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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDOCUMENT 1481 David Dr Fire Mitigation Plan 2021-06-09FIRE MITIGATION PLAN 1481 DAVID DR. LOT 3, BLOCK 1, FALL RIVER ESTATES ESTES PARK, CO Parcel number: 35153-05-005 A Portion of the SW¼, SW¼, Section 15 Township 5 North, Range 73 West 6th Principle Meridian Larimer County, CO Prepared by: Mike Hughes, Forester Fort Collins Field Office 970-491-8453 For: Thomas Beck, TW Beck Architects June 9, 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan Plan June 2021 Page | 2 Purpose: The purpose of this plan is to evaluate the potential risks from a wildfire and minimize the impacts. It is followed by recommended actions to reduce those risks. There is no guarantee that structures will survive, but at the very least, firefighters will more likely defend a home that has mitigated the dangers versus one that has not. Potential: Wildfire risk evaluates the amount of fuels in an area, which can lead to more intense wildfire behavior and higher damage to the area. Mitigating the risk will decrease the extreme fire behavior and diminish negative effects in the case of a wildfire ignition. Wildfire risk is increased by dense tree arrangements, where crowns are touching or close together. Risk can also be increased due to the presence of “ladder fuels,” which allow a fire to burn from the ground up into the branches, and then into the crowns of larger trees. This can increase tree mortality and rate of fire spread. The accumulation of downed woody debris, litter, and duff also increases fire hazard. These surface fuels should also be mitigated, especially near any future structures. Current Conditions and Recommendations: The parcel at 1481 David Drive is less than an acre in size. However, there are over six-hundred trees and the average slope is over 35%. That combination put it at a high fire danger. Although it is a north facing aspect, there is a heavy fuel load on the parcel. Forests, such as these, are unnaturally dense due to past fire suppression. The major tree species is Douglas-fir with some scattered Ponderosa pine. Firs do not readily self- prune the main stem as does Ponderosa pine when they mature. This has led to an intense scattering of ladder fuels throughout the property that will increase fire intensity. There is a rock outcropping on the west side of the parcel that can act as a fuelbreak from Lot 4. It can be enhanced by thinning on the perimeter. Wildfire Mitigation Plan Plan June 2021 Page | 3 Many trees will be removed when construction begins. It is recommended, however, that defensible space guidelines be followed as outlined in the Home Ignition Zone CSFS Guide, once building is complete. Wildfire Mitigation Plan Plan June 2021 Page | 4 Beyond the defensible space zone, trees should be thinned to reduce fire danger across the parcel. Cut and remove dead, dying and less vigorous trees creating separation between crowns of healthy ‘leave trees’. Continuous canopy cover can become ‘fire chimneys’ during wildfires. Wildfire Mitigation Plan Plan June 2021 Page | 5 Many fire hazards can be reduced by following these guidelines:  Thin tree and brush cover to 3’ of separation for shrubs and 10’ between tree branches.  Prune any remaining tree ladder fuels to a minimum of 6’ above ground.  Dispose of slash (branches) and debris left from thinning.  Minimize dead wood, needles and litter.  Continue to trim grasses and weeds. Keep watered, especially during high fire danger.  Keep roofs, gutters and eaves clean. Use synthetic decking whenever possible.  Trim branches which extend over roof and remove within 15’ of chimney. The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) participates with other fire prevention cooperators in a program called FireWise, which will facilitate widespread implementation of pre-fire activities throughout Colorado. For more information concerning this program or if you would like to contact a forester, please contact the Fort Collins Field Office at: csfs_fortcollins@Mail.Colostate.edu or (970) 491-8660.