ellis ranch wildland fire protection

ellis ranch / sans sebastian wildfire structure protection plan

santa fe county fire—wildland division

Ellis Ranch / San Sebastian Wildfire Community Protection Plan

wildland

the location

the assessments

the findings

fire characteristics

recommendations

evacuations


santa fe county fire—wildland division 2

Santa Fe County Fire—Wildland Divisionhttp://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/

Red Cross Albuquerque-Santa Fehttp://www.redcrossalbq.org/Disaster.php

NM Emergency Managementhttp://www.santafenm.gov/index.aspx?nid=1554

Santa Fe County Emergency Management Divisionhttp://www.santafecounty.org/fire/emergency_management_division

Santa Fe County Fire—Wildland Division is available to help with thinning projects on county maintained road areas. Parts of San Sebastian Rd are county-maintained and would be greatly improved by thinning some of the dense brush on either side of the road, thereby opening up some blind corners. Please contact us at 505.995.6523



The Ellis Rd / San Sebastian Rd area is located on the north side of I25 in the Apache Ridge area of Santa Fe. The hazard rating for this area is rated very high by the Santa Fe Community Wildfire Protection Plan, due to a heavy fuel load of pinon and juniper and extensive dead fuels, poor access, lack of water sources, and density of homes. Homes are on lots ranging from 2 to 6 acres in size. It is within the Hondo Fire District protection area and is bordered to the north and west by large tracts of vacant land, also with very heavy fuel loads.

location



assessmentsHouse by house wildland fire hazard assessments were conducted by Wildland Division crew members in the fall of 2009. Using an assessment form (a sample is included on the website), members viewed each home from the driveway and assessed what they saw from that vantage point.

Based on that view, each home was assigned a numerical rating which corre-sponds with the hazard rating categories of Low, Moderate, High, Very High, or Extreme. These ratings are based on home construction, driveway access, fuel loading around the home, the home’s placement within the terrain and factors in-cluding location of propane, electrical and outbuildings. These ratings give us the basis for a plan of attack in the event of a wildfire.



the findingsThis area is particularly thick with pinon and juniper. Beetle kill is abundant, with most of it down, along with a very thick understory. Few properties in the area have been thinned creating a continuous canopy, increasing the likelihood of a crown fire.

Prevailing winds would likely push a fire in a north/northeast direction, possibly blocking access to established roads. These roads are narrow and rough, mak-ing evacuation very difficult, as well as creating major problems for fire appara-tus.

Most homes in this area have large amounts of fuels surrounding them. Blow-ing embers could be produced from a fire in this area igniting fine fuels around homes.



fire charactertisticsFire intensity, rate and spread will depend on fuel type and condition (live/dead), weather conditions prior to and during ignition, and the topography. Generally, the fol-lowing relationships hold between fire behavior and fuel, weather and topography.

Fine fuels ignite more easily and spread faster with higher intensities than courser fu-els. For a given fuel, the more there is and the more continuous it is, the faster the fire spreads and the higher the intensities. Fine fuels take a shorter time to burn out than courser fuels.

Weather conditions affect the moisture content of dead and live vegetative fuels. Dead fine moisture content is highly dependent on relative humidity and sun exposure. Lower relative humidity and direct sun exposure results in lower fuel moisture content. Lower fuel moistures produce faster spread rates and higher fire intensities.

Wind speed significantly influences the rate of fire spread and fire intensity. The higher the wind speed, the greater the spread rate and intensity.

Topography influences fire behavior principally by the steepness of slope. However, the configuration of the terrain such as narrow draws, saddles, and etc, can influence fire spread and intensity. In general, the steeper the slope, the higher the uphill fire spread and intensity.

The main vegetation within this community is mature pinon and juniper. There are some flat and open spaces scattered throughout the area. Most of the pinon/juniper areas are high density and can support a high intensity crown type fire, in turn produc-ing significant spot ignitions ahead of the flame front due to blowing firebrands.



recommendations

When thinning, select dead or diseased trees closest to the structure first (within 50 feet). The ground below and immediately surrounding remaining trees should be cleared of excessive dead material and tree litter.

Deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves in the winter) can survive and are recommended to stay. Planted around structures, they are less ignitable choice than the currently existing pinon/juniper vegetation. Fruit trees also do well, along with hawthorne and New Mexico olive. Aspens (with some supplemental water) can also be a great choice.

Short grasses and indigenous wildflowers should be encouraged to grow (and often will in thinned areas naturally). Not only are they firewise, they also bring in more butterflies and birds creating more biodiversity in the area.

Most homes in the area are stucco with metal roofing material, which is good. Large expanses of glass should be double-paned. Items stored adjacent to the structure are considered “attached” to the structure to a wildfire. Wood fences, wood piles, and wood sheds near the home are all an example of this. Adding metal flashing in between a wood fence and the house can help stop the fire. Moving wood piles at least 30 feet and uphill of the home can also help.

Propane tanks should be at least 30 feet away from a home and NOT sur-rounded by wood fences or near other sources of fuels such as wood piles or heavy vegetation.

When prepared properly, homes have a better chance of surviving a wildland event without fire department intervention.

homeowner



homeownertipsMake sure your address is highly visible from the road (from both directions). If you need address numbers call:505.995.2732

If you’d like a more detailed hazard assessment of your property or some help planning your thinning project, feel free to call the Wildland Division at:505.995.2560

If you spot a fire, call National Forestry Service Dispatch at: 505.438.5600

For non-emergency fire situation info:

Santa Fe Dispatch: 505.438.3730 or 800.742.1144

National Forestry: 505.438.5300

Fire Information Hotline: 877.971-FIRE

In an emergency you can tune in to the emergency communication radio network at:770 AM

Hondo Fire District645 Old Las Vegas Hwy, Santa Fe NM 87508505.982.8517



recommendationscommunity

The community as a whole can work together to plan for a wildland incident.

Create phone lists for emergency use to notify each other of an emergency in the area, aid elderly or disabled neighbors, kids home alone, animals, etc.

Work together to identify areas on the road that may be able to be widened for vehicle turnouts, making an evacuation and/or fire apparatus access easier.

Identify possible escape routes that could be utilized in the event of a fire blocking access to San Sebastian Rd, such as access through a neighbor’s property onto another road (Old Santa Fe Tr, or Lone Pine) that could lead to escape.

Identify any water sources that could be converted for use by the fire de-partment, such as the tank on Price Ranch Rd.

Work with neighbors in your immediate area to plan thinning projects to-gether, combining efforts on all properties to maximize the benefit to all.

Be aware of your surroundings especially after thunderstorms. Look for smoke the morning following a thunderstorm. When you are outside, do a quick look around every now and then. The faster the fire is reported, the better the chance of it being contained.

When reporting a fire, be as clear and concise as possible. Try to give as accurate a location and description as you can. If the smoke is off in the distance, try to find landmarks to describe its location. Stay calm, and stay on the line.



EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT— A 72-hour kit that is readily available

3 days of emergency water (1 gallon per day per person) 3 day s of emergency food (non-spoilable and easy to open) One change of clothing per person Blankets and/or sleeping bags Battery powered radio with spare batteries (AM capable to receive 770 AM

emergency alert station) Flashlight with spare batteries Toiletry supplies

PET EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

3 days of food in waterproof container 3 days of water specifically for your pets Any medications in a waterproof container Small first aid kit specific to your pet Backup collar and leash Any important documents relating to your pet Crate or pet carrier Pet sanitation supplies (ie: litter and litter box, newspaper, bleach, etc.) A picture of you can your pet together (to aid in finding your pet if you get

separated) Familiar toys, treats or bedding

homeownerkits



Step One—PREPARE

Have emergency contacts and family gathering locations set up

Have a plan for evacuating pets

Update your child’s School Release Policy with current information

Discuss with your children what to do if they are home alone

Make lists of important items you use or need1. Prescription medications2. Glasses/contacts3. Important documents4. Emergency supply kit

Step Two—EVACUATION IMMINENT

Park your car facing out and leave the keys in it

Load Emergency Kits

If there is time: Close windows, remove curtainsClose doors but don’t lock, and leave exterior lights onGet lawn furniture out of the way

Step Three—LEAVE AND MEET UP Go early—if you feel threatened, don’t wait to be told

Drive with lights ON, watch for fire apparatus

Do not block access roads

Do NOT call 911—listen to 770 AM for contact phone numbers

Do NOT attempt to re-enter until officials have declared it safe

evacuations



Wildland Division22 Bisbee Court,Santa Fe NM 87507

505.995.6523

http://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/

Documents

ellis ranch wildland fire protection