NYE COUNTY AGENDA INFORMATION FORM CI] Action X Presentation Presentation & Action I[ Department: 11 Agenda Date: 11 Category: (( 0111 8/05

Contact: Miranda Mahe Phone: 775-883-1600 Continued from meeting of: I January 6,2004 I I Return to: Sheila Anderson Location: 340 N. Minnesota St, Carson 775-883-1600 City, NV Action requested: (Include what, with whom, when, where, why, how much ($) and terms) Informational presentation on the Fire RisWHazard Assessment to report the findings of our investigation for Nye County: Elwood Miller, Nevada Fire Safe Council: John McLain, Resource Concepts, Inc.

Complete description of requested action: (Include, if applicable, background, impact, long-term commitment, existing county policy, future goals, obtained by competitive bid, accountability measures)

The Nevada Fire Safe Council and Resource Concepts joined forces last fall to develop a comprehensive, coordinated wildfire threat reduction plan for the State of Nevada. We did this by completing a county-by-county hazardlrisk assessment and threat mitigation plan for urban interface communities across Nevada. To complete our project, we would like to make a thirty-minute presentation to report the findings of our investigation for Nye county on January 4th.

Any information provided after the agenda is published or during the meeting of the Commissioners will require you to provide 10 copies: one for each Commissioner, one for the Clerk, one for the District Attorney, one for the Public and two for the County Manager. Contracts or documents requiring signature must be submitted with three original copies.

Expenditure ln=ipact by F'f'(s): (Provide detail on Financial Form)

11 X No financial im~act Routina- & ADDroval (Sian. .. & Date) 1 ] I. ~ept Date 1 6. / I/ 2. Date 7. t-fR Date 3. Date 8. Legal Date I I Date ( 9. Budgets Date

Board of County Commissioners Action LI Approved O Disapproved TZI Amended as follows:

11 Clerk of the Board Date i AGENDA FINANCIAL FORM

Agenda Item No.: 1. Department Name: 2. Financial Contact Person: Direct Phone 3. Personnel Contact Person Direct Phone 4. Was the Budget Director consulted during the completion of this form (Y or N )? 5. Does this item require a budget adjustment to be made (Y or N)? 6. Account Number Data: (Complete for all revenue and expenditure lines and for all fiscal years that are impacted. Budgeted: Y=Yes, N=No, A=Absorbed in budget (state how under "Comments" section below.)

Budgeted Fund Dept # Function 0 bject $ Amount

7. Comments:

Completed by: Date: Signature

Nevada Community Wildfire RiskIHazard Assessment Project

September 2004

DRAFT

This project was administered by the Nevada Fire Safe Council and funded through National Fire Plan grants from the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Prepared By: Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 North Minnesota Street Carson City, Nevada 89703-41 52 Office: (775) 883- 1600 Fax: (775) 883-1 656 www. rci-nv.com EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Healthy Forests Initiative was announced by the White House in 2002 to implement the core components of the National Fire Plan Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment iO-year Comprehensive Strategy. The Plan calls for more active forest and rangeland management to reduce the threat of wildland fire in the wildland-urban interface, the area where homes and wildlands meet.

This report was prepared specifically for the communities within Nye County identified in egister list of Communities-at-Risk within the vicinity of federal lands that are most vulnerable to the threat of wildfire. The communities assessed in Nye County are illustrated on Figure 1-1.

Resource Concepts, Inc. assembled a Project Team consisting of experts in the fields of fire behavior and suppression, natural resource ecology and geographic information systems (GIs), to complete the evaluation for each community. The Project Team spent several days inventorying conditions in Nye County and completing the verification portion of the risk assessment.

Four primary factors that affect potential fire hazard were assessed to arrive at the community hazard assessment score: community design, structure survivability, availability of fire suppression resources, and physical conditions such as the vegetative fuel load and topography. The Project Team Fire Specialist assigned an ignition risk rating for each community of low, moderate or high. The rating was based upon historical ignition patterns, interviews with local fire personnel and other agency fire management officers, field visits to each community, and professional judgment based on experience with wildland fire ignitions in central and southern Nevada.

This report describes in detail the factors considered and reviewed during the assessment of each community. The general results are summarized in Table ES-1.

Table ES-1, Coinmunity Risk and Hazard Assessment Results

Manhattan

Resource Cmcepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wldfire RisMHazard Assessment Project I Nye County - Executive Summary Nye County spans a broad range of elevations from the Mohave Desert areas In the south to the mountain ranges in the north. The communities to the south generally have sparse fuels, low ignition risks and low hazard ratings. The communities to the north have dense fuels, high ignition risks and high to extreme hazard ratings.

A variety of measures are recommended for each community to reduce ignition risks, mitigate fire hazards, and promote fire-safe communities. Recommendations typically include physical removal or reduction of flammable vegetation, increased community awareness of fire risks and how to reduce those risks, and coordination among fire suppression agencies to optimize efforts and resources.

Recommendations for creating defensible space were uniformly given to landowners in each community who have not yet reduced fuels on their private property. Defensible space is the homeowner's responsibility and is an essential first line of defense for saving lives and property during a catastrophic wildland fire.

Proper equipment and training are a common recommendation to each community. With the exception of lone, each community in Nye County has a fire department. All of the departments rely on volunteers and are in need of wildfire personal protective equipment, tools, and wildfire training for all firefighters.

Belmont, lone, and Manhattan have the highest hazard ratings in Nye County. Fuel reduction projects on land managed by the BLM and the US Forest Service surrounding each community are recommended. These communities also need improved radio communications in the event that additional resources need to be brought into the area.

To be most effective, fire safe practices need to be implemented on a community- wide basis. There is no way to completely eliminate the threat of wildfires in the wildland interface. The recommendations in this report are intended to increase public awareness and encourage concerned, proactive community members to take the initiative required to lead efforts of a scale sufficient to effectively reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions near their communities and reduce the hazards that affect fire severity and behavior.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire ~is~azardAssessment Proiect ii Nye County - ~xecufiveSummary Table of Contents Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... i I. 0 INTRODUCTION...... 1

2.0 METHODOLOGY ...... 3

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY ...... 9 3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS.LOCATION. TOPOGRAPHY. AND CLIMATIC DATA ...... 9 3.2 WILDFIREHISTORY ...... 10 3.3 NATURALRESOURCES AND CRITICAL FEATURESPOTENTIALLY AT-RISK ...... 11 3.4 PREVIOUSFIRE HAZARDREDUCTION PROJECTS ...... 14

4.0 COUNTY-WIDE ASSESSMENT RESULTS...... 19

5.0 AMARGOSA VALLEY ...... 21 5.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 21 5.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 24

6.0 BEATTY ...... 30 6.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 30 6.2 RISK AND HMRD REDUCTIONRECOMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 33

7.0 BELMONT...... 39 7.f REK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 39 7.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUGTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES. AND RESPONSIB~LITIES...... 42

8.0 CARVERS ...... 50 8.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 50 8.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECQMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 53

9.0 GABBS ...... 60 9.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 60 9.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 63

-- Resource Concepts. Inc . Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project iii Nye County - Table of Contents 10.0 IONE...... 69 10.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 69 10.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND WESPONSIB~LIT~ES ...... 71

11.0 MANHATTAN ...... 79 11.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 79 11.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 82

12.0 PAXRUMP ...... 89 12.1 R~SKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 89 12.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND ~ESPONSlBlLlTlES...... 92

13.0 HADLEY (ROUND MOUNTAIN) ...... 99 13.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 99 13.2 RISK AND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES. AND RESPONS~BILITIES...... 101

14.0 TONOPAH ...... 107 14.1 RISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT ...... 107 14.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS. ROLES. AND RESPONSIBILITIES...... 110

15.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 117 16.0 REFERENCES ...... 120

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1 . Cornrnunity Locations and Land Ownership. Nye County. Nevada ...... 17 Figure 3.2 . Ignition History. Fire History. and Potentially At-Risk Resources. Nye County. Nevada ...... 18 Figure 5.1 . Amargosa Valley Fire History. Suppression Resources. Critical F Mitigation Projects ...... 28 Figure 5.2 . Photographs of Amargosa Valley Fuels ...... 29 Figure 6.1 . Beaw Fire History. Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Mitigation Projects ...... 37 Figure 6.2 . Photographs of the Beatty Area Fuels ...... 38 Figure 7.1 . Belrnont Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features. and Mitigation Projects ...... 47 Figure 7.2 . Belrnont Fuel Hazard Classification ...... 48 Figure 7.3 . Belrnont Fuel Hazard Photo Points ...... 49 Figure 8-1 Carvers Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features. and Mitigation Projects ...... 57 Figure 8.2 . Carvers Fuel Hazard Classification...... 58 Figure 8.3 . Carvers Fuel Hazard Photo Points ...... 59 Figure 9.1 . Gabbs Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Mitigation Projects ...... 67 Figure 9.2 . Gabbs Fuel Hazard Classification...... 66A Resource Canceptq lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire Riskn-rrazardAssessment Project iv Nye County .Table of Contents Figure 9.2 . Photographs of Gabbs Fuels ...... 688 Figure 10.1 . lone Fire History. Suppression Resources. Critical Features. and Mitigation Projects ...... 76 Figure 10.2 . lone Fuel Hazard Classification ...... 77 Figure 10.3 . lone Fuel Hazard Photo Points ...... 78 Figure 11.1 . Manhattan Fire History. Suppression Resources. Critical Features. and Mitigation Projects ...... 86 Figure I1.2 . Manhattan Fuel Hazard Classification ...... 87 Figure 11.3 . Manhattan Fuel Hazard Photo Points ...... 88 Figure 12.1 . Pahrump Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Mitigation Projects ...... 97 Figure 12.2 . Photographs of Pahrump Fuels ...... 98 Figure 13.1 . Hadley Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features. and Mitigation Projects ...... 105 Figure 13.2 . Hadley Fuel Hazard Classification ...... 1064 Figure 13.2 . Photographs of Hadley Fuels ...... I068 Figure 14.1 . Tonopah Fire History, Suppression Resources, Critical Features, and Mitigation Projects ...... 114 Figure 14.2 . Tonopah Fuel Hazard Classification ...... 115 Figure 14.3 . Tonopah Fuel Hazard Photo Points ...... 116

LIST OF TABLES

Table ES.1 . Community Risk and Hazard Assessment Results...... i Table 3.1 . Land Management Acreage within Nye County ...... 9 Table 3.2 . Summary of Fire History Data 1980-2003 ...... 10 Table 3.3 . At-Risk Historical Places in Nye County ...... 12 Table 3.4 . Recreation Areas in Nye County ...... 22 Table 3.5 . Federal and State Listed Flora and Fauna At-Risk in Nye County ...... 13 Table 4.1 . Assessment Results Summary ...... 19 Table 4.2 . Nye County Wildfire Suppression Resources Available from the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management ...... 20 Table 5.1 . Amargosa Valley Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 22 Table 5.2 . Amargesa Valley Fire Hazard Ratings Summary ...... 27 Table 6.1 . Beatty Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 31 Table 6.2 . Beatty Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 36 Table 7.1 . Belmont Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 40 Table 7.2 . Belmont Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 46 Table 8.1 . Carvers Wildfire Suppression Resources ...... 51 Table 8.2 . Carvers Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 56 Table 9.1 . Gabbs Wildfire Suppression Resources ...... 61 Table 9.2 . Gabbs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 66 Table 10-1 lone Wildfire Suppression Resources ...... 70

Resource Concepts. !nc. Nevada community Wildfire RiskMatard Assessment Project v Nye County .Table of Contents Table 10-2. lone Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 75 Table 11-1. Manhattan Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 80 Table 17-2. Manhattan Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 85 Table 12-1. Pahrump Wildfire Suppression Resources ...... 90 Table 12-2. Pahrump Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 96 Table 13-1. Hadley Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 100 Table 13-2. Hadley Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... 104 Table 14-1. Tonopah Wildfire Suppression Resources...... 108 Table 14-2. Tonopah Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary ...... I13 Table 15-1. Nye County Community Assessment Summary ...... 117 Table 15-2. Nye County Community Priority Recommendation Summary ...... 118

APPENDICES Appendix A Glossary of Terms Appendix B List of Persons Contacted Appendix C Defensible Space Guidelines, Homeowner's Annual Checklist and Seed Mixes Appendix D Sample Burn Permit Appendix E Fire Safe Community Guidelines - Firesafe Community Planning Recommendations for New Developments

File Doc: Nye Cnty 09-17-04 fnl Draff Rpf 03194.4 fi-jm log 9-22.doc [September 20, 20041

Resaurce Concepts, inc. Nevada Community Wildfire Riskkiazard Assessment Project vi Nye County - Table of Contents A key element of the Healthy Forests Initiative announced by the White House in 2002 is the implementation of core components of the National Fire Plan Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10- year Comprehensive Strategy. Federal agencies and western state governors adopted the Plan in the spring sf 2002, in collaboration with county commissioners, state foresters, and tribai officiais. The Plan calls for more active forest and rangeland management to reduce wildfire hazards in the wildland-urban interface.

The Healthy Forest Restoration Act (H.R. 1904) was signed into law in December of 2003. The act creates provisions for expanding the activities outlined in the National Fire Plan. In this same year the Nevada Fire Safe Council received National Fire Plan funding through the Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management to conduct a Community RisWHazard Assessment in at-risk communities across Nevada. The communities to be assessed are among those named in the 2001 Federal Register list of Communities-at-Risk within the vicinity of Federal lands (66 FR 160) The list identifies Nevada communities adjacent to Federal lands that are most vulnerable to wildfire threat in Nevada.

Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI), a Carson City-based consulting firm, was selected to conduct the Community RisWHazard Assessments. During 2004, the Project Team of fire behavior specialists, foresters, rangeland fuels specialists, and field technicians visited over 250 communities in 17 Nevada counties to assess both the risk of ignition and the potential fire hazard. With the use of procedures accepted by Nevada wildland fire agencies, these specialists focused their analysis on the wildland-urban interface areas - places where homes and wildland meet.

The specific goals of the Nevada Community RisWHazard Assessment Project are to: % Assess the wildfire hazards present to each community on the Federal Register list of Communities At-Risk in Nevada. % Identify firefighting resource needs (equipment and infrastructure). P Conduct fuel hazard mapping for high fuel hazard communities. % Describe proposed risk and hazard mitigation projects in enough detail to aid communities in applying for future implementation funds. > Distribute assessment results and proposed mitigation project descriptions to each County in a format that will be easily updated and useful for public meetings and other public education activities.

The Community RisWHazard Assessments were conducted systematically. The Project Team ~bsewedand recorded the factors that influence the risk of wildfire ignition along the wildland-urban interface, and catalogued features that can have an influence on hazardous conditions in the event of a wildfire. Interviews with local fire agency and emergency response personnel were completed to assess the availability of suppression resources and identify opportunities for increased community preparedness.

Resource Concepts, /arc, Nevada Community Wildfire RsWazard Assessment Project ? Bye County - Introduction The results of the assessments are formatted ts facilitate ease of reference and reproduction for individual communities. Each community is mapped and the risks, hazards, and proposed mitigation projects are described for each community. The proposed mitigation projects are presented in a separate map if the proposed mitigation project can be represented spatially. These tools will aid local, state and federal agencies in strategic planning, raising public awareness, and seeking funding for future risk and hazard reduction projects. Mitigating the risks and hazards identified by these assessments is not only crucial to the long term goals of the National Fire Plan, but also to the short and long- term viability of Nevada's resources, communities, infrastructures, and watersheds.

Numerous agencies and individuals were involved in the planning and implementation of this effort. Special thanks and acknowledgement is given to: > Nevada Fire Safe Council (NFSC) > Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 3 Forest Service (FS) > Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) > Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) 3 University of Nevada Cooperative Extension > Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) k Nevada's Counties > Fire Chiefs and firefighters statewide

The communities listed below are within Nye County and identified in the Federal Register (66 FR 160) as communities at-risk within the vicinity of federal lands that are most vulnerable to wildfire and were assessed and included in this report: Amargosa Valley lone Beatty Manhattan 6 Belmont Pahrump 0 Carvers Hadley (Round Mountain) Gabbs Tonopah

5.3.4 Yorntra Reservation The Yomba Reservation was not assessed. The appropriate tribal personnei could not be reached to obtain access to the tribal land.

Resource Concepts, Irac. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard ~ssessmehfProject 2 Nye County - Introduction A project team including experts in the fields of fire behavior and suppression, natural resource ecology, and geographic information systems (GIs), collaborated to complete a Community RisMHazard Assessment for each community. The Project Team included personnel with extensive wildland fire prevention and suppression experience in Nevada and resource specialists experienced in the natural resource environment of the Great Basin.

The Project Team used standardized procedures developed from the Draft Community Wildland Fire Assessment For Existing and Planned Wildland Residential Interface Developments in Nevada during the assessment process (Nevada's Wildland Fire Agencies, Board of Fire Directors, April 2001 ; revised 2002). This approach incorporates values for fuel hazards, structural hazards, community preparedness, and fire protection capabilities into an overall community rating.

A glossary of terms is included in Appendix A.

The project geographic information specialists compiled and reviewed existing statewide geospatial data to provide the Project Team with maps for use and verification in the field. Data sources for the maps were the Nevada Fire Safe Council, the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Datasets and sources utilized include:

LANDOWNERSHIP BLM Nevada State Office Mapping Services VEGETATIONCOMMUNIT~ES Nevada Gap Analysis Program Data, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University TOPOGRAPHYUSGS Digital Elevation Models and Topographic Maps FIRESUPPRESSION RESOURCES Field Interviews ROADS 'TIGER' Census data (2000) CURRENTAERlAL PHOTOGRAPHS USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (1994, 1996, or 1998) SOIL SURVEYS BLM Nevada State Office Mapping Services NRCS SUURGO Website FUELTYPES BLM Nevada and Utah State Office Fire Hazard Potential Data FIREHISTORY BLM Nevada State Office Mapping Services USFS Nevada State Office

Existing data were reviewed and pertinent information compiled on maps in GIs format. The Project Team verified the GIs data during the field assessment phase of the Community project. Geographic information system specialists provided data management to maximize the accuracy and analysis of the statewide geospatial data and the production of the maps in this report. Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard ~ss&.smentProject 3 Nye County - Methodology 2.2.1 Wildfire History Wildfire history information was mapped using datasets obtained from BLM and USFS GIs databases that that locate wildfire perimeters on federally managed lands over the past 21 years. Fire perimeters were mapped by agency personnel using GPS and screen digitizing on source maps with a minimum detail level of 1:250,000. This dataset is updated at the Nevada BLM State Office at the end of each fire season with information provided from each Nevada BLM field office. The dataset is the central source of historical GIs fire data used for fire management efforts and land use planning on federal lands.

As a result of intewiews with local fire experts, the Project Team identified additional fire perimeters not present in the BLM and USFS datasets. Fires that occur on private lands are generally recorded on paper maps and have not consistently been included in federal agencies GIs datasets. Additional fire locations identified during the interviews with local fire personnel were recorded on the field maps where possible and added to the project wildfire history maps.

In addition to the fire perimeter information, point data for all fire ignitions within Nevada from 1980 to 2003 was obtained through the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) database in Boise, Idaho. This dataset includes an ignition point coordinate and an acreage component as reported to NIFC through a variety of agencies. This data, summarized in the wildfire history table presented in Section 3.4, provides the ignition point locations for the maps in this report. In many cases, the ignition point location is only accurate to within the section; in such cases, the point coordinate is located in the section center on maps.

The wildfire and ignition history data were used to formulate risk ratings and to develop recommendations specific to areas that have been repeatedly impacted by wildland fires. Observations made by the Project Team and comments from local fire agencies were also used to develop recommendations for areas absent of recent wildfire activity where a significant buildup of fuels or expansion of urban development into the interface area represents a growing risk.

The wildland-urban interface is the place where homes and wildland meet. This project focuses on identifying risks and hazards in the wildland-urban interface areas countywide by assessing each community individually. Site-specific information for each community was collected during field visits conducted March 2, 2004 and between June 28 and June 29, 2004. The predominant conditions recorded during these site visits were used as the basis for the Community Risk and Hazard Assessment ratings.

2.3.1 Ignition Risk Assessment Criteria The project fire specialists assigned ignition risk ratings of low, moderate, or high for each community assessed. This rating is based on interpretation of the historical record of ignition patterns and fire polygons provided by NIFC, BLM, and USFS databases, interviews with local fire department personnel and regional Fire Management Officers, field visits to each community, and the studied professional judgment of the fire specialists based on their experience with wildland fire ignitions in the state of Nevada.

Resource Concepts, kc. Nevada Community Wildfire ~isk/?i&ard Assessment Project 4 Nye County - Methodology 2 3-2 Hazard Assessment Criteria Each Community RisMHazard Assessment was completed using methodology outlined in the Draft Community Wildland Fire Assessment For Existing and Planned Wildland Residential lnterface Developments in Nevada (Nevada's Wildland Fire Agencies 200i, revised 2002). This system assigns hazard ratings from low to extreme based on the following scoring system:

To arrive at a score for the community, four primary factors that affect potential fire hazard are assessed: community design, structure survivability, availability of fire suppression resources, and physical conditions such as fuel loading and topography. A description of each of these factors and the importance in developing the overall score for the community is provided below. Tables presenting the point values assigned to each element in the hazard assessment and photographs of representative fuel types are provided for each community at the end of its respective section.

Community Design lnterface Condition describes the density and distribution of structures with respect to the surrounding wildland environment. The four lnterface Condition Classes are: Classic, Intermix, Occluded, and Rural. Definitions for each interface condition are included in the glossary (Appendix A). Community design accounts for 26% of the total score of the hazard assessment. Many aspects of community design can be modified to make a community more fire safe. Factors considered include: Roadways. Design aspects of roadways influence the hazard rating assigned to a community. The presence of secondary entrances, exits and loop roads in a community improves evacuation and access considerations. Roads less than 20 feet in width often impede two-way vehicular movement and fire suppression equipment, and a road gradient steeper than five percent can imply increased response times for vehicles carrying water. Tight turns and cul-de-sacs with radii of less than 45 feet can cause problems for equipment mobility. Signage. Fire-resistant street signs consistently placed at neighborhood intersections and easily visible house addresses help to lower the hazard rating of a community. Utilities. The condition of electric utilities and the maintenance of vegetation within the power line corridor contribute to the overall hazard score. It is important to keep power line corridors clear of flammable vegetation, especially around power poles. In the event of a wildfire, flames from excessive fuels in the electric utility corridor can be of sufficient length and intensity to damage power lines, transformers, and the power poles that support them. Damage to this infrastructure during a wildfire event commonly

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 5 Nye County - Methodology causes power failures. Proper vegetation maintenance in power line corridors also reduces the risk of additional ignitions, as fires have been known to start from arcing power lines and transformers during windy conditions.

Construction Materials Construction materials account for 16 percent of the total assessment score. While it is not feasible to expect all structures in the wildland-urban interface area to be rebuilt with non-combustible materials, there are steps that can be taken to address specific elements that strongly affect structure ignitability in the interface area. Factors considered in the assessment include: 9 Structure Building Materials. The composition of building materials determines the length of time a structure could withstand high temperatures before ignition occurs. Houses composed of wood siding and wood shake roofing are usually the most susceptible to ignitions. Houses built with stucco exteriors and tile, metal, or composition roofing are able to withstand much higher temperatures and heat durations, and thereby present a much lower ignition risk from firebrands or the proximity of advancing flames. > Architectural Features. Unenclosed balconies, decks, porches, or eaves on homes can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite, rapidly spreading fire to the house. A high number of houses within the wildland-urban interface with these features implies a greater hazard to the community.

Defensible Space Defensible space accounts for 16 percent of the assessment score. Density and type of fuel around a home determines the potential fire exposure levels to the home and affects firefighter safety considerations for defending the home. A greater mass of trees, shrubs, dry weeds and grass, woodpiles, and other combustible materials near the home will produce more intense heat during a fire and increase the threat of property damage or loss. Defensible space is one of the most directly accessible factors in improving the chances that a home or other property avoids damage or complete loss from a wildfire.

Suppression capabilities account for 16 percent of the total assessment score. Knowledge of the capabilities or limitations of the fire suppression resources in a community can help the residents take adion to maximize the resources avaiiable. Factors considered in the assessment include: 2 Availability, Quantity, and Training Level of Firefighting Personnel. When a fire begins in or near a community, having the appropriate firefighting personnel to respond quickly is critical to saving structures. Whether there is a local paid fire department, volunteer department, or no local fire department impacts how long it takes for firefighting personnel to respond to a reported wildland fire and address the threat that it presents to homes and people.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Camunify Wildfire RisMNazard Assessment projectm 6 Nye County - Methodology Quantity and Type of Fire Suppression Equipment. The quantity and type of available fire suppression equipment has an important role in minimizing the effect of a wildfire on a community. Effective wildland firefighting requires specialized equipment not commonly carried by urban firefighting forces, Water Resources. The availability and location of water resources is critical to fighting a wildland fire. Whether there is a community water system with adequate fire flow capabilities, or whether firefighters must rely on local ponds or other drafting sites may indicate whether firefighters will be able to adequately protect the community.

Fire behavior factors account for 26 percent of the assessment. Fire behavior is influenced by physical conditions and is dynamic throughout the life of the fire. With the exception of changes to the fuel type and fuel density, the physical conditions of slope, aspect, topographic location, and typical weather patterns in and around a community cannot be altered to make the community more fire safe. An understanding of how these physical conditions can influence the behavior of a fire is essential to planning effective fuel reduction treatments and other pre-suppression activities. Physical conditions considered in the assessment include: Fuel Type and Density. Vegetation type and density around a community affect the potential fire behavior. Areas with thick, continuous, vegetative fuels carry a higher hazard rating than communities situated in areas of mosaic or broken fuels. The relative abundance of material in each fuel strata influences fire behavior. Grasses and other ground fuels, shrubs and related understory fuels, and overstory fuels such as trees will influence the intensity, rate of spread, and location of spread in the fuel strata. Weather conditions and topographic variations also directly influence the moisture content and flammability of these fuels. Slope, Aspect, and Topographical Variations. Considerations of slope, aspect, and topographic features are also used to predict fire behavior. Steep slopes greatly influence fire behavior. Fire usually burns upslope with greater speed and flame lengths than on flat areas. Fire will bum downslope; however it usually burns downhill at a slower rate and with shorter flame lengths than in upslope burns. West and south facing aspects are most prone to severe fire behavior due to more intense solar exposure preheating vegetation and lowering the moisture content of fuels. Canyons, ravines, and saddles are topographical features that are prone to higher wind speeds than adjacent areas. Homes built mid-slope, at the crest of slopes, or in saddles are most at risk in the event of a wildfire due to topographic effects on fire behavior. Typical Weather Conditions. The time of day and weather conditions during the fire including temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and direction contribute to the actual fire behavior.

2.3.3 Hazard Mapping Initial wildfire hazard maps were generated using wildfire hazard delineations derived by the Nevada and Utah BLM from vegetation type data provided by the Nevada Gap Analysis

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire ~is~azard~ssessment Gect 7 Nye County - ~ethodolo~~ Program dataset, which identifies vegetation types derived from sateiiite data. iand cover for the entire state was classified into one of 65 vegetation types at a resolution of 30 meters. BLM fire specialists then grouped the vegetation types into wildfire hazard potentials. For example, pinyon-juniper cover types may be rated as extreme, while low sagebrush cover types were rated low.

Once the hazard mapping was completed, the Project Team visited the high and extreme fuel hazard communities and field-verified the BLM hazard information. The hazard ratings on the existing fuel hazard map were compared to vegetation, slope, and aspect conditions directly observed in the field. Where necessary, changes to the ratings were drawn on the field maps. GIs specialists used this information to update the wildfire hazard potential layer of the project database.

2.3.4 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenarios were developed by Project Team Wildfire Specialists based on a prediction of severe fire behavior that could occur given a set of weather conditions, observed fuel loading conditions, and minimum fire suppression resources. These scenarios describe a maximum potential for loss of property and in some cases human lives. The worst-case scenario does not describe the most likely outcome of a wildfire event at the interface, but illustrates the potential for damage if a given set of conditions were to occur simultaneously. The worst-case scenarios are described in this document for public education purposes and are part of the basis for the fuel reduction recommendations.

2.4 ~NTERVIEWSWITH FIREPERSONNEL

The Project Team interviewed local fire department personnel and regional agency Fire Management Officers to obtain information on wildfire training, emergency response time fir initial and extended attack, personnel and equipment availability, evacuation plans, pre- attack plans, and estimates of possible worst-case scenarios. Local fire personnel reviewed maps showing the history of wildfires to ensure that local information on wildland fires was included. Refer to Appendix C for a list of persons contacted.

variety of treatments and alternative measures can be used to reduce ignition risks, mitigate fire hazards, and promote fire-safe communities. Proposed recommendations typically include physical removal or reduction of flammable vegetation, increased community awareness of the risk of fires and how to redues those risks, and coordination among fire suppression agencies to optimize efforts and resources. The Project Team met repeatedly to analyze community risks, treatment alternatives, and treatment benefits. Treatment recommendations to reduce existing risks and hazards were formulated based upon professional experience, quantitative hazard assessment, and information developed in conjunction with the National Fire Plan, FIREWISE, and Nevada Cooperative Extension publications.

Resource Concepfs, lnc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 8 Nye County - Methodology FT

3.0 DESCRIPTiON OF THE COUNTY

3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS,LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CLIMATIC DATA

Nye County is located in south-central Nevada and is approximately 11.6 million acres in size. A summary of land management acreages is provided in Table 3-1 and presented in Figure 3-1.

le 3-1, Land Management Acreage within Nye County

I BLM 1 6.553.000 1 56% 1

Department of Energy 863,000 7% Total ll,6l2,QQQ Approximate values derived from BLM land ownership GIs database.

The Bureau sf Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District combined manage 73 percent of the land in Nye County. As such, these agencies need to work closely with the communities and other agencies to ensure that the risk of loss of life and property from a wildfire in wildland-urban interface areas are minimized.

Nye County spans from central to southern Nevada. Elevations within the County range from 11,773 feet at Arc Dome to 4,600 feet at Pahrump. The northern portion of the county has numerous mountain ranges including the Toiyabe Range, the Monitor Range, the Hot Creek Range, and the Grant Range. Major valleys are Big Smoky Valley, Monitor Valley, and the Amargosa Valley Desert. The southern portion of the county is dominated by land managed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.

The current population estimate for Nye County is 36,600 persons (Nevada State Demographer 2003). Main employers in Nye County include the Nevada Test Site and mining. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation lists Bechtel Nevada Corp., and Round Mountain Gold Corp., as the largest employers in the County (Nevada Commission on Economic evelopment, 2004).

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire f7isWkazard Assessment Project 9 Nye County - Description of the County There has been a moderate number of wildland fire occurrences in Nye County over the last 22 years (Nevada BLM State Office 2002). Many small fires that are caused by lightning in the mountains go unreported. Table 3-2 summarizes the fire histories and fire ignitions by year. Figure 3-2 illustrates the fire history on a map of Nye County.

Table 3-2. Summary of Fire History Data 1980-2003

TOTAL ( 1 Fire ignition and base acreage data provided by the National interagency Fire Center, Boise, Idaho. t Additional fire history information provided by BLM and USFS Nevada State Offices.

Fires that occur on private lands are predominantly recorded on paper maps and are ofien not included in the GIs datasets used to develop Table 3-2 and Figure 3-2. Where possible, this data was added to the project database.

3.2. f lgnition Risk Factors Ignition risks for wildfires fall into two categories - lightning and human caused. Human caused ignitions can come from a variety of sources: fires started along highways and county roads from burning material thrown out of vehicle windows or ignited during auto accidents; off-road vehicles; railroads; faulty power lines; agricultural fires; debris burning in piles or burn barrels; unattended camp fires, target shooting, and fireworks are a few examples of the different types of human caused wildfires. In Nye County, 427 wildland fire incidents were recorded by ignition source between 1980 and 2003; 177 of these were due to natural causes and 90 were human caused. No cause was entered for 160 fire ignitions.

3.2.2 ct of Cheatgrass and Re e on Fire Ecology The most common invasive species to reoccupy burned areas in northern Nevada is cheatgrass (Brornus tectorurn) and in southern Nevada is red brome (Brornus rubens). Once established, cheatgrass and red brome can cause a fire cycle with a regular return interval of less than five years.

Resource ConceptsFInc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 10 Nye County - Description of the County Cheatgrass and red brome growth is dependent on annual moisture. In years of normal precipitation, production is typically low to no growth; in years of higher than normal precipitation cheatgrass and red brome will produce at much higher rates, While it presents a variable hazard dependent on moisture and annual growth, it is considered a high hazard fuel type because it presents an extremely receptive fuel bed for ignitions with the propensity to rapidly burn into adjacent vegetation. A fire spreading from a cheatgrass or red brome stand into adjacent, unburned native vegetation creates additional disturbed areas vulnerable to cheatgrass or red brome invasion.

Eliminating cheatgrass or red brome is an arduous task. Mowing defensible space and fuelbreak areas annually before seed set is effective in reducing the grass growth. In concert with mowing, treating with pre-emergent herbicides such as Plateau@has proven effective in reducing growth and depleting the seed bank. In areas with livestock, implementing early-season intensive grazing up to and during flowering may aid in depleting the seed bank. It may take years and intensive treatment efforts to fully eliminate the grass in a given area, but it is necessary in order to revert the landscape to the natural fire cycle and reduce the occurrence of large, catastrophic wildfires. Community-wide efforts in cooperation with county, state, and federal agencies are vital to reducing the wildfire hazard from cheatgrass and red brome.

3.3 NATURALRESOURCES AND CRITICALFEATURES POTENTIALLY AT-RISK

Critical features at-risk of loss during a wildfire event can be economic assets such as agricultural and industrial resources or cultural features, such as historic structures, archaeological sites, and recreation-based resources.

3.3.1 Historical Registers There are fifty sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places for Mye County. Of these, 44 are located within Tonopah. The Nevada State Register of Historical Places lists eight sites. A boomtown founded around the turn of the century, the National Register includes several structures associated with mining, such as: Board and Batten Miners Cabin, Brann Boarding house, Brokers Exchange, several Row Houses, and the Tonopah Mining Company House. Archeological sites and historic trails are not necessarily vulnerable to wildfire impacts. Historic districts, historic buildings, and resources that lie in the wildland-urban interface or could otherwise be negatively impacted by wildfire are summarized in Table 3-3.

Resource Concepts, Irtc, Nevada Community WiIdfire RisWazard Assessment Project I I Nye County - Description of the County 7

Table 3-3. At-Risk Historical Places in Nye County

National Register of Historic 44 sites Tonopah I I Piaces William H. Berg House Round Mountain National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Belmont Historic District 46 miles NE of Tonopah Places; Nevada State Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Berlin Historic District Berlin Places; Nevada State Register 1 of Historic Places Nevada State Register of El Rancho Gardens Pahrump Historic Places Gatecliff Rockshelter Austin National Register of Historic Places .I

3.3.2 Recreation The mountain ranges in Nye County provide particularly valuable recreation areas including the Toiyabe Range, the Monitor Range, the Hot Creek Range, and the Grant Range. These areas provide scenic aesthetic and wildlife resources. If these areas burned, the resources would be lost or substantially altered for a period of time. Table 3-4 lists designated campground areas that are at-risk recreation resources. Figure 3-2 illustrates their locations. Table 3-4. Recreation- Areas in Nye County / NAMEOF SITE / ELEVATION/ USE ! ~mna~.I camping, trailhead, wilderness Barley Creek 7,700 ft. / / / access, scenic drive / Monitor Range camping, trailhead, wilderness Columbine 9'000 " access. scenic drive Toiyabe Range I Peavine 6,700 ft. 1 camping, scenic drive 1 Toiyabe Range 1 Pine Creek camping, trailhead, wilderness / / 7.300 ft. I access, scenic drive I Toquima Range I San Juan Creek camping, trailhead, wilderness 71600 access, scenic drive Toiyabe Range 1 Toquima Cave 7,800 ft. / camping, scenic drive, cave / Toquima Range 1 1 Washington Creek 1 7,200 ft. / camping, trailhead, scenic drive I Toiyabe Range 1

3.3.3 Flora and Fauna There are fifty species with potential habitat in Nye County that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act or are otherwise protected by state legislation (Table 3-5) (Nevada Natural Heritage Program database, 2004). The vast majority of the species are associated with springs or other water bodies. The Nevada Natural Heritage Program, the Nevada Division of Forestry, andlor the Nevada Department

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project 12 Nye County - Description of the County of Wildlife could be consulted regarding specific concerns and potential mitigation to minimize impacts to these species. Project recommendations for federally listed threatened or endangered species require consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Table 3-5. Federal and State Listed Flora and Fauna At-Risk in Nye County

SCIENTIFIC NAME 1 COMMONNAME LEGISLATION

Insects Ambrysus amargosus 1 Ash Meadows naucorid / ESA-Listed Threatened

Resome Concepts, !nc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 13 Nye County - Description of the County I Sa~~~irtcME COMMONNAME 1 LEGISLATION / - - ESA-Listed Endangered Lepidomeda albivallis White River spinedace NRS 501 ESA-Listed Threatened Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi Lahontan cutthroat trout NRS 501 Rhinichthys osculus lariversi Big Smoky Valley NRS 501 speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis Ash Meadows speckled ESA-Listed Endangered dace NRS 501 Amphibians Bufo nelsoni 1 Amargosa Valley toad 1 NRS 501 Reptiles Desert tortoise (Mojave Gopherus agassizii NRS 501 Desert pop.) Heloderma suspectum cinctum Banded gila monster NRS 501 Mammals Brachylagus idahoensis / Pygmy rabbit 1 NRS 501 Euderma maculatum I Spotted bat I NRS 501 Birds

, Accipiter gentiles Northern goshawk NRS 501 Athene cunicularia hypugaea Western burrowing owl NRS 501 Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk NRS 501 Buteo swainsoni Swainson's hawk NRS 501 Centrocercus urophasianus Greater sage grouse NRS 501 Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus Western snowy plover NRS 501 Chlidonias niger Black tern NRS 501 Western yellow-billed Coccyzus americanus occidentalis NRS 501 cuckoo Empidonax fraillii extimus Southwestern willow ESA-Listed Endangered flycatcher NRS 501

The BLM Battle Mountain Field Office has recently conducted numerous site and risk assessments in the wildland-urban interface areas throughout the Battle Mountain District. The assessment results and a brief description of the projects recommended or nted are summarized below.

Resource ConceptsJInc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Proiect 14 Nye County - Description of the County The Carvers community was assessed in October 2002 and an environmental assessment completed in December 2003. At the time of the assessment, the fuel loadings immediately adjacent to private land as weli as east and south of Carvers were heavy. The assessment recommended green-stripping, imprint seeding, and/or prescribed fire as methods to reduce the fuel loading and hazard to the community. The BLM began implementation during the summer 2004 and expects to be completed by the end of September 2004.

The BLM biomass reduction project consists of mowing and seeding roughly 1,200 acres treatment units surrounding Carvers. Strips of rand 30 to 50 feet wide are mowed and seeded with plant species less conducive to rapid spread of fire. The mowed strips are spaced approximately 50 to 80 feet apart and the existing vegetation between the strips remains unaltered. In those areas where sagebrush has been removed, the area is seeded. The treatment areas will be rested from grazing for at least two growing seasons.

3.4.2 lone The lone community was assessed in May 2003. At the time of the assessment, the fuel loadings within lone Canyon, Shamrock Canyon and the wooded areas north and west of town were heavy.

The BLM anticipates that the actions listed below will be implemented in 2005 on BLM land. To be most effective, fuel reduction treatments need to be implemented on adjacent land managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District as well. 9 Mow sage brush and shrub species, re-seed (green-strip), and thin pinyon and juniper over 225 acres to the west and south of lone; 3 Create a shaded fuel break within 73 acres in Shamrock Canyon; 9 Create a shaded fuel break within 32 acres in lone Canyon; and P Thin and mow vegetation within 137 acres northeast of lone.

3.4.3 Manhattan The Manhattan community was assessed in October 2002 and an environmental assessment completed in November 2003. The assessment recommends reducing the fuel load and hazard to the community by creating shaded fuel breaks and thinning. The BLM initiated implementation during the slimmer 2004 and expects to be completed by the end of September 2004. To be most effective, fuel reduction treatments need to be implemented on adjacent land managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Tonopah Ranger District as well.

Trees on 150 acres will be thinned to obtain a minimum of 30 feet between crowns. Along both sides of the existing roads in the treatment units, the lower branches of the remaining trees will be pruned to a height of seven feet aboveground within 130 feet. Following the tree thinning and pruning, shrubs greater than one foot in height within ten feet of the tree canopies will be reduced to one foot in height or less.

Resource Gsncepbs, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 15 Nye County - Description of the County Slash generated by the pro~ectwiii be chipped and spread over the area; piied and burned; or lopped and scattered. The method used will depend on site-specific issues such as sensitive plant populations or erosion potential.

3.4.4 Tonopah The March 2003 assessment describes the threat of catastrophic wildfire to Tonopah as low. The BLM recommended the following activities: 9 Monitor annual fuel production and move additional resources into the area during years with above normal grass production; 9 Train and equip the Tonopah Volunteer Fire Department for wildland suppression; > Establish an evacuation and contingency plan with the Tonopah Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff's Office; > Establish a fire safe community program focusing on defensible space and home protection.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire ~is~~azardAssessment Project 16 Nye County - Description of the County Figure 3-1.Community Locations and Land Ownership, Legend Nye County, Nemda * Nye Community 0 10 M 40 -Hiahwav

Bureau of Land Menegement Buwu of Redamation Deparhnent of Defense Fish and Wikllife Sewice Nevada Community W/M#re Risk / HazaMAsmament PmjLuZ Resurces Concepts, Inc. has made every &rt to accurately mmpile the informauon depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliabll~tyor mrnpietenen of the source data Legend 'lk Rye Community Figure 3-2 Ignition Histoty, Fire History, and II Historic Site Potentially at Risk Resources, -A Raaeational Area State Recreation Area Nye County, Nevada

Past Fires (1980-2003) Fire Ignitions &use % Lightning Human $ Unknown Nevada Communi;ly Wi/dtbRlsk / Haz.vmlAE6v?ssmentPmject H@hwap - Resources Concepts, Inc has made every effort to accurateiy mmpiie the information deplaed on this map, but can not warant the reiiabiiity or mmpletenes of ?he source data. 4.0 COUNTY-WIDE ASSESSMENT RESULTS

4.1 COUNTY-WIDERISK AND HAZARDASSESSMENT OVERVIEW

During June of 2004, the RCI Project Team evaluated the at-risk communities in Nye County. Table 4-1 summarizes the results of these assessments. The following sections provide additional assessment results for the County in general.

ent Results Summary

Hadley Round (Round Interface Light Low Low Mountain VFD Mountain) Tonopah Interface Light Low Tonopah FD Low

4.1. I WiI&re Protection Resources All of the Mye County communiiies, except lone, have some type of fire department, either volunteer, career, or a combined department. In March 2004, the Nye County Commissioners accepted bids totaling $2.87 million for fire suppression equipment inc!uding eight pumper tenders, four rescue vehicles, and two fire engines. The equipment will be delivered to the county at the end of the year.

In addition to local resources, wildland suppression resources are available in Nye County through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and BLM Field Offices in Winnemucca and Carson City. Table 4-2 summarizes the typical of wildfire suppression resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to respond to wildland fires to communities in Nye County. The availability of the listed resources will vary depending on time of year and resource needs in other areas.

Resource Concepts, !nc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 19 Nye County - County-Wide Assessment Results TaLItt4-2. Nye County Wildfire Suppression Resources Available from the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management

Type 3 Engine USFS (Austin Ranger District)

Air Tanker

Source: Personal Communication with BLM Winnemucca Field Offce, BLM Gabbs Field Office, and USFS Austin Ranger District

4.1.2 Detection and Communication Fires may be reported in Nye County by calling 91 1, which connects the caller with the Nye County Sheriff's Office. The Nye County Sheriff's Office dispatch would contact the nearest resources such as a community fire department, the NDF, the BLM, or the Forest Service by calling directly or using other dispatch centers including: Central Nevada lnteragency Dispatch Center Sierra Front lnteragency Dispatch Center Las Vegas lnteragency Communication Center

Fires may be communicated to fire response personnel through: > Emergency Dispatch through the Nye County Sheriff's Office in Beatty, Tonopah or Pahrump. > Radios with the following frequencies: primary - 155.0555. > Pagers and telephones where volunteer fire departments exist.

These agencies would be dispatched by the Sierra Front lnteragency Dispatch Center in Minden

The Nye County Sheriffs Office has access to the state mutual aid frequencies (NDF 158.89500, BLM 170.02500 and 155.47500). The radio system is also compatible with neighboring agencies.

Resource Concepts, !nc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Proiect 20 Nye County - ~ouhty- wide Assessment Results 5.0 AMARGOSA VALLEY

5.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Amargosa Valley is a farminglranching community located in southern Nye County on State Route 373 adjacent to the California-Nevada state line. The community is situated at roughly 2,500 feet in elevation on relatively flat and open topography. Amargosa Valley has a population estimate of 1,I 69 people (Nevada State Demographer 2003).

The assessment resulted in classifying Amargosa Valley with a low ignition risk but a High Community Hazard category (63 points). The high score was attributed to lack of street signage and addresses, inadequate defensible space and very limited fire suppression water resources. Descriptions of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are provided below. Table 5-2 at the end of this section presents a summary of the fire hazard rating values.

5.5.7 Community Design The wildland-urban interface surrounding Amargosa Valley was characterized as an intermix condition. The structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings within the community. All of the lots assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size. Most structures were spaced close together, though a few structures were surrounded by a sizeable expanse of vacant land (Figure 5-1).

Roads: State Highway 373 and Valley View Boulevard were the major transportation routes into the community of Amargosa Valley. These primary access roads were at least 24 feet wide, paved and have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment. No dead-end roads posed turn around hazards for fire suppression equipment. All roads in the community had less than a five percent gradient,

igaaage: Street signs and residential addresses were not present or visible throughout the community. If Amargosa Valley had visible street signs and addresses, the hazard assessment would be "moderate" rather than "high".

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. Some of the power lines had been properly maintained to minimize the possibility of vegetation ignition due to sparking power lines during windstorms. Others had vegetation growing near the power lines.

5.7.2 Construction Niaterials Almost all of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials. Most homes had fire resistant roofing materials such as composition, metal, or tile. Less than 15 percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

Resource Concepts, lnci Nevada Community Wildfire ish hazard Assessment Project 21 Nye County - Amargosa Valley Most of the homes (70%) did not meet the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. Many homeowners used salt cedar for windbreaks. Unfsdunaieiy, the trees were often too close to the structures and the dead fuels along the bases of the trees were a significant hazard.

5.1.4 Suppr&ssion Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department had were two fire stations in Amargosa Valley staffed by 26 volunteers in a 650 square mile service area. Additional resources were available through the Pahrump Fire Department the Beatty Volunteer Fire Department, the BLM dispatched out of Las Vegas and the US Fish and Wildlife Service located in Ash Meadows to the south, Table 5-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Amargosa Valley in the event of a reported wildland fire. In addition to the current equipment, Amargosa Valley will be receiving a 2,000-gallon pumper tender and a fire engine at the end of 2004.

Table 5-1. Amargosa Valley Wildfire Suppression Resources

Type I Engine 1 Water Tender 3500 gal. 1 Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department 10 - 30 Command Vehicle I Station #I minutes Type IV Engine 1 Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department I Type III Engine 3 Station #2 2+ hours Engine 1 BLM and NDF (Closest available Air Tanker 1 resources dispatched from the Las Vegas Hand Crew 2 Interagency. Dispatch Center, Las Vegas) Source: Personal conversation with Roger Bright, Fire Chief, Amargosa FD (June 29, 2004).

Water Sources and infrastructure Water avaitability for fire suppression in Amargosa Valley was limited and more than 45 minutes round trip away from the community. There were farm wells scattered throughout the valley and four 1000-gallon storage tanks that could be used to fuel water trucks. There was one 50,000-gallon tank at the dairy. There were several ponds at the extreme southern end of the community that could be used for drafting. The new pumper tender may help to alleviate the inadequate water supply for fire suppression.

The water system relied on gravity and electrical pumps. There was no backup emergency generator to run the pumps.

Resource Concepfs, Ins, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard ~ssessmentProject 22 Nye County - Arnargosa Valley Detection and Cornmunicetion Fires were reported in the Amargosa Valley area through the use of 911, which connects the caller with Nye County Sheriff's Office located in Beatty. Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of radios and pagers. There were no known gaps in radio coverage.

The department did not have access to State Mutual Aid Frequencies and was not compatible with neighboring agencies. The BLM had recently changed frequencies and the Nye County Sheriffs Office did not have access to the new frequency but could communicate with other local departments. Compatible radio frequencies are important for communication between ngilnes and strike teams during larger fires when more than one agency is fighting the fire.

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters had a minimum training to the National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter 1 standards. Minor wildland firefighter training was provided annually.

Work Load The Amargosa VFD responded to 128 calls in 2003. k Wildland IBrush fire calls: 3 k Other calls: 125

Financial Support Financial support for the Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department came primarily from the Nye County General Fund.

Communitv Preparedness Amargosa Valley did not have any specific plans regarding community preparedness for a wildfire. The Mye County Local Emergency Plannin Committee maintained an Emergency Plan for hazardous materials and an All Risk County Plan. The fire department did not have a brush clearance program. The State Fire Marshal reviews development plans for commercial buildings.

5. I.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Fuels in the area were generally light, typically less than one ton per acre. There were heavy concentrations of salt cedar trees (Tamarix ramosissima), which were used throughout the community as windbreaks. The shrub layer consisted of sparse creosote bush (Larrea tridenfafa) (two to three feet tall) and shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) (one to two feet tall). Ground fuels consisted of sparse and short red brome (Bromus rubens) and Russian thistle (Salsola Kali). The slopes were flat.

Amargosa Valley is a very hot and dry area (rainfall approximately two inches per year) with very sparse vegetation. The salt cedar windbreaks within the community as well as extensive yard debris on private property constituted primary main fire hazards.

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wddfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 23 Nye County - Amargosa Valley 5.Worst-case Fire Behavior The worst-case for Amargosa Valley would be a fire starting in the dead fuel along the base of the salt cedar used within the community for windbreaks. With strong winds (greater than 25 mph), a fire could quickly spread through the trees and yard debris into adjacent structures.

5.7.7 Ignition Risk Assessment lgnition risks fall into two categories - lightning and human caused. Human caused ignitions in Amargosa Valley were primarily, prescribed burns, fireworks, fire started by welding, and kids with matches.

The ignition analysis resulted in classifying Amargosa Valley with a low ignition risk rating. There had been two recent fires both originating near Ash Meadows. In 1999 an escaped prescribed burn resulted in a 250 to 300 acre burn. In 2003 a fire started by fence welding burned 100 acres in the same area. In general, the brush in and around the community was low sparse and would not carry a large fire.

5.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Amargosa Valley risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern for salt cedar debris close to structures in the defensible space area. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination, public education, and fire personnel training that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Amargosa Valley.

5.2. 7 Properfy Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfuliy defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures.

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 24 Nye County - Amargosa VaNey Abandoned trailers and other structures shsuid be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted ignition from sparks or firebrands. Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. Reduce (mow) vegetation and remove debris along irrigation channels and unlined ditches to reduce the fuel load. Maintain the area beneath unenclosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris. Remove pine needles, leaves, and debris from roofs and rain gutters. For deciduous and coniferous trees within the defensible space of a home, limb branches a minimum of four feet from the ground to reduce ladder fuels. Remove all dead and diseased branches and duff from beneath the remaining trees. Prune tree branches to at least 15 feet from chimneys, walls, roofs of structures and powerlines. Irrigate all trees and large shrubs near structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during droughty conditions.

Community Coordination Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. 9 Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work with Nevada's communities to develop solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report, The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more informatian on forming a chapter, contact the Nevada Fire Safe Council, 1187 Charles Drive, Reno, Nevada 89509, telephone (775) 322-2413. > Ensure that residentiai addresses are visible from the road. The best place to post an address is where the driveway meets the road. Address characters should be at least four inches tall and reflective. Improving the visibility of addresses will facilitate ike navigation of unfamiliar neighborhoods for rescue and suppression personnel during a wildfire event.

5.2.2 Arnargosa VFD Responsibilities

Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community WiIdfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 25 Nye County - ~rnar~osaVaky that have limited fire suppression resources and will most iik&iy be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. > Coordinate with the appropriate agencies to improve street sign visibility. > Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from amund structures and fences in the community,

Public Education Public education on making communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative required to lead efforts of a scale sufficient to effectively reduce the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. > Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. k Obtain access to the State Mutual Aid Frequencies and frequencies compatible with neighboring agencies. Compatible radio frequencies are important for communication between engines during larger fires. k Upgrade personal protection equipment for wildland firefighting. Personal protection equipment includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, fire shelters with cases, and Nomex clothing. 3 Obtain wildland firefighting equipment such as Pulaskis, shovels, and McLeods. 3 Continue basic wildland firefighting training. 3 Install water storage facilities for fire suppression.

onapany Responsibilities P Trim tree branches to be a minimum of 15 feet away from all powerlines. This is particularly important for the salt cedar trees. The clearance is needed to minimize the possibility of vegetation ignition due to sparking power lines during windstorms.

Nye County Responsibilities 3 Allow burning only under a permit process or on set designated community bum days. A sample burn permit is included in Appendix D. P Promote collaboration between the Assessor's Office and the County Roads Department to ensure that all new development roads are named, signed, and identified with GPS coordinates. P Assist the fire department in obtaining grants and installing water storage for fire suppression. 2 Work with the Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department to obtain grants to improve radio system and communications. Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RiskRfazard Assessment Project 26 Nye County - Amargosa Valley Table 5-2 Amargosa Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 2

B. Community Design 1. Ingress i Egress 2. Width of Road 32 not 0 visible 0% visible 3. Accessibility visible - 4. Secondary Road 5. Street Signs 6. Address Signs 7. Utilities

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 1 MO 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 /5

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size 155 2. Defensible Space M5

F. Fire Behavior Dl. Lot Sizes 1. Fuels 151 2. Fire Behavior MO3 3. Slope 1 MO 4. Aspect 1 no E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 10 MO 2. Department 7 no

Score 63 M28

DRAFT Figure 5-2. Photographs of Amargosa Valley Fuels

Amargosa Valley - Creosote is dominant. Note the salt cedar in the distance adjacent to structures.

Amargosa Valley - Salt cedar windbreaks are a fuel hazard if not maintained adequately in Amargosa Valley. ada Community Wildfire RisMiarard Assessment Project County - Amargosa Valley 6.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Beatty is located at nearly 3,300 feet in elevation in southern Nye County on US Highway 95. The town is situated on gently rolling terrain at the headwaters of the Amargosa River. The population of Beatty is roughly 1,000 (Nevada State Demographer 2003).

The assessment resulted in classifying Beatty with a low ignition risk and in a Moderate Community Hazard category (59 points). This rating was attributed primarily to inadequate ,address signs, inadequate defensible space, combustible roofing materials, and the potential for extreme fire behavior. Descriptions of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are provided below. Table 6-2 at the end of this section presents a summary of the fire hazard rating values.

6.7. 1 Community Design The wildland-urban interface surrounding Beatty was characterized as an intermix condition. Structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings; open space occurred throughout the community. The majority of the lots assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size, with roughly five percent of the 257 structures assessed between one and ten acres in size. Most structures were spaced close together, though a few structures were surrounded by a sizeable expanse of vacant land (Figure 6-1).

Roads: US Highway 95 and State Highway 374 were the major transportation routes into Beatty. These primary access roads were all at least 24 feet wide, paved and had adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment, All roads in the community had less than a five percent gradient.

Signage: Street signs were present and visible along all streets. Residential addresses were only visible on roughly one-third of the homes. The clear and visible addresses are important to assist fire suppression personnel locate residences during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. Power lines had been properly maintained to minimize the possibility of vegetation ignition due to sparking power lines during windstorms.

6.7.2 Construction lMaterials Nearly 20 percent of the homes observed in the interface area were built with combustible roofing and siding materials. Twenty percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty a sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

Resource Concepts, inc. Nevada Community Wildfire ~is~~aza~~ssessmentProject 30 Nye County - Beaffy Only 37 percent of the homes met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

6.7.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources The Beatty Volunteer Fire Department had one fire station staffed by 18 volunteers. Additional resources were available through the Pahrump Fire Department, the Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the BLM and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Ash Meadows dispatched from the Las Vegas lnteragency Communication Center and the NDF dispatched from the Central Nevada lnteragency Dispatch Center. Table 6-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Beatty in the event of a reported wildland fire. Beatty will be receiving a 2,000-gallon water pumper tender at the end of 2004.

Table 6-1. Beatty Wildfire Suppression Resources

10 - 30 minutes Type I Engine 1 Beatty VFD (Beatty) Water Tender (4,000 gal.) 1 45 minutes Type Ill Engine 1 Amargosa VFD (Amargosa Valley) 1 to 2 hours Type IV Engine 2 Type Ill Engine 1 Pahrump FD Type I Engine 1 Water Tender 3 Command Vehicle 1 2+ hours Closest available resources as requested by the Beatty VFD Fire Chief dispatched from the Nye County Sheriff Office in Beatty. Source: Personal conversation with Chief Jim Benshoof, Beatty VFD (June 28, 2004)

Water Sources and Infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Beatty varies within the community. The inner portion of the community has 500 gpm hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures. The outer portion of the community is not served by hydrants. There were three water storage tanks, each 250,000-gallons plus a 20,000-gallon booster tank in the community. There is a proposal for a two million gallon tank in the near future. The water system relies on gravity and electrical pumps. There is a backup emergency generator to run the pumps. In addition to the water tanks, there were several ranch ponds north of town that could be used as helicopter dip sites.

Resource Concepts?Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 3 -1 Nye County - f3eaky Detection and Communieatisri Fires were reported in the Amargosa Valley area by calling 911, which connects the caller with Nye County Sheriffs Office in Beatty and there is also a community siren.

Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of P Radios using the following frequencies: primary - 155.625; secondary 154.445 P Pagers

The fire department has access to the State Mutual Aid Frequencies and frequencies compatible with neighboring agencies. There were gaps in radio coverage south of town toward Death Valley.

Fire Protection Personnel Qualiflcations A11 firefighters were trained to National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter 1 standards. Some wildland firefighter training is provided however, there is no wildland fire fighting equipment or personal protective equipment.

Work Load The Beatty Volunteer Fire Department responded to 30 calls in 2003. > Wildland / Brush fire calls: 1 k Other calls: 29

Financial Support Financial support for the Beatty Volunteer Fire Department comes primarily from the Nye County General Fund.

mmmunitv Preparedness Beatty does not have any specific plans regarding community preparedness for a wildfire. The Nye County Local Emergency Planning Committee maintains an Emergency Plan for hazardous materiais and an All Risk County Plan. The fire department does not have a brush clearance program.

6.f.5 Factors Affecfing Fire Behavior Beatty is located along a narrow canyon and is bordered on three sides by small mountains. The area was mostly covered with sparse fuel, but pockets of moderate fuel exist within the community and along the river bottom. The shrub layer along the river bottom was dominated by greasewood (Sarcobafus vermiculatus) typically ranging from three to five feet high with an estimated fuel load of five tons per acre. The tree layer consisted of cottonwood (Populus fremontii), willow (Salix sp.) and salt cedar. The ground fuel was dominated by red brome. The slopes were less than eight percent and aspects neratiiy to the west. There is a narrow canyon on the north and south end of the community and strong south winds often blow through the narrow valley. Winds may be erratic during thunderstorms.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 32 Nye County - Beafty 6. 1. 6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario is a fire starting along Highway 95 south of the community. Strong winds blowing from the south could push a fire north along the low to moderately dense vegetation in and around the river bottom and threaten structures along the east side of town. Due to the remote location and very limited resources the fire could burn through parts of the community before additional fire resources could arrive.

6.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment The Ignition Risk Assessment resulted in classifying Beatty with a low ignition risk rating. There is no significant wildfire history in the public lands surrounding Beatty. The Iow ignition rates were attributed to the low, sparse brush in and around the community. The primary risks of ignition in Beatty include highway traffic, campfires, off-highway vehicles, and fireworks.

6.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Beatty risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding debris associated with salt cedar close to structures in the defensible space area. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination, public education, and fire personnel training that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Amargosa Valley.

6.2.1 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 fset). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the uidelines in Appendix C. This area sh~uldbe kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. Maintain grass within the defensible space area to a maximum of four inches in height. MQWor remove brush growing against wood fences in the community.

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfre Risk/Hazard Assessment Project 33 Nye County - Beatfy Maintain the area beneath unenclosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris. Remove leaves, and debris from roofs and rain gutters. Prune tree branches to at least 15 feet from chimneys, wails, and roofs of structures. Irrigate all trees and large shrubs near structures to increase their fire resiliency. This is especially important during droughty conditions.

Community Coordination: Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contact; The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-2413

Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. The best place to post an address is where the driveway meets the road. Address characters should be at least four inches tall and reflective. Improving the visibility of addresses will facilitate the navigation of unfamiliar neighborhoods for rescue and suppression personnel during a wildfire event. Abandoned trailers and other structures should be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted ignition from sparks or firebrands. Reduce (mow) vegetation and remove debris along irrigation channels and unlined ditches to reduce the fuel load.

6.2.2 Beafty VFD Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire.

Resource Cancepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 34 Nye County - Beatty > Meet annually with the BLhl to discuss their pre-attack pian for the community. 3 Provide courtesy inspections of residential defensible space measures. P Develop and enforce brush clearance and biomass disposal programs.

Fuels Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. 9 Establish and promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community. 3 Mow or otherwise remove all vegetation within 10 feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibjlity and access for fire personnel.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. 9 Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848. 9 Allow burning only under a permit process or on set designated community burn days. A sample burn permit is included in Appendix D. 9 Promote collaboration between the Assessor's Ofice and the Roads Department to ensure that all new development roads are named, mapped, signed, and identified with GPS coordinates. 9 County Commissions and Rural Planning Commissions should require that all future development in the county meet the National Fire Codes with regards to community design aspects: building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix E for fire safe recommendations for planning in new developments.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for the firemen as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. 2 Upgrade personal protection equipment for wildland firefighting. Personal protection equipment includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, fire shelters with cases, and Nomex clothing. P Obtain wildland firefighting equipment such as Pulaskis, shovels, and McLeods. P Continue basic wildland firefighting training.

i -Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 35 i Nye County - Beatty Table 6-2 Beatty Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary .------A. Urban Interface Condition 2 TALLIES 31 Residential Streets B. Community Design 257 Total Houses 1. Ingress I Egress 1 /5 2. Width of Road -15 1 3. Accessibility /31 4. Secondary Road 1 5. Street Signs -15 1 6. Address Signs /55 7. Utilities 1 /5

C. Construction Materials I. ROO~S 5 no 2. Siding 1 /5

3. Unenclosed Structures 5 15 46 combust 211 not 82% not combust combust D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot 2. Defensible Space M5

F. Fire Behavior

I.Fuels 151 2. Fire Behavior 7 MO 3. Slope 1 MO 4. Aspect 7 MO

E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 2 MO 2. Department 7 Ma Figure 6-1. Beatty Legend Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features f:Z~omrnunit~ Boundary Resource Concepts, Inc 4" School 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 Fire Ignitions -(775)-883-1600 Fire Stations Nevada CormuniPy Wildfire Risk / HazadAss~!ssmentProjecl -Highways Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the informatior depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data DRAFT Figure 6-2. Photographs of the Beatty Area Fuels

Beatty - Overview of Beatty showing pockets of moderate fuel densities.

Beatty - East side of Beatty in the river bottom area illustrating a moderate fuel hazard.

itesource Concepts, Ir rada Community Wildfire RisWazai-d Assessment Prsjecf I County - Beatfy 7.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Belmont is located at nearly 7,400 feet in elevation in northern Nye County on the east side of the Toquima Range at the southern end of Monitor Valley. The community is situated on south facing moderately steep slopes. The population of Belmont is small and not tracked by the Nevada State Demographer (Nevada State Demographer, 2003).

Belmont was assessed as a high ignition risk area with an overall hazard rating of 62 points, placing Belmont in the High Community Hazard category. This rating was primarily attributed to limited access, inadequate defensible space, relatively steep slopes and heavy fuels. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters are reported below as well as descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario. Table 7-2 at the end of this section presents a summary of the fire hazard rating values.

7. l.l Community Design Belmont was characterized as an wildland-urban intermix condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings and open space throughout the community. All of the 29 residences assessed were on parcels between one and ten acres in size. As such, most structures were surrounded by vegetation (Figure 7-1).

Roads: Belmont is a relatively remote community and accessed by State Route 82. This primary access road was between 20 and 24 feet wide. Many roads within the community had a grade that is steeper than five percent. The majority of the roads had adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Streets in the community were all unpaved and unsigned. There were no addresses on any of the homes. Due to the small size of the community, lack of signage may not be a critical component to assist fire s~ppressionpersonnel locate residences.

Utiiities: All of the utilities were above ground. Power iines had been properly maintained to minimize the possibility of vegetation ignition due to sparking power lines during windstorms.

Construction Materials All but one of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant roofing materials and all but five of the homes were built with ignition resistant siding materials. Forty-one percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that could create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWarard Assessment Project 39 Nye County - ~elmont Only 38 percent of the homes met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

7.1.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources Belmont had a 17 member Volunteer Fire Department. There was one fire station in Belmont. Additional resources were available through fire departments in Hadley, Manhattan, and Tonopah as well as the NDF, the LM and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center. Table 7-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Belmont in the event of a reported wildland fire. In addition, Belmont will be receiving a four-wheel drive 2,000-gallon water tender as well as a rescue vehicle at the end of 2004.

Table 7-1. Belmont Wildfire Suppression Resources

10 - 30 minutes

Source: Personal conversation with Chief Rich Sauer, Beimont VFD (June 28, 2004)

Water Sources and infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Belmont included: pm hydrants within 500 feet of structures; > one 12,000 gallon tank > two ponds on private property

The water system was supplied by gravity and electric pumps. There was no emergency generator.

Detection and Communication Belmont is a small, remote community. Where there is cell phone reception, fires can be reported by calling 91 1. Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of the Fire Dispatch through the Nye County Sheriffs Office in Tonopah.

Resource Concepts, inc. Nevada Community Wildfire ~is~azirdAssessment Proiect 40 Nye County - ~elkont The radio frequency was compatible with neighboring agencies but the fire department did not have access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. There were many gaps in radio coverage due to the terrain and a better repeater system is needed to alleviate the problem.

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All volunteer firefighters were trained to National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter I and II standards.

Work Load The Belmont Volunteer Fire Department responded to 3 calls in 2003. Only one of the calls was for a wildland Ibrush fire.

Financial Sup~ort Financial support for the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department comes primarily from the Nye County General Fund.

Community Preparedness The Belmont Volunteer Fire Department has a voluntary brush clearance program with the residents and maintains a pre-attack plan. Nye County maintains an Emergency Plan and an All Risk Response Plan.

7.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Belmont lies in a north south oriented canyon with 20 to 30 percent slopes. Fuels in the community were dominated by pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) and juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) on the east facing slopes and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and rabbit brush (Ericarneria sp.) on the west facing slopes. The trees were moderately dense, roughly six tons per acre. The sagebrush was from two to five feet tall and the rabbit brush was from one to three feet tall. In the center of town a low drainage had sage up to six feet tall. Many aspects in the community are to the southeast and southwest.

During the summer months, there can be strong southwest and west upslope winds. Winds can be erratic during summer thunderstorms.

7. 1. 6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario begins during a year with above normal precipitation and above normal grass production with a fire starting in the late afternoon southwest of community at the bottom of the canyon. Winds would push a fire through the brush with ladder fuels allowing fire to get into pinyon tree crowns. There could be spotting up to % mile ahead of the fire and flame lengths from 6 to 25 feet with rates of spread from 30 to 70 chains per hour would be expected. Belmont currently has only one Type 3 engine with additional than 30 minutes away. This fire would easily escape initial attack. The canyon will act as a chimney and pull the fire rapidly through the community. The 2,000- gallon pumper tender to be delivered at the end of 2004 will help with the initial attack.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMNazard Assessment Project 4 1 Nye County - Belmont 7. f .7 lgni-n Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition and a high potential for structure loss because of the continuous brush and poor defensible space. The primary risk of ignition in Belmont is lightning, campfires, and off-highway vehicles.

"12 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

7.2.1 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures. install spark arrestors on chimneys. Maintain the area beneath unenclosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris. Prune pinyon and juniper branches a minimum of four feet from the ground (but no more than on-third of the tree canopy) to reduce ladder fuels. Remove a!! dead and diseased branches and duff from beneath the remaining trees. Remove leaves, and debris from roofs and rain gutters. If a resident decides to keep some pinyon or juniper trees near the home for aesthetic reasons, no other native trees or ladder fuels should be within a minimum of 30 feet of the crown of the tree. Prune tree branches back at least 15 feet from chimneys, walls, and roofs of structures.

- Resource-- Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RiskHazard Assessment Project 42 Nye County - Belmon t fuel Reduction Treatments: Fuei reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. 9 A substantial fuel reduction treatment is needed on the private lands within the community to remove or reduce the amount of sagebrush and rabbit brush and wood debris from collapsed buildings. The brush provides horizontal continuity of fuels that will move a fire through the community. The fire will be very hot and wiii consume most of the buildings in the community. 6. Within the community, shrubs should be thinned to a spacing of two times their height. Trees should be thinned to a spacing equivalent to one and on- half (1%) times the height of the taller trees from crown to crown. 6. Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community.

Construction Materials: P Where possible wood shake roofs should be replaced with non-combustible shingles.

Community Coordination: Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildiand- urban interface area fire safe. P Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe pl ns, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contact; The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Driv

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Proiect $3 Nye County - Belmont Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. P Meet annually with the BLM to discuss their pre-attack plan for the community.

Fuels Reduction Treatments P Mow or otherwise remove all vegetation withisl I0feet of all dire hydrants to improve visibility and access for fire personnel.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. P Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. 9 Obtain access to the State Mutual Aid Frequencies and frequencies compatible with neighboring agencies. Compatible radio frequencies are important for communication between engines during larger fires. P Upgrade personal protection equipment for wildland firefighting. Personal protection equipment includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, fir cases, and Nomex clothing. 3 Obtain wildland firefighting equipment such as Pulaskis, shovels, and McLe~ds. P Obtain basic wildland firefighting training.

7.2.3 Nye County Responsibilities

Community Coordination P Work with the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department to obtain grants to improve radio system and communications for Belmont.

Nye County - Belmont Shaded Fuel Break A M mile wide shaded fuel break should be constructed completely around the community. The fuel break should be seeded with perennial grasses and treated with herbicide to prevent annuals from germinating in the first year. 9 Within the shaded fuel break, shrubs should be thinned to a spacing of two times their height. Trees should be thinned to a spacing equivalent to one and on-half (1%) times the height of the taller trees from crown to crown.

Resources and Training > Work with the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department and help provide basic wildland safety gear, P Meet annually with Belmont Volunteer Fire Department to help provide basic wildland training.

Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project 45 Nye County - Belrnont Table 7-2 Belrnont Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 2

B. Community Design 1. Ingress / Egress 2. Width of Road 3. Accessibility 4. Secondary Road 5. Street Signs 6. Address Signs 7. Utilities

C. Construction Materials I. ROO~S 1 no 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 3 15

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size -15 3 2. Defensible Space /45

F. Fire Behavior Dl. Lot Sizes 1. Fuels /53 2. Fire Behavior 7 /M 0 3. Slope 7 MO 4. Aspect 10 MO E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 1 MO

2. Department 7_. fi0

Score Fire History, Suppression Resources, Legend Critical Features, and Mitigation Projects

Proposed Fuel Break Resource Concepts, Inc. 0 500 1,000 2,000 340 N. Minnesota St. Feet Canon City, NV 89703 c.2 Community Boundary (775)-883-1600 Fire ignitions

Fire Stations Ftesources Concepts, line. has made every effort to accurately comp~iethe rnformatton depicted on th~smap, but can not warrant the reliab~lityor completeness of the source data. Legend Figure 7-2. Belrnont ~m~~ommunityBoundary Classification of Fuel Hazard

Extreme Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. High Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Medium

Low Nevada Commuffity Wildfire Risk/ Hazard Amsmefft Project @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information dep~ctedon this map, but can not warrant the reliabilrty or completeness of the source data. I= Figure 7-3. Belmont Fuel Hazard Photo Points

Photo Point 1 - 4271793 N. 51 11 10 E. View of the Belmont community looking north. Moderate fuels are estimated at 5 tons per acre.

Photo Point 2 - 4271958 N. 51 0745 E. View to the north. The sage in this photo is six feet tall and an example of the heavy fuels in the center of the community.

Pdwada Commufiity WiIcifm RisMh'azarb Assessment Prajed 49 Nye County - Belmont 8.0 CARVERS

8.i RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Carvers is located on relatively flat topography near 5,000 feet in elevation in northern Nye County on the west side of the Big Smokey Valley. Carvers was assessed as a high ignition risk and a Moderate Community Hazard category (45 points). The hazard rating was primarily attributed to heavy fuels and poor signage. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are reported below. Table 8-2 at the end of this section presents a summary of the fire hazard rating values.

8.1. I Community Design Carvers was characterized as an wildland-urban interface condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings and open space throughout the community. Roughly one half of the 161 residences assessed were on lots between one and ten acres in size and the remainder were on lots less than one acre in size. Two homes were on lots greater than 10 acres in size (Figure 8-1).

Roads: The primary access into the community was State Route 376. This road was at least 24 feet wide. The secondary roads were on grades less than five percent and have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Street signs were present and visible along 79 percent of the 19 streets assessed. Residential addresses were visible on only 37 percent of the 161 homes assessed.

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. Power line corridors had been properly maintained.

8.1.2 Construction Materials All of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials. All but two of the homes had fire resistant roof materials such as composition roofing, metal, or tile. Twenty-nine percent of the homes obsewed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

efensible Space The majority of the homes (87 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

Resource Concqfs,!nc, Nevada Community Wdfirre Riswf-lazarel Assessment Project 50 ye County - ~an/ers 6 1.4 Suppression CapabMes

WMreProtecfion Resources The Smoky Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Carvers had one fire station staffed by nine volunteers. Additional resources were available through fire departments in Hadley, Manhattan, and Tonopah as we!! as the NDF, the BLM and the Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center. Table 8-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Carvers in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 8-1. Carvers Wildfire Suppression Resources

10 - 30 minutes Brush Engine 2 Smoky Valley VFD Water Tender (3,000 gal.) 1 Smoky Valley VFD Type VI Brush Engine 1 Round Mountain VFD Type I Engine 1 Round Mountain VFD 1+ hours Type 6 mini pumper truck 1 Tonopah Fire Department Type I engine 1 2+ hours Closest available resources as requested by the Smoky Valley VFD Fire Chief dispatched from the Nye County Sheriff Office in Tonopah. Source: Personal conversation with Chief Holley Allison, Smoky Valley VFD (June 29, 2004)

ter Sources and fnfrasfrucfure Water availability for fire suppression in Carvers include: P 500 gpm hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures P Several water storage tanks P One pond

The water system relies on gravity and electrical pumps. There were no backup emergency generator to run the pumps.

Defecficln and Communication e reported in the Carvers area by calling 91 1, which connects the caller with the Nye County Sheriffs Offke in Tonopah. Fires may be communicated to fire response personnel through the use of pagers and radios.

The radio frequency was compatible with neighboring agencies and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. There were gaps in radio coverage in the Belmont area due to the terrain.

Resource Concepts9lnc Nevada Community WiIdfire RiMazard ~sses&nt Project 5 I Nye County - Carvers Fire Protection Personnel Quaiificafions All of the volunteer firefighters had been trained to National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter I and I1 standards. Wildland firefighter training is provided by the BLM.

Work Load The Smoky Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to 20 calls in 2003 as follows: P Emergency Medical Calls: none 9 Wildland IBrush fire calls: I0 P Other caiis: 18

Financial Support Financial support for the Smoky Valley Volunteer Fire Department comes from the Nye County General Fund.

Community Preparedness Nye County maintains an Emergency Plan and an All Risk Response Plan. The Carvers Volunteer Fire Department maintains a Pre-Attack Plan for response to fires. The Nye County Sheriff's Ofice maintains an evacuation plan for disasters.

8.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Fuels in the Carvers area were heavy, typically ranging from 10 to 15 tons per acre. There were no trees in the wildland I urban interface. The shrub layer included big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), buffalo berry (Shepherdia sp.), and willow. Ground fuels included salt grass (Distichlis sp.), perennial grasses, with Russian thistle along the highway. The slopes were generally less than eight percent. There were broken moderate fuels which may lead to moderate suppression success.

8.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would begin with an above normal precipitation year with above normal grass production. A fire would start late afternoon at the south end of the community. Heavy south winds (greater than 20 mph) would push the fire northward through the community. Flame lengths of 6 to 20 feet with rates of spread of 30 to 70 chains per hour could be expected. This would easily cause fire to escape initial attack due to limited capabilities of local initial attack resources and additional resources were 30 minutes or more away.

8.1,7 lgnition Risk Assessment There was a high potential for fire ignition. There were heavy fuels 10 to 15 tons per acre south of subdivisions at the southern end of the community. There was a moderate potential for strudure loss because of heavy fuels and lack of defensible space. The primary ignition risk is lightning.

-- Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project Nye County - Carvers 8.2.7 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. > Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other fl debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. > Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. > Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. > Where cheatgrass or other annual grasses have become dominant within the defensible space, vegetation should be mowed or treated with an application of pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed set. Mowing may need to be repeated the following year to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted grasses has been depleted. Refer to Appendix C for approved seed mixes and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with removal of this annual grass. > Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. > Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. h Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet away from structures. > Install spark arrestors on chimneys. MOWor remove brush growing against wood fences in the community.

Community Coordination Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fi P Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The evada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapt r, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set

a- Resource Concepts?Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment f roject 53 Nye County - Carvers priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contact; The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-2413 Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. The best place to post an address is where the driveway meets the road. Address characters should be at least four inches tall and reflective, Improving the visibility of addresses will facilitate the navigation of unfamiliar neighborhoods for rescue and suppression personnel during a wildfire event.

8.2.2 Smoky Valley VFD Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction Treatments Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would^ be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. 9 Mow or otherwise remove all vegetation within 10 feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access for fire personnel.

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. P Meet annually with the BLM and the USFS to discuss their re-attack plans for the community. 9 Work with the County to improve radio communications in Manhattan and Belmont areas.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. nformed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing wildland fires present to the entire interface community. ";. Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfre RisMWazard Assessment Project 54 Nye County - Carvers r Resources aasd Training i Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for the firemen as well as the community. The volunteer fire department nkeds brush training and equipment to safely d~ their job because additional help is one to two hours away. > Upgrade personal protection equipment for wildland firefighting. Personal protection equipment includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, fire shelters with cases, and Nomex clothing. > Obtain wildland firefighting equipment such as Pulaskis, shovels, and McLeods. > Continue basic wildland firefighting training.

8.2.3 Bureau of Land Management Responsibilities

Fuel Reduetiion Treatments > The BLM is currently implementing proposing a green stripping project roughly 1000 feet wide around the east, south, and west sides of the community. This should be maintained over time.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community WIdfire RisMWazanl Assessment project 55 Nye County - Carvers Table 8-2 Carvers Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 2

B. Community Design 1. Ingress / Egress 1 /5 2. Width of Road -15 1 3. Accessibility /31 4. Secondary Road 151 5. Street Signs 153 6. Address Signs 155 7. Utilities

C. Construction Materials I. ROO~S 1 no 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 3 /5

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size /53 2. Defensible Space /I5

F. Fire Behavior 5 1. Fuels /5 2. Fire Behavior 7 "lo 3. Slope /I1 0 4. Aspect A0I

E. Suppression Capabilities I.Water Source 2 no 2. Department 7 MO

Score 45 ~28 igure 8-1. Carvers Fire History, Suppression Resources,

I and Critical Features Legend Resource Concepts, Inc. ~m~~ommunityBoundary 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 Fire Ignitions (775)-883-1600

Fire Stations

Highways Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every eiio~to accurately complle the informatron - depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. end

[:Community Boundary Figure 8-2.Carvers Fuel Hazard Classification -Highways Wildfire Hazard Resource Concepts, Inc. Extreme 340 N. Minnesota St. High Canon City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Medium - tow @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepts, Xnc, has made every effort to accurately compil, the ~nfcrmat!on depicted on thls map, but can not warrant the rel~abll~tyoar completeness of the source data. Figure 8-3. Carvers Fuel Hazard Photo Points

Carvers - 012 4292878 N. 484523 E. Moderate fuels are estimated at 5 tons per acre in Carvers are close to structures.

Carvers - 066 4291 142 N. 485573 E. Sparse vegetation in central Carvers. The heaviest vegetation is adjacent to the structures. 9.5 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Gabbs is located at nearly 4,800 feet in elevation in northwestern Nye County on State Route 361. The town of 300 people is situated on west facing gently sloping topography on the east side of Gabbs Valley. Gabbs was assessed as a low ignition risk area with a Moderate Community Hazard category (55 points). The hazard rating was primarily attributed to poor signage, inadequate defensible space and west facing slopes. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is included in Table 9-3 at the end of this section.

9.1.1 Community Design There were two development clusters in Gabs. Southern Gabbs was characteristic of a wildland-urban interface condition, with a clear line of demarcation between building structures and wildland fuels. Wildland vegetation typically did not continue into the development areas. Northern Gabbs was characteristic of an wildland-urban intermix condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings and open space throughout the community. All of the 61 houses assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size (Figure 9-1).

Roads: The only access into the community was State Route 361. This dirt road was at least 24 feet wide. The secondary roads were on grades less than five percent and had adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Street signs and addresses were visible along two-thirds of the 13 streets and 61 houses assessed. Clear and visible signage is important to help fire suppression personnei locate resi ewes during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. There were no tree branches in the power lines, but there were weeds and debris under the lines. The corridors need to be properly maintained to minimize wildfire damage to electric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation.

inety percent of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials. Ninety percent f the homes had fire resistant roof materials such as composition roofing, metal, or tile, leven percent of the homes obsew ungnclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

- Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada ~ommuzWildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 60 Nye County - Gabbs 9, f,3 Defensible Space The majority of the homes (64 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

9.1.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources Gabbs had a ten member Volunteer Fire Department with one fire station. Additional resources were available through fire departments in Hadley, Manhattan, and Tonopah as well as the NDF, the BLM and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center.

All equipment in Gabbs was unavailable due to needed repairs. Gabbs was scheduled to receive a 2,000 gallon pumper tender at the end of 2004. Table 9-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment potentially available to Gabbs in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 9-1. Gabbs Wildfire Suppression Resources

Source: Personal conversation with Assistant Chief Connie Stinson, Gabbs VFD (March 2,2006)

Water Sources and Infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Gabbs included: 3 500 gpm hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures > Several water storage tanks

he water system relied on gravity and electrical pumps. There was no backup emergency generator to run the pumps.

Detection and Communication Fires were reported in the Gabbs area by: P Calling 91 1 ';. A Community Siren

Nevada Community Wildfire RisMWazard Assessment Project 61 Nye County - Gabbs Fires were cornrnunicakd do fire response personnei through the use of radios and pagers through the Fire Dispatch in the Nye County Sheriffs Office in Tonopah.

The radio frequency was not compatible with neighboring agencies and the fire department did not have access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. There were also gaps in the radio coverage outside of town.

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All of the volunteer firefighters had been trained to National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter I and II standards. Wildland firefighter training is provided by the BLM,

Work Load The Gabbs Volunteer Fire Department responded to over 50 calls in 2003. P Emergency Medical Calls: 50 > Wildland I Brush fire calls: 3 to 4

The Gabbs Volunteer Fire Department is currently unable to respond to wildland calls due to equipment in need of repair.

Financial Support Financial support for the Gabbs Volunteer Fire Department comes from the Nye County General Fund.

Communitv Preparedness Nye County maintains an Emergency Plan and an All Risk Response Plan.

9.1-5 Factors Afdecting Fire Behavior Fuels in the area include Mormon tea, desert peach, rabbitbrush, cheatgrass, squirrel tail, ricegrass, and Russian thistle. The ground fuels include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), squirrel tail (Hlymus elymoides) and ricegrass (Achnatherm hymenciides), which are sparse in normal years and moderately dense in wet years. The shrub layer was moderately dense with two to five foot spacing between the shrubs. In addition to vegetation, fuels within the community include general debris, Russian thistie piles, abandoned mobile homes and wood structures throughout the community. The slopes were 5 to 10 percent and the aspects were generally to the west and upslope from the large open valley.

9.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario orst-case scenario would begin on a azard day with dry iightnin striking west of town downslope from the corrals. With a 25 to 35 mph wind out of the west, the fire would quickly consume the corral area and continue east into north Gabbs. This scenario would result in the loss of livestock, corrals, barns and possibly homes.

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Commllnity Wildfire RisMHazard ~ssessmentProject 62 Nye Counfy - Gabbs 9.1. 7 Ignition Risk Assessment There was a low potential for fire ignition in the wildland area surrounding the community due to sparse fuels. However within the community, there were several areas where debris was a concern. The primary risk is ligt?tning and ignitions caused by off-road vehicles and their users.

9.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Gabbs risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding defensible space and equipment needs. Other recommendatians pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Gabbs.

9.2.1 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. k Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. 9 Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. 9 Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. 2. Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. 2. Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. P Maw or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. PI Instaii spark arrestors on chimneys. 3 Abandoned trailers and ther structures should be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted igniti sparks or firebrands,

Fuel Reduction Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area.

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard ~sses&mentPrciect 63 Nye County - Gabbs P Clear a space no less than 35 feet around eiectric utiiity infrastructure within power line corridors and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation.

Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. 9 Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing ork that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stones of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contact; The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-241 3

E Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. The best place to post an address is where the driveway meets the road. Address characters should be at least four inches tall and reflective. Improving the visibility of addresses will facilitate the navigation of unfamiliar neighborhoods for rescue and suppression personnel during a wildfire event.

9.2.2 Gabbs Volunteer Fire Department Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other sommunities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. 9 Meet annually with the BLM and the USFS to discuss their re-attack plans for the community, P Work with the ounty to improve radio communications in Belrnont areas.

Fuel Reduction P Mow or otherwise remove all vegetation within 10 feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access for fire personnel.

Resource Concepts, bnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMNazard ~sse&nentProject 64 Nye Counfy - Gabbs Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. k Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. > Obtain access to the State Mutual Aid Frequencies and frequencies compatible with neighboring agencies, Compatible radio frequencies are important for communication between engines during larger fires. > Upgrade personal protection equipment for wildland firefighting. Personal protection equipment includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, fire shelters with cases, and Nomex clothing. > Obtain wildland firefighting equipment such as Pulaskis, shovels, and McLeods. > Obtain basic wildland firefighting training.

9.2.3 Nye County Responsibilities

Cornmunitv Coordination > Work with homeowners to identify non-ambulatory persons within the community who may need evacuation assistance.

Fuel Reduction Treatments k Clear a minimum space of 28 feet from edge of pavement on both sides of road for the length of the community and maintain free of vegetation.

Resaurces and Training h Provide funding to repair the fire fighting equipment. 3 Assist the Gabbs VFD in improving the radio coverage and frequency issues.

Resource Ccrncepfs, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project 65 Nye County - Gabbs Table 9-2 Gabbs Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 1

B. Community Design 61 Total Houses 13 Residential Streets 1. ingress / Egress 2. Width of Road 3. Accessibility 4. Secondary Road 5. Street Signs 6. Address Signs 7. Utilities

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 1 /lo 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 /5 6 combust 55 not 90% not - combust -combust D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size /55 C3. Unenclosed Structures on Lot 2. Defensible Space M5 7 not 54 enclose 11% not enclosed enclosed

F. Fire Behavior Dl. Lot Sizes 1. Fuels I 61 >lac /5 10ac 2. Fire Behavior 3 /lo 3. Slope 1 MO 02. Defensible Space 4. Aspect 10 MO 22 not 39 adequate 64% adequate adequat - E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 1 /I0 2. Department 7 MO

Score 55 A28 Figure 9-1, Gabbs Legend Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features ~s~~ommunityBoundary Resource Concepts, Inc. _" School 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 Fire Ignitions (775)-883-1600

Fire Stations Nevada Community WiIdfire Risk / Ha& Assessment Project Highways Resources Concepts, Enc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. z:;~omrnunit~ Boundary Figure 9-2. Gabbs Fuel Hazard Classification -Highways Wildfire Hazard Resource Concepts, Inc. Extreme 340 N. Minnesota St. High Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Medium

Low Nevda Communiw Wildfire Risk / Hazard A @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately coiiipil~the infortstion depicted on th~smap, but can not warrant the rel~ab:i:tyor completeness of the source data. IF: Figure 9-2. Photographs of Gabbs Fuels

Gabbs - 247 4301692 N. 0419428 E. Typical sparse fuels in the northern area of Gabbs.

Gabbs - 247 4302601 N. 0418783 E. Typical fuels in the southern area of Gabbs. Fuels are overgrown near the corals.

Nye County - ~abbs 10.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

lone is located in northwestern Nye County just north of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. The small remote community is situated just below 7,000 feet in elevation on west facing gently sloping topography on the west side of the Shoshone Mountains. There is no private land in lone, it is a mining community on land managed by the BLM. The assessment resulted in classifying lone with a high ignition risk area and an Extreme Community Hazard cate (79 points). The hazard rating was primarily attributed to limited access, steep terrain, heavy fuels and there was no organized fire department within one hour of the community. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as a description of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is provided in Table 10-2 at the end of this section.

10. I.1 Community Design lone was characterized as a wildland-urban intermix condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the structures and open space throughout the community. Fourteen of the 18 houses assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size, the remaining four were on parcels between one and ten acres in size (Figure 10-1).

Roads: lone was accessed via State Route 21, a graded dirt road between 20 and 24 feet wide. At least one road in the community had a grade steeper than five percent.

Signage: Street signs and addresses were not significant in this small community of 18 houses with one residential street. In larger communities clear and visible signage is important to assist fire suppression personnel locate residences during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. Power line corridors had been properly maintain d to minimize wildfire damage to eledric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation.

lone began as a mining town in the 1860s and many of the building materiais reflect that era. The majority of the ornes observed in he interface area were built with wood siding materials. Some of the structures had corrugated metal roofing but 56 percent had combustible materials such as wood shingles. One of the homes observed had an unenclosed porch that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

--- - Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RtsWNaza Assessmen t Project 69 Nye County - lone t 0. -1.3 Defensible Space The majority of the homes (72 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

10.1.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources lone has no organized Fire Department. The closest fire station was in Gabbs, which was over an hour away (24 miles on dirt roads). All equipment in Gabbs was unavailable due to needed repairs, Gabbs was scheduled to receive a 2,000-gallon water pump tender by the end of 2004. Additional resources were available through fire departments in Hadley, Manhattan, and Tonopah as well as the NDF, the BLM and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center. Table 10-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to lone in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 10-1. lone Wildfire Suppression Resources

COOPERATING PARTNER RESPONSETIME TYPEOF EQUIPMENT OF (RESOURCELOCATION) - EQUIPMENT 10 - 30 minutes None 1-2 hours Brush truck 1 Gabbs VFD Type I engine 1

Note, all equipment is in need of repairs: 2+ hours 1 Varies 1 1 Closest available resources as I requested by Nye County Sheriff Office in Tonopah. Source: Personal conversation with Gary Fly, bar owner in lone, March 2,2004

Water Sources and Infrastructure There was one fire hydrant in the community. The water source for the hydrant was not quantifiable during the field reconnaissance. There were several wells in the community and generators pwvide the power.

There was no hard line phone service to lone. CeU phones and satellite phones could operate although inconsistently in the community. Cell phone users could call 91 1 if they were able to get cell service. Fire suppression response resourc dispatched through the Nye County Sheriff's Office in Tonopah.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project 70 Nye County - lone The community is located 61 miles south of Austin and 96 miles north west of Tonopah on land leased from the BLM. There had been no formal coordination between the BLM or the USFS ar?d the community regarding community preparedness for a wildfire.

10.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior lone is situated in a narrow canyon that runs southwest to northeast. Heavy fuels in the canyon surrounded the town. The tree layer was composed of sparse to dense pinyon and juniper. The low shrub layer consisted of sage up to five feet in height. Ground fuels were abundant and consist of cheatgrass and perennial grasses. The slopes in the lone vicinity varied from 10 to 80 percent. The most critical aspects were south and west. Predominant winds may blow from the south and southwest upslope and up the canyon. Erratic winds are common due to the terrain.

10.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would occur on a high hazard day on the 4th of July when several hundred tourists visit this old mining town. An ignition caused by a dry lightning strike or a careless tourist to the southwest, downslope from lone could spread rapidly, driven by winds through the dry fuels. A fire could quickly burn upslope in the canyon directly into and all around lone, trapping several hundred tourists. Fire resources were several hours away and would be very little help. The old wood structures would be quickly consumed. The vegetation in this area with the steep canyon slopes could create flame lengths of over 100 feet.

10. I.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There was a high potential for fire ignition due to heavy, continuous fuels within and surrounding the community. There was high potential for structure loss because there were no fire suppression resources nearby. The primary risks are lightning in the surrounding mountains and tourists through unextinguished cigarettes or other carelessness.

10.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The lone risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding lack of fire suppression resources and limited water resources. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in lone.

?0,2.? Propiern Ourner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for resid structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire.

Resource Concep&, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard ~ssessmentProject 71 Nye County - lone k Remove, reduce, and repiace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. 9 Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. 9 Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. 3 Where cheatgrass has become dominant within the defensible space area it should be mowed prior to seed set, or an application of a pre-emergent herbicide can be used. Mowing may need to be repeated the following year to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted grasses has been depleted. Refer to Appendix C for approved seed mixes and planting guidelines than can be used in conjunction with removal of this annual grass. 9 Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. 3 Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space area. 3 Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures. 3 Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. 3 Install spark arrestors on chimneys. P Abandoned trailers and other structures should be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted ignition from sparks or firebrands. > Pine needles, leaves, and debris should be removed from roofs and rain gutters. 9 Homeowners should limb pinyon and juniper branches up to a minimum of four feet from the ground (but not more than 113 of the tree crown) to reduce ladder fueis. All dead and diseased branches and duff should be removed from beneath remaining trees, 9 If residents want to keep some pinyon or juniper trees close to the home for aesthetic reasons, there must notbe any other native trees or ladder fueis within a minimum of 30 feet of the crown of the tree. P Prune trees so that the branches are at least 15 feet away from chimneys and or structures.

uel Reduction Fuels reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one sf lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area.

- - Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RRisWHazard Assessment Project 72 Nye County - lone P Mow cheatgrass, reduce brush and thin trees aiong driveways for a minimum width of 20 feet on both sides. Brush should be thinned to a spacing of two or three times the height of the shrub. 9 MOWor otherwise remove all vegetation within 10 feet of the fire hydrant to improve visibility and access. Ensure residents are trained in the use of the hydrant.

Communitv Coordination P Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities, Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contact; The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-241 3 9 Meet annually with the BLM to discuss their re-attack plans for the community.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. *r;. Obtain copies of the publication "Living with Fire" for all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. 3 Attend annual basic wildland fire fi

10.2.2 Nye County Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be

Nye County - lone dispatched to areas they have never; been before. inis is particuiarly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. P Prepare an evacuation plan for special events and holidays.

Fuel Reduction 9 Clear and maintain free of vegetation a minimum space of 50 feet from edge of both sides of the primary access road for the length of the community.

Resources and Training P Apply for grants to buy a brush engine and install a 5,000-gallon water tank for local residents to use on small fires.

10.23 BLM Responsibilities

Communitv Coordination 9 During special events and holidays such as the 4th of July, provide a seasonal brush engine in or near lone.

Fuel Reduction Implement the measures contained in the lone Community Site Assessment (BLM 2003e): 9 Mow sage brush and shrub species, re-seed (green-stn'p), and thin pinyon and juniper over 225 acres to the west and south of lone; 9 Create a shaded fuel break within 73 acres in Shamrock Canyon; P Create a shaded fuel break within 32 acres in lone Canyon; and 9 Thin and mow vegetation within 137 acres northeast of lone.

f0.2.4 US Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ran er District Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction P The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District should coordinate with the BLM to continue the fuel reduction treatments around lone on land managed by the Forest Service. The result should be a fuel break at ieast 200 feet wide around the entire community.

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazarc! Assessment Project 74 Nye County - lone Table 10-2 lone Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 2

B. Community Design 1. Ingress i Egress 3 /5 2. Width of Road /53 3. Accessibility /33 4. Secondary Road /51 5. Street Signs /50 6. Address Signs 150 7. Utilities 3 /5

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 10 MO 2. Siding 5 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 /5

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size 155 2. Defensible Space /?5 1 not 17 enclose 6% not enclosed -enclosed F. Fire Behavior Dl. Lot Sizes 1. Fuels 5 14 >lac 15 tOac 2. Fire Behavior 10 no 3. Slope 7 no 02. Defensible Space 4. Aspect 10 MO !j not 13 adequate 72% adequate adequat - E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 2 no 2. Department MO10

Score 79 /I28 Figure 10-1. Ione Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Mitigation Projects

Resource Concepts, Inc. Legend 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 nilrfi Fuel Break ~m~~ommuni@Boundav

Fire Ignition Resources ConeepTs, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted an this map, but can not warrant the reliab~iityor completeness of the source data. Figure 10-2, Ione Fuel Hazard Classification

Wildfire Hazard Resource Concepts, InC Extreme 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 High (7751-883- 1600

I vada Gommuniity Risk/ Hazard t ProJ'ea @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepts, Inc, has made every effort to accurately compile the informatgar depicted on this map, but can not warrant the relmbrlitry or completeness of the source data I Photo Point I - Heading 046 N. 431 1418 E. 0449191. Overview of lone looking up lone Canyon.

t Photo Point 2 - Heading 319 N. 431 1433 E. 0449072. Heavy fuel in the community.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada ComntunitL. WiIdfiie Risk/3Jazard Assessment Projsct 78 Nye County - lone i1 .0 MANHATTAN

1 .I RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Manhattan is an old mining community situated at 7,000 feet in elevation at the southern end and west side of the Toquima Range in northern Nye County. The town of 135 people is situated on west facing gently sloping topography. The assessment resulted in classifying Manhattan as a high ignition risk and an Extreme Community Hazard category (77 points). The fire hazard rating was primarily attributed to limited access, inadequate defensible space, heavy fuels, steep topography, and west facing slopes. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as description of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is included in Table 11-2 at the end of this section.

1I. I. I Community Design Manhattan was characterized as an intermix wildland-urban interface condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wiidiand fuels and the buildings and open space throughout the community. All but five of the 58 houses assessed were on parcels between one and ten acres in size, the remaining parcels were all less than one acre in size (Figure 11-1).

Roads: The only access into the community was State Route 377169. This dirt road was between 20 and 24 feet wide. Many of the roads in the community were steeper than a five percent grade although the majority of the roads have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: There was one primary street in town and it had a clearly visible sign. All but one of the 58 homes had clear address signs. In larger communities, clear and visible signage is important to assist fire suppression personnel locate residences during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: All of the utilities were above ground. The majority of the power line corridors had been properly maintained to minimize wildfire damage to electric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation.

Eighty-four percent of the homes observed in the intedace area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials. All but two of the homes had fire resistan materials such as composition roofing, metal: or tile. Thirty eight percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and emb rs can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

--- Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire Rsmarard Assessment 79 Nye County - Manhattan f 4. -5.3 Defensible Space Few of the homes (28 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

11.1.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources The Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department had one fire station staffed by 25 volunteers. Additional resources were available through fire departments in Hadley, Manhattan, and Tonopah as well as the NDF, the BLM and th Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center. Table 11-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Manhattan in the event of a reported wildland fire. In addition, Manhattan will be receiving a four-wheel drive 2,000-gallon water tender at the end of 2004.

Table 11-1. Manhattan Wildfire Suppression Resources

Manhattan VFD

requested by the Manhattan VFB I Fire Chief dispatched from the Nye County Sheriff Office in Tonopah. Source: Personal conversation with Chief Dennis Floto, Manhattan VFD, (June, 29 2004)

Water Sources and Infrastructure There were fire hydrants scattered throughout the community but not all structures were protected. The hydrants were fed by a 36,000-gallon water storage tank. Gravity and electric pumps powered the water system. Tnere was no backup generator described at the time of the intewiew.

Detection and Communication Fires could be reported by phone by calling 91 1. Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of radios and pagers by the Fire Dispatch in the Nye County Sherifs Office in Tonopah.

The radio frequency is compatible with neighboring agencies and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. There were many gaps in radio coverage throughout the area due to the steep terrain.

-- Resaurce C~ncepts,Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Pmect 80 Nye County - anh hat tan Fire Protection Personnel Ouaiifications Nye County Emergency Services had provided training to the volunteer firefighters. The training focused on structure protection and touched on wildland fire suppression.

Work Load The Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department responded to one wildlandlbrush fire in

Financial Srappord Financial support for the Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department comes from the Nye County General Fund and the Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department annual fundraiser.

Community Preparedness The Nye County Local Emergency Planning Committee has maintained an Emergency Plan for hazardous materials. The County also has maintained an All Risk County Plan. The Sheriff's Office has an evacuation plan for disasters.

Manhattan formed a chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council in April 2003. Through the establishment of a local chapter, Manhattan obtained access to information and funding to implement fire mitigation projects.

11.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Fuels were moderate to heavy ranging from 6 to 30 tons per acre. The tree layer was comprised of pinyon and juniper. The shrub layer consisted of rabbitbrush, bitterbrush (Pursia tridentata), and sage, typically two to dour feet tall. Ground fuels consisted of cheatgrass and perennial grasses. There were continuous dense fuels in close proximity to structures. The community lies in a narrow canyon with steep sides. The slopes around the community were moderately steep ranging from 20 to 30 percent and the aspect was generally to the south. North winds associated with passing coid fronts or thunderstorm activity had been common, particularly in the summer afternoons. Prevailing wind exposure and ladder fuels may reduce suppression effectiveness.

11.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would begin during an above normal precipitation year with above normal grass production. A fire start in the late afternoon located west to southwest of the community could be push by strong winds up the canyon through heavy fuels. Long range spotting of up to ile could occur. Flame lengths of 6 to 20 feet with rates of spread of 30 to 70 chains per hour could be expected. The old wooden structures and poor defensible space would contribute to high potential for structure loss. Fire could easily

11.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There was a high potential for fire ignition due to heavy fuels within the community. The primary risk was lightning and off-road vehicles. There was a high potential for structure loss due to steep slopes, poor defensible space and many old wooden structures. There were

--- Resource Concepts, Inc. Nemda Community Wjidfim RisWiYazard Assessment Project Nye County - Manhattan limited suppression resources within the community and additionai suppression resources were 30 minutes or more away.

2 RISKAND HALARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND F~ESP~NSIBILITIES

The Manhattan risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding defensible space. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Manhattan.

7 7.2.7 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet), This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. P Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. P Maintain the defensible space condition as needed P Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. k Where cheatgrass or other annual grasses have become dominant within the defensible space, vegetation should be mowed or treated with an application of pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed set. Mowing may need to be repeated the follcswing year to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted grasses has been depleted. Refer to Appendix C for approved seed mixes and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with removal of this annual grass. k Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. P Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. k Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet fro P Install spark arrestors on chimneys. 9 Maintain the area beneath unenclosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris. P Remove leaves, and debris from roofs and rain gutters. > If a resident decides to keep some pinyon or juniper trees near the home for aesthetic reasons, no other native trees or ladder fuels should be within a minimum of 30 feet of the crown of the tree.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisMHazard Assessment Project 82 Nye County - Manhattan Tree limbs shoiiid be trimmed to a height of four feet (but not more than ii3 of the tree canopy) above the ground. Pinyon pines should be thinned to a spacing of 1 %times the height of the trees from the edge of the tree crowns. Prune tree branches to at least 15 feet from chimneys, walls, and roofs of structures. Abandoned trailers and other structures should be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted ignition from sparks or firebrands. Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community.

Fuel Reduction Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. 9 Remove brush and trees within 20 feet of each sides of private driveways longer than 200 feet. Replace flammable fuels with fire-resistant species such as crested wheatgrass or an approved pre-suppression seed mix. Refer to Appendix C for approved seed mixes, planning guidelines, and seed sources.

Construction Recommendations P Replace wood roofs with non-combustible roofing materials such as composite shingles or metal.

11.2.2 Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction P Mow or otherwise remove all vegetation within 10 feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access for fire personnel.

Community Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. P Meet annually with the BLM and USFS to discuss their re-attack plans for the community.

ubiic Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. ';. Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community WiIdflre RisWHazard ~sse&nt Project 83 Nye County - Manhattan R~SOIIPLE~Sand Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. > Obtain basic wildland fire fighting training with annual refresher classes. > Obtain grants and purchase a brush engine and other wildland firefighting equipment. > Work with the County to improve radio coverage.

Fuel Reduction > Remove rather than prune trees in the powerline rights-of-way. > Clear and maintain free of accumulated vegetation a space of no less than 15 feet from electric utility infrastructure within power line corridors.

7 1.2.4 Nye County Responsibilities

Resources and Training 9 Assist the Volunteer Fire Department in looking for grants to obtain wildland firefighting equipment. 9 Work with the Volunteer Fire Department to improve radio coverage in the area.

7 7.2.5 US Forest Service Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction 9 A shaded fuel break similar to the BLM fuel break on the ridge south of the community should be completed around the entire community on lands managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District.

Nevada Community Wildfire RiskJHazard Assessment Project 84 PJye County - Manhaftan Table 11-2 Manhattan Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban interface Condition 2

B. Community Design 1. ingress i Egress 3 15 2. Width of Road 153 3. Accessibility -13 3 4. Secondary Road -15 1 5. Street Signs 151 6. Address Signs 151 7. Utilities 1 15

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 1 MO 2. Siding 1 15 3. Unenclosed Structures 3 15

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size 153 2. Defensible Space j5 115

F. Fire Behavior

1. Fuels 155 2. Fire Behavior 10 /? 0 3. Slope 7 MO 4. Aspect 10 no E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 2 AO 2. Department 7 MO

Score - 77 MZ~ igure 11-1. Manhaaan Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Mitigation Projects Legend I Resource Concepts, Inc. MM Fuel Break o 0.1 0.2 0.4 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson Cii, NV 89703 eI)~mmunity Boundary (775)-883-1600

Fire Ignition

Fire Stations Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately comp~lethe informaDon depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliabtllty or completeness of the source data. Legend Figure 11-2. Manhattan Fuel Hazzard Classification omm om mu nit^ Boundary Wildfire Hazard Resource Concepts, Inc. Extreme 0 0.1 0.2 0 4 340 N. Minnesota St. Garson City, NV 89703 High (775)-883-1600 Medium

Low Nevada Comuni~Wildfire RW/ Hazard ent Prujed @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepk, Inc. has made every effortto accurately compile the inhrmatioi; dep~cteclon thls map, out can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Figure 11-3 Manhattan Fuel Hazard Photo Points .

I Photo Point 1 - Heading 130 N. 4265626 E. 493710 overview of community and heavy fuels on hillsides.

t J Photo Point 2 - Heading 170 N. 4265385 E. 494317. Pinyon and juniper trees with cheatgrass on steep slopes in Manhattan. Resource Conceots. Inc. Ptievada Community Wildfire RRhRIazard Assessment Project 88 Nye County - Manhaftan 12.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Pahrump is located at 2,650 feet in elevation in a flat valley at the southern tip of Nye County. The community of 29,000 people is adjacent to Clark County at the junction of State Route 160 and 372. The Pahrump risMhazard assessment resulted in a low ignition risk and an overall hazard rating of 31 points, placing Pahrump in the Low Community Hazard category. The low hazard rating was primarily attributed to good access, low fuel density, flat topography, and ignition resistant construction materials. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters and descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario for Pahrump are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is included in Table 12-2.

12.1. I Community Design Pahrump was characterized as an intermix wildland-urban interface condition: structures were scattered throughout the wildland area with no clear line of demarcation between wildland fuels and the buildings and open space throughout the community. Ninety percent of the 1,674 homes assessed in the interface area were on lots between one and ten acres in size and the remainder of the homes were on lots less than one acre in size (Figure 12-1).

Roads: State Route 160 and 372 were the primary access roads into the community. These roads were paved and were at least 24 feet wide. The secondary road grades were less than five percent and have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Street signs were visible on 89 percent of the 74 residential streets assessed and addresses were visible on 74 percent of the homes. Clear and visible signage is important to assist fire suppression personnel locate residences during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: Utilities were both above and ground. Power transformers posed a moderate ignition risk because some of the power line corridors had not been properly maintained.

inety nine percent of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials and roof materials such as composition roofing, metal, or tile. Ten percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural fea res that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers could smolder and ignite and ra dly spread fire to the home.

w-- - Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWHazard Assessment Project Nye County - Pahrump The majority of the homes (86 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire. The homes located near the large patches of heavy vegetation within the community lacked the required defensible space based on their exposure to these fuels.

12.1,4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources The Pahrump Valley Fire Department was a combination career and volunteer department with 22 career positions and 22 volunteers at the time of the assessment. Seven career firefighters were on duty each day, responding from one of the four fire stations. Three fire stations house equipment, but were not staffed. Additional resources were available through the Clark County Fire Department, the Amargosa Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the BLM and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Ash Meadows dispatched from the Las Vegas Interagency Communication Center and the NDF dispatched from the Central Nevada lnteragency Dispatch Center.

Table 12-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Pahrump in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 12-1. Pahrump Wildfire Suppression Resources

10 - 30 minutes Engine Type IV 2 Engine Type Ill Pahrump FD Eagine Type I I ; Water Tender 3 Command Vehicle I Engine Type Ill 1 US Forest Sewice Engine type VI 1 (located at PFD Station #3) I+ hours Varies per request Closest available resources as requested by the Pahrump FD Fire Chief dispatched from the Nye County Sheriff Office. Source: Personal conversation with Fire Chief Scott Lewis, Pahrump FD (June, 29 2004).

Water Sources and infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Pahrump included: 1;. Community wells i. 500 gpm hydrants within 1,000 feet of structures in the main section of the community. 3 Water sources were 20 min. or less round trip for most of the community 3 Water storage tanks totaling one million gallons

-- Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project 90 Nye County - Pahrump Commercial buiidings had to have i0,000 gallon tanks on-site Fire Department had a total of three water tenders 3,500 gal, each There were several ponds in the area available for draft sources

The water system relied on gravity and electrical pumps. There was no backup emergency generator to run the pumps.

Detection and Communication Fires may be reported in the Pahrump area by calling 91 1.

Fires may bee communicated to fire response personnel through the use of > Nye County Sheriff Dispatch in Pahrump > Radios using the following frequencies: primary - 154.445; secondary - 154.280 > Pagers > All Pahrump fire radios were not compatible with neighboring agencies, but they can be contacted through State Mutual Aid Frequencies

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications At the time of this report, approximately 75 percent of the volunteer firefighters had been trained to National Fire Protection Agency Firefighter 1 standards. Wildland firefighter training was scheduled for July of 2004.

Work Load The Nye County Fire Department responded to 6,663 calls in 2003. 9 Emergency Medical Calls: 5693 9 Wildland IBrush fire calls: 50 9 Other calls: 900

Financial Support Financial support for the Pahrump Fire Department comes primarily the Pahrump General Fund. Pahrump is not an incorporated town.

Community Preparedness Nye County has an active Local Emergency Planning Committee and has adopted an emergency plan, a disaster plan, and an emergency evacilation plan. maintains an emergency Ian specific to Pahrump Valley.

12.7.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Pahrump has been a fast growing, spread-out town. There were fine and/or sparse fuels surrounding the community with pockets of light to moderate fuels within the community typically ranging from 1 to 3 tons per acre. The tree layer consisted of mesquite ranging from 10 to 20 feet tall. Salt cedar occurred in large thick patches within the community

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Commun RisW8zard Assessment Project 9f Nye County - Pahrump ranging between 20 and 30 feel in height. ihe shrub iayer was dominated by greasewood and shadscale. Ground fuels consisted of sparse red brome and Russian thistle.

High winds had been typically from southlsouthwest but can blow from any direction across the flat valley, particularly on summer afternoons.

i2. f.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario Fuels surrounding the community were generally sparse and would not likely pose a threat to the community. However, a fire started in the heavy wildland type vegetation within the community such as the mesquite and salt cedar groves would threaten homes. This would be most critical on a high hazard day with the wind blowing over 25 mph in any direction, most likely from the south.

Kids with fireworks were a possible ignition source because fireworks were sold in Pahrump. Fireworks were illegal in Pahrump and Nye County, but it hris not been enforced. Fireworks could be a significant ignition source around the 4" of July.

72.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a high potential for fire ignition due to fuels within the community. The primary risk is fireworks or careless kids with matches.

12.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONS~B~LITIES

The Pahrump risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding heavy fuels within the community. Other recommendations pertain to community coordination and public education efforts that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Pahrump.

12.2. I Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 39 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. ? Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation argund homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: ere are only small amounts of flammable vegetatio ere is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season, 3. Maintain the defensible space condition as needed, > Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site.

- - Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community RisMHazard ~ssessrnc?ntProject 92 Nye County - Pahmmp Where red brome or other annual grasses have become dominant within the defensible space, vegetation should be mowed or treated with an application of pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed set. Mowing may need to be repeated the following year to ensure that the seed bank of unwanted grasses has been depleted. Refer to Appendix C for approved seed mixes and planting guidelines that can be used in conjunction with removal of this annual grass. Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures. Abandoned trailers and other structures should be boarded up or removed to prevent unwanted ignition from sparks or firebrands. Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. Maintain the area beneath unenclosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris. Remove leaves, and debris from roofs and rain gutters. Thin mesquite and tamarisk to a spacing equivalent to one and one-half times the height of the taller trees from crown to crown. Limb branches of remaining trees to a minimum of four feet from the ground, but not more than 113 of the tree crown, to reduce ladder fuels. Remove all dead and diseased branches and duff from beneath the remaining trees. Prune tree branches to at least 15 feet from chimneys, walls, and roofs of structures.

Community Coordination Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. b Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support t~ communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, The Nevada Fire Safe Council 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-244 3 > Ensure that residential addresses are visible from the road. The best place to post an address is where the driveway meets the road. Address characters should be at least four inches tall and reflective. Improving the visibility of

Nevada Community G!d$re RisWHazard Assessment Proiect 93 Nye County - Pahrump addresses wiii faciiitate the navigation of unfamiliar neighborhoods for rescue and suppression personnel during a wildfire event.

12.2.2 Pahrump Fire Department Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is partic~iarlytrue in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. P The fire department should be available to provide courtesy inspections of residential defensible space measures.

Fuel Reduction Fuels reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than defensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over large blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. > Remove or mow vegetation within 10 feet of all fire hydrants to improve visibility and access to fire personnel. 9 Promote a program for cleaning weeds and debris from around structures and fences in the community.

Public Educafion Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community, P Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

122.3 Electric Utility Company Responsibilities

3 Maintain a defensible space clear of all vegetation a minimum 30 feet from the fence lines of all electrical transfer stations. Maintenance is important to minimize wildfire damage to electric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation. > Clear a space of no less than 15 feet from electric utility infrastnrcture within power line corridors and maintain free of accumulated vegetation. 2 Clear salt cedar branches within 15 feet of powerlines power lines and transformers.

Resource Concepts, bnc. Nevada Cornmunit; ii~diireRsWNazard Assessment Project 94 Nye County - Pahrump $22.4 Nye County Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction P In areas of heavy brush and areas of thick salt cedar, clear and maintain free of vegetation by mowing to a height of four inches a minimum space of 20 feet from edge of pavement on both sides of community access roads to reduce fuel hazards and improve access safety.

Community Coordination P AAllow burning only under a permit process ~r on set designated community burn days. A sample burn permit is included in Appendix D. P Promote collaboration between the Assessor's Office and the Roads Department to ensure that all new development roads are named, mapped, signed, and identified with GPS coordinates. 9 County Commissions and Rural Planning Commissions should require that all future development in the county meet with National Fire Codes with regards to community design aspects: building construction and spacing, road construction and design, water supply, and emergency access. Refer to Appendix E for fire safe recommendations for planning in new developments.

Resource Ctmc=epts9lnc blevada Community Wildfire R~sMHazardAssessment Project 95 Nye County - Pahrump Table 12-2 Pahrump Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 2

B. Community Design esidential Streets I. Ingress i Egress 2. Width of Road 3. Accessibility 4. Secondary Road 5. Street Signs B6. Address Signs 6. Address Signs 441 not 1233 visible 74% vlsible 7. Utilities visibie Cl. Roofs C. Construction Materials 17 combust 1657 not 99% not 1. Roofs 1 MO combust -combust 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 /5

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size ---"J5 3 2. Defensible Space /I5 172 not 1502 enclose 10% not enclosed - enclosed F. Fire Behavior Dl. Lot Sizes 1. Fuels -.-J5 1 2. Fire Behavior 3 /I 0 3. Slope MO1 4. Aspect 1 MO

E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 2 /lo 2. Department 3 /I 0

Score Figure 12-1. Pahrump Fire History, Suppression Resources, @ Hospitsl and Critical Features ~I~~rnrnunrtyBoundary Resoure Concepts, Im. kJ Fire lgnibon 340 N. Minnesota St QlWn CV, NV 89705 (775)-883-1600 Fire Stations -

~~~~6ountyBoundary Nevada WImmunity WiMfire RLrk / HazadasSessmentProject -Hlghweys Rewures Conepa, Inc has made every efiort to aoxrateiy mmpile the Information depided on th~smap, but can not warrant thr rellablilty or completeness of ths source data Figure 12-2. Photographs of Pahrump Fuels

Pahrump - Sparse fuels surrounding Pahrump.

Pahrump - Heavy fuels within the community of Pahrump.

Nemda Commonify WiIdfire Ris.Wtmrd Assessment Projolcf 98 Nye County -. Pahrump LEY (ROUND MOUNTAIN)

13.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

The community Hadley, also known as Round Mountain, is a mining community located in northern Nye County in the Big Smoky Valley. The town of is across the valley from the Round Mountain Gold Mine and is situated on relatively flat terrain at 6,000 feet in elevation. Hadley was assessed as a low ignition risk and an overall hazard rating of 32 points, placing Hadley in the Low Community Hazard category. The low hazard rating was primarily attributed to good access and sparse fuels. The specific findings for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario for Hadley are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is included in Table 13-2.

73.7.1 Community Design Hadley was characteristic of an wildland-urban interface condition: structures abutted wildland fuels and there was a clear line of demarcation between the structures and the wildland fuels along roads, back fences, and the like. Fuels did not continue in the development area. All of the 25 houses assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size (Figure 13-1).

Roads: The primary access into Hadley was via State Route 8a. The road was at least 24 feet wide. The secondary roads were on grades less than five percent and have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Street signs and addresses were clearly visible. Clear and visible signage is important to assist fire suppression personnel locate residences during poor visibility conditions that may occur during a wildland fire.

Utilities: All utilities were above ground. Power line corridors had been properly maintained to minimize wildfire damage to electric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation.

13.7.2 Construction Materials All of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials and have fire resistant roof materials such as composition roofing, metal, or tile. None of the 25 homes obse~edhave unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architectural features that can create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

13.1.3 Defensible Space All of the homes met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Cammurtity Wildfire .~isk/~erard~ssessment Project 99 Nye County - Hadley (Round Mountain) 73.7.4 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources The Round Mountain Fire Department had one paid position and 23 volunteer firefighters with one fire station. Additional resources were available through fire depadments in carvers, Manhattan, and Tonopah as we11 as the NDF, the BLM and the Hurnboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District dispatched from the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center.

Table 13-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Hadley in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 13-1. Hadley Wildfire Suppression Resources

10 - 30 minutes Type VI Brush Engine 1 Round Mountain VFD Type I Engine Brush I Round Mountain VFD Engine 1 Smoky Valley VFD (Carvers) Water Tender (3,000 gal.) 1 Smoky Valley VFD (Carvers) 30,000 gal. water trucks 2 Round Mountain Gold Company 10,000 gal. water trucks 3 1+ hours Brush Engine 1 Tonopah VFD Closest available resources as requested by the Round Mountain VFD Fire Chief dispatched from the Nye County Sheriff Office in Tonopah. Source: Personal conversation with Assistant Chief Dan Sweeny, Round Mountain VFD (June 29, 2004)

Water Sources and Infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Hadley include: P 500 gpm hydrants within 500 feet of structures P Water storage tanks totaling 1 million gallons

The water system relies on gravity and eEectrieal pumps. There is no backup emergency generator to run the pumps,

There were also Wo fishing ponds in adley and ponds on the golf course.

Detection and Communication Fires were reported in the Hadley area by calling 91 1.

Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of 6- Nye County Sheriff Dispatch in Tonopah > Radios using primary frequency: - l54.625 Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWaaard ~ssessmentProject 100 Nye County - Hadley (Round Mountain) P Pagers P All Pahrump fire radios were compatibie with neighboring agencies and they can be contacted through State mutual aid frequencies

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All of the volunteer firefighters had been trained to State Fire Marshall's Firefighter I standards. Firefighters also receive wildland-urban interface video annual training,

Work Load The Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department responded Po over 50 calls in 2003. > Emergency Medical Calls: 50 P Wildland / Brush fire calls: 3 to 4

Financial Support Financial support comes primarily from the Nye County General Fund and the Town of Hadley general fund.

Community Preparedness Nye County has an active Local Emergency Planning Committee and has adopted an emergency plan, a disaster plan, and an emergency evacuation plan. The Round Mountain volunteer fire department maintains a Fire Department Response Plan.

13.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Fuels in the area were light and consist of sparse salt grass (Distichlis sp.), rabbit brush and shadscale. The community is bounded on two sides by a golf course. The area is relatively flat.

13.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would occur during an above-normal precipitation year with above-normal annual grass production and no livestock grazing in the area to reduce annual grass production. A wind driven fire would only be carried through grass since most brush is widely spaced and less than one foot high. Flame lengths of four to six feet with rates of spread of 30-60 chains per hour would be expected.

13.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There is a low potential for fire ignition due to sparse fuels within the community, The primary risk is off-road vehicles or carelessness.

13.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Hadley risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding training, communication, and public education. Hadley has good defensible space and should be maintained.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment 10-I Nye County - Wadley (Round Mountain) f3.2.f Property Owner R~psnsibi!ifies

Defensible Space fieatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. r;. Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. T, Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. P Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. P Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. P Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. P Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures.

Community Coordirtation Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. P Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe Council proposes to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and property from wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and trair; community members and promote success stories of its members. For more information on forming a chapter, contad; The Nevada Fire Safe Councii 1187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-2413

Resource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community &~~azardAssessment Projecf 102 Nye County - Hadley (Round Mountain) $3.22 Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire event, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. k Meet annually with the BLM and the USFS to discuss their pre-attack plan for the community.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Infor members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. k Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for the firemen as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. \i. Attend annual basic wildland fire fighting training. \i. Work with the County to improve radio communications with the Manhattan and Belmont areas.

Resource Concepts, !nc. Nevada Communify VJiIdfire F?isk/l-azardAssessment Project 103 Bye County - Hadley (Round Mountain) Table 13-2 Round Mountain (Hadley) Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 7

B. Community Design 1. Ingress I Egress 1 /5 2. Width of Road 151 3. Accessibility /31 4. Secondary Road /51 5. Street Signs 151 6. Address Signs /51 7. Utilities 1 15

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 1 MO 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 15

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size 155 2. Defensible Space A5

F. Fire Behavior

1. Fuels /5I 2. Fire Behavior 3 no 3. Slope 1 /I0 4. Aspect 1 MO

E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 1 MO 2. Department 3 /I L,

Score 32 /I28 Figure 13-1. Round Mountain Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features PAMI Fuel Break Resource Concepts, Inc. II Historic Site 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 ~,,~~ornrnunit~Boundary (775)-883-1600

Nevada Community Wildtire Risk / Hazad Assessment Project Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compile the information depicted on this map, but can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Legend Figure 13-2. Hadley ~m)CommunityBoundary Fuel Hazard Classification Wildfire Hazard 1 Resource Concepts, Inc. Extreme 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 High (775)-883-1600 Medium - Low I Resources Concepts, IPC.has made every e%ot-t to accurately comptle the !nfcrmd!on dep~ctedon this map, but can not warrant the reIrabill@{or completeness of the source data. Figure 13-2. Photographs of Hadley Fuels

Round Mountain (Hadley) - 358 4282817 N. 485543 E. Sparse vegetation on the west side of Round Mountain.

Nevada Community Wiidfire RiskWazarcj Assessmenf Project Nye County - Hadley (Round Maunlairs) 14.0 TONOPAH

14.1 RISKAND HAZARDASSESSMENT

Tonopah is located on the border of Nye and Esmeralda Counties on US Highway 95. The town of 2,400 people is situated at 6,000 feet in elevation in the San Antonio Mountains. The risWhazard assessment resulted in classifying Tonopah as a low ignition risk area and a Low Community Hazard category (37 points). The hazard rating was primarily attributed to good access, sparse fuels, and ignition resistant building materials. The sp for each of the wildland fire assessment parameters as well as descriptions of the predicted fire behavior and the worst-case fire scenario for Tonopah are reported below. A summary of the values that contribute to this hazard rating is included in Table 13-3.

14.7.7 Community Design Tonopah was characterized as a wildland-urban interface condition, with a clear line of demarcation between building structures and wildland fuels. Wildland vegetation typically did not continue into the development areas. Most of the 848 houses assessed were on parcels less than one acre in size while 52 houses were on parcels between one and ten acres in size (Figure 13-1).

Roads: US Highway 95 was the primary access through the community. This road was at least 24-feet wide. Some of the secondary roads were on grades steeper than five percent but have adequate turnaround space for fire suppression equipment.

Signage: Street signs were visible along three-quarters of the 74 residential streets assessed. Addresses were visible on 82 percent of the houses assessed.

Utilities: The utilities were both above and below ground. Power line corridors had been properly maintained to minimize wildfire damage to electric utilities and reduce the possibility that sparks created by electric utilities will start a fire in adjacent vegetation.

Ninety four percent of the homes observed in the interface area were built with ignition resistant, treated wood siding materials. Ninety eight percent of the homes had fire resistant roof materials such as composition roofing, metal, or tile. Fourteen percent of the homes observed had unenclosed balconies, porches, decks or other architedural features that could create drafty areas where sparks and embers can smolder and ignite and rapidly spread fire to the home.

14.7.3 Defensible Space Almost all of the homes (99 percent) met the minimum recommended defensible space guidelines for landscaping to help protect the home from damage or loss during a wildfire.

Nye County -. Tonopah ?4.?.4 Suppretssim Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources The Tonopah Fire Department was staffed by one paid and 27 volunteer firefighters with one fire station in Tonopah. Additional resources were available through Round Mountain, Mina, Gold Field, or Hawthorne dispatched from the Las Vegas lnteragency Communication Center and the NDF dispatched from the Central Nevada lnteragency Dispatch Center.

Table 14-1 lists the types of wildfire resources, cooperating partners and equipment available to Tonopah in the event of a reported wildland fire.

Table 14-1. Tonopah Wildfire Suppression Resources

AMOUNT COUPERA~NGPARTNER RESPONSETIME TYPEOF EQUIPMENT OF (RESOURCELOCATION) EQUIPMENT Tonopah Fire Department

innemucca, Nevada Source: Personal conversation with Chief Bruce Wadsworth, Tonopah FD (June, 29 2004)

Water Sources and Infrastructure Water availability for fire suppression in Tonopah included: > 500 gpm hydrants within 500 feet of structures > One million-gallon tank 0,000-gall~ntanks

The water system relied on gravity and electrical pumps. There were backup emergency generators to run the pumps.

Detection and Communication Fires were reported in the Tonopah area through: 3 Calling 91 1 to the Nye County Sheriff%Office in P Community Siren

Fires were communicated to fire response personnel through the use of radios and pagers and the Fire Dispatch through the Nye County Sheriff's Office in Tonopah.

The radio frequency was compatible with neighboring agencies and the fire department had access to State Mutual Aid frequencies. There were gaps in radio coverage east of the community.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Neva/ada Community WiIdfire RisMHazard Assessment Projact Nye County - Tonopah Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications All of the volunteer firefighters had been trained to State Fire Marshall's Firefighter I and I1 standards.

Work Load The Tonopah Volunteer Fire Department responded to 240 Emergency Medical Calls and 2 wildland Ibrushfire calls in 2003.

Financial Supaort Financial support for the Tonopah Volunteer Fire Department comes from the Tonopah General Fund.

Community Preparedness Nye County has an active Local Emergency Planning Committee and has adopted an emergency plan, a disaster plan, and an emergency evacuation plan. The emergency evacuation plan can only be activated by the Nye County Sheriff's Office. The Tonopah fire department maintains a pre-attack plan to respond to fire incidents.

The fire department reviews development plans. The fire department also sends out annual letters to residents containing fire regulations and suggestions for reducing fire risk.

14.1.5 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior Fuels in the area were light to medium, typically less than one ton per acre. Fuels consisted of greasewood, rabbitbrush, and ephedra. The shrubs were typically one to two feet tall and three to five feet apart. Ground fuels consisted of cheatgrass, Indian rice grass, halogeton (Halogeton glomeratusf and salt grass. The sl~peswere between eight and twenty percent. The south end of the community lies in a canyon, becoming flatter as it moves north. The aspects were generally to the north.

Winds blow from any direciion anytime of day or season. There is no predictable wind direction.

74.1.6 Fire Behavior Worst-case Scenario The worst-case scenario would occur during a year with above normal precipitation and above normal annual grass prodlaction. A fire starting northwest of the community could be driven by strong afternoon winds through annual grass southward up the wide canyon in which the town lies. Fire would not easily move through community due to numerous paved streets and dirt roads.

74.1.7 Ignition Risk Assessment There was low potential for fire ignition and low potential for structure loss because of sparse, widely spaced fuels. The primary risk would be lightning and off-road vehicles, and human careiessness.

Resorrrce Concepts, he. Nevada Community Wildfire RsWazard Assessment Projed 109 Nye County - Tonopah 14.2 RISKAND HAZARDREDUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Tonopah risk and hazard reduction recommendations address the primary concern regarding community coordination and training efforts that could be initiated to enhance fire safety in Tonopah.

$4.2.1 Property Owner Responsibilities

Defensible Space Treatments Defensible space treatments are an essential first line of defense for residential structures. The goal of the treatments is to significantly reduce or remove vegetation within a prescribed distance from structures (typically 30 feet). This defensible space reduces fire intensity and improves firefighter and homeowner chances for successfully defending a structure against oncoming wildfire. 9 Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix C. This area should be kept: -Lean There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation, Clean There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris, Green Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season. 9 Maintain the defensible space condition as needed. 9 Immediately remove cleared vegetation to an approved disposal site when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and presents a fire hazard if left on site. 9 Clear around propane tanks for a minimum distance of 10 feet and maintain this area free of accumulated vegetation and combustible materials. P Remove flammable materials and other debris from the defensible space. 3 Store firewood a minimum distance of 30 feet from structures. P Mow or remove brush growing against wood fences in the community. 9 Maintain the area beneath unenciosed wood decks and porches free of weeds and flammable debris.

Community coordination is important in order to make the entire community wildland- urban interface area fire safe. 3 Form a local chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Nevada Fire Safe ses to work on solutions that reduce the risk of loss of lives and wildfires in Nevada's communities. Through the establishment of a local Chapter, communities become part of a large information-sharing network that receives notifications of programs and funding opportunities for fire mitigation projects such as those listed in this report. The Nevada Fire Safe Council will accept and manage grants and contracts on the Chapter's behalf through its non-profit status. The Nevada Fire Safe Council provides assistance and support to communities to complete fire safe plans, set priorities, educate and train community members and promote success stories of its members. or more information on forming a chapter, contact;

Rmource Concepts, Inc, Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project f 70 Nye County - Tonopah The Nevada Fire Safe Councii I187 Charles Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 telephone (775) 322-2413

74.2.2 Tonopah Fire Department Responsibilities

Coordination Coordination among local, state and federal fire suppression agencies is important in the day-to-day fire prevention activities and becomes critical in the event of a wildland fire. During a fire vent, firefighters from other communities and states may be dispatched to areas they have never been before. This is particularly true in areas that have limited fire suppression resources and will most likely be dependent on an outside agency in the event of a catastrophic wildland fire. P Work with the BLM to establish a fire safe community program and fire prevention program.

Public Education Public education to make communities more fire safe is critical. Informed community members will take the initiative to lead efforts in effectively reducing the threat that wildland fires present to the entire interface community. h Distribute copies of the publication "Living with Fire" to all property owners. This publication is free of charge. Copies can be requested from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 784-4848.

Resources and Training Resources and training for wildfire is a safety issue for firefighters as well as the community. The volunteer fire department needs brush training and equipment to safely do their job because additional help is one to two hours away. > Work with the BLM and the USFS to receive annual wildland fire fighting training. h Work with the BLM and the USFS to obtain basic wildland safety gear.

74.2.3 Nye County Responsibilities

Fuel Reduction Fuel reduction treatments are applied on a larger scale than efensible space treatments. By permanently changing the fuel structure over iarge blocks of land to one of lower volume or reduced flammability with a fuel reduction treatment, the expected result in the event of a catastrophic wildfire would be one of reduced capacity for uncontrolled spread through the treated area. i;. Clear and maintain free of vegetation a minimum space of 20 feet from edge of pavement on both sides of road for the length of the community.

.- Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevag'a Community Wildfire RisMffarard Assessment Project Nye County - Tbnopah Resoiirces and Training P Provide funding to repair the fire fighting equipment.

14.2.4 BLM Responsibilities

Communitv Coordination P Work with Tonopah to establish a fire safe community program and fire prevention program.

- Resource Concepts, lnc. Nevada Community Wildfire Rismazard Assessment Project 1.f2 Nye County - Tonopah Table 14-2 Tonopah Wildfire Hazard Rating Summary A. Urban Interface Condition 1

B. Community Design 1. Ingress / Egress 1 /5 2. Width of Road -15 1 3. Accessibility -13 3 4. Secondary Road -/5 1 5. Street Signs 155 6. Address Signs /53 7. Utilities 1 /5

C. Construction Materials 1. Roofs 1 MO 2. Siding 1 /5 3. Unenclosed Structures 1 15

D. Defensible Space 1. Lot Size 155 2. Defensible Space /I5

F. Fire Behavior

1. Fuels 151 2. Fire Behavior 3 /lo 3. Slope 4 /I 0 02. Defensible Space 4. Aspect I 12 not MO -adequat -836 adequate 99% adequate E. Suppression Capabilities 1. Water Source 1 MO 2. Department 3 A0

Score 37 /128 ~,~~ommunityBoundary Figure 14-1. Tonopah Fire History, Suppression Resources, 2 school and Critical Features

Hospital Re~urceConcepts, Inc. Fire Ignitions 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703 (775)-883-1600 Fire Stations

Nevada Community Wi/dl"ireRisk / Hazard Assessment Pmje Resources Concepts, Inc. has made every effort to accurately compde the rnformation dep~ctedon thls map, but can not warrant the reliability or completeness of the source data. Legend

~.~6omrnunityBoundary Figure 14-2. Tonopah Fuel Hazard Classification -Highways Wildfire Hazard Resource Concepts, Inc. Extreme 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, MV 89703 High (775)-883-1600 Medium Low Nevada Communi@ Wildtire Risk/ Hazard ent Pmjed @ Fuel Photo Points Resources Concepts, !nc. has made every effort to aauraMy compk!e the rnfomatlan depcted on thfs map, but can not warrant the rel~abilityor completeness of the source dab. Figure 14-3 Tonopah Fuel Hazard Photo Points

Photo Point 1 - Heading 200 N. 4214909 E. 480 060.View of Tonopah from the east. Low density fuels surround the community.

Photo Point 2 - Heading 040 N. 4213345 E. 479 297.Tonopah interface area. Pockets of heavy fuel occur within the cammunity. Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Comrnuniiy.WiIdiire Risk/Hazara' Assessmeni Project 1 16 Nye County- Tbnopah The recommendations in this report have been developed based on site-specific conditions observed during the wildfire risk and hazard assessments performed by RCI. General and specific recommendations provide a starting point so that each community described in this report can take a proactive approach in formulating projects to reduce the risks of loss of life, property, and natural resources from a wildland fire.

Nye County spans a broad range of elevations from the Mohave Desert areas in the south to the mountain ranges in the north. The communities to ihe south generaily have lower ignition risks and hazard ratings. The communities to the north have more vegetation, high ignition risks and high to extreme hazard ratings.

The communities of Manhaean, ione, and Belmont have the highest hazard ratings in Nye County. These communities were adjacent to land managed by the BLM as well as land managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin Ranger District. It is important that the Forest Service becomes an active partner in the proposed urban interface fuel hazard reduction projects for these communities.

All of the communities in Nye County, except Pahrump, rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. In all of these communities the firefighters need to be equipped with wildland personal protective equipment and need to participate in wildland fire fighting training. Table 15-1 summarizes the assessment results for each community. Table 15-2 summarizes the priority recommendations for each community.

Table 15-1. Nye County Community Assessment Summary

COMMUNITY POTEN-~AL FIREHAZARD 1 FUEL DENS'TY 1 IONITIONRISK I RATING Light / Amargosa Valley Low High Heavy

lone Heavy High Extreme Manhattan Heaw 1 Hiah Extreme 1

I 1 Tonopah Light !I Low Low

Res~uacraConcepts, !nc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Project 119 Nye County - Conclusions Table 15-2. Nye County Community Priority Recommendation Summary

9 Homeowners: improve Defensible Space 9 Homeowners/Power Company: trim trees 15' away from powerlines through the trees Amarg osa > Obtain access to State Mutual Aid Frequencies and be compatible with Valley neighboring agencies 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training 9 Firefighters / County: establish and enforce a debris clearance program 9 County: install water storage for fire suppression. 9 Homeowners: improve Defensible Space 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training Beatty 9 Firefighters ICounty: establish and enforce a debris clearance program 9 Firefighters: Pre-attack Plan 9 Homeowners: improve Defensible Space 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training 9 Firefighters: Pre-attack Plan Belmont 9 County: install better repeater to improve radio coverage and communications. 9 BLM IUSFS: Shaded fuel break within the community and % mile wide around the entire community 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training Carvers 9 County: improve radio communications with Belmont and Manhattan 9 Pre-attack Plan 9 Homeowners: improve Defensible Space 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training Gabbs 9 Obtain access to State Mutual Aid Frequencies and be compatible with neighboring agencies > County: obtain funding to repair equipment 9 Homeowners: obtain wildland personal protective equipment and training 9 Homeowners: obtain funding to purchase equipment lone 9 Homeowners: coordinate with the BLM and USFW for fuel reduction and pre- attack plan 9 BbM / LISFS: shaded fuel break 2C)O feet wide around entire community b Homeowners: improve Defensible Space Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue training Manhattan > k ELM !USFS: shaded fuel break arouild the erttire cmrntifiitj b County: install better repeater to improve radio coverage

Hadley 3 Homeowners: improve Defensible Space (Round 3 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue tra~ning Mountain) 9 Firefighters: Pre-attack Plan Tonopah 9 Firefighters: upgrade wildland personal protective equipment, continue traininq

Res~urceConcepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisM8rardAssessment Project 118 Nye County - Conclusions To be most effective, fire safe practices need to be implemented an a community- wide basis. There is no way to completely eliminate the threat that wildfires present to communities at the wildland interface. However, the recommendations in this report are intended to increase public awareness and encourage concerned community members to make proactive efforts to effectively reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions near their communities. Implementing defensible space and fuel reduction projects, and public education programs, will help to mitigate the hazards inherent in wildland interface areas.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RisWazard Assessment Projecf 119 Nye County - Conc/usions .ii 6.0 REFERENCES

Abaris Group, 2004. Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service Study Final Report. Prepared for the Town of Pahrump, February 2004.

BLM, 2003b. Carvers Community Site Assessment (Risk Assessment). Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Project Number 2824-DD-JF13.

BLM and USFS, 2003c. Environmental Assessment Wildland Ur an Interface (WUI) Fire Defense System for Manhattan, Nevada. Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office and the USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Austin and Tonopah Ranger Districts. Environmental Assessment NV-064-EA-03-50; RIPS # 595268; Project # 2824-DD-JF14; November, 2003.

BLM, 2003d. Hadley Community Site Assessment (Risk Assessment). Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Project Number 2824-DD-JF13.

BLM, 2003e. lone Community Site Assessment (Risk Assessment). Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Project Number 2824-DD-JF21.

BLM, 2003f. Manhattan Community Site Assessment (Risk Assessment). Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Project Number 2824-DD-JF14.

BLM, 2003g. Tonopah Community Site Assessment (Risk Assessment). Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Project Number 2824-DD-JF03.

BLM, 2003h. Wildland Urban InterfacelFire Defense Systems, Carvers and Hadley, Nevada. Prepared by the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office. Environmental Assessment NV-064-€A-03-49; RIPS # 595266 and 595267; Project Number NV- 064-2824-DD-JF13; December, 2003.

Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p.

Campbell, D. 1991. The Campbell Prediction System. Ojai Printing. Ojai, California.

Colorado State Forest Service. 1997. Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Response Plan.

Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Utah Department of Natural Resources. Fuel Load Reduction Treatments along the Wildland-Urban Interface: Community Level Protection Support Document for National Fire Plan Projects in Utah and Nevada. March 2001.

FIREWISE Website, National Wildfire Coordinating Group Park, Quincy, Massachusetts. Available online at http://w.firewise.org.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire RjsMffazard Assessment Project 120 Nye County - References National Fire Plan. 2001. A Collaborative Approach for Reducing LViidiand Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10- year Comprehensive Strategy. Available online at http:llwww.fireplan.govlreportsl7-19-en.pdf

National Fire Protection Association. 2001. NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. 2001 Edition.

National Register of Historic Places. County-specific information available online at http:/lww.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NV/state.html

Nevada BLM State Office. Statewide Geospatial Data. Nevada Fire History 1981-2002. ArcGiS coverage. http://www.nv.blm.gov/gislgeospatial~data. htm

Nevada Commission on Economic Development. 2004. Nye County Demographics available online at http:/l/www.expand2Nevada.com.

Nevada State Demographer. 2003 Population Estimate. Available online at h~p:/iwww,nsbdc.org/demographer.

Nevada State Register of Historic Places. County-specific information available online at http://dmla.clan.lib,nv.usldocs/shpolstatereg.htm

Office of the Federal Register and National Archive and Records Administration. Urban wildland interface communities within the vicinity of federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire, list. 66 FR 160 (Aug. 17, 2001). 43383-43435[01-205921 (also available online at http:l/www.fireplan.gov/reports/351-358-en.pdf).

Pahrump Valley Fire-Rescue Services, 2004. Pahrump Valley Fire-Rescue Capital Improvement Plan.

Uniform Fire Code. 1997. Article 32 - Liquefied Petroleum Gases, Section 8209.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Threatened and endangered species database system. Avaiiabie online at http:liendangered.flvs,gov/wildlife.html

University of Nevada, Reno, Reno Agricultural Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension, and the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators. n.d. Living with Fire: a guide for the landowner. Great Basin Fire Prevention Version.

USDA, NRCS 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http:Nplants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton ouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Spatial database information used in this report is listed by source in Section 2.2.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Nevada Community Wildfire WisWHazard Assess 121 Nye County - References APPENDICES en A Glossary of Terms Used in Wildfire Management Appendix k Giossary of Terms used in Wildfire Management

Annual grass treatment: This treatment involves either chemical or mechanical methods for reducing flashy fuels associated with annual grass infestations (cheatgrass). Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied at the proper rates near residential areas to reduce the fuel load from annual grasses. Mowing the annual grasses once they dry-out in the spring, preferably before going to seed, reduces the amount fine fuels during the summer fire season. Repeated mowing over several years should reduce the density of the annual grass as long as mowing occurs before seed set.

Biomass Utilization and Disposal: Biomass utilization is an alternative to open pile burning or landfill disposal. It would result in the use of the natural resource for beneficial purposes such as firewood, wood chips, compost, and other products. If residents cannot find an alternative to burning, then proper burning procedures should be followed.

Classic Interface: Structures abut native vegetation with a clear line of separation between structures and the wildland vegetation along roads and fences. The fuels do not extend into the developed areas.

Defensible space: Defensible space is defined as a minimum of a 30-foot area around houses and other structures where vegetation has been significantly modified or removed. The purpose of creating defensible space is to reduce the risk of losing homes and other property improvements to a wildfire (Smith and Adams, 1991).

Defensible space is especially important in communities with structures directly adjacent to wildland vegetation, as in the intermix or rural interface conditions, where wildfires can spread quickiy through the wildland fuels, threatening homes and lives.

Fire hazard: As used in this report, vegetative factors that affect the intensity and rate of spread of a fire as well as urban factors that can facilitate or inhibit public safety and the containment of a fire in an interface area.

Fire regime: A term used by fire ecologists to describe the periodicity and intensity of fire as specific to a plant community.

Fire risk: As used in this report, potential ignition sources and factors that facilitate ignition of wildfires in or near interface areas.

Firebrands: Pieces of burning material carried on t e wind ahead of an advancing wildfire that, in extreme cases, can ignite spot fires up to a mile removed from the flame front.

Firebreaks: A firebreak is a strip of land cleared of brush and trees down to the mineral soil.

Appendix A - Page I of 3 Fuelbreaks: A fuelbreak is a strip of land, strategicaiiy placed, on which a cover of dense, heavy, or flammable vegetation has been permanently changed to one of lower fuel volume or reduced flammability. Fuelbreak construction may include removing, controlling and possible replacing highly flammable vegetation with more fire resistant species, Ridge top fuelbreaks should have continuous length and width, which requires long-range planning. Fuels are reduced, ladder fuel is removed, and the canopy closure is reduced in fuelbreak treatments.

Primary fuelbreaks flank ridge tops and valley bottoms and are used to control large fires. The recommended minimum width is 300 feet.

Secondary fuelbreaks are used to break down large forested areas along roads, drainage ridges, communities and other valuable resources to support fires suppression into areas of less than 1,000 acres.

Fuel Reduction Treatment: This treatment involves strategically locating blocks of land near communities where flammable vegetation has been permanently changed to one of lower fuel volume or reduced flammability. Fuel reduction treatments may also involve replacement of highly flammable vegetation with less flammable or more fire resistant species.

Fuel Loading: An ocular estimate of the tons per acre (tlac) of combustible fuels present on a site. Parameters for this assessment are less than I t/ac for "light fuels," 1-4 t/ac for "medium fuels," and >4 tlac for "heavy fuels."

Greenstrips: Greenstrips are irrigated or usually non-irrigated bands of open space on private or public land (at least a minimum of 300 feet wide) that serve as a buffer zone between wildlands and adjacent urban development to promote safer environments. These areas are usually seeded to establish vegetation that is relatively fire resistant or burns slowly and with sho&ened flame lengths. Seedings also decrease soil erosion and prevent invasion of noxious weeds and other aggressive plants such as cheatgrass and Russian knapweed.

High Hazard Day: Aiso known as a "red flag day", a combination of conditions such as low humidity (45 percent), high winds (225 mph), and low fuel moisture create a high probability of ignition and subsequent increased fire intensity. Various agencies have different trigger points to establish a "high hazard day". lnterface Condition. Describes the density and distribution of structures with respect to the surrounding wildland environment. The four Interface Conditions are Rural, Intermixed, Occluded, and Classic. ntermix Interface: Structures are scattered throughout the wildland, with no clear boundary between the wildland vegetation and the community.

Ladder Fuels: Vegetation that allows a fire to move from lower growing plants (i.e. grasses and shrubs) to taller ones (Le, large shrubs and trees) is referred to as "ladder fuel." This problem can be corrected by providing separation between vegetation layers.

- Appendix A - Page 2 of 3 Occluded Interface: This condition is usually within towns and cities where there are small islands of wildland fuels such as parks or open space. There is a clear boundary between the community and the wildland vegetation.

Red Card Certification: A fire qualifications management system used by many state and all federal wildland fire management agencies to ensure that individuals are qualified to fight wildland fires.

Rural Interface: Clusters of structures such as ranches or summer homes are widely spaced, sometimes more than a mile apart. The rural homes are surrounded by the wildland vegetation, with no clear line of separation between the fuels and homes.

Shaded fuelbreaks: A shaded fuelbreak is created by altering surface fuels and increasing the height of the base of the live crown and opening the canopy by removing his type of fuelbreak spans a wide range of understory and overstory prescriptions and methods of creation through manual, mechanical and the use of prescribed fires.

A fueibreak network system could be used to protect critical watersheds while more remote areas might have narrower fuelbreaks that might serve as anchor points for prescribed fires. A fuelbreak strategy can be effective even if fuelbreaks are not connected.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix A - Page 3 of 3 List of Persons Contacted Appendix B - List of Persons Csntaded

Roger Bright June 29.2004 Amargosa ValleyFD 775-372-111 1 I / Fire Chief / Beatty VFD Mike Lasorsa June 28,2004 775-553-2958 I Fire Chief Belmont VFD Rich Sauer June 28.2004 I1 Fire Chief Gabbs VFD Connie Stinson March 2,2004 775-285-2692 I Assistant Fire Chief March 2,2004 I lone bar owner 1 775-761-7376 Manhattan VFD Dennis Floto June 29,2004 775-487-2438 Fire Chief Pahrump Fire Rescue Scott Lewis June 29,2004 775-727-5658 Fire Chief Round Mountain VFD Dan Sweeney June 29,2004 775-377-2508 Fire Chief Smoky Valley Fire Holley Allison June 29,2004 Fire Chief 775-377-1002 Tonopah Fire Bruce Woodworth June 28.2004 1 Fire Chief

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix B - Page 1 of 1 Defensible Space Guidelines, Homeowner's Annual Checklist and Seed Mixes A FACT SHEET FOR NYE COUNTY HOMEOWNERS

Defensible space refers to a minimum 30-foot area around houses and other buildings where vegetation has been significantly reduced or removed. The purpose of creating defensible space is to reduce the risk of losing homes and other property improvements to a wildfire.

How TO CREATEDEFENSIBLE SPACE

STEP1 DETERMINEDEFENSIBLE SPACE DISTANCE. Use the table below to determine the minimum distance for defensible space, dependent upon slope and native vegetation type surrounding homes.

STEP2 REMOVE.Cut and remove all dead, diseased or dying trees and shrubs from within the defensible space area. Remove selected trees and shrubs to eliminate continuous fuels extending up to the house, Also remove any flammable debris and firewood piles fmm within the minimum defensible space distance. Weeds or other dry vegetation should be removed from underneath porches and decks. Eliminate any flammable vegetation or debris within 10 feet of propane tanks. Remove leaves and debris from rain gutters.

Resource Concepts, Inc. REDUCE. Reduce vegetation height of shrubs under mature trees to decrease "ladder" fuels. Prune low tree branches to a minimum height of 4 feet and prune branches within 15 feet of structures and chimneys. Reduce accumulations of annual grasses (cheatgrass) through mowing or pre-emergent selective herbicide treatments in the fall. Reduce the accumulation of vegetation around wood fences through mowing or plant removal.

REPLACE. Substitute flammable vegetation such as juniper, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush with fire resistant plants. Replacement plantings may include low stature shrubs, decorative rock, lawn, flowerbeds, and succulent vegetation. Irrigation of vegetation throughout the fire season will decrease plant flammability.

DISPOSE. It is essential that all tree branches, shrubs, and other plant biomass be removed from the site immediately to a safe disposal area. This material dries rapidly and can contribute to the fire hazard problem if allowed to remain on the premises.

MAINTAIN. Maintenance of the defensible space area requires an annual review of fuel reduction guidelines around the home. Action should be taken to maintain an effective defensible space area.

Remember, good defensible space is - ean - There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation Clean - There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or flammable debris Green - Existing plants are healthy, green, and irrigated during fire season

(Source: Living With Fire... In the Big Sagebrush/Bitte&msh Environment. Nevada State Bureau of Land Management. Produced by Ed Smith and JoAnne Skelly.)

Resource Concepts, inc. A FACT SHEET FOR NYE COUNW HOMEOWNERS

This checklist includes actions homeowners can perform annually to help create a fire safe home and community.

Check all address signs for ease of visibility. Metal signs with four-inch high reflective numbers are recommended for visibility by emergency responders.

Continue clearing of all trees underneath and adjacent to overhead power lines and poles. This includes the poles and lines to individual parcels. Trees that can touch or blow into the power lines can easily be trimmed or removed, and maintained to reduce fire hazard.

Remove shrubs and trees for a distance of 10 feet from propane tanks.

Remove all tree limbs within at least 15 feet of chimneys, decks, and open overhangs.

Remove woodpiles, obvious accumulations of trash, pine needles or other debris from defensible space areas.

Remove all dead and diseased branches. After initial emergency treatments, it is recommended that tree limbing occur during late fall and winter to prevent disease and attacks by pests.

Harvested vegetation and trimmings must be immediately removed from the premises to assure that fuel reduction treatments are eflective. All harvested biomass should be moved to a predetermined disposal area or safe zone approved by the Fire Department.

All soil disturbances including those during biomass removal should be broadcast seeded according to the recommended species and rates provided in the "pre- suppression seeding" section.

Where possible, improve driveway access to assure an adequate turning radius for firefighting apparatus.

utters sf leaves, er debris. Screen vents to preve any embers from entering attics in the event of a wildfire.

Check hoses, valves, and other water equipment to assure operability should a fire occur.

During high precipitation years, when growing conditions produce exceptional amounts of weeds, care should be taken to reduce the height of fire-prone vegetation, particularly weeds and grasses that carry fire to the adjacent shrubs. implements such as weed-eaters work well for this job. SEEDMIX AND PLANTING S EClFlCATlONS

Revegetation Specifications for Fuels Reduction Areas - Carvers, lone, Manhattan, Belmont, and Gabbs I Common Name Scientific Name Seeding Rate I (PLS Ibsfacre) 'Ephraim' Crested Wheatgrass* Agropyron cristafum 2.00 Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elymoides 2.00 ( 'P-7' Bluebunch wheatgrass I Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata I 1‘50 1 Western wheatgrass Agropyron smithii 1.50 Pubescent wheatgrass Elytrigia intermedia ssp. trichophorum 1.OO Sandbera bluearass Poa sandberoii 1.00 1 Scarlet globemallow / Spharalcea coccinea 0.25 Prostrate summer cypress* I Kochia prostrata 2.00 Total PLS Pounds per acre 11-25

Revegetation Specifications for Fuels Reduction Areas - Pahrump, Arnargosa, and Beatty Seeding Rate Common Name Scientific Name (PLS ibslacre) 'Nezpar' Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides 2.00 'Viva florets' galleta grass Maria jamesii 2.50 'Salado' Alkali sacaton Sporobolus airoides 2.00 Scarlet globemallow Spharalcea coccinea 0.25 I I Prostrate summer cypress* Kochia prosfrata I 2.00 ! 1 Total PLS Pounds per acre 8.75

Revegetation Specifications for Fueis Reduction Areas - Round Mountain and Tonapah Seeding Rate Common Name Scientific Name (PLS Ibshcrta)

1 Prostrate summer cvoress* 1 Kochia ~rosfrata 2.00 I Total PLS Pounds per acre 13.25

* Species marked with an asterisk are nonnarive plants, bur have been included because of their ability to establish and endure a variety of site conditions. In addition, they are recognizedfor fire retarding qualities.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C - Page 4 of 5 The seed mixtures above are for treating all disturbed areas and areas cleared for fuel reduction purposes. The above species are to be mixed and seeded together at the same time. Drill seeding is recommended where feasible. Drill rows should be spaced 12 inches and seed should be planted at a depth of l/z inch. Broadcast seeding is recommended for rocky, steep, or small treatment areas. The seed can be broadcast using hand held seeders such as "Whirlybird" or a seeder mounted on a quad-runner. While seeding, continually mix the seed to equally distribute the small Indian ricegrass and forb seeds throughout the mix. The seeds should be raked to an average depth of l/z inch. This can be done with hand held rakes or by pulling a drag, or piece of chain link fence, behind a truck or quad-runner in areas were less stones are on the surface.

These guidelines are provided as overall recommendations, however, site-specific refinement of the recommendations by a professional from agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will provide even greater assurance for success. The Ely NRCS Field office telephone number is (775) 289-4998 and the Las Vegas NRCS Field office telephone number is (702) 262-9047. The Northern Nye County Extension office phone number is (775) 482-6794 and the Southern Nye County Extension office phone number is (775) 727-5532.

Resource Concepts, inc. Appendix C - Page 5 of 5 I. Sample Burn Permit SAMPLE BURN PERMIT (Issued in accordance with the provisions of NRS chapter 473.090)

Name: Address: Land Owner' Location of Authorized Burning: Type of Burning Authorized:

PERMITTEE UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PERMIT AGREES TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: The permittee shall notify Fire Dispatch at , each and every day of their proposed burn. Dispatch will advise whether it is a Burn Day or a No Burn Day. Burn hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with all flames and hot ashes totally extinguished by 3:30 p.m. No exceptions! Violation of burn hours results in a $ fine. Do no conduct burning during windy conditions. Cease burning should wind conditions at burn site exceed 15 mph. If in doubt, don't burn! Smoke shall not discharge material which has an offensive odor or which may be injurious or detrimental to health and safety of others. Do not burn garbage (waste food products, dead animals, fish or fowl), oil, rubber, plastic, tar paper or asphalt products, including hay-baling twine. Burn in open area, at least 30 feet from structure or combustible surface. Burning of excessive amounts of combustibles is prohibited. Limit stacks to piles of three feet high and five feet in diameter. Piles must be a proper distance from each other. Burn one at a time to maintain control of the burn. Cut, pile, and burn weeds as described above. Burning standing grass and weeds is prohibited. Use of burn barrels is prohibited at any time - $ fine for violation. A break to mineral earth of not less than ten feet shall be maintained around all fires. A garden hose attached to a pressurized water supply shall be immediately available and functional for emergency use. In addition, have available a shovel and rake, hoe or Pulaski. A copy of this burn permit must be in the responsible person's possession at the burn site. Failure to call Dispatch the day of your burn or failure to have burn regulations at the burn site or failure to properly extinguish your fire is a citable offense. First citation is $ . The expenses of fighting fires that result from a violation of this code shall be a charge against the person whose violation of this code caused the fire. Damages caused by such fires shall constitute a debt of such person and are collectible by the chief in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied.

Period of this permit: From ,2Q, , 20,Inclusive.

I understand and agree to comply with the provisions of this permit:

Permittee Signature

Permit issued by: Date: Title: Area was inspected by: On:

Persons participating in open burning activities do so at their own risk and may be held responsible for the costs of suppressing escaped or uncontrolled fires. These regulations issued in compliance with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators. Reference: 1997 Uniform Fire Code, Appendix Il-A, Section 24, Section 405.1, and Section ll82.J.

Appendix 5 - Page 7 of 7 Appendix E Fire Safe Community Guidelines

Firesafe Community Planning Recommendations For New Developments Appendix E - Fire Safe Community Guidelines

FIRESAFECOMMUNITY PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEWDEVELOPMENTS Sample Building Department Requirements

1. A complete fire flow water system capable of meeting the residential calculated fire flow requirements as prescribed by the Uniform Fire Code Appendix Ill-A shall be installed. 2. All fire hydrant locations shall be reviewed and approved by the county building department and shall be in proximity to streets so that snow accumulation at the hydrants may be removed during routing snow plowing operations. 3. All roadways within the project shall meet requirements of paved all-weather surface, Uniform Fire Code Article 9, Section 901 and 902 conditions, and shall be designated no parking zones where roads are less than 24 feet wide. If steep roads prevent constructing 24-foot wide roads, then turnouts must be installed every % mile. Homes with long private drives must have a turn around (50-foot radius), or a horseshoe drive or a hammerhead drive that allows large engines to turn around. Cul-de-sacs shall have a minimum 50-foot radius. 4. There shall be a minimum of two-ways in and two-ways out of the development. These shall be completed prior to the delivery of any combustible materials to the project site. 5. A fuels rnanagement/reduction program around all structures shall be maintained a minimum 30 feet in accordance with Uniform Fire Code Appendix 11-A-16. 6. Clearance of vegetative growth from roadways must be performed in accordance with Uniform Fire Code Appendix It-A-17. 7. Developers should submit a fuels modification plan for the entire acreage. A property line 20-foot minimum fuelbreak shall be completed prior to approval of any final map. 8. All new structures shall be constructed with fire retardant roofing materials in compliance with Nevada Revised Statute 472.100.

These recommendations are provided as a guideline to firesafe communitv develo~rnent and are not intended to supercede existing fire codes. Check with your county building depariment for aduai county buiiding codes.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix E - Page I of I