADDRESSES Posted to code 27 Posted – visible, not to code 33 Posted – not visible 15 Not posted 22 No official address 4 TOTAL 101

SLOPE Slope was determined for each property, facing down-hill from the structure (the direction which most fires will approach a structure). Slopes varied on some properties so the down hill slope measurement is used since this is the most likely direction that a fire will approach. Unfortunately most properties in the project area are located on relatively steep slopes. This steep slope percent increases the danger to structures and increases the danger of defending properties in the event of a fire burning from the west (the most likely direction of a catastrophic fire). Slopes for the project area are shown on the following chart. Percent of slope are shown in increments of less than 5% to over 100 percent. A 100

51 percent slope equates to a 45° angle (one foot of rise for every foot of horizontal distance).

SLOPE/STRUCTURES

25

20

15

10

5

0 NUM BER OF STRUCTURES

>5 10 to 100+ 5 10 to 2020 to 3030 to 4040 to 5050 to 6060 to 7070 to 8080 to 90 90 to 100 PERCENT OF SLOPE

ASPECT Aspect was determined for each evaluated property and was measured at the structure.

ASPECT/ STRUCTURES

35 30 25 20 15 10 5

NUMBER OF STRUCTURES 0 N NNW NW WNW W WSW SW SSW S SSE SE DIRECTION OF SLOPE

52

The majority of structures evaluated in Sequoia Crest are located on north to west slopes facing Alder Creek to the north, the Wishon Fork of the Tule River to the west, with a few facing Hossack Creek to the southwest. Unfortunately, the many properties facing west to south are on the warmest and driest sites. Properties facing north to northwest and southeast are on moister sites and would not burn as fast under normal conditions. All structures are at risk from a fire that moves from the south-west to the north east, from the lower section of Highway 190 or from the Wishon Fork Tule River. Nothing can be done to change the aspect of a property; however, owners can increase vegetation clearances and thin vegetation on hazardous slopes in the direction that a fire may approach their property.

ASPECT/STRUCTURES North 13 North-north-west 3 Northwest 26 West-north-west 6 West 32 West-south-west 1 Southwest 8 South-south-west 1 South 1 South-south-east 0 Southeast 4

ROOF MATERIALS A roof is a critical element in protecting a structure from wildland fire. Many structures are destroyed because the roof ignites from air borne embers that may be blown well ahead of a fire. Current law requires a “Class A” roof for all new construction in fire hazard areas, including Sequoia Crest. Recently state building codes have changed from detailed specifications for each class of roof material and application to a requirement that each manufacturer create specifications that meet fire resistant

53 standards (Rhoden, Gary. 2006). Engineering requirements are included during the plan/check phase of obtaining a building permit. Those requirements are provided by the manufacturer of the roofing product. It is impossible to determine if an existing roof meets “Class A” requirements without examining those specifications. Those specifications were not available during this evaluation however it is assumed that any composition shingle roof more than 15 to 20 years old probably does not meet the “Class A” requirement. Owners of older (more than 10 years) comp/shingle roofs need to have their roof inspected by a roofing professional to determine if they are safe and meet current code requirements. Consequently structures with composition roof materials over 15 to 20 years old were rated poor and should be replaced with a roofing material that meets current code requirements.

The following roof materials were found on structures: ROOFING MATERIAL

Metal 37 Composition – good 40 Composition – poor 11 Wood shingle 13

Metal roofs most likely meet “Class A” requirements if properly installed. The 13 structures with wood shingle roof types were downgraded significantly in their over-all hazard rating because of the high flammability. These structures should have their roof replaced with a “Class A” roof at the earliest possible time. Regardless or roofing material, a “Class A” roof will burn if it has over-hanging tree branches or has litter on the surface.

SIDING/CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES Most structures evaluated were regular “California Stick” construction. Structures are built with 2x4 or 2x6 studs over a concrete or concrete block

54 foundation and wood floor. Several structures on steeper slopes are concrete block up to the first floor that may include a storage or living area in the basement section. Fire safe requirements for siding materials vary depending on the distance from the property line and clearance of vegetation fuels for fire safe requirements. Generally any siding material (other than wood shingle) is allowed if the property set-back is over 30 feet. If the set back is less than 30 feet, county Building Code requires a non-flammable “one hour” siding as specified in the State Uniform Building Code (Rhoden, Gary. 2006). Plywood was the most common siding material found and ranged from well maintained to deplorable. Well maintained structures had paint and/or weather treatment. Poorly maintained plywood structures exhibited; no surface treatment, dry wood, de-lamination, rough patch jobs, wood pecker holes or missing sections and frizzing of the surface. The following siding types were found: STRUCTURE SIDING

Plywood – good condition 59 Plywood – fair to poor condition 9 Composition fiber/cement board 8 Log 4

Wood – ship lap 15 Wood shingle 2 Vinyl 1

Aluminum 1 Metal 1 Stucco 1

The most fire resistant materials found are the composition - fiber/concrete, metal, stucco, and log. All of the newer (past 4 years) structures have composition - fiber/concrete siding which is the most fire resistant material available, except for concrete block or stone. The most hazardous siding material found was wood shingle and all the wood products such as plywood,

55 tongue & grove, board and ship lap that have not been properly maintained. Two structures have wood shingle siding and it most likely was pressure treated with fire retardant. Unfortunately this treatment only lasts a short time, maybe only a year according to the Tulare County Fire Marshall. This material should be replaced. Some structures had open spaces under the structure (between the pier supported floor joists and the ground). Frequently these spaces have become storage for old lumber and other household items. This is a dangerous situation since fire brands/embers get sucked into these spaces and find fertile ground for ignitions.

DECKS Ninety-seven properties evaluated (96%) had some kind of a deck. Most all decks were constructed with a wood support structure and most had wood planking for the deck surface. The most common decking was a 2x6 wood plank with railings of 2x4 wood. Some have been treated to prevent water damage. Three structures were decked with a new composite material made of wood fiber, resins and binders. This material is rated as fire resistant.

The following table indicates the condition of the decks found: DECK CONDITION Deck – good condition 41 Deck – fair condition 39 Deck – poor condition 14 Composite deck 3 No deck 4

Decks are a common feature on homes, especially in mountainous regions. They provide extra outdoor living space and an opportunity to take advantage of views. Unfortunately, unless properly constructed and maintained, decks provide a great opportunity for blowing fire embers to find a home and

56 destroy the entire structure. Decks have a high surface to volume ratio, are usually extremely dry, are usually not treated with fire resistant materials. An additional hazard is presented because decks are usually built on the down slope side of a structure to take advantage of views. This presents the deck as the first opportunity for a fire to establish a foot-hold and destroy a structure. Great care must be taken to construct and maintain decks so that they do not contribute to the flammability of a structure. Supports and joists should be inspected periodically to insure that animals (birds and rats) have not made nests in connecting joints. These nests provide kindling for embers. Decks built less than 5 feet off the ground should be fully skirted so that embers cannot blow under and find a home. Lattice skirting is not adequate since embers can blow through the lattice interspaces. Old lumber, building materials and firewood should never be placed under or on top of a deck. These materials provide a great opportunity for fire embers to ignite a structure. Another common problem is patio furniture stored on decks. Patio furniture, unless made entirely of non- flammable materials, provides an ignition source for fire. Wood chairs, plastic chair cushions, toys, and BBQ equipment can provide a home for blowing embers. Decks, after roofing materials, are probably the most fire hazardous elements of a structure. Embers falling on well maintained decks will most likely smolder and go out before a fire occurs. Embers falling through the deck boards on to flammable material below the deck, such as old lumber or firewood, are more likely to ignite. Embers landing on patio furniture or firewood on a deck will probably ignite. A more serious deck issue presents itself on 15 structures with decks. Owners have installed sheathing under their deck to divert water from a lower area. These lower areas were either a lower deck or used for storage and protected from rain and melting snow which would otherwise flow through the deck. The sheathing material was variously metal roofing, corrugated iron, and corrugated plastic or aluminum panels. Unfortunately tree litter, leaves, twigs and animal nests lodge on the sheathing and this creates an extreme fire hazard. Fourteen of the 15 decks with rain diversion sheathing had significant debris

57 deposits on the sheathing. On several decks it would be impossible to clean the debris from the space because there is no room to insert tools. Some could be cleaned but have not been for several years. Only one owner planned ahead and installed removable deck planks. This owner had the only clean space between the deck and the rain diversion sheathing. It is strongly recommended that the rain diversion areas be cleaned annually. If these areas cannot be cleaned, than the sheathing should be removed.

58

Rain protection under a deck

Vegetation under and around deck

59

VEGETATION CLEARANCE Clearing flammable vegetation (fuel) from around structures for fire safety is the most important activity that should occur annually on a property. Fire spreads through vegetation by radiant heat transfer, flame impingement and burning embers falling on unburned flammable material. Fire breaks are created by firefighters so that the spread of the fire can be contained; the wider the fire break, the better chance of containing the fire. The same principle applies to vegetation and other flammable material (old lumber, firewood) around a structure. The wider the fire-break between the structure and the approaching fire, the better the chance of saving the structure. Defensible space guidelines designate two zones, 30 feet and 100 feet from a structure. These zones provide protection from a wildfire burning under mild to moderate fire behavior. For protection from a more active fire, the 100 foot zone should be expanded to 150 feet. Structures built on steep slopes should have vegetation clearance on the down-hill side as far as 200 feet.

30 FOOT DEFENSIBLE SPACE ZONE This “Defensible Space Zone” should be kept free of native grass, weeds, small trees and most brush. Specimen brush and trees may be retained if all dead material is removed and the plants are separated by 5 to 10 feet, depending on the size of the specimen. Larger trees should be thinned to 10 to 20 foot spacing, again depending on their size. Conifers should be pruned up to about 1/3 (at least 6 to 10 feet) of their total crown. Young conifers in this forest tend to retain all their branches down to ground level. These branches may be dead or live, but have many dead twigs and provide an ideal ladder fuel for a fire to reach the crown of the tree. All dead trees and down logs should be removed. Irrigated landscape plants should be low-growing and free of any dead branches and leaves. Old lumber, construction materials and firewood piles should

60 be removed from this zone. Bare mineral soil, gravel or pavement is the best ground cover material in this zone however a light litter layer (duff) of 2 to 3 inches can remain on soil for erosion protection. This litter layer should be cleared back at least 18 inches from any structure. Several structures evaluated had driveways and parking completely surrounding the structure. This is excellent protection. The following clearance conditions were found on properties evaluated: Good clearance in this zone is where all weeds, grass, and dead vegetation had been removed; brush removed or appropriately thinned; conifers thinned and pruned; and all lumber, firewood piles and flammable materials, except for a light litter layer on the soil, are outside this zone. Moderate clearance is where a few weeds and grass need to be cleared, brush has been thinned but needs more thinning or removal of dead branches and twigs. Conifers are well spaced and have some pruning but need more pruning. Old lumber piles, fire wood and yard junk need attention. Poor clearance is where the owner has done little or nothing. Dead weeds and grass are next to the structure and decks, brush is too thick and pines need thinning and pruning. In some cases the volume of yard junk would make protection of the structure difficult.

61 30 FOOT ZONE

Good clearance 33 33% Moderate clearance 52 51% Poor – no clearance 16 16%

100 FOOT WILDLAND FUEL REDUCTION ZONE This zone needs to be managed with significantly reduced fuel loads. Firefighters need this zone in order to provide a safe environment as a wildfire approaches a home and, if properly planned and maintained, will reduce fire intensity and flame lengths as the fire approaches. Brush should be thinned to a spacing of about 10 feet and all dead vegetation should be cleaned out. Conifers should be pruned up 10 to 15 feet or 1/3 of their crown. Ground litter (duff) which includes dead needles, leaves, pine cones and twigs can remain as a soil erosion measure. Litter material (branches) larger than 2 inches in diameter should be removed. If a structure cannot achieve this 100 foot zone because of the proximity of a property line, they should work with their neighbor to allow the clearance beyond their property line. Good wildland fuel reduction clearance on a property is where all weeds, grass, and dead vegetation have been removed; brush thinned to 10 foot spacing; conifers pruned 10 to 15 feet or 1/3 of their crown; and clearings around all lumber and firewood piles. Moderate clearance is where brush has been thinned but needs more thinning, conifers are well spaced and have some pruning but need more pruning. Old lumber piles, fire wood and yard junk needs clearance of weeds and grass. Poor clearance is where the owner has done little or nothing. Dead weeds and grass are in the zone, brush is too thick and conifers need thinning and pruning.

62 100 FOOT ZONE Good clearance 29 29% Moderate clearance 54 53% Poor clearance 18 18%

PROPANE AND FUEL STORAGE TANKS Most properties in Sequoia Crest have propane storage on their property to provide cooking and heating fuel. Propane tanks should have 25 to 30 foot clearance of all weeds and brush and pine trees should be well pruned. Modern propane tanks are relatively safe if installed with required pressure relief valves. Older tanks, such as those on older recreational vehicles and older outdoor cooking devices might present a real hazard to firefighters if they are not fitted with pressure relief valves. Propane tank clearances observed during evaluations ranged from safe to hazardous. Vegetation clearance should be preformed around these tanks annually. Automotive fuel is not commonly stored on properties in Sequoia Crest. Only two above-ground tanks were observed. Requirements for above-ground tanks and dispensers (nozzles) are carefully specified in various fire and environmental codes. Commercial fueling suppliers are not allowed (by law) to fill a tank that does not meet minimum safety standards. It is assumed that all storage tanks meet these requirements or they could not be filled. For wildfire protection, above ground fuel tanks should meet the same clearance requirements as propane tanks (Rhoden, Gary. 2006).

OUTBUILDINGS Outbuildings are all those other structures located on parcels that are not living units. Most of these buildings are detached garages or storage sheds and are near the main living structure, however several properties had various outbuildings scattered throughout their parcel.

63 Siding and roofing on outbuildings was not summarized. Most outbuildings had siding and roofing matching the primary structure. Other materials found included metal, roll tar paper, scrap wood, old plywood, native wood slabs and concrete block. One common problem with outbuildings is that they had space between the floor joists and the ground. Old lumber, weeds, wood rat nests and other flammable material tend to accumulate in these spaces and provide an opportunity for burning embers to ignite the building. Any building with space between the ground and the floor structure should be skirted to the ground to prevent embers from entering. Outbuildings should have vegetation clearance, depending on the use of the building. Storage sheds and garages should have 10 to 20 feet clearance. Any building containing hazardous materials (including fuel) should be posted on the outside and have at least 20 foot clearance.

ROAD AND DRIVEWAY ACCESS Getting fire apparatus to a structure during an emergency is critical to saving life and property. All fire protection services, other than aircraft, arrive via some type of vehicle. Forest Service crews utilize Type 4 engines. The County Fire Station at Camp Nelson is a Type 3 engine. Tulare County has requirements for roads and driveways for all new construction in rural areas (Tulare County, 2004). Those specifications include: • New driveways/streets are limited to 15% grades with all weather surfaces. Grades to 20% are allowed if paved. Surface must be capable of supporting 40,000 lbs. • Driveways require a minimum of 10 ft. wide (except commercial parcels) and have a minimum of 15 ft. vertical clearance. • Driveways over 150 ft. must provide a turnout capable of allowing free passage of a vehicle and a Fire Engine. This applies to right-of-way roads that access structures. • Gates must be set back at least 30 ft. from a main road to allow a Fire Engine to open the gate without blocking the road.

64

Redwood, Ponderosa, Chinquapin, Alder, and Hossack Drive, are all county maintained and paved in the project area. Manzanita, Dogwood and Jordan drive are not county maintained and not paved. Fortunately all the main roads within the developed area are well signed. Determining safe access for a fire engine was one of the evaluation criteria. Because of the small lot size, most structures are adjacent to paved roads and firefighting engines would defend the structure from the paved road. Most driveways are too narrow, steep and do not have adequate turn a rounds for engines. Several structures have access over several other lots and it is not obvious how firefighters would get to the property. Good access was granted a property where an engine could reach the structure with a 100 foot hose lay from a safe location. Moderate access is where a hose lay is over more difficult or steep ground. Poor access is where an engine cannot access the property.

FIRE ENGINE ACCESS

Good access 63 Moderate access 21 Poor access 7 TOTAL 101

65

Access to a cabin - no fire equipment can access

Space under a structure where fire embers can lodge

66 OVERALL HAZARD RATING In a wildland urban interface environment such as Sequoia Crest, fuel includes vegetation, all structures, vehicles, fences and any materials on the property that are combustible. The Overall Hazard Rating is an estimate of factors such as slope, aspect, native vegetation, accessibility by fire crews, location of structures, building materials of structures, clearance of native vegetation, and materials scattered around the property (lumber piles, firewood piles, debris [junk] and any other flammable material imported by owners). Categories were developed depending on the conditions found in the project area and included: • Low - properties that could easily be protected by a fire crew during an emergency and have a high likelihood of success under moderate burning conditions. • Low-Moderate – properties that could be protected with a little effort. • Moderate - properties that need a moderate amount of clean-up or clearance for adequate protection however a fire crew would most likely defend the property. • Moderate-high – properties that need considerable clearance or clean-up for protection and fire crews would probably by-pass the property during a fire. • High – properties that cannot be saved by normal protection services (sacrifice).

67 OVERALL HAZARD RATING

High 18

Moderate/high 14 Rating Moderate 28

Low/moderate 21

Low 20

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Number of structures

These Overall Hazarding Ratings reflect the reality that fire agencies must face when large fires occur. When a fire is running in an area where hundreds of structures are threatened, and few engines are available for protection, choices must be made on where resources will be deployed. Property owners that have made an effort to protect their properties will receive preference for protection. Properties that do not have adequate clearance or have debris scattered around may be passed by. Protecting structures during an extreme emergency is an individual evaluation/decision undertaken by fire officials. They will attempt to protect structures where they have a chance of succeeding. They may not waste scarce fire resources where the property owner does not appear to have made much effort to protect themselves.

Full-time versus Seasonal Residents A property owner’s decision to perform fire safe activities is influenced by a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, value of property, location of property (in relation to fire risk), wealth of owner, physical ability of owner to provide clearance, perception of the fire risk, and the amount of aesthetic disturbance the owner is willing to sacrifice. Another important factor is peer pressure. One owner’s lack of enthusiasm to perform fire safe activities

68 may, and usually does, affect their neighbors, especially in a community like Sequoia Crest. A house or trailer fire during an extreme fire weather event could spread and destroy the properties of owners miles away. A recent community study in another state evaluated 12 fire safe activities including clearing, landscaping and construction and found a significant difference in attitudes between full-time and seasonal residents. Full-time owners were significantly more likely to believe and undertake fire safe activities. Their motivation was based on having a more safe fire condition, create a better looking neighborhood, and improving the value of their property. Full-timers expressed more sensitivity toward their condition since, for many, these homes were their only residences and if they were lost; they would have no place else to go. Part-timers were more likely to believe that performing these activities would require too much effort and expense and require removing vegetation that they prize. Part-timers had limited time to spend on their properties and valued the leisure activities over the labor required to accomplish fire safe conditions. In addition, these owners had one or more other homes and the loss of the vacation home, although devastating, was not the end-of-the-world. This study demonstrates that a person’s attitude toward doing a task is the most important factor influencing the fire safe nature of the community (Bright and Randall, 2006) There are only 12 full time households at Sequoia Crest. The remaining structures are occupied part time, ranging from owners that visit almost every weekend to owners that seldom visit. Although there is no empirical evidence, it is obvious from observation that full-time owners perform more clean-up work than part-time owners and frequent part-timers do more work than infrequent part-timers. Of course there are exceptions to this observation, however the study cited above appears to confirm these phenomena.

69 EVACUATION PLAN Evacuation is the voluntary or mandatory removal of residents, visitors, and other non-emergency-response people from an area that is threatened by a natural disaster; in Sequoia Crest the most likely reason for evacuation would be from a wildfire. Voluntary evacuation is often requested when a fire threatens a community, especially for people who are in the area for recreational purposes (campers, hunters, curious fire watchers). Residents are usually not asked to evacuate unless or, until an incident becomes critical. Authorities are hesitant to ask residents to leave an area during an emergency, often with drastic consequences (i.e. Hurricane Katrina). Mandatory evacuations are a last resort that can only be ordered by law enforcement authorities such as the County Sheriff, Highway Patrol, National Guard (if authorized by the Governor) and some law enforcement officers of the various fire agencies. Evacuation authority rests in various sections of the State Penal Code (Sections 148, 402, 409.5) and can be imposed when a situation becomes critical. Firefighters cannot order evacuations unless they are “peace officers”, as defined by state law; they can only advise people to leave. Evacuation from Sequoia Crest during a wildfire is problematic. There are only two access and egress choices for people in the Crest. Redwood Drive, to the southwest, is the only practical evacuation route. This is a paved, mostly two lane road that connects (5.6 miles) to State Highway 190 either down hill to Camp Nelson or up-hill (east) to the crest of the Sierras. Unfortunately Highway 190 is a steep, winding road that, in the event of a wildfire, would be the main access for fire equipment. The Deep Fire started near Highway 190 and the road was closed for several days. Fox Farm road exits Sequoia Crest to the west off Alder Drive. It is marked with a small sign “Emergency Escape Route”. Unfortunately this road is not paved, is narrow and proceeds into the Wishon Fork Tule River canyon, which is the likely direction that a fire might approach the community. This is not a practical evacuation route but could be used if an approaching wildfire is entirely to the south, east or north of Sequoia Crest.

70 Individual property owners may refuse an evacuation order and may be required to sign a waiver, although few law enforcement authorities are aware of or carry such a form in the normal course of business. Evacuations under Marshal Law can require forced evacuations and arrest people who resist (PC 148) but these actions are seldom enforced on residents to that degree in normal natural disasters. Arrests (looters) can and do occur for anyone in an evacuation area who is not a resident or on official business such as utility or relief workers. The most benefit of an evacuation order is the exclusion of people from entering the area. Fires draw curious visitors that can interfere with firefighting activities and may cause unnecessary exposure or injury. Under an evacuation order, law enforcement authorities can restrict assess to the evacuation area, even to legal residents. The only exception is the “Media” which can enter a disaster area under supervision. Road closure teams need to be established on the two access routes; Redwood Drive and Fox Farm. These closures can be staffed by county, state or federal authorities. Road closure teams must be provided with instructions and information on who is excluded and who can be admitted to the area. When an evacuation order is issued, the issuing authority must be prepared to follow a number of procedures. They should be prepared with the following:

 Have local Evacuation Centers been established? Evacuations should never be ordered unless a staging area or evacuation center has been established.  Authority for issuing the evacuation order.  Process to determine how evacuees are to be notified, such as the “Reverse 911” system, phone tree, individual contact, and/or a check list on addresses, camp sites and any other places people may be located.  Contact log maintained by each evacuation notification officer to verify who has been notified. Confusion on the recent Southern

71 California fires kept families from contacting or knowing where evacuees were located. This may be a logical consequence of the “fog of war” that occurs during the initial stages of most emergency incidents.  A reporting-back mechanism to fire authorities on how the evacuation is proceeding (Firefighters need to know which, if any, residents refuse an evacuation order and remain to protect their properties).  Give good instructions on where to proceed to the local Evacuation Centers or evacuation staging area.  Can transportation assistance be provided for evacuees?

 Insure that the local Red Cross Disaster relief teams been notified and are prepared to assist evacuees.  Establish a process to keep evacuees informed of the situation. There is nothing more frustrating for evacuated residents than not knowing where the fire is burning or if their homes are safe. Fire authorities often fail to keep people informed. Up-dates should be provided every hour, 24 hours a day during the evacuation period.  Establish Evacuation Center phone numbers where evacuees can call and others can check on the status of evacuees. This duty can usually be turned over to the local Red Cross Disaster Relief Teams, if they have been pre-established.  Provide information on where domestic animals may be housed.  Ensure that evacuees are allowed to return as soon as possible after the fire has passed. One of the most common complaints of people evacuated is that they are not allowed to return to their properties for days after the emergency has passed. Authorities usually are overly cautious on letting owners back to their properties. They do not fully appreciate the anxiety that occurs by owners about their property after a natural disaster has passed.

72 It may not be possible to evacuate some residents in Sequoia Crest depending on the direction of an approaching fire. Recommendation # 8 states – “Pre-designate a fire safety area (evacuation area) large enough to accommodate 50 or 60 people including an adjacent helicopter landing zone to provide air evacuations.” It is critical that a safety zone be designated where trapped residents can go that is known by fire authorities. This zone should be pre-designated and “named” and known by all residents that might be present on a busy holiday. Emergency officials must plan for the worst possible situation to protect health and safety. It is not apparent that this step has been taken nor has an official safety zone been designated. This should be a high priority and reviewed annually with local fire authorities. A copy of the “UPPER TULE EVACUATION PLAN”, approved by the Forest Service, CDF and the Tulare County Sheriff (undated) was obtained from CDF. The document describes the routes and procedures for a Sequoia Crest evacuation. The page dealing with Sequoia Crest is included as Appendix IV. This plan needs to be updated and coordinated with the Tulare County Fire Department. A copy of the full document has been given to the Alder Creek Fire Safe Council.

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

Wildland forest fire is a part of our natural environment. Our forests and range lands have adapted to a fire environment over hundreds of thousands of years and have been burning in California forests long before the settlement of of the Sierra foothills. Some of the structures in Sequoia Crest have been built and maintained without regard to the wildfire setting. Every structure evaluated during the summer of 2007 needed some improvement in order to be protected from fire.

Protecting your property involves several elements:

1. Structure 2. Clearance zones/landscape

73 3. Adequate emergency water supply 4. Access 5. Fire protection resources

Of these factors, the first four are under the control of the property owner and the chance of surviving a wildfire will be improved with each incremental constructive step taken.

A structure can be built that will survive even the most severe wildland fire. People have been living them in the Mediterranean regions of France, Spain, Italy, and Greece for hundreds of years. The climate and fuels of this region are similar to much of the forests and brush lands of our western states and they have frequent large wildfires, but lose few structures. Construction of there structures is the major difference. Residential and commercial structures in European fire prone areas are built with stone, concrete or concrete block. Roofs are covered with clay (fired) tile, concrete tiles or slate. Eaves are covered with tile, stone or stucco and windows have heavy, closing wood shutters. Most decks are made of stone or concrete, however some decks do have flammable wood railings. There is little or no exposed flammable surface and when a fire occurs, residents close up the house and go to town for the duration. Another interesting difference is that less clearance of native vegetation occurs in Europe than is required in California. Many houses have lawn and irrigated landscape but native plants are preferred. Utilizing European construction techniques would drastically reduce structural loss from wildfires in the Western United States.

STRUCTURE

Given that our construction is significantly different than that of European structures, what steps can a home owner take to make their dwelling as fire safe as possible. Some areas such as San Diego County have the most strict building codes in the nation, yet they lost hundreds of homes in the October 2007 fires. They have even suggested that some owners build to a standard called

74 “Survival in Place”. This requires the removal of all flammable building materials around the property, triple pane reflective windows, internal and external sprinkler systems and extensive vegetation clearance far in excess of that required by current law. Riding out a fast moving, intense wildfire by remaining in the structure, even with these improvements is not recommended for Sequoia Crest.

All structures used for human habitation should be equipped with a modern smoke alarm and that should be tested annually. Fire departments recommend that batteries be changed annually on the same day as the day-light- savings time change in the fall. Residents should have their own evacuation plan on how to get out of the structure if it catches fire (including pets), where to assemble outside the structure and whether to attempt an evacuation out of the area or assemble in a safety zone evacuation area – see section on evacuation and recommendation # 9.

Recent evidence on the October 2007 San Diego fires indicates that even where structures meet all the current requirements and vegetation is cleared to code, houses still burn. Authorities believe that wind driven embers work there way into the smallest openings. They believe that these embers, some smoldering for hours after the fire had passed, are responsible for the majority of the 1,125 houses burned. A structure “…has to have a weakness for it to burn,” stated Ernylee Chamlee, Chief of Fore Prevention for CDF. More than half of the 497 structures that burned in areas of San Diego County’s Witch fire had fire resistant siding and roofs according to data given to the Los Angeles Times. (Associated Press. December 24, 2007)

Listed below are recommendations on how to modify your structure to increase the chance of surviving a wildfire.

– Roof – Eaves - Chimney Roofs should be covered with a “Class A” non combustible material such as metal, clay tile, concrete tile or slate. Many composition asphalt shingles meet the “Class A” requirement if certified by the manufacturer and properly

75 installed. If a structure has an asphalt shingle roof and the owner is not certain that it meets the “Class A” requirement, it should be inspected by a qualified roof inspector. Asphalt shingles more than 20 years old should be replaced with a “Class A” roof. Regardless, a composition asphalt roof, even if it meets “Class A” is not as fire proof as metal, clay tile, concrete tile or slate. Roof and attic vents should be covered with ¼ inch galvanized mesh and inspected periodically. Embers can get sucked into vents and start attic fires. Rain gutters, if installed, must be cleaned several times during the year and kept free of needles, leaves and other debris.

Remove all dead tree branches hanging over the roof and any branches touching the roof structure. Keep all tree branches at least 15 feet from all chimneys. Clean all dead needles and leaves from the roof, especially in valleys where they tend to accumulate.

Over-hanging eaves should be “boxed in”. Plywood is adequate but stucco or concrete/fiber board would be better (See section on siding).

Chimney caps must be covered with certified spark arrestors and inspected annually when the flue is cleaned. Most people in this area use native pine, fir and cedar for fire wood. All these species have a high pitch content and build-up creosote in the flue. Creosote can cause a serious chimney fire if not cleaned annually.

- Siding Siding should be non-flammable or capable of withstanding one hour of flame or high heat. Stucco, stone, concrete block and concrete fiber materials meet this requirement. Log homes also meet the requirement if the log joints are well chinked and no vegetation debris or animal nests are allowed to accumulate in or around log joints. Most of the structures evaluated have plywood siding of some type. Well maintained and protected plywood should provide adequate protection under all but the most extreme conditions. Structures sided with wood shingles present a significant fire risk and should be replaced.

76 Structures should be fully protected (sheeted) to ground level. Concrete, stone and concrete block foundations provide excellent protection if crawl space openings are protected by solid doors or ¼ inch steel mesh. Foundation vents should also be covered with mesh. Some structures are supported with wood or concrete block piers. The space between the ground and structural siding should be completely sealed. Several structures were found with this material missing and various building materials and household goods stacked under the structure floor. This is an extremely dangerous practice which provides a perfect entry for blowing embers to catch fire.

– Windows Windows in a structure provide an entry point for fire in two ways; first by allowing radiant heat to penetrate and catch curtains and furniture on fire and second, windows can shatter because of excessive heat or blowing debris, allowing embers to enter the structure and ignite interior objects. Triple pane windows with UV protection generally prevent radiant heat from penetrating. Double pane windows with a reflective shield (tint or aluminum foil) provide almost equal protection. Single pane windows provide little protection unless vegetation clearance is performed and flames remain well away from the structure. The best solution for all window openings is to install metal or wood shutters especially on the first floor where most of the heat will threaten the structure. Shutters prevent heat radiation into the structure and protect glass from heat shatter or wind borne objects from breaking the glass. If wood shutters are used, they should be at least ¾ inch thick and sealed or painted. Shutters should be equipped with solid fasteners that will hold the shutters closed even with strong winds. Of course, the shutters should be closed if a fire is approaching.

DECKS

Decks should be well maintained with paint or water seal and kept free of leaves and needles (litter). Older decks with weathered and split decking should be repaired or replaced. Replacement material should be composite wood fiber;

77 it resists flame and requires little maintenance. Fire wood should not be stored on or under decks during the fire season. Fire wood piles provide an excellent place for blowing embers to reside and smolder, sometimes for over an hour, before igniting. It is not uncommon for a deck to ignite after the fire has passed and firefighters have moved on to protect other structures. The most dangerous area of a deck is the under-structure. If the deck is less than five feet off the ground, it should be completely sheeted to the ground level to prevent embers from entering. Lattice work sheeting is not adequate because it allows embers to enter. The space under decks should not be used for storage of lumber, firewood or other household items unless the deck is fully sheeted. Decks over five feet above the ground need to have the under-structure inspected frequently to prevent birds and rodents from building nests. Any openings between the deck and the structure should be covered. If a fire is approaching (or residents are away for long periods during the fire season) all flammable patio furniture and any other flammable materiel should be removed from the deck and stored inside the structure or moved outside the 30 foot defensible space zone.

OUTBUILDINGS

Outbuildings include all other structures located on parcels that are not the primary living unit. Most of these buildings are near the main living structure.

Outbuildings included storage sheds, garages, shops and steel shipping containers. Siding and roofing on the numerous outbuildings varies from non- combustible to highly flammable. Most outbuildings had siding and roofing matching the primary structure. Other materials found included metal and old plywood. One common problem with outbuildings is that they have space between the floor joists and the ground. Old lumber, weeds, wood rat nests and other flammable material tend to accumulate in these spaces and provide an opportunity for burning embers to ignite the building. Any building with space between the ground and the floor should be skirted to the ground to prevent embers from entering.

78 Outbuildings should have vegetation clearance, depending on the use of the building. Storage sheds, generator sheds, pump houses should have 10 to 20 feet clearance. Any building containing hazardous materials should be posted on the outside and have 20 foot clearance.

WATER STORAGE

Adequate available water is an important consideration for fire fighting. Type 3 engines (wildland engines) usually carry 500 gallons of water. This supply can be easily depleted during a fire fight. Having available water might be the determining factor in saving a structure. Being able to access this water is critical. Sequoia Crest has hydrants scattered throughout the community and adequate storage and pressure to supply firefighters under most conditions. The community is well aware that their storage capacity should be maintained at the maximum during the fire season.

FIRE TOOLS

Every house should have a readily available cache of fire tools and all occupants of the house should know where they are located and how to use them. Fire tools include the following:

• A fire extinguisher with “A, B, and C” capabilities. The extinguisher should be in a prominent location and additional extinguishers should be located in outbuildings, such as shops and garages.

• A ladder long enough to reach the roof in case of a roof fire. In the event of an approaching fire, the ladder should be placed against the roof so that it can be used by firefighters.

• One hundred feet of pre-connected garden hose or 100 feet of fire hose if a hydrant is available. In the event of an approaching fire the fire hose should be connected to the hydrant. Several 3 to 5 gallon buckets should be located on near water faucets and on decks. All hoses should have an attached nozzle with a variable adjustment and shut-off capabilities.

79 • Hand tools such as a shovel, rake, axe and/or Pulaski, hoe and/or McLeod, and a pry bar capable of removing burning siding or decking should be available.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE

“Defensible space is the area around a building that has been significantly modified to reduce a wildfire’s intensity enough to prevent the fire from igniting the house. The defensible space will also allow firefighters to more safely defend the house. It can also help prevent a house fire from spreading to surrounding vegetation.” (Slack, 2000).

30 FOOT DEFENSIBLE SPACE ZONE This “Defensible Space Zone” should be kept free of native grass, weeds, and most brush. Specimen brush plants may be retained if all dead material is removed and the plants are separated by 5 to 10 feet, depending on the size of the specimen. Conifer trees should be thinned to 10 to 20 foot spacing, again depending on their size. Conifers should be pruned up to about 1/3 of their total crown (6 to 20 feet). Fir and cedar trees in this area tend to retain their branches down to ground level. These branches may be dead or have many dead twigs and provide a perfect ladder fuel for a fire to reach the crown of the tree. Smaller fir and cedar trees should be removed. All dead trees and down logs should be removed from this zone. Irrigated landscape plants should be low growing and free of any dead branches and leaves. Bare mineral soil, gravel or pavement is the best ground cover however it is recommended that a light litter (duff) layer or chips be retained for soil erosion protection and moisture retention. Litter and chips should be removed at least 18 inches from all structures. Annual growth, such as thimble berry and bracken fern should be weed whacked as soon as they start to dry in the late summer. This material should be scattered around in the zone or removed from the zone if it is excessive. Old lumber, construction materials and firewood piles should be removed from the zone. Several structures evaluated had driveways and parking completely surrounding the structure. This is excellent protection.

80 100 FOOT WILDLAND FUEL REDUCTION ZONE This zone needs to be managed with reduced fuel loads. Firefighters need this zone in order to provide a safe environment as a wildfire approaches a home. If the zone is properly planned and maintained, it will reduce fire intensity and flame lengths as the fire approaches.

Brush should be thinned to a spacing of about 10 feet and all dead vegetation should be cleaned out. Conifer trees should be pruned up 6 to 20 feet or 1/3 of their crown. Ground litter (duff) which includes dead needles, leaves, pine cones and twigs can remain as a soil erosion measure as long as they are not more than two or three inches deep and evenly scattered. Litter material (branches) larger than 2 inches in diameter should be removed. If a structure cannot achieve this 100 foot zone because of the proximity of a property line, they should work with their neighbor to allow the clearance.

BEYOND 100 FEET – PROTECTION ZONE

Clearance beyond 100 feet may be necessary depending on the slope of the land on which the structure is built. On slopes up to 20% a 100 foot zone is usually adequate. Clearance on slopes 21% to 40% with should be 150 to 200 feet and slopes over 40% need at least 200 feet of clearance.

PROPANE AND FUEL STORAGE TANKS

Almost all properties in Sequoia Crest have propane storage on their property to provide cooking and heating fuel. Propane tanks should have 20 to 30 foot clearance of all weeds and brush. Conifer trees should be well pruned. Modern propane tanks are relatively safe if installed with required pressure relief valves. Propane tank clearances observed during evaluations ranged from safe to hazardous. Most properties need additional clearance around propane tanks.

Automotive fuel is not commercially available at Sequoia Crest. A few owners have fuel deliveries made to above ground tanks on their property. Requirements for above ground tanks and dispensers (nozzles) are carefully specified in various fire and environmental codes. Commercial fueling suppliers

81 are not allowed (by law) to fill a tank if it does not meet minimum safety standards. It is assumed that all storage tanks meet these requirements or they could not be filled. For wildfire protection, above ground fuel tanks should meet the same clearance requirements as propane tanks (Rhoden, Gary. 2006).

ROAD AND DRIVEWAY ACCESS

Getting fire apparatus to a structure during an emergency is critical to saving life and property. All fire protection services arrive via some type of vehicle. Forest Service, CDF and County crews utilize Type 2, 3, and4 engines.

Tulare County has requirements for roads and driveways for all new construction in rural areas (Tulare County, 2004). Those specifications include:

• New driveways/streets are limited to 15% grades with all weather surfaces. Grades to 20% are allowed if paved. Surface must be capable of supporting 40,000 lbs. • Driveways require a minimum of 10 ft. wide (except commercial parcels) and have a minimum of 15 ft. vertical clearance. • Driveways over 150 ft. must provide a turnout capable of allowing free passage of a vehicle and a Fire Engine. • Gates must be set back at least 30 ft. from a main road to allow a Fire Engine to open the gate without blocking the road. • Clear flammable vegetation at least 10 feet from roads and 5 feet from driveways. • Cut back overhanging tree branches above roads and driveways. • Post the house address so that it is visible from the main traveled road. The address should be numbers 4 inches high and reflective at night. All the major roads in the project area are paved. Fox Farm Road is native material surface maintained by (somewhat) by the Forest Service. Fortunately all the main roads within the developed area are well signed. A few driveways are gated and locked which might be a problem during a fire. If necessary firefighters will cut locks or cables to gain access.

82 Most properties are accessible from the main paved roads and firefighters would make hose lays from the road to the property. Several properties have poor access, slopes too steep and/or filled with heavy vegetation, or are not visible. It is unlikely that these properties would be protected by firefighters.

83

Fire wood and debris next to structure

Large debris pile on vacant lot

84 WHEN A FIRE APPROACHES

Wildfires will occur at Sequoia Crest. Pre-planning will save lives and property. Therefore, this plan must be communicated to family members, friends and neighbors. Evacuations may be ordered by the county sheriff however property owners may decide to stay to protect their property. If owners decide to stay it is critical that their plan include measures to protect life in the event of a blow-up. The following measures are recommended by the Kern River Fire Safe Council, Forest Service, BLM and the Tulare County Fire Department:

 Evacuate, if possible, all family members not essential to protecting the house. Evacuate pets as well.  Contact a friend or relative and relay your plans.  Make sure family members are aware of a prearranged meeting place and/or evacuation center.  Tune to a local radio station and listen for instructions.  Place vehicles in the garage or next to the house, have them facing out towards the main road with the windows rolled up.  Place valuable papers and mementos in the car.  Close the garage door and leave it unlocked.  Remove all patio furniture and other combustible items from the deck or next to the house. Place them inside the structure or move them outside the 30 foot Defense Protection Zone.  Shut off the propane at the tank.  Wear only cotton or wool clothes. If firefighting Nomex clothing is available, wear that. Proper attire includes long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket, and boots. Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover your face, and goggles.  Have adequate water on hand to drink.  Close all exterior vents, exterior doors and windows.  Prop a ladder against the house so that firefighters have access to the roof.  Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets and attach a nozzle set on “spray”. If a hydrant and fire hose are available, connect them for use by firefighters. Be careful not to overuse water in advance of the fire. Conserve water as it may be needed by firefighters.

85  Soak rags, towels, or small rugs with water to use in beating out embers or small fires.  Inside, fill bathtubs, sinks, and other containers with water. Outside, do the same with garbage cans and buckets. Remember that the water heater and toilet tank are available sources of water.  Close all interior doors.  Open the fireplace and wood stove damper but place a screen over the fireplace opening to prevent embers from entering the house. Opening these dampers helps equalize the air pressure inside the house and helps to prevent embers from getting sucked into the house.  Leave a light on in each room.  Remove lightweight and/or non-fire resistant curtains and other combustible materials from around windows, unless they are covered by shutters.  Move overstuffed furniture (e.g. couches, easy chairs, etc.) to the center of the room.  If available, close fire resistant drapes, shutters, or Venetian blinds. If there is time and nothing else is available, tape aluminum foil over the windows. Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors.  Turn off all pilot lights.  Keep wood shake or shingle roofs moist by spraying water. Conserve water and do not do this until embers are blowing in the surrounding area. If water is abundant and gravity fed, consider placing sprinklers on the roof peak.  Monitor the roof, attic and deck for embers, smoke and fire.

These steps are critical to prevent injury to property owners and firefighters. It is important that each step is preplanned and communicated to family, friends and neighbors. It would be useful to keep a check-list handy in several locations in the house and when a fire occurs each item can be checked off as it is accomplished. Forgetting one important step can result in the loss of your house and possible injury to the occupants.

Two Web-based tools are now available for homeowners to evaluate the wildfire threat they face and determine what they can do to improve the safety of

86 their home. The “Homeowner’s Wildfire Mitigation Guide” is a structure fire hazard evaluation program that can be performed by the homeowner, this guide can be found online at – http://groups.ucanr.org/HWMG/index.cfm

The “Fire Information Engine Toolkit” located at – http://firecenter.berkeley.edu/toolkit/ has a parcel-level structure vulnerability assessment and ranking approach based on the latest science. This approach goes beyond the current wildfire hazard assessment methods by focusing on fire brand or ember ignition – which is increasingly seen as the wildfire attack mechanism that leads to the most structure damage – and spatial interactions between threats (such as stressed vegetation in relation to deck and roof structures). Fire embers are a critical threat in fires that will occur at Sequoia Crest. This Web-site contains the following tools:

 An online, science-based, wildfire vulnerability self-assessment for homeowners that returns a customized “report card” with tips for improving their chance of surviving a wildfire. Homeowners at Sequoia Crest can use their property evaluation (available from Kurt Wendelyn) to complete their assessment.

 An extensive guide to mitigating wildfire hazards.

 Up-to-the-minute wildfire news.

 Interactive maps of active fires in California.

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The purpose of this grant is to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the mountain community of Sequoia Crest. The plan provides the basis for future efforts by the Alder Creek Fire Safe Council and the community to improve the survivability of Sequoia Crest from wildfire. The California Fire Alliance has designated Sequoia Crest, along with most other mountain subdivisions, as a community at risk and thereby qualified the community to receive a grant for this plan. Sequoia Crest can be made fire

87 safe if the measures proposed in the recommendations are undertaken. A wildfire under severe conditions will destroy some structures and cause damage to the forest. Owners who take precautions (and many already have) will have a better chance at survival for both themselves and their homes.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the Sequoia Crest community on January 31, 2007. The RFP detailed various tasks in a section “SCOPE OF SERVICES” Deliverables: A plan detailing actions that should be accomplished to improve fire safety in the Sequoia Crest Community. The Sequoia Crest Community Wildfire Protection Plan will include the following: 1. A parcel-by-parcel inventory of hazards and construction types throughout the Sequoia Crest Community. GIS layers created to accomplish this will become the property of the Fire Safe Council. a. Assessment of both vacant and improved properties b. Assessment of building material types and construction features c. Assessment of vegetation on each parcel and the threat from adjacent parcels 2. Complete a structure protection and evacuation plan 3. Evaluate the current, existing fire protection capabilities Develop a set of recommendations to improve fire safety in Sequoia Crest.

SUBMITTED PROPOSAL The project was awarded in March, 2007. Kenneth Delfino, a Registered Professional Forester (retired from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) from Bakersfield was given the award.

88 PROJECT TASKS: The following tasks were in Delfino’s reply to the RFP.

Pre-work conference Contractor will meet with the Fire Safe Council, federal land management agencies, and community leaders (where they can be identified) to discuss the elements and timetable of the project and determine if any modifications need to be made. It is critical that community leaders assist the contractor in gaining access to the parcels to be evaluated. The grant administrator will be apprised of progress during the entire project and any changes in the plan will be approved by the grant administrator prior to implementation.

Task 1. Community-wide evaluation of hazards and construction.

Conduct a parcel-by-parcel inventory of hazards and construction types throughout the Sequoia Crest Community. GIS layers created to accomplish this will become the property of the Fire Safe Council. 4. Assessment of both vacant and improved properties. 5. 6. Assessment of building material types and construction features. 7. Assessment of vegetation on each parcel and the threat from adjacent parcels. Local community members must work with the contractor to gain access to parcels that will be evaluated. All evaluations will be kept confidential and made available to individual owners and the Fire Safe Council. Only summaries and an analysis of the evaluations will be included in the final report.

Task 2. Community Structure Protection and Evacuation Plan.

Recommendations will be made as necessary to improve structural protection capabilities for the community. These activities will be coordinated with the federal land management agencies and the CDF Tulare Unit. A community-wide access and egress evacuation plan will be included with recommendations for safety zones and staging areas needed during an emergency. A community alert program may be recommended depending on the need. Task 3. Evaluation of Current Fire Protection Capabilities.

Examine the wildfire protection resources available to the Sequoia Crest community and recommend improvements as necessary.

89 All Fire Safe regulations and recommendations for the community will be summarized and made available to the community. Any additional information that can be found that will benefit the community will be provided.

Task 4. Recommendations for Improvements. The final report will include recommendations for any improvements needed to produce a Fire Safe Sequoia Crest Community. These recommendations will include communications, transportation, structural, vegetation (fuel) modification (including prescribed fire and mechanical clearing), and community attitudes and outlook.

Task 5. Communication Action Plan.

An action plan will be created for distribution to the community that will describe current conditions and desired future conditions. Recommendations will be made on steps to achieve the desired future condition

Task 6. Presentation of final report.

A presentation of the final report will be made to the Sequoia Crest community and the Kern River Valley Fire Safe council at the conclusion of the project.

PROSPECT FOR FUTURE SUCCESS The purpose of this project is to protect the safety of the people residing and recreating in Sequoia Crest, reduce damage to private property and structures and protect and manage the natural resources of this unique environment with emphasis on the protection of the old growth Sequoia Redwoods. Most of the burden of this effort, rightly so, is the responsibility of the property owners within the project area. Recommendation 1 suggests that property owners bare the responsibility of improving the survivability of their homes and investments. All owners must be active participants in maintaining a way-of-life that they expect to enjoy in this mountain environment. Several recommendations require funding that might be obtained from grants or other programs. A number of sources of funding are available; several have been utilized by the Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council, and theAlder Creek Fire Safe Council. The “Kern River Valley Community Fire Safe Plan”

90 (pages 97-108) provides a comprehensive list of available grant resources and those programs will not be repeated in this report however the following information is provided to assist the community in understanding what resources might be available. State Clearing House In California, agencies have pooled their “National Fire Plan” funding into a one-stop shop to help simplify the process of finding and applying for grants which improve California’s community wildfire preparedness. This one-stop shop is located on the internet and hosted by the California Fire Safe Council (FSC). The FSC hosts this web application site in cooperation with members of the California Fire Alliance. The following is the process for applying for grants:

 Register with the clearing house

 Create & complete concept paper

 Submit to Clearinghouse

 Clearinghouse routes to appropriate grant programs

 Project selection

 Applicants notified funding decision has been made

 Clearinghouse creates applications for selected projects

 Applicants fill out application

 Submit to Clearinghouse

 Clearinghouse coordinates with funder(s) & applicants to fund projects

 Organizations with projects funded through the California Fire Safe Council fill out progress reports in grants clearinghouse

Some State Programs are not funded through the Clearing house.

State funding: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (www.fire.ca.gov)

91 • The Vegetation Management Program (VMP) is a cost-sharing program that focuses on the use of prescribed fire, and mechanical means, for addressing wildland fire fuel hazards and other resource management issues on State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands. The use of prescribed fire mimics natural processes, restores fire to its historic role in wildland ecosystems, and provides significant fire hazard reduction benefits that enhance public and firefighter safety. VMP allows private landowners to enter into a contract with CDF to use prescribed fire to accomplish a combination of fire protection and resource management goals. Implementation of VMP projects is by CDF Units. The projects which fit within a unit's priority areas (e.g., those identified through the California Fire Plan) and are considered to be of most value to the unit are those that will be completed. The Vegetation Management Program has been in existence since 1982 and has averaged approximately 35,000 acres per year since its inception. • CDF has begun implementation of a new fuels reduction program funded by Proposition 40, the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002. The goal of the CDF Proposition 40 Fuels Reduction Program is to reduce wildland fuel loadings that pose a threat to watershed resources and water quality (a perfect match for the South Fork of the Kern River). The links on this page will provide qualified landowners with the information necessary to apply for Prop. 40 funds. Nonfederal lands in 15 Sierra Nevada counties are eligible for the Prop. 40 Reduction Program: Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Madera, Mariposa, Fresno, and Tulare. Eligible participants may be either government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Per the Public Resources Code, Section 30910(c) "Nonprofit Organization" means any California corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. CDF has developed maps to aid in the identification of high priority areas for fuels reduction projects to protect

92 watersheds and water quality. These county-based maps are based on California Fire Plan data that indicate watershed and water quality assets at risk of being adversely impacted by wildfire. • The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) was created as a cost-share program to encourage improvement of management of forestlands. Eligible landowners can receive technical and financial assistance for forest management plans, fuels management, wildlife habitat improvement, and reforestation. State funds can provide up to 75% funding for certain projects. • CDF’s 1996 California Fire Plan included the Prefire Management Initiative which coordinates a number of land use planning, fire prevention, management and forest improvement programs. Forest and brush lands are assessed to determine risk to catastrophic wildfire. Priorities are established and fuels management and grant funding may be available. This process is conducted by the CDF Tulare Unit.

93

MAP 4 Fire History

94

95

MAP 5 Fuel types

96

MAP 6 Fuel type detail

97

MAP 7 Sequoia Crest from the west

98

MAP 8 Section 16, Township 20 South, Range 31 East, Mt. Diablo Meridian

36° 11.17’ North, 118° 37.84’ West

99 Acknowledgments

Assistance on this project was provided by a number of individuals within the Sequoia Crest community. A special thanks to Kurt Wendelyn for his knowledge of the area reviewing recommendations and drafts. Rick Spansail, Gaby Kidwell and Jim McWilliams were an excellent tour guides. Harry Love provided my accommodations when visiting the project Robert Sanders, Fire Management Officer on the Tule River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest assisted with fuels information and federal fire protection policies and procedures. CDF Assistant Chief Lindell Yoshimura and Tulare County Fire Department Division Chief Ted Mendoza provided valuable information on the responsibilities of the various fire services and explained the state/county involvement in the Sequoia Crest community. Gary Rhoden, Deputy Fire Marshall for Tulare County supplied information on county building codes and planning requirements for rural development. Very special thanks go to my wife Rosemary for putting up with the mess in the office and reviewing drafts of materials.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kenneth Delfino, the consultant for this project, conducted the field work and authored the report. Ken is a Registered Professional Forester (#506) licensed by the State of California. After graduation from Humboldt State University in 1965 Ken worked for the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 7 ½ years operating forestry facilities in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains and in various administrative capacities in the Department headquarters. During these years Ken worked on numerous fires within the county. In 1973 Ken moved to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection serving in a number of field and administrative functions in a region from Kern to El Dorado Counties. Ken was a statewide administrator in the Departments Sacramento Headquarters for 18 years, the last 13 as Deputy Director for all the departments’ natural resource programs. Since retirement in 1997 Ken has been active in the Tree Foundation of Kern and Executive Director of the Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) Urban Forest Ecosystem Institute. Ken has held Adjunct Professor positions at Cal Poly teaching a graduate seminar on the conservation of natural resources and at Bakersfield College teaching Wildland Fire Management. During 2006 Ken completed the Kennedy Meadows CWPP project for the Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council.

100 Literature Cited

Anderson, Hal. Aids to Determining Fuel Models For Estimating Fire Behavior. Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT 84401. General Technical Report INT-122. April 1982

Associated Press. Homes Exposed to Embers. The Bakersfield Californian. December 24, 2007.

Bright, A., and R. Burtz. 2006. Firewise Activities of Full-Time versus Seasonal Residents in the Wildland-Urban Interface. Journal of Forestry, September 2006.

Charters, Michael L. California Plant Names: A Dictionary of Botanical Etymology. Sierra Madre, CA. 2003-2005. www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/plantcommunities.html

Cohen, J.D. 2000. Preventing disaster: home ignitability in the wildland-urban interface. Journal of Forestry 98(3):15-21.

Dilsaver, Larry and William Tweed. Challenge of the Big Trees. Sequoia Natural History Association, Sequoia National Park, CA, 1990

Flaccus, Gillian. Associated Press article in the Bakersfield Californian, May 28, 2007.

Flaccus, Gillian. Associated Press article in the Bakersfield Californian, May 21, 2007

Harrell, Tony. Sequoia Crest (SQ) History. Provided by Wendelyn, August 2007

Johnson, Hank. They Felled the Redwoods. Third Edition, Trans-Anglo Books, Costa Mesa, CA. 1966

Nelson, R.M. 2000. Prediction of diurnal change in 10-h fuel stick moisture content. Can J. For Res. 30:1071-1087.

NOAA. National Fire Danger Rating System. www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/fire/olm/nfdrs.html 2007 Otter, Floyd L. The Men of the Mammoth Forest. Edwards Brothers, Inc. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1963

Rothermel, R.C. 1972. A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels. USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. INT-115.

Powers, Bob. High Country Communities. The Arthur H.Clark Company, Spokane, WA, 1999.

101

Rhoden, Gary. Deputy Fire Marshal, Tulare County. Personal communication, October 10, 2006.

Rothermel, R.C. 1983. How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-143. Rothermel, R.C. 1991. Predicting behavior and size of crown fires in the northern Rocky Mountains. USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. INT-438.

Royce, Ed. President, Kennedy Meadows Property Owners Association. Personal communication, April 13, 2006.

Royce, Ed. November 5, 2006. Email to Ken Delfino

Ryan, Chris. Specialists for Fuels Program, Soil, Air and Water, BLM Bakersfield Field Office, January 2007 email.

Sanders, Robert. Fire Management Officer, Tule River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest. Pers. Comm. August 2007

Scott, J.H.; Burgan, R.E. 2005. Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel's surface fire spread model. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-153. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 72 p.

Slack, P. Firewise construction: Design and materials, Revised Ed. Colorado State Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO. 38 p., 2000.

Snodgrass Cooper, Ellen Elizabeth. William Thomas Snodgrass, His Family and Homestead, HOW IT WAS: Some Memories by Early Settlers of the Indian Wells Valley and Vicinity. Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, Ridgecrest, CA, 1994.

Stratton, R.D. 2004. Assessing the Effectiveness of Landscape Fuel Treatments on Fire Growth and Behavior. Journal of Forestry, Oct./Nov., vol. 102, no. 7, pp. 32-40.

Sudworth, George B. Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope. Dover Publications, New York, NY. 1967

Teie, William. Firefighters Handbook on Wildland Firefighting. 2nd Edition, Dear Valley Press, Rescue, CA. 2001.

Tulare County Fire Department. Memo, SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS: November 30, 2004.

102 USDA Forest Service. 2000. Manter Fire Summary and Background, handout.

USDA Forest Service. Wildland Fire Season Officially Ends for 2004. News release. October 28, 2004.

USFS-WFAS. Wild Fire Assessment System. www.wfas.net/indes.php 2007

USDA Forest Service. 2004. Fiscal year 2005 budget justification. USDA Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 475p.

Van Wagner, C.E. 1977. Conditions for the start and spread of crownfire. Can. J. For. Res. 7:23-34.

Webster, Paul. The Mighty Sierra. Weathervane Books, New York. 1972

Williams, Scott. Fire Management Officer, Kern River Valley Ranger District, USDA Forest Service. Personal communication, June 26, 2006.

103 Appendix I Public Resource Code 4291 A person that owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining any mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or any land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following:

(a) Maintain around and adjacent to the building or structure a firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 30 feet on each side of the building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth. This subdivision does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants that are used as ground cover, if they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any building or structure. (b) Maintain around and adjacent to the building or structure additional fire protection or firebreak made by removing all brush, flammable vegetation, or combustible growth that is located within 100 feet from the building or structure or to the property line or at a greater distance if required by state law, or local ordinance, rule, or regulation. This section does not prevent an insurance company that insures a building or structure from requiring the owner of the building or structure to maintain a firebreak of more than 100 feet around the building or structure. Grass and other vegetation located more than 30 feet from the building or structure and less than 18 inches in height above the ground may be maintained where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. (c) Remove that portion of any tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (d) Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (e) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth. (f) Provide and maintain at all times a screen over the outlet of every chimney or stovepipe that is attached to a fireplace, stove, or other device that burns any solid or liquid fuel. The screen shall be constructed of nonflammable material with openings of not more than one-half inch in size. (g) Prior to constructing a new building or structure or rebuilding a building or structure damaged by a fire in such an area, the construction or rebuilding of which requires a building permit, the owner shall obtain a certification from the local building official that the dwelling or structure, as proposed to be built, complies with all applicable state and local building standards, including those described in subdivision (b) of Section 51189 of the Government Code, and shall provide a copy of the certification, upon request, to the insurer providing course of construction insurance coverage for the building or structure. Upon completion of the construction or rebuilding, the owner shall obtain from the local

104 building official, a copy of the final inspection report that demonstrates that the dwelling or structure was constructed in compliance with all applicable state and local building standards, including those described in subdivision (b) of Section 51189 of the Government Code, and shall provide a copy of the report, upon request, to the property insurance carrier that insures the dwelling or structure. (h) Except as provided in Section 18930 of the Health and Safety Code, the director may adopt regulations exempting structures with exteriors constructed entirely of nonflammable materials, or conditioned upon the contents and composition of same, he or she may vary the requirements respecting the removing or clearing away of flammable vegetation or other combustible growth with respect to the area surrounding those structures. No exemption or variance shall apply unless and until the occupant thereof, or if there is not an occupant, the owner thereof, files with the department, in a form as the director shall prescribe, a written consent to the inspection of the interior and contents of the structure to ascertain whether this section and the regulations adopted under this section are complied with at all times. (i) The director may authorize the removal of vegetation that is not consistent with the standards of this section. The director may prescribe a procedure for the removal of that vegetation and make the expense a lien upon the building, structure, or grounds, in the same manner that is applicable to a legislative body under Section 51186 of the Government Code. (j) As used in this section, "person" means a private individual, organization, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation.

4291.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4021, a violation of Section 4291 is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). If a person is convicted of a second violation of Section 4291 within five years, that person shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). If a person is convicted of a third violation of Section 4291 within five years, that person is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500). If a person is convicted of a third violation of Section 4291 within five years, the department may perform or contract for the performance of work necessary to comply with Section 4291 and may bill the person convicted for the costs incurred, in which case the person convicted, upon payment of those costs, shall not be required to pay the fine. If a person convicted of a violation of Section 4291 is granted probation, the court shall impose as a term or condition of probation, in addition to any other term or condition of probation, that the person pay at least the minimum fine prescribed in this section. (b) If a person convicted of a violation of Section 4291 produces in court verification prior to imposition of a fine by the court, that the condition resulting in the citation no longer exists, the court may reduce the fine imposed for the violation of Section 4291 to fifty dollars ($50).

105 APPENDIX II LE - 100

106 Appendix III

Sequoia Crest Property Owners Association HRC3 Box - 1000, Springville, CA 93265

Gaby Kidwell, President Rick Spansail, Vice President Kurt Wendelyn, Treasurer Loretta Spansail, Secretary Fran Harrell, Member at Large David Lewis, Member at Large Patricia Rozee, Member at Large

Sequoia Crest Property Owners Association Memorial Day Weekend Meeting Saturday, May 26th, 2007 at 4:00 PM At Gaby and Aaron Kidwell’s Cabin, 54517 Redwood Dr.

Our agenda items are Alder Creek Fire Safe Council updates, fire clearance, treasurer’s report and water update. If you have ideas for additional agenda items, please contact Gaby at 661-871-4311 or at [email protected]. Libations will be provided by SCPOA. Please join us after the meeting for Happy Hour. Bring some food.

“Community Wildfire Protection Plan” Update The Alder Creek Fire Safe Council, working with the Sequoia Crest Property Owners Association, concluded that the Sequoia Crest community could take additional measures to protect itself from possible damage or destruction from a future wildfire. The Fire Safe Council has obtained a grant from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for a contractor to prepare what is known as a “Community Wildfire Protection Plan” (CWPP). The contractor that has been selected for this work is Kenneth Delfino from Bakersfield. Ken will be working at Sequoia Crest this coming summer. The plan that is to be prepared will characterize the wild land fire hazards Sequoia Crest faces and recommend what can be done to reduce these hazards. In characterizing the fire hazards faced by the community, one of the contractor’s efforts will be to evaluate all structures in the community in terms of their ability to withstand an approaching wildfire. All information developed in the creation of the plan will become the property of the Fire Safe Council. Information regarding specific properties will not be published; the report will only present trends and commonalities. Recommendations for improvements will not mention individual properties or property owner’s names. Private property rights will be respected. Any property owners that choose not to have their property entered and fire hazards on the property evaluated may make those wishes known to Gaby Kidwell or to the contractor. A critical component of wildfire safety is the creation of defensible space around structures, in order to assist fire fighters in protecting the structure. The plan will recommend how homeowners can create such defensible space around their homes. The plan can also be expected to address evacuation routes, and local fire fighting, water supply, and emergency response capabilities.

Contact Information:

107 Appendix IV

A page from an undated document titled UPPER TULE EVACUATION PLAN Signed by Del Pengilly, District Ranger, Tule River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest; Ed Wristen, Ranger Unit Chief, CDF/Tulare Ranger Unit; and Sergeant D. Doty, Tulare County Sheriff.

IX. AREA 9 – SEQUOIA CREST

A. BOUNDRY: Entire Sequoia Crest Development.

B. ACCESS: Highway 190 2.5 miles east of Camp Nelson to Redwood Drive. Take Redwood Drive 5.6 miles to Sequoia Crest.

C. STAGING AREAS: 1. Evacuation staging area 3, Redwood Borrow Pit/Camp Wishon Staging Area 7 (alt). 2. Emergency Equipment Staging Area 5, Crossroads at the southwest end of the development.

D. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM: 70 Residences plus lodge. Narrow roads with steep slopes and heavy fuels.

E. EVACUATION: Depending on the location of the Incident, two evacuation routes should be considered. Highway 190 via Redwood Drive and east to the Great Western Divide Highway. The second route will be Forest Service Road 20S03 (Fox Farm Road) to Camp Wishon Campground (Staging area 7). From there traffic can be routed to Highway 190.

F. WATER SUPPLY: 1. Hydrant System. 2. Hossack Creek.

108

109 110 Appendix VII

California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Game California Interagency Wildlife Task Group Sierran Mixed Conifer Barbara H. Allen Updated by: CWHR Staff, April 2005 Vegetation Structure. The Sierran mixed conifer habitat is an assemblage of conifer and hardwood species that forms a multilayered forest. Historically, burning and logging have caused wide variability in stand structure, resulting in both even-aged and unevenaged stands (Rundel et al. 1977). Virgin old-growth stands where fire has been excluded are often two-storied, with the overstory comprised of mixed conifer and the understory white fir and incense-cedar (Tappeiner 1980). Forested stands form closed, multilayered canopies with nearly 100 percent overlapping cover (Rundel et al. 1977). When openings occur, shrubs are common in the understory (Kosco 1980). Closed canopy stand distribution is both extensive and patchy depending on scale, site, slope, soils,microclimate, and history. At maturity, the dominant conifers range from 30 to 60 m (100 to 200 ft) tall with a highly variable basal areas of about 17 to 26 sq m (180 - 280 sq ft). Diameter breast height at maturity for pines and Douglas-fir is commonly greater than 1 m (40 in); white fir greater than 0.9 m (35 in) is common (Laake and Fiske 1983b). Fuel loading in stands heavy with pine may reach 27,000 kg/ha (70 to 80 t/ac) in natural stands; whereas fuel loading in stands heavy with fir may reach 16,000 kg/ha (40 to 50 t/ac). Composition. Five conifers and one hardwood typify the mixed conifer forest white fir, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense-cedar, and California black oak. White fir tends to be the most ubiquitous species (though most often a minor overstory component) because it tolerates shade and has the ability to survive long periods of suppression in brush fields Douglas-fir dominates the species mix in the north, but is absent south of the Merced River (Tappeiner 1980). Ponderosa pine dominates at lower elevations and on south slopes. Jeffrey pine commonly replaces ponderosa pine at high elevations, on cold sites, or on ultramafic soils (Rundel et al. 1977). Red fir is a minor associate at the highest elevations. Sugar pine is found throughout the mixed conifer type. Black oak is a minor, but widespread, component in mixed conifer stands. Though black oak does best on open sites,it is maintained under adverse conditions such as shade, ridge tops, and south slopes where conifers may regenerate in its shade (Tappeiner 1980). In the central and particularly southern Sierra Nevada, giant sequoia is a striking associate of the mixed conifer type (Rundel et al. 1977). White fir, incense-cedar and sugar pine are associated with the mesic giant sequoia sites (Tappeiner 1980). Deerbrush, manzanita, chinquapin, tan oak, bitter cherry, squawcarpet, mountain whitethorn, gooseberry, rose, and mountain misery are common shrub species in the mixed conifer understory (Kosco and Bartolome 1983). Grasses and forbs associated with this type include mountain brome, Carex, bull thistle, iris, Juncus, and needlegrass. In all, over 100 species of grasses, forbs and shrubs contribute to the flora of the mixed conifer habitat (Tappeiner 1980).

111 Other Classifications.- Other names for the Sierran mixed conifer habitat include yellow pine forest (Munz 1973). Parker and Matyas (1981) divide Sierran mixed conifer into five series: mixed conifer-fir, mixed conifer-pine, ponderosa pine, white fir and Jeffrey pine. Rundel et al. (1977) describes the mixed conifer as part of a White fir-mixed conifer forest and Cheatham and Haller (1975) call this habitat Sierran coniferous forest (8.42), a major subdivision of the lower montane coniferous forest habitat (8.4). Sierran mixed conifer is SAF type 243 (Tappeiner 1980). Where ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir predominates without significant amounts of white fir or incense-cedar, the forest is typed as Pacific ponderosa pine or Pacific ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir (SAF types 245 and 244, respectively) (McDonald 1980). Habitat Stages Vegetation Changes 1;2-5:S-D;6. After logging or burning, succession proceeds from an ephemeral herb to perennial grass-herb, through a shrub-perennial grass stage, to conifers (Burcham 1964). In many areas, however, shrubs appear in the first year after disturbance (Kosco 1980). The habitat stages are stage 1, grass-forb, with bedstraw, plantain, mountain brome, and needlegrass as common early succession species; stage 2, shrub-seedling-sapling, characterized by manzanita, Ceanothus, cherry, gooseberry, and mountain misery. In the seedling tree stage through the sapling tree, pole tree, small tree, and medium/large tree stages, the five conifers gain dominance of the site. Duration of Stages. Stage duration has been described by Verner (1980). The grassforb stage, generally is short-lived (less than 2 years). The shrub-seedling-sapling stage is usually evident by yr 2 and lasts 10 to 40 yr; this stage is a mixture of shrubs and saplings up to 6 m (20 ft) tall depending on the site, degree, and type of disturbance. If tall shrubs capture the site, it may take 10 to 15 plus yr for trees to dominate the site. The polemedium tree stage supports trees up to 15 m (50 ft) tall and may last from 15 to 90 yr on poor sites. The mature and overmature stages include stands greater than about 30 m (100 ft) in height. Biological Setting Habitat. The type adjoins Ponderosa Pine (PPN) at lower elevations and drier slopes, and White Fir (WFR) and Red Fir (RFR) at higher elevations. Wet Meadow (WTM) and Montane Riparian (MRI) are found within the Sierran Mixed Conifer type. Blue Oak - Foothill Pine (BOP) and Mixed Chaparral (MCH) may adjoin this type at drier, and lower, elevations. Wildlife Considerations. The mixed conifer forest supports some 355 species of animals (Verner and Boss 1980). Sensitive species inhabiting mixed conifer include spotted owl, fisher and pine marten. Endangered species include bald eagle and peregrine falcon (Verner and Boss 1980). Variety in plant species composition provides diversity in food and cover. Black oak acorns, berries from a variety of shrubs (e.g., deerbrush), and a great number of grasses and forbs provide the forage resource essential for wildlife (Kosco and Bartolome 1983). Physical Setting Soils supporting the Sierran mixed conifer habitat are varied, derived primarily from Mesozoic granitic, Paleozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks, and Cenozoic volcanic rocks. Serpentine soils, found primarily in the northern mixed conifer zone, support a

112 number of endemic plants. Soils are deep to shallow. Fissures and cracks in granitic parent material often support forest growth, even where soil development is shallow. Temperatures range from 24 to 58 C (40 to 96 F) in summer and 4 to 36 C (10 to 60 F) in winter and decrease with elevation (Major 1977). The growing season ranges between 90 and 330 days in the north with 40 to 200 frost-free days, and 180 to 365 days in the south with 180 frost-free days. Precipitation ranges from 76 to 229 cm (30 to 90 in) per year, from October to May, with increasing snowfall as elevation increases. Distribution The Sierran mixed conifer habitat generally forms a vegetation band ranging 770 to 1230 m (2500 to 4000 ft) in the north to 1230 to 3076 m (4000 to 10,000 ft) in the southern Sierra Nevada (Griffin and Critchfield 1972). The Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest occupies between 1.8 to 3.2 million ha (4.5 to 7.8 million ac) in southern Oregon and California, dominating western middle elevation slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Disjunct populations of mixed conifer are found in the Peninsular, Transverse, and Coast ranges of California. Literature Cited Burcham, L. T. 1964. Post fire succession and phenology in Sierran pine forests. 11th Int. Grassland Conf., Brazil. Cheatham, N. H., and J. R. Haller. 1975. An annotated list of California habitat types. Univ. of California Natural Land and Water Reserve System, unpubl. manuscript Kosco, B. H. 1980. Combining forage and timber production in young-growth mixed conifer forest range Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. of California, Berkeley. Kosco, B. H., and J. W. Bartolome. 1983. Effects of cattle and deer on regenerating mixed conifer clearcuts. J. Range Manage. 36:265-268. Laake, R. S., and J. N. Fiske. 1983b. Sierra Nevada mixed conifers. Pages 44-47 In R. M. Burns, tech. comp. Silviculture systems for the major forest types of the United States. U.S. Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Handbook No.445 Major, J. 1977. California climate in relation to vegetation. Pages 11 -74 In M. G. Barbour and J. Major, eds., Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons New York. McDonald, P. M. 1980a. Pacific ponderosa pine-Douglas fir-244. Page 120 In F. H. Eyre, ed. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Soc. Amer. Foresters, Washington, D.C. Munz, P. A., and D. D. Keck. 1973. A California flora with supplement. Univ. of California Press, Berkeley. Parker, I., and W. J. Matyas. 1981. CALVEG: a classification of Californian vegetation. U.S. Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Reg. Ecol. Group, San Francisco. Rundel, P. W., D. T. Gordon, and D. J. Parsons. 1977. Montane and subalpine vegetation of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. Pages 559-599 In M. G. Barbour and J. Major, eds. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York. Tappeiner, J. C., II. 1980. Sierra Nevada mixed conifer 243. Pages 118-119 In F. H. Eyre, ed. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Soc. Amer. Foresters, Washington, D.C. Verner, J. 1980b. Bird communities of mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada. Pages

113 198-223 In R. M. DeGraaf, tech. coord. Workshop proceedings: management of western forests and grasslands for nongame birds. U.S. Dep. Agric., For. Serv. (Ogden, Utah) Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-86. Verner, J., and A. S. Boss tech. coords. 1980. California wildlife and their habitats: western Sierra Nevada. U.S. Dep. Agric. For. Serv. (Berkeley, Calif.), Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-37.

114 Appendix VIII

Vegetation Classification

Vegetation Descriptions South Sierran Ecological Province - CALVEG Zone 4 www.fs.fed.us/r5/rsl/projects/classification/ssierran-veg- descript.shtml

BIG TREE ALLIANCE (BT)

The largest populations of the Big Tree or Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) Alliance are in Tulare and Fresno Counties, but isolated Big Tree groves also occur north to Tuolumne County. These groves occur within Mixed Conifer - Pine stands between 4000 ft (1200 m) and 6000 ft (1800 m). As Big Tree is not a drought tolerant species, it is limited to mesic soils with sufficient soil moisture during the dry summer period. The stability of these groves are maintained by frequent fires which reduce competition from White Fir (Abies concolor), diminsh the accumulation of forest floor litter and allow germination of Big Tree seeds. It has been mapped more commonly in the Lower Batholith and more rarely in the Upper Batholith Subsections in the elevation range from approximately 5400 - 7200 ft (1646 - 2196 m). Understory hardwoods such as Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) occur very rarely in these groves.

MIXED CONIFER FOREST WITH GIANT SEQUOIA ALLIANCE (MB)

This Alliance occurs on well drained, usually granitic soils at elevations below about 7400 ft (2256 m) in the Southern Sierra Nevadas. Where it does not occupy half of the conifer canopy cover, Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is classifed within this alliance and is associated with typical Mixed Conifer - Pine trees such as Red Fir (Abies magnifica), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Sugar Pine (Pinus labertiana), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), White Fir (Abies concolor) and Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii). Upper Montane Mixed Chaparral shrubs such as Mountain Whitethorn (Ceanothus cordulatus) are sometimes found in close proximity to this type. It has been mapped in the Upper Batholith, Batholith and Volcanic Flows and Upper Foothills Metamorphic Belt Subsections.

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Homeowner's Protection Kit is supplied with (4) 1 gallon containers of Thermo-Gel 200L concentrate, (1) eductor/nozzle that will attach to a standard garden hose. Provides approximatly 4000 square feet of coverage at 2%. Wt. 40 lbs./kit. The Thermo-Gel blanket is applied by spraying the exterior surfaces of your home that are make of flamable materials - wood, singles, etc. It is very important to spray the windows and eves. The process is very similiar to spraying the exterior walls of your house with a hose and nozzle. Just make sure you have enough water pressure (about 40 to 70 lbs.) and enough hose. If you need extra hose, the Econoflo hose below is much lighter than a standard plastic or rubber hose. Remember to maintain about a 3 foot radius when going around a corner so not to kink the hose and reduce the flow. Features • Easy to apply with a standard garden hose • Depending on weather and temperature...can provide 1 to 4 hours of protection • US Forest Service approved product - they use this product in national forest fires • Easy to clean off when the danger has passed with a garden hose

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Appendix XI

Board of Directors Harry Love Kurt Wendelyn Gaby Kidwell Rick Spansail Jim McWilliams Jim Jackson Tony Harrell Cheri Pruner Marc Ratner

Alder Creek Fire Safe Council, HCR2- Box 1000, Springville, CA 93265

“ Giant Sequoia Fire”

Last Thursday evening, at about 8:50 PM, a fire was discovered in a sequoia on the south side of Dogwood Drive, about 100 feet uphill from the Ray cabin. The entire trunk of the tree was involved, with embers shooting from the crown. A surrounding area of less than a quarter acre was involved with ground fire. Calls were placed to 911, and several residents responded to the scene to attempt to prevent any spread. For the third time since we acquired them, the fire hoses were put to good use. Three one-hundred foot hoses were connected together and attached to the nearest hydrant on Ponderosa Drive. Water was being placed on the fire well before the first fire engine arrived..

The fire truck and crew from Tulare County Fire at Camp Nelson arrived around 9:15. The fire hose was then connected to the truck’s pumper unit, producing higher pressure. The crown of the 2,000 year old tree was much higher than the water could be projected, but the crew was able to control the burning embers landing under the tree and near adjacent trees. Fire trucks and crews from Cal Fire (formerly CDF) and US Forest Service also participated, with about 6 units in total at the scene.

The next morning, a fire crew from USFS, which had stayed overnight, was keeping an eye on the smoldering trunk and adjacent trees. At about 12 noon, a helicopter from the USFS Peppermint heliport arrived to drop water on the smoldering crown of the tree. Dipping its bucket into Poppy Lake, the helicopter made over 20 drops on the tree. Saturday’s fog and low clouds prevented any water drops. However, on Sunday, with clear weather, the helicopter returned to make more drops. A fire crew from the Springville USFS will monitor the site until it is determined that the tree is no longer smoldering.

Now, as to what started the fire, the speculation is that the lightning that occurred last weekend at the Crest probably hit the tree. The wood smoldered for 5 days until conditions allowed it to flare up. The light rain that accompanied the lightening was a godsend, as the ground was wet and the falling embers could not ignite a ground fire. In addition, the calm winds Thursday evening did not allow the embers to go towards neighboring cabins.

119 It should be noted that several residents showed their ‘Crest friendliness’. Chris Wendelyn, Loretta Spansail, and Kathy Love made muffins, rolls, orange juice, and coffee for the crews. Roy Aiken took it upon himself to escort the fire trucks coming to the Crest by riding his quad many times to the entrance. This was most appreciated by the firefighters.

Now it is your turn to show your appreciation to the fire crews involved in protecting us, our cabins, and our most treasured resource, the giant sequoias. You can either e-mail your appreciation or, as I prefer, mail a ‘thank you’ card to them.

For USFS: For Tulare Fire Dept. For CalFire

Robert Sanders Adam Phenning David Shy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] USFS Camp Nelson Fire Station CalFire Headquarter 32588 Highway 198 P.O. Box 37 1968 S. Lovers Lane Springville, CA 93265 1500 Nelson Dr. Visalia, CA 93277 Camp Nelson, CA 93208

Sincerely,

Harry Love President

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