Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit 2020 Strategic Fire Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Figure: 1 Capell Incident Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit 2020 Strategic Fire Plan Unit Strategic Fire Plan Amendments Description of Updated Date Section Updated Page Numbers Updated Update By 5/26/2020 ALL ALL Annual Update S.Cardwell 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE ........................................................................................................ 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 5 SECTION I: UNIT OVERVIEW ....................................................................................... 6 SECTION II: UNIT PREPAREDNESS AND FIREFIGHTING CAPABILITIES ............... 9 SECTION III: VALUES .................................................................................................. 12 History of Large Fires ................................................................................................. 12 Values at Risk ............................................................................................................ 12 Section IV: PRE-FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATAGIES & TACTICS ........................... 13 Communication and Collaboration ............................................................................. 13 Pre-Fire Planning ....................................................................................................... 14 Section V: MONITORING PROGRAMS EFFECTIVNESS .......................................... 16 Emergency Command Center .................................................................................... 16 Fire Prevention Program ............................................................................................ 16 Information and Education ......................................................................................... 17 School Programs ....................................................................................................... 17 Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program ................................................................... 17 Fairs and Public Events ............................................................................................. 17 Fire Information Center .............................................................................................. 17 Media Outreach ......................................................................................................... 18 Printed Materials ........................................................................................................ 18 Training Bureau ......................................................................................................... 18 Conservation Camp Programs ................................................................................... 18 LNU Fuels Crew ......................................................................................................... 19 Air Program ................................................................................................................ 20 Vegetation Management Program ............................................................................. 20 Vegetation Treatment Program .................................................................................. 21 Enviromental Review ................................................................................................. 22 Resource Management Program ............................................................................... 22 Fire Suppression Repair ............................................................................................ 23 2 Ignition and Initial Attack Successes .......................................................................... 23 Section VI: WILDALND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) .................................................. 25 Appendix A: UNIT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .......................................................... 27 Appendix B: UNIT MATRIX ......................................................................................... 28 Appendix C: FIRE STATIONS-LOCATIONS-RESOURCES ....................................... 29 Appendix D: COMMUNITIES AT RISK ....................................................................... 30 Appendix E: LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AGREEMENTS ....................................... 32 Appendix F: LNU FIRE PLAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM .............................................. 33 Supplement: 2020 ....................................................................................................... 35 LNU Vegetation Management Projects ...................................................................... 35 Exhibits: MAPS ............................................................................................................ 37 Exhibit A (Unit Facilities) ............................................................................................ 37 Exhibit B (Battalion).................................................................................................... 38 Exhibit C (Unit History) .............................................................................................. 39 Glossary: ……………...………………………………………………………………………40 3 SIGNATURE PAGE The Unit Strategic Fire Plan is developed for the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit This Plan: Was collaboratively developed. Interested parties, Federal, State, City, and County agencies within the Unit have been consulted and are listed in the Fire Plan. Identifies and prioritizes pre-fire and post fire management strategies and tactics meant to reduce the loss of values at risk within the Unit. Is intended for use as a planning and assessment tool only. It is the responsibility of those implementing the projects to ensure that all environmental compliance and permitting processes are met as necessary. 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit (LNU) Strategic Fire Plan (Fire Plan) is a living document, addressing the planning efforts for the highest level of fire protection within in the Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Solano, and Yolo counties. LNU’s Fire Plan has identified strategies and tactics for reducing the risks associated with wildfire through Fire Prevention efforts. LNU’s Fire Plan goals strive to increase firefighter and citizen safety, reduce property losses and firefighting costs, and enhance ecosystem health. The LNU Fire Plan is a document managed and updated routinely by the Sonoma-Lake- Napa Unit working in conjunction with the community and stakeholder’s participation. These developmental strategies and tactics of LNU’s Fire Plan have been brought forth to continue building resilience and resistant to damaging wildfire, while also recognizing fire’s beneficial aspects to forestry and environment practices. This Fire Plan utilizes the following strategies and tactics to accomplish its goals: Communication & collaboration with fire agencies, communities & stakeholders Educate & participate with communities & pre-fire planning efforts Monitor the effectiveness of programs, projects and initial attack success Develop Vegetation Management objectives & Fuel Reduction projects with communities at risk Identify and improve areas of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) LNU’s Fire Plan addresses the variation in fuels, weather and topography throughout the dynamic and diverse Unit. This Fire Plan will consider the priorities of all communities and agencies within the boundaries of LNU. It is intended to be an active planning tool for wildfire protection efforts and continues to educate itself from current and historical events within the Unit. 5 SECTION I: UNIT OVERVIEW LNU is one of twenty-one CAL FIRE administrative units. The Unit was created in 1996 when the Sonoma Ranger Unit and the Lake-Napa Ranger Unit were merged into one. LNU has primary responsibility for more than 2.3 million acres of CAL FIRE Direct Protection Area (DPA) lands, which is more than any other CAL FIRE Unit. It has the third largest population living within CAL FIRE DPA, and ranks the number 1 in total annual fires. Operationally, LNU is divided into 4 divisions and 10 field battalions. West Division is defined by the boundaries of Sonoma County and is comprised of 4 field battalions. South Division is defined by the boundaries of Napa County and is comprised of 3 field battalions. North Division is defined by the boundaries of Lake County and is comprised of 2 field battalions. East Division is defined by the boundaries of Yolo, and Colusa counties. The East Division is comprised of a single battalion. Solano county is covered by one of the South Division battalions. LNU’s Central and Pre-Fire Division do not have geographic boundaries, because they direct programs that serve Unit-wide. The Central Division is comprised of Fleet, Training Bureau, Safety, and Capital Outlay Projects (facilities). The Pre-Fire Division is comprised of the Vegetation Management Program, Pre-Fire Engineering, Public Information Office, Defensible Space and Damage Inspection. The St. Helena Emergency Command Center is overseen by the Unit Deputy Chief, and the Fire Prevention Bureau reports directly to the Unit Chief. (See Appendix B: Unit Matrix) LNU is in California’s northern coastal region, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, San Francisco Bay to the south, Sacramento Valley to the east, the Mendocino National Forest to the north and Mendocino County to the north-northwest. LNU’s lowest elevation is sea level at the ocean and peaks at 7,055 feet atop Snow Mountain East.