A Program of the Georgia Forestry Commission with support from the U.S. Forest Service

Community Wildfire Protection Plan
An Action Plan for Wildfire Mitigation and Conservation of Natural Resources
Lumpkin County

JULY 2017

County Representative(s):
Name Chris Dockery Chairman Board of Commissioners
Signature
Name David Miller Commissioner District 1
Signature
Name Bobby Mayfield Commissioner District 2
Signature
Name Rhett Stringer Commissioner District 3
Signature
Name Bob Pullen Commissioner District 4
Signature

Local Emergency Services Representative(s): Name David Wimpy Fire Chief
Address 57 A Pinetree Way Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone Number 706 864-3030
Signature

Name Address Phone Number Signature

David McWhorter Deputy Chief 57 A Pinetree Way Dahlonega, GA 30533 706 482-2642

Local Georgia Forestry Commission Representative(s): Name Tim Joy Chief Ranger Lumpkin County
Address 159 Crown Mountain Dr. Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone Number 706 867-2898 Other Contact Information tjoy@gfc.state.ga.us
Signature

Name Address Phone Number Signature

Mark Wiles, Wildfire Prevention Specialist 1884 Coldwater Road Elberton, Georgia 30635 (706) 988-6856

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Local USDA Forest Service Representative: Name Mike Davis Fire Management Officer
Address US Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone Number 770-297-3080 Other Contact Information madavis@fs.fed.us
Signature

The following individuals were consulted and involved in the preparation of this report.

Name Ashley Hirons Ken Masten Dist. Manager Coosa Shawn Alexander Asst. Dist. Manager

Organization Lumpkin County GIS Dept. Georgia Forestry Commission Georgia Forestry Commission

PLAN CONTENTS

1. Objectives and Goals 2. County Background, Existing Situation, Interface information 3. Community Base and Hazard Mapping 4. Risk Summary 5. Prioritized Mitigation Recommendations 6. Action Plan, Timetables, and Assessment Strategy 7. Wildfire Pre-Suppression Plan 8. Appendix
1) OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

The mission of the following report is to set clear priorities for the implementation of wildfire mitigation in Lumpkin County. The plan includes prioritized recommendations for the appropriate types and methods of fuel reduction and structure ignitability reduction that will protect this county and its essential infrastructure. Prioritized activities to educate the public are included. It also includes a plan for wildfire suppression. Specifically, the plan includes community-centered actions that will:



Educate citizens on wildfire, its risks, and ways to protect lives and

properties,



Support fire rescue and suppression entities,



Focus on collaborative decision-making and citizen participation,



Develop and implement effective mitigation strategies, and



Develop and implement effective community ordinances and codes.

This plan should become a working document that is shared by local, state, and federal agencies that will use it to accomplish common goals. An agreed-upon schedule for meeting to review accomplishments, solve problems, and plan for the future should extend beyond the scope of this plan. Without this follow up this plan will have limited value.
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2) COUNTY BACKGROUND AND EXISTING SITUATION
Lumpkin County
Lumpkin County was established by the state legislature in 1832 and named after Georgia governor Wilson Lumpkin, who also served as a U.S. congressman and senator. Lumpkin County and its seat, Dahlonega, are famous as the site of the country's first major gold rush, which began in 1828. Gold ore was plentiful enough in the northeast Georgia mountains for construction of a branch of the U.S. Mint, which operated from 1838 to 1861. The mint burned in 1878, and a new building was constructed on its foundations, which today houses the administrative offices of North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU). The Gold Museum traces the history of gold mining in Lumpkin County, and the annual World Open Gold Panning Championship in April commemorates the metal's continuing influence on this region. Gold Rush Days in October take thousands of participants back in time, recreating the history, arts, and crafts of the mid-1800s.
With its pristine air, good water, and beautiful mountain views, the county is a natural oasis for urban residents and tourists. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound, both in the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest and throughout the county. Popular activities include canoeing, tubing down the Chestatee River, motorcycling, and bicycling, which culminates in September's Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty bicycle rides.

Lumpkin County is steeped in history. The U.S. Army Ranger Mountain Training Center is located at Camp Frank D. Merrill.

Lumpkin County Courthouse

NGCSU, located in the center of Dahlonega, is the military college of Georgia and a liberal arts institution serving the northeast Georgia region. The cadet corps includes a world-famous precision drill team, the Blue Ridge Rifles. The original Blue Ridge Rifles were organized in 1861 as Company E, Phillip's Legion InfantryThe Blue Ridge Rifles. In 1958 the drill platoon at NGCSU was renamed the Blue Ridge Rifles, in honor of the original unit.

Lumpkin County covers an area of 284 square miles. According to the

2000 U.S. census, the population was 21,016 (94 percent white, 1.5

Gold Mining

percent black, and 3.5 percent Hispanic), a 44 percent increase from the census of 1990. Long-term county residents, a residential college

population, and newly arrived workers along the Highway 400 corridor to Atlanta all call Lumpkin

County home.

Dahlonega has an active parks and recreation program with excellent facilities, as well as a new jail. Lumpkin County High School was initially opened in fall 2003, as was a new elementary school. The county's economic base rests on the service industry, tourism, wine-making industry, and poultry farming.

Fire History and Existing Situation

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Lumpkin County is fairly active in regard to wildland fire when contrasted to other mountain counties. Some of the larger fires show the influence of terrain dictated spread. Rapid response by Lumpkin County Fire Services and the Georgia Forestry Commission keeps most fire sizes low. Data indicates that escaped debris burns are the leading causes with most other recognized causes being responsible for minor numbers. The table below outlines fire records in FY 2016, which started on July 1, 2015 and ended on June 30, 2016. This table lists causes, numbers of fires by cause, acres burned and averages for the past five years.

County = Lumpkin

Cause

Fires

Acres

Fires 5 Yr Avg

Acres 5 Yr Avg

Campfire

Campfire

3

2.22 5.60 7.50

Children

Children

2

5.53 0.80 3.37

Debris: Ag Fields, Pastures, Orchards, Etc

Debris: Ag Fields, Pastures, Orchards, Etc

0

0.00 0.80 8.19

Debris: Construction Land Clearing Debris: Construction Land Clearing

0

0.00 0.60 0.88

Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn

1

8.74 1.40 2.33

Debris: Household Garbage

Debris: Household Garbage

0

0.00 0.80 1.84

Debris: Other

Debris: Other

0

0.00 0.80 2.38

Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard, Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard,

Etc

Etc

7

21.84 8.00 12.74

Debris: Site Prep - Forestry Related Debris: Site Prep - Forestry Related

0

0.00 1.20 6.61

Incendiary

Incendiary

2

0.03 1.80 40.37

Lightning

Lightning

0

0.00 1.20 0.31

Machine Use

Machine Use

4

0.20 2.80 0.63

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous: Other

Miscellaneous: Other

Miscellaneous: Power lines/Electric Miscellaneous: Power lines/Electric

fences

fences

Miscellaneous: Spontaneous Heating/Combustion

Miscellaneous: Spontaneous Heating/Combustion

Miscellaneous: Structure/Vehicle Fires

Miscellaneous: Structure/Vehicle Fires

0

0.00 1.00 0.23

0

0.00 0.60 0.14

3

0.04 3.60 2.34

0

0.00 1.00 0.22

2

24.84 1.60 5.89

Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes

4

0.28 1.80 1.05

Smoking

Smoking

1

0.05 0.40 0.25

Undetermined

Undetermined

5

11.15 4.20 8.85

Totals for County: Lumpkin Year: 2016

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74.92 40.00 106.11

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The table below reflects numbers, size, and average sizes for the past five complete fiscal years (2012 2016) for Lumpkin County. Average size is contrasted to the average size for all counties in Georgia.

Fiscal Year
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Number of Fires
33 44 41 48 34

Acres
273.88 33.23 87.38 61.13 74.92

Average size
8.30 .76 2.06 1.28 2.20

Statewide average size 4.98 4.75 5.02 4.50 4.13

The map below represents occurrence for these same years.

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The Wildland-Urban Interface
There are many definitions of the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), however from a fire management perspective it is commonly defined as an area where structures and other human development meet or intermingles with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. As fire is dependent on a certain set of conditions, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group has defined the wildland-urban interface as a set of conditions that exists in or near areas of wildland fuels, regardless of ownership. This set of conditions includes type of vegetation, building construction, accessibility, lot size, topography and other factors such as weather and humidity. When these conditions are present in certain combinations, they make some communities more vulnerable to wildfire damage than others. This "set of conditions" method is perhaps the best way to define wildland-urban interface areas when planning for wildfire prevention, mitigation, and protection activities.
There are three major categories of wildland-urban interface. Depending on the set of conditions present, any of these areas may be at risk from wildfire. A wildfire risk assessment can determine the level of risk.
1. "Boundary" wildland-urban interface is characterized by areas of development where homes, especially new subdivisions, press against public and private wildlands, such as private or commercial forest land or public forests or parks. This is the classic type of wildland-urban interface, with a clearly defined boundary between the suburban fringe and the rural countryside.
2. "Intermix" wildland-urban interface areas are places where improved property and/or structures are scattered and interspersed in wildland areas. These may be isolated rural homes or an area that is just beginning to go through the transition from rural to urban land use.
3. "Island" wildland-urban interface, also called occluded interface, are areas of wildland within predominately urban or suburban areas. As cities or subdivisions grow, islands of undeveloped land may remain, creating remnant forests. Sometimes these remnants exist as parks, or as land that cannot be developed due to site limitations, such as wetlands. (Courtesy Fire Ecology and Wildfire Mitigation in Florida 2004)
Lumpkin County is typical of a county that is undergoing a rapid transition from an isolated rural county to a highly desirable recreational and retirement destination. It contains mixtures of both boundary and intermix interface.
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Wildland Urban Interface Hazards Firefighters in the wildland urban interface may encounter hazards other than the fire itself, such as hazardous materials, utility lines and poor access.
Hazardous Materials Common chemicals used around the home may be a direct hazard to firefighters from flammability, explosion potential and/or vapors or off-gassing. Such chemicals include paint, varnish and other flammable liquids; fertilizer; pesticides; cleansers; aerosol cans, fireworks, batteries and ammunition. In addition, some common household products such as plastics may give off very toxic fumes when they burn. Stay OUT of the smoke from burning structures and any unknown sources such as trash piles.
Illicit Activities Marijuana plantations or drug production labs may be found in wildland urban interface areas. Extremely hazardous materials such as propane tanks and flammable/toxic chemicals may be encountered, as well as booby traps.
Propane tanks Both large (household size) and small (gas grill size) liquefied propane gas (LPG) tanks can present hazards to firefighters, including explosion. See the "LPG Tank Hazards" discussion for details.
Utility lines Utility lines may be located above and below ground and may be cut or damaged by tools or equipment. Don't spray water on utility lines or boxes.
Septic tanks and fields Below-ground structures may not be readily apparent and may not support the weight of engines or other apparatus.
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New construction materials Many new construction materials have comparatively low melting points and may "off-gas" extremely hazardous vapors. Plastic decking materials that resemble wood are becoming more common and may begin softening and losing structural strength at 180 F, though they normally do not sustain combustion once direct flame is removed. However, if they continue to burn they exhibit the characteristics of flammable liquids.
Pets and livestock Pets and livestock may be left when residents evacuate and will likely be highly stressed, making them more inclined to bite and kick. Firefighters should not put themselves at risk to rescue pets or livestock.
Evacuation occurring Firefighters may be taking structural protection actions while evacuations of residents are occurring. Be very cautious of people driving erratically. Distraught residents may refuse to leave their property, and firefighters may need to disengage from fighting fire to contact law enforcement officers for assistance. In most jurisdictions firefighters do not have the authority to force evacuations. Firefighters should not put themselves at risk trying to protect someone who will not evacuate!
Limited access Narrow one-lane roads with no turn-around room, inadequate or poorly maintained bridges and culverts are frequently found in wildland urban interface areas. Access should be sized-up and an evacuation plan for all emergency personnel should be developed.
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3) County Base and Hazards Mapping
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4) Risk Summary
It should be noted that this report is a revision of the original report, which was issued in 2010. Following a meeting of personnel of Lumpkin County Emergency services and the Georgia Forestry Commission on February 18, 2010, assessments of communities at risk from wildland fire was undertaken by Lumpkin County Fire department personnel. Fifty three (53) wildland communities were assessed using the Georgia Forestry Commission Form 140 for Woodland Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment. This document determines risk based on four criteria, Subdivision design, Site Hazard, Building Construction, and Additional Factors. From this analysis sites are rated as being in one of four risk categories, extreme, high, moderate, or low. Thirty two (32) were classified as at extreme risk, four (4) were classified as high, fifteen (15) were moderate, and two (2) were low. Information from these assessments is displayed in a spreadsheet which is included in the appendix. Communities at risk were organized by the Fire District or station having jurisdiction. Maps of each individual assessment area are located in the appendix. Original copies of the assessments are retained by Lumpkin County Emergency Services.
5) Prioritized Mitigation Recommendations
The following recommendations were developed during follow-up meetings with County and State fire response agencies. A priority order was determined based on which mitigation projects would best reduce the hazard of wildland fire to communities and infrastructure. The following priorities were considered. It was acknowledged that in light of incendiary fire being a common cause in the county, protocol for investigation needs to be standard practice. Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Reduction Wildland Fuel reduction or modification Improvements to capabilities of Wildland response agencies Public Education regarding risk of wildland fire
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Proposed Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Reduction Priorities

Hazard Incendiarism

Mitigation Standardized investigation

Lack of defensible space
Access problems for initial attack

Improve defensible space around structures in communities at risk
Improve access problems

Method Utilizing state and federal fire reports, investigations should be conducted on all fires determined to be caused by incendiarism on each jurisdiction. Coordination across agency and possibly geographic boundaries should be common practice. All departments should examine structures in communities at risk in their response areas. Improvements to defensible space as referenced in Firewise guidelines should be conveyed to residents through media or direct contact. All County response agencies and the Georgia Forestry Commission should closely examine access in all communities identified to be at risk. When problems are identified corrective measures should be made.

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Proposed Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Reduction Priorities

Hazard or Opportunity Structural Ignitability
Local Codes and Ordinances

Mitigation Reduce structural ignitability
Improve and amend to codes and ordinancespertaining to infrastructure and community protection from wildland fire.

Method
Citizens in communities at risk should be educated regarding methods to reduce structural ignitability as referenced in Firewise guidelines. This can be accomplished through media or direct contact. Examine all existing codes and ordinances for problems regarding direct conflicts to wildland safety or lack of needed codes or enforcement.

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Proposed Wildland Fuel Reduction or modification Priorities

Hazard Fuel Hazards near communities at risk
Fuel Hazard in public or shared spaces

Mitigation Prescribed Burning and presuppression firebreaks
Fuel Modification or reduction

Method Determine Communities at risk where Prescribed burning would be appropriate to use. Seek cooperation from adjacent landowners. Find funding to cover cost of burning. Prioritize burn compartments and execute. Should burning be inappropriate or undesirable install permanent or semi-permanent firebreaks Determine where hazards exist. Determine appropriate method for modification or reduction. Chipping, raking and piling, County pick-up, Organized Community Clean-up days could be beneficial. Organized burning could be conducted on these days supported by local fire department personnel.

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Proposed Improvements to capabilities of Wildland Response Agencies Priorities

Problem or need Lack of qualification or training

Improvement or solution Provide training opportunities

Equipment needs

Improve or acquire Wildland fire equipment

Details
Examine training records of all wildland responders to insure training and qualifications match expected duties. Insure that all wildland responders have Basic Wildland Certification. Locate and secure funding for enhanced training from state and federal agencies. Determine specific equipment needs to bring all wildland response equipment to NWCG Standards. Provide appropriate PPE to all County wildland responders. Provide wildland hand tools to County departments. Investigate needs for improvements to all wildland water handing and supply (dry hydrants, brush trucks, hose, etc.)

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Proposed Public Education Priorities

Educational Priority Increase public awareness concerning Firewise principles and fire prevention through direct contact

Responsible party Federal, State, County,and municipal governments

Increase public awareness concerning Firewise principles and fire prevention through use of media

County, State, and municipal governments

Method
Conduct Firewise meetings by each fire response jurisdiction assisted by Georgia Forestry Commission (state) and USDA Forest Service (federal). Conduct a door to door campaign in particularly hazardous communities Use PSA's in local newspapers and local radio stations. Utilize Firewise displays in local post offices and banks. Seek use of local EMC newsletter for Firewise message. Create poster sized notices for use in common public places (stores, post offices, etc. adjacent to high hazard areas advising residents about the hazard and how to protect themselves and their property. Distribute public notices concerning Firewise at local sporting events and other public gatherings.

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Proposed Public Education Priorities

Educational Priority Increase public awareness concerning Firewise principles and fire prevention through formal certification and recognition

Responsible party Federal, State, County, and municipal governments

Method
Supported by the USFS and the Georgia Forestry Commission each local fire station should set a goal of achieving Firewise status for at least one extreme or high risk category community before the end of calendar year 2017. The goal of adding at least one community annually should extend beyond this initial goal.

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6) Action Plan, Timetables, and Assessment Strategy
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES:
As funding is questionable in these times of tight government budgets and economic uncertainty, unconventional means should be identified whereby the need for funding can be reduced or eliminated.
GRANT FUNDING AND MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
Georgia Firewise Community Hazard Mitigation Grant: Georgia Forestry Commission grant designed to assist Firewise communities in the mitigation of fire hazards within their community. The grant is designed to provide financial assistance in helping the community to carry out the recommendations of their Firewise Action Plan.
Community Protection Grant: U.S.F.S. sponsored prescribed fire program. Communities with "at-risk" properties that lie within ten miles of a national forest, National Park Service or Bureau of Land Management tracts may apply with the Georgia Forestry Commission to have their land prescribe burned free-of-charge.
FEMA Mitigation Policy MRR-2-08-01: through GEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM).
1. To provide technical and financial assistance to local governments to assist in the implementation of long term, cost effective hazard mitigation accomplishments.
2. This policy addresses wildfire mitigation for the purpose of reducing the threat to all-risk structures through creating defensible space, structural protection through the application of ignition resistant construction and limited hazardous fuel reduction to protect life and property.
3. With a complete a registered plan (addendum to the State Plan) counties can apply for pre-mitigation funding. They will also be eligible for HMGP funding if the county is declared under a wildfire disaster.
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
1. Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The purpose of AFG's is to award one-year grants directly to fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations of a state to enhance their abilities with respect to fire and related hazards.
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2. Fire Prevention and Safety Grants. The purpose of these grants is to assist state, regional, national or local organizations to address fire prevention and safety. Emphasis of the program is on prevention of fire-related injuries to children.
3. Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). The purpose of SAFER is to award grants directly to volunteer; combination and career fire departments to help the departments increase their cadre of firefighters (enhance their ability for 24-hour response).
Georgia Forestry Commission: Plowing and prescribed burning assistance, as well as forest mastication can be obtained from the GFC as a low-cost option for mitigation efforts.
Individual Homeowners: 1. The elimination of hazardous conditions around a structure must ultimately be the responsibility of the community and the homeowner. They will bear the cost and reap the benefit from properly implemented mitigation efforts. 2. GEMA: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
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6) Action Plan
In addition to the steps listed below each station should utilize individual community assessments for their response area to change individual line items to lessen the score of that line whenever possible. For example, if street signs are missing or marked with less than 4 inch letters or non reflective, the score could be reduced should steps be taken to improve street signage.
Steps to implement Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Priorities

Hazard Incendiarism
Lack of Defensible Space
Access problems
Structural Ignitability
Codes and Ordinances

Specific Action and Responsible Party The Georgia Forestry Commission and USDA Forest Service should conduct investigations on all fires determined to be caused by incendiarism on their jurisdictions. Cooperation and resource sharing (investigators) should be made standard practice. The use of local law enforcement should be standard practice especially when arson is identified as a problem in a specific area. The use of reward based incentives to locate arsonists should be considered. Using the risk summaries referenced in section 3, each department should conduct inspections of communities at risk in their jurisdiction or area of response for lack of defensible space. Findings will be conveyed to residents and treatment methods will be recommended in accordance with Firewise principles. This would probably be best accomplished by approaching homeowners associations or organizations. Ultimately, the message should reach individual homeowners in each community. Should local organizations not exist, the builder or developer could be contacted. Such contacts would also influence future projects or developments Using individual Communities at Risk maps for each station, the Georgia Forestry Commission and Lumpkin County Fire officials should visit all identified communities at risk for the purpose of locating and resolving access difficulties. This inspection should extend into the wildland adjacent to the communities at risk looking for hindrances and most effective approaches to suppression tactics Lumpkin County Fire officials should examine structures for structural ignitability concerns at the time when the communities at risk are inspected for lack of defensible space. Using firewise guidelines for reducing structural ignitability, (a checklist could be formulated and used), structures should be assessed and findings conveyed to residents. This could be through use of media or by direct contact with residents or homeowners associations. Lumpkin County and municipal Fire Marshalls should closely examine all codes and ordinances for gaps and oversights which could cause problems in the wildland fire arena. Examples include proximity of propane tanks to structures, accumulations of debris, lack of proper identification pertaining to address or street names, set back distances from wildland fuels, road widths in new developments.

In regard to priority, the above steps should first extend to the higher numbers in the extreme category from the risk summary as these communities are at a higher degree of risk.

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6) Action Plan

Steps to implement Fuel Reduction or Modification Priorities

Hazard Hazardous Wildland Fuel Accumulations
Fuel Continuity between Federal Wildland and Woodland Communities
Hazardous Fuel Accumulations in communities and hindrances to suppression

Specific Action and Responsible Party The Georgia Forestry Commission will prioritize prescribed burning projects adjacent to Communities at risk where burning is determined to be appropriate. Prescribed burn goals set by the U S Forest Service should also take fuel reduction near communities at risk into consideration as part of the prescription. Both agencies should work toward planning to see any proposed burn projects could be done concurrently. This will require changes in how these burns are carried out as regards logistics and technique. In areas where the need exists and fuel reduction by burning is determined to be inappropriate, permanent or semi-permanent fuel breaks could be established. These breaks should be maintained annually prior to the arrival of prime burning times. Their locations should be mapped and made known to local, state, and federal response personnel. Residents of the Communities adjacent to these breaks should be advised of their purpose and their cooperation in protecting them should be gained. These breaks could be installed by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with and assisted by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Using the risk summary in section 3, Fire departments could conduct community clean up days in communities at risk in their respective jurisdictions aimed at reducing hazardous fuels and hindrances to suppression in shared community space. Residents would be provided with guidance and access to disposal alternatives for materials removed.

Steps to implement improvements to wildland response capability

Improvement needed Improve training and qualification of Lumpkin County Wildland firefighters
Improve or acquire wildland firefighting equipment

Responsible Party and specific action The Lumpkin County Chief Ranger, Assistant District Manager of Coosa East District of the Georgia Forestry Commission and Lumpkin County Fire Chief should examine all training records for personnel under their supervision. All current or potential wildland personnel should be certified Georgia Basic Wildland Firefighters or higher in qualification. Additional training and qualification should be sought for personnel identified in the Lumpkin County Fire plan who are assigned specific Incident Command System (ICS) functions. Sources for available funds for training should be sought at State and Federal levels. All stations for Lumpkin County Fire Departments should inventory their present equipment relating to their wildland capability. Funding sources should be investigated from available grants or other sources. Needs for job specific wildland responsibilities should be examined by the GFC Chief Ranger and the Lumpkin County Fire Chief. Specific needs are listed in the appendix.

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6) Action Plan
Steps to educate or inform the Public regarding wildland fire prevention and responsibilities

Opportunity Improve Public Education through direct contact
Improve Public Education through use of media
Improve Public Education through formal certification

Responsible Party and Specific Action Prior to the onset of fire season(s) rangers of the Georgia Forestry Commission and Lumpkin County Fire personnel should conduct Firewise meetings in conjunction with normally scheduled fire department meetings. People living in or near extreme and high risk communities should be invited to these meetings by use of door to door campaigns or by mailouts. Notices regarding these meetings could be placed in local post offices or stores near communities at risk. A Firewise display should be acquired and utilized at this meeting. This display would be retained by the Lumpkin County unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission and used for all Firewise meetings in the County. Local news media should be invited to these meetings. Goals for potential Firewise certified communities in Lumpkin County could be considered after these meetings are completed. Prior to the onset of fire season(s) or during periods of particularly high fire danger use of the media should be stepped up by personnel of the Georgia Forestry Commission. This should include use of all available media in the County. PSA's should be run weekly during periods of high to extreme fire danger. Signs or poster boards could be developed for display in public spaces near communities at risk advising residents that they live in areas that are susceptible to wildland fire and directing them to sources of information regarding wildland fire and their role in improving their own personal safety. Before the end of each calendar year Lumpkin County should seek and acquire Firewise certification for at least one community in the extreme to high risk category. Should lack of interest or other problems prevent certification of any community an effort should be made with another community listed on the Communities at Risk list.
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6) Action Plan
Timetables for Actions
Steps to implement Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Priorities
Steps to standardize and coordinate investigation practices should begin as soon as possible between agencies involved.
Steps to examine communities at risk for defensible space and structural ignitability should take place as manpower and scheduling permits.
Pre-planning to examine access and suppression problems should take place at any time during the current burning season.
Codes and Ordinances should be examined as soon as possible in order for the legal workings of changes to take place.
Steps to implement Fuel Reduction or Modification Priorities
Any identified prescribed burn projects should take place in late winter to early spring. Any other priority burn projects or installation of pre suppression fuel breaks should take place during this same window.
Steps to reduce fuels in communities at risk should coincide with steps to improve defensible space and reduce structural ignitability. Timing of these actions would be dependent upon Fire station availability during the late winter to early spring.
Steps to implement improvements to wildland response capability
Cooperation between state and local wildland suppression forces regarding improvements to training and equipment should begin immediately.
Steps to educate or inform the Public regarding wildland fire prevention and responsibilities
Direct contact with residents in Communities at risk should take place as soon as possible during calendar year 2017 - 2018
The use of media should coincide with the above action. Certification of Firewise communities should follow the timetable associated with the
action plan
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6) Action Plan
Assessment of Actions
Reduction of Community hazard and structural ignitability
. Direct measurement of the number of communities assessed would be the appropriate
measure of success Any meetings that result in cooperation between wildland departments should be logged
along with minutes of those meetings. Goals should be set and reviewed after each meeting. Any changes to or additions to codes and ordinances would be an obvious measure of success. Steps to achieve cooperation across law enforcement agencies would be the most obvious measure of success as regards incendiarism reduction. .
Steps to implement Fuel Reduction or Modification Priorities
Acres burned would be the appropriate measure for fuel reduction. A direct measure of linear feet of firebreaks would be an appropriate measure for pre suppression breaks.
Fuel reduction in communities at risk would be measured by the number of communities affected and number of projects completed.
Steps to implement improvements to wildland response capability
A direct measure of the number of capabilities or qualifications gained would be the appropriate measure of success.
Any equipment acquired or any equipment brought up to national standards would be the appropriate measure of success.
Steps to educate or inform the Public regarding wildland fire prevention and responsibilities
Direct measurement of the number of persons contacted, literature distributed, public notices posted, and news articles published, radio programs aired, etc. would be the best measure of success. The number of communities that achieve Firewise status would be an obvious measure of success.
7) Wildfire Pre-Suppression Plan
This document is located in the appendix of this plan
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8) Appendix
Risk Summary table organized by station County Base and Hazard maps Lumpkin County Pre-Suppression plan. Equipment needs identified
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P. O. Box 819 Macon, GA 31202 1-800-GA-TREES GaTrees.org
The Georgia Forestry Commission provides leadership, service, and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources. An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider
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