LACoFD Programs: Wildland Fire Prevention

1. LACoFD Programs: Wildland Fire Prevention

2. Introduction • P. MICHAEL FREEMAN, FIRE CHIEF, • FORESTER AND FIRE WARDEN • Region 1 Mutual Aid Coordinator • Member, Blue Ribbon Commission • LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT • (SPECIAL FIRE DISTRICT) • Accountable to the LA County Board of Supervisors • County-wide responsibility: 157 stations covering 2000 square miles, including • all of unincorporated LA County • 57 incorporated cities within LA County • 734 square miles of wildland interface - includes Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ)

4. LACoFD Experience • MAJOR CHALLENGE: • “Santa Ana” weather conditions + • flammable wildland fuels = • history of major fires and structure loss • 1993 Kinneloa Fire (Altadena): 121 structures lost, • 1993 Old Topanga Fire: 352 structures lost • staggering losses despite firefighting efforts (RAND study concluded • 90% save ratio) • trying to change history

5. LACoFD Firefighting Improvements 1993-1994 • cooperative helicopter response with Los Angeles (City) Fire Department • augmented staffing and response based on weather conditions • pre-attack plans • lease of 2 Super Scoopers and Air Crane aircraft • purchase of 2 Firehawk helicopters (from 360 gallon 1000 gallon tank) • water eductors

7. Wildfire Safety Panel 1993-1994 • commissioned by the LA County Board of Supervisors • comprised of various subject-matter experts • developed 39 recommendations: - recommendations led to code changes, program changes - all 39 adopted by BOS for unincorporated LA county - the 22 incorporated cities in the VHFHSZ adopted most of the recommendations

8. LACoFD Code Changes • windows: multi-paned glazing (more resistant to heat) • doors: solid core doors, not less than 1 and 3/8” thick • protection of openings (vent openings to attics and under-floor spaces): wire mesh to preclude embers from entering • residential sprinklers: required in specific cases • - unincorporated Malibu (Santa Monica Mountains) • - south-facing San Gabriel mountains for residences greater that 3 miles from the nearest fire station

9. LACoFD Code Changes (cont’d) • accessory structures: car ports, trellises, etc. • - attached: one-hour fire resistive or heavy timber • - unattached: (20 feet or more from residence) wood not less • than 2” in diameter • pool draft system (plumbing and fire codes): all new pools in VHFHSZ that are greater than 5000 gallon capacity required to have draft hydrants - exception: already meet requirements for access and water • fuel modification plans (landscape/irrigation plans) for new construction/remodels in VHFHSZ: - approved by the Department (includes a variety of zones with specific requirements for planting and irrigation)

10. LACoFD Vegetation Management • Use of prescribed (Rx) fire, mechanical, or biological means to reduce wildland fire fuel hazards. • Program components: • Rx burns (fire) • brush crusher (mechanical) • goats (biological) Cost/agency commitment: $2 million start-up costs ( personnel, support equipment, brush crusher and helitorch); trained, dedicated staff including hand crews, qualified “burn bosses”, qualified Rx burn manager Barriers: • Conflicting missions: conservation/preservation vs modification/prevention • Cumbersome federal requirements prevent timely completion of program Successes: • Cottontail and Monte Nido Rx burns: stopped wind-driven Malibu fires • La Crescenta Rx burn: formed buffer around extremely vulnerable community

11. LACoFD Fuel Modification • Permanent alteration of combustible native or ornamental plants • to create a safety buffer around a community. Program components: • approved plant list, irrigation zone • part of the building permit process • final approved plan recorded with the county assessor on tract map Agency commitment: trained, dedicated staff to review plans, suggest modifications for code conformity, provide f/u inspections to ensure compliance Barriers: • conflicting missions of stakeholder agencies • potential community opposition to implementing fuel mod to existing • development Successes: • Stevenson Ranch - no structures lost in October 2003 fire

12. minimum 20’ additional 30’ minimum 100’ to maximum 200’

14. LACoFD Brush Clearance • Removal of combustible fuel , including native and ornamental vegetation, from around existing structures • Program components: • 38,000 declared parcels; annual notices sent to owners • clearance of 200’ in VHFHSZ • goal of 100% compliance prior to start of fire season Agency commitment: training fire station personnel to conduct inspections; data management; trained, dedicated staff of natural resource personnel (foresters); coordination with other County agencies (Ag, D.A.) for enforcement Barriers: • absentee owners • coordinating multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting missions Successes: • Calabasas Fire (1996) - 6 structures lost vs. 352 in Old Topanga Fire • City Of Claremont (2003) - 21 residences lost vs. 750 saved

16. LACoFD Community Outreach • Building partnerships with other agencies and local citizens • to create a fire-safe community • Program components: • public education – printed materials/mailers, signage, annual notification, etc. • Multi-Agency Task Force on Wildland Fire Use • Firewise Communities/USA program • Joint Ventures Partnership: Implementing the National Fire Plan • Topanga Fire Safe Committee Barriers: • qualifying for funding to support local programs Successes: • Malibou Lake grant for brush clearance • Big Rock grant for goats (unable to utilize Rx burn) • Topanga Evacuation and Safe Refuge Program • La Crescenta Rx burn and vegetation management program

17. Relevant Issues/Recommendations • Vegetation Management • Streamline federal and state processes (e.g., documentation). • Reduce environmental and air quality restrictions that limit vegetation management. • Ensure National Fire Plan grants/contracts are available for local use throughout the entire state. • Allocate federal/state funding for regional brush crushers. • Establish a Fire Safe Planning Committee in every county to: • a) coordinate planning, response, and recovery, • b) implement the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations

18. Relevant Issues/Recommendations • Fuel Modification • Encourage statewide adoption of fuel modification programs. • Develop and enforce retroactive fuel modification for existing wildland development with insurance incentives. • Brush Clearance • Promote adoption and enforcement of stringent building codes and brush clearance standards in wildland interface/intermix areas of the state. • Community Outreach • Involve the community in the Fire Safe Planning Committee efforts. • Promote expansion of Firewise Communities/USA throughout the state.

19. Relevant Issues/Recommendations • Fire Suppression • Petition legislature for additional OES engines to expand mutual aid capabilities. • Request federal/state funding for augmented staffing levels during high fire hazard conditions. • Solicit federal/state coordination, support, and funding for wireless interoperability for first-responder agencies. • Seek congressional support for state-of-the-art federal firefighting aircraft, for use on forests posing threats to densely-populated areas.

20. Relevant Issues/Recommendations • Fire Suppression(cont’d) • Encourage utilization of the Fire Safe Planning Committees to • a) ensure effective, multi-agency evacuation planning and drills • b) solicit consistent, long-term commitment to fire safe communities from elected officials. • c) coordinate an effective interface fire attack program within each county