FFD Wildland Fire Management
FM Monthly Summary Oct 11
1) Prevention: a) Continuing Education - FMO Summerfelt participated in two webinars: the first, hosted by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, dealt with the Wallow Fire - effects of pre-fire hazard mitigation work on the fires behavior, structure survival, and firefighter safety; the second, hosted by the International Association of Wildland Fire, dealt with Human and Organizational Performance latest developments in physiological and social sciences to improve fireline performance.. b) Hardy Fire Follow-Up - We are working with a grad student from NAUs Ecological Restoration Institute who is studying the effects of our pre-fire hazard mitigation work on the fires behavior; a final report will be out in late Dec. 2) Preparedness: a) State Forest Health Council - State Forester Scott Hunt and FMO Summerfelt teamed together to develop a discussion White Paper for Council members regarding the Wildland Urban Interface Code. This paper will form the basis of a response to an inquiry from the Governors office on this topic. b) Smoke Management - This weekly conference call, hosted by ADEQ, has resumed. The purpose is to discuss planned Rx burns, potential impacts, review the past weeks performance, etc. c) Hazard Trees (1) New - Notices, directing removal of 15 identified hazard trees, were sent to seven individuals this month; In addition, we worked with ADOT to remove 26 other trees on Hwy 180. (2) De-Icer - As part of a city-team, we participated in a Streets Dept presentation to Council regarding the use of this chemical and its impact to pine trees. d) Flagstaff Leadership Program - FMO Summerfelt presented to the 2011 Class on the Woody/Hardy fires, Incident Management Teams, and the Depts Social Media effort. e) State Fire Qualification Committee - Have begun to work with the group to update FFD personnel records, trainings, and Task Book status in advance of next fire season. 3) Hazard Mitigation: a) Rx Fire (1) Grand Canyon National Park - The crew once again assisted with the Watson burn on the south rim; 2100 aces were burned in one days effort. (2) Coconino National Forest - The crew also assisted the US Forest Service with the Woody Ridge burn (180 acres), located immediately south of the City boundary. This was a good opportunity to test our Social Media effort: we notified our followers (Twitter) and those that like us (Facebook) before ignition occurred, and our inquiry call-volume was down 90% from what weve experienced from past fire events. b) Thinning - The crew completed the Rio thinning project (19 acres south of Foxglenn Park) and continues work on the Clay Springs site. c) Winter Crew - Our four-person winter crew will begin work on Nov 7th; their primary purpose will be to complete the Clay Springs thinning project, burn slash piles as conditions permit, and prepare broadcast burn sites for burning next spring.
4) Recovery: a) Reimbursements - Currently, we are as follows:
WILDFIRE ASSIGNMENTS
FFD
WILDFIRE ASSIGNMENTS
FFD
900
750 600
# Dy
$-K
900
750 600 450 300
450 300
150 0
99 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
FY
150 0
99 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
FY
b) Grants & Contracts (1) Awarded - Are finalizing details regarding an award from the AZ State Forestry Division - $107K (w/a $107K soft match from the City) for thinning, burning, and biomass recovery work. (2) Pending - Awaiting word on the status of our Schultz Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application from AZ Division of Emergency Management - $50K for FireWise Outreach (no match required). 5) Other: a) Staffing - As many already know, Mark Brehl recently suffered a serious accident when he was hit by a car while on his bike. He is now back home, resting and recovering, but will be out-of-service for some time. We wish Mark a speedy recovery and anxiously await his return - Mark is responsible for the delivery of a large part of our program and we are working to plug the gap created by his absence. Until he returns, Skyler Lofgren has stepped forward into the Acting Leadworker role. b) Partnerships & Meetings (1) Citys Climate Resiliency Team - Provided information regarding vegetation changes, resulting fire behavior, and post-fire effects from projected long-term climate changes for our area. (2) Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council - Attended the monthly meeting of emergency responders. (3) Four Forest Restoration Initiative - Participated in bi-weekly Steering Committee meetings. (4) Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership - Lead the monthly Advisory Board meeting and hosted the monthly Directors meeting, in addition to on-going work on grant management and project work and reports.
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