August 19, 2009
As we go into our third year of below-average rain and snowfall, we should remember the lessons learned in the recent wildland fire years of 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2002 on the Salmon River. Dry years and droughts often coincide with more frequent and intense wildland fire incidents. We at the SRRC, have been very busy working with our partners to improve our understanding of these recent wildland fires, and fire behavior in general on the Salmon River, so that we can improve our response and preparedness for future fires on the landscape and in our yards. We do know that over time these wildland fires have been one of the key features that have influenced and shaped the Salmon River forest and rivers systems, including the local people living, working, and playing here.
Many of our restoration activities affect fire behavior and its impacts to the fisheries/watershed and its residents, improve the ability to manage wildland fires more safely and smartly, and have become increasingly effective at reducing fire management impacts throughout the Salmon River.
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The CLP program goals are to:
* Improve coordination with Incident Management Teams during fires and other emergencies;
* Better include local knowledge in fire management;
* Improve responses by managers to local needs during fires and other emergencies;
* Increase preparedness and coordination for fires in the neighborhoods and towns throughout the Salmon River.
For folks who are interested in becoming involved in this process, Salmon River Fire Safe Councils are held on the last Wednesday of each month. See the calendar for meeting times and locations. You can help by reducing the threat of fire at your place and participating or supporting the CLP and Fire Safe Councils.
This year is set up to be another active fire year on the Salmon River, so it is best to finish getting rid of the burnables (piles of leaves, overhanging limbs, dead grass, and brush) on and/or around your structures and on your emergency escape routes and be best prepared for fires.
We look forward to continuing to carry out our mission to restore the Salmon River watershed, with the participation of the local community and stakeholders, focusing on anadromous fisheries and the development of a sustainable economy. This has often led to our filling in the management gaps that open up on both private, public, and tribal properties across the landscape. To do this we need your continued support and help as SRRC members, volunteers, staff, landowners and residents, cooperators, and funders to improve our partnerships, as well as your knowledge base and ability to take actions that improve the health of the Salmon River and its communities. If you would like to participate in any of our activities and events or make a contribution in any way, please contact us at the Watershed Center. Also, if you would like to know more about what we're up to, check out our website.
Fuels Reduction on Private Lands
The Salmon River Fire Safe Council and Salmon River Restoration Council are actively working on fuels reduction projects within private property in our watershed. There are currently 95 acres under two contracts from California Fire Safe Council and California Fish & Wildlife Service. This project will coincide with the Forest Service's much larger effort to reduce fuels and protect old-growth forest habitat in the Eddy Late Successional Reserve Fuels/Habitat Project. It will target the highest priorities identified by the Salmon River FSC. The areas to be treated are within the Wildfire Urban Interface or are on private lands within the USFS Late Successional Reserve Project area. If these lands go untreated they will become hazardous locations for fire starts. They also contain wildlife habitat that is losing value as the natural vegetation structure changes with the exclusion of fire.
A new residential assessment program called Red Zone is being implemented by the Salmon River FSC and the USFS. This is a detailed questionnaire covering all aspects of structure and property conditions relating to fire risk. Vegetation, road access, structures, and water systems are all taken into consideration to give homeowners a look at their property from a fire-risk perspective.
Red Zone information is given to emergency fire crews to assist them when protecting our homes. Participation in this fire preparedness program is optional but remember how chaotic it can be when wildfires are approaching. A review of your protection needs and problem areas NOW can make August and September much less risky and stressful.
More funding has been secured for 2010. Interested landowners needing help complying with new CAL FIRE requirements on their property can contact SRRC to make a date for a Red Zone appointment. You can have either a local FSC representative or a USFS fire prevention technician help you. Our fuels reduction crew consists of experienced locals with knowledge of specific aspects of concern.
For more information: www.srrc.org
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Salmon River Restoration Council
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TOC for Forest & River News, Summer 2009