Community wildfire protection plan, Dougherty County, Georgia: an action plan for wildfire mitigation and conservation of natural resources

__________________________
A Program of the Georgia Forestry Commission with support from the U.S. Forest Service
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Community Wildfire Protection Plan
An Action Plan for Wildfire Mitigation and Conservation of Natural Resources
Dougherty County, Georgia

JUNE, 2017

SIGNATURE PAGE

___________________________________ __________________

Honorable Christopher S. Cohilas

Date

Chairman

Dougherty County Board of Commissioners

___________________________________ __________________

Richard Crowdis

Date

County Administrator

Dougherty County

____________________________________ Ron H. Rowe Jr. Chief/EMA Director Albany-Dougherty County Fire

_____________ Date

____________________________________ Thomas Lambert Chief Ranger Georgia Forestry Commission

_____________ Date

Prepared by:
Thomas Lambert, Dougherty/Lee County Chief Ranger Eric Mosley, Community Wildfire Protection Specialist
Georgia Forestry Commission Dougherty/Lee County Unit 2910 Newton Rd. Albany GA 31701
The following report is a collaborative effort among various entities; the representatives listed below comprise the core decision-making team responsible for this report and mutually agree on the plan's contents:
County Commissioners Office, Dougherty County
Albany-Dougherty County Emergency Management/Fire Department
Thomas Lambert Chief Ranger, Dougherty/Lee County Forestry Unit Georgia Forestry Commission
Marine Corp Logistics Base
Eric Mosley Community Wildfire Protection Specialist Georgia Forestry Commission
Beryl Budd (revised 2017) Wildfire Prevention Specialist Georgia Forestry Commission

PLAN CONTENTS

PAGE

I. Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 1 II. Community Collaboration .................................................................................................... 1 III. Community Background and Wildfire History...................................................................... 3 IV. Community Base Maps.......................................................................................................... 8 V. Community Wildfire Risk Assessment ............................................................................... 11 VI. Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment & Risk Hazards Maps ................................................ 17 VII. Prioritized Mitigation Recommendations ........................................................................... 21 VIII. Action Plan .......................................................................................................................... 25 IX. Grant Funding & Mitigation Assistance............................................................27 X. Glossary..................................................................................................28 XI. Sources of Information.................................................................................30
Appended Documents:
Dougherty County Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Summary (SouthWRAP) Albany-Dougherty County Wildfire Pre-suppression Plan Community Wildfire Risk Assessment Template Community Wildfire Risk Assessments Completed NFPA 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Suburban and Rural Areas.

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
I. OBJECTIVES
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) provides a community with a road map to reduce its risk from wildfire. A CWPP is designed through collaboration between state and local fire agencies, homeowners and landowners, and other interested parties such as city councils, utilities, homeowners associations, environmental organizations, and other local stakeholders. The plan identifies strategic sites and methods for risk reduction and structural protection projects across jurisdictional boundaries.
Comprehensive plans provide long-term guidance for growth, reflecting a community's values and future expectations. The plan implements the community's values and serves to protect natural and community resources and public safety. Planning also enables communities to address their development patterns in the Wildland Urban Interface and determine how they can reduce their risk through alternative development patterns. The formal legal standing of the plan and its central role in local government decision making underscores the opportunity to use this planning process as an effective means for reducing wildfire risk.
The mission of the following plan is to set clear priorities for the implementation of wildfire mitigation in Albany-Dougherty County. The plan includes prioritized recommendations for the appropriate types and methods of fuel reduction and structure ignitability reduction that will protect this community and its essential infrastructure. 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.
II. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Wildfire risk reduction strategies are most effective when approached collaboratively involving groups of residents, elected officials, community decision makers, emergency managers, and natural resource managers and when combined with effective outreach approaches. Collaborative approaches make sense as the initial focus of any community attempting to work toward wildfire risk reduction. In all Community Wildfire Protection Plan collaborations, the goal is to cooperatively identify problems and reach a consensus for mutual action. In the case of wildfire mitigation, a reduction in the wildfire risk to the community's lives, houses, and property is the desired outcome.
The collaborative core team convened in April 2012 to assess risks and develop the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The group is comprised of representatives from local AlbanyDougherty County government, local fire authorities, and the Georgia Forestry Commission.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Below are the groups included in the task force:
Dougherty County Government County Fire Chief/ Emergency Management County Commissioner
Georgia Forestry Commission Marine Corp Logistics Base

It was decided to conduct community assessments on the basis of the high risk communities and the individual fire districts in the county. The representatives of the local Georgia Forestry Commission office reconvened in early July 2012 for the purpose of completing the following:

Risk Assessment

Assessed wildfire hazard risks and prioritized mitigation actions. The wildfire risk assessment will help homeowners, builders, developers, and emergency personnel whether the area needs attention and will help direct wildfire risk reduction practices to the areas at highest risk.

Fuels Reduction

Identified strategies for coordinating fuels treatment projects.

Structure Ignitability

Identified strategies for reducing the ignitability of structures within the Wildland interface.

Emergency Management Forged relationships among local government and fire districts and developed/refined a pre-suppression plan.

Education and Outreach Developed strategies for increasing citizen awareness and action and to conduct homeowner and community leader workshops. Outreach and education programs are designed to raise awareness and improve audience knowledge of wildfire risk reduction needs and practices. In the best cases, education and outreach programs will influence attitudes and opinions and result in effective action.

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

III. COUNTY BACKGROUND AND WILDFIRE HISTORY

County Background:

Albany-Dougherty County

Dougherty County, comprising about 330 square miles in southwest Georgia, was carved from Baker County in 1853 and named for Athens judge Charles Dougherty, in appreciation for his strong support of states' rights. In 1854 and 1856 the county gained more territory from parts of Worth County.
The original inhabitants of the area were Creek Indians, who were driven out in 1836 after the Creek Wars (1811-15). Many of the new settlers were wealthy cotton planters from the older parts of Georgia and South Carolina who were attracted to southwest Georgia's rich soil and the navigational possibilities of the Flint River. These planters settled around the new town of Albany, which was then still part of Baker County. The rapid growth of the population in and around Albany led the settlers to petition the state assembly for their own county, and Albany was chosen as county seat.

Race relations in Dougherty County have been contentious for much of the

county's history. Soon after emancipation, a large number of the county's

newly enfranchised blacks elected several representatives to the state

legislature. Aggressive white citizens challenged these voters' new rights

after the Civil War (1861-65), and soon the numbers of black voters in the

county had dwindled to little more than a handful. Over the next decades,

blacks made sporadic efforts, including the famous Albany Movement in the 1960s, to win back their civil rights.

Dougherty County Courthouse

Beginning in 1890, the county's reliance on cotton farming during much of the nineteenth century gave way to the cultivation of pecans and peanuts. Cattle ranching arrived in the county during the 1930s, with meatpacking plants soon operating as a mainstay of the economy. The economy diversified somewhat with the arrival of World War II (1941-45), when two training fields for Allied pilots were established in the county. These fields, along with a postwar Marine Corps Logistics Base, were good sources of employment. New postwar industries included breweries, candy manufacturers (Bobs Candies), tire makers, and other factories.

The Flint River overran its banks in 1841, 1925, and 1994, causing major floods in Dougherty County.

The devastating flood of 1994 brought national and international attention to the area, but the ensuing public and private funding enabled residents to embark on an award-winning recovery program.

Flint River Flood of 1925

In recent years, tourists have increasingly come to enjoy boating, fishing, and hunting in and around the county's Flint River, cypress swamps, and quail reserves.

Notable persons born in Albany include Ray Charles, acclaimed rhythm and blues musician; Alice Coachman, the first African American Olympic gold medal winner; Jim

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Fowler, host of the television series Wild Kingdom; trumpeter Harry James; brothers and civil rights activists C. B. King, Clennon Washington King Jr., Preston King, and Slater King; and Ray Knight, major league baseball player and husband of golfer Nancy Lopez.

Points of interest include the Albany Museum of Art, the only fully accredited art museum in southwest Georgia; the Flint RiverQuarium; the Albany Civil Rights Institute; the Parks at Chehaw, one of Georgia's two accredited zoos; Radium Springs; and Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany, which includes the Museum of History, Wetherbee Planetarium, and the Science Discovery Center. Three institutions of higher education, Albany State University, Albany Technical College, and Darton College, are located in the county.

The Parks at Chehaw

The current courthouse, the third in the county's history, was built in 1968. Albany remains the only incorporated town in the county; other communities are Acree, Pecan City, Putney, and Radium Springs.

The large numbers of slaves brought into Dougherty County during its early days led to a significant black population throughout its postCivil War history. According to the 2010 U.S. census, the population of Dougherty County is 94,565, a decrease from the 2000 population of 96,065.

Wildfire History:
Recent data show that a majority of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. are in wildfire-prone environments. It is not a surprise that some of these fastest growing areas are in Georgia. In last decade of the 20th Century, Georgia's population increased substantially. Homeowners in Georgia must contend with natural hazards including wildfire, tornados, and flooding. This combination of factors burgeoning population, abundant natural areas, development pressures, and lack of public awareness makes Georgia a perfect state for creating solutions to various hazards. Georgia is looked to throughout the southern region as a leader in comprehensive and hazard mitigation planning.
Many of Georgia's existing and new residents living in the urban interface are unaware of the vital role fire plays in our landscape and that their homes are extremely vulnerable to wildfire damage. Balancing development pressures with wildfire risk reduction and education creates a unique challenge for local governments, emergency managers, and wildfire management agencies such as the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Over the past ten years, Albany-Dougherty County has averaged 20 reported wildfires per year. The occurrence of these fires is fairly uniform throughout the year with a slight peak in the months of February and March and a slight decrease during the fall months. These fires have burned an average of 109 acres annually. With this migration of people to the wildland urban interface the potential for a wildfire disaster continues to increase for Dougherty County.
The leading cause of these fires was careless debris burning which accounted for 50 percent of all wildfires reported. The second primary cause was from Machine Use followed by Incendiary (Arson).

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

The chart below is wildfire activity thru April during the 2017 fiscal year, which started July 1, 2016 and ends June 30, 2017. The number of wildfires is below average while the acreage is above average.

Cause

Fires

Acres

Fires

Acres

5 Yr Avg 5 Yr Avg

Campfire

0

0.00

0.20

2.47

Children

0

0.00

0.20

0.53

Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn

2

6.44

1.60

9.41

Debris: Household Garbage

0

0.00

0.20

0.43

Debris: Other

0

0.00

0.20

0.46

Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard, Etc

3

8.31

1.60

3.17

Debris: Site Prep - Forestry Related

0

0.00

0.20

0.25

Incendiary

3

94.23

2.00

22.51

Lightning

0

0.00

0.20

0.01

Machine Use

0

0.00

0.40

3.93

Miscellaneous: Other

1

26.68

0.20

5.34

Miscellaneous: Power lines/Electric fences

1

1.22

0.40

1.03

Miscellaneous: Spontaneous Heating/Combustion

0

0.00

0.20

1.67

Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes

0

0.00

0.20

1.39

Railroad

0

0.00

0.40

1.33

Totals for County: Dougherty Year: 2017

10

136.88

8.20

53.94

The table below charts acreage burned, number of fires, average size in Dougherty County compared to the Statewide average, during the 10 year period, 2007 thru 2016.

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Acreage Burned Number of Fires

326.87

66

270.36

48

88.68

14

7.01

6

243.83

27

70.10

15

47.79

11

24.35

5

11.30

7

14.75

3

Average Size 4.95 5.63 6.33 1.17 9.03 4.67 4.34 4.87 1.61 4.92

Statewide Average 18.64 4.56 3.90 3.93 17.56 5.08 4.53 5.02 4.42 6.29

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
The graphs below indicates the average number of wildfires and the average annual acres burned during 20072016 for Dougherty County.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
IV. COMMUNITY BASE MAPS
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION Page 10

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
V. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
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)
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
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.
New construction materials Many new construction materials have comparatively low melting points and may "offgas" 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
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
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.
WUI is described as the area where structures and other human improvements meet and intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

The wildland fire risk assessments conducted in the Summer of 2012 by the Georgia Forestry Commission and Dougherty County Fire & Emergency Management returned an average score of 80, placing Albany-Dougherty County in the "Moderate Risk" hazard range. The risk assessment instrument used to evaluate wildfire hazards to Dougherty County's WUI was the Hazard and Wildfire Risk Assessment Scoresheet. The instrument takes into consideration accessibility, vegetation (based on fuel models), roofing assembly, building construction, and availability of fire protection resources, placement of gas and electric utilities, and additional rating factors. The following factors contributed to the wildfire hazard score for Dougherty County:

Dead end roads with inadequate turn arounds Narrow roads without drivable shoulders Long, narrow, and poorly labeled driveways Limited street signs and homes not clearly addressed Thick, highly flammable vegetation surrounding many homes Minimal defensible space around structures Homes with wooden siding and roofs with heavy accumulations of vegetative debris No pressurized or non-pressurized water systems available Above ground utilities Large, adjacent areas of forest or wildlands Heavy fuel buildups in adjacent wildlands Undeveloped lots comprising half the total lots in many rural communities. High occurrence of wildfires in the several locations Distance from fire stations Lack of homeowner or community organizations
The Communities-at-Risk within Dougherty County that led to its Moderate Hazard risk rating are:

Communities-at-Risk War Eagle Suzzane Henson Torry Pines Pick East Park Radial Subdivision Pine Glen Subdivision Royal Palms French Street Acre

Score 66 127 69 73 102 55 72 84 85 119 92

Hazard Rating Low
Moderate Low Low
Moderate Low Low
Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Cloverleaf Drive Oak Glen Byron Ridge Quail West Quail Hollow Frank Orgll Grand Oaks McCall Coachlight Stonebridge Fox Hollow Crofton Indian Creek Brook Hollow Springfield 1 Southwood Sub Hidden Lakes Rodnor Forest Station Crossing Country Place Apt. Springfield 2 Lorretta Heights Hollands Folly Mitchell Acres Putney Acres Foxwood Sub Crestwood Lilly Pond Rd. 1 Camden Leary Rd. Lilly Pond Rd. 2 Calvary Newton Rd. Catalina Beach Estates Oakdale Sub Briarwood Sub Willowood Millsbee Village Wyndham Chase Old Pretoritt

64 74 128 121 105 92 134 133 125 118 116 120 110 131 108 123 48 106 104 74 81 35 40 30 34 70 109 59 85 104 78 54 77 43 54 61 62 51 48 72
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Low Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate High High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate High Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Low Low Low Hazard Low Hazard Low Hazard Low Hazard Low Hazard Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Low Low Low Low Low Low Low

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Habersham

38

Low

Harvey / Story Rd.

56

Low

Paradise Village

108

Moderate

Radium Woods

86

Moderate

Honeysuckle

76

Moderate

Cannon

76

Moderate

Tarasavage

88

Moderate

College Park

71

Low

Radium Springs

76

Moderate

Skywater/Radium Springs

110

Moderate

College Heights

78

Moderate

River Pointe

58

Low

Dale Chickasaw Gardens

42

Low

River Crest Apt.

55

Low

Enclave At Oglethorpe

55

Low

Dixie Heights

53

Low

Broadway Ct. Apts

64

Low

East Towne

64

Low

Country Side Village

48

Low

Burntree

55

Low

Winterwood

37

Low

Shady Glen/Meadow Wood

53

Low

Sherman Oaks

51

Low

Timberline Estate Phase 1

67

Low

Total Average:

80

Moderate Hazard Rating

Prescribed burning of woodlands is the best management practice to reduce hazardous fuel accumulation. The Georgia Forestry Commission can provide a prescribed burning plan, establish fire breaks, and can also provide equipment standby and assist with burning when personnel are available.

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
VI. Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment & Risk Hazard Maps
The Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment tool, developed by the Southern Group of State Foresters, was released to the public in July 2014. This tool allows users of the Professional Viewer application of the Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment (SWRA) web Portal (SouthWRAP) to define a specific project area and summarize wildfire related information for this area. A detailed risk summary report is generated using a set of predefined map products developed by the Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment project which have been summarized explicitly for the user defined project area. A risk assessment summary was generated for Dougherty County. The SouthWRAP (SWRA) products included in this report are designed to provide the information needed to support the following key priorities:
Identify areas that are most prone to wildfire Identify areas that may require additional tactical planning, specifically related to mitigation
projects and Community Wildfire Protection Planning Provide the information necessary to justify resource, budget and funding requests Allow agencies to work together to better define priorities and improve emergency response,
particularly across jurisdictional boundaries Define wildland communities and identify the risk to those communities Increase communication and outreach with local residents and the public to create
awareness and address community priorities and needs Plan for response and suppression resource needs Plan and prioritize hazardous fuel treatment programs
Community Protection Zones Map from the Dougherty County SWRA Plan
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) map (above) and WUI Population and WUI Acres graphs (below)
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Risk map (above) and WUI Risk Acres graph (below)
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Fire Intensity Scale map (above) and potential Flame length map (below)
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
VII. PRIORITIZED MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Executive Summary
As Southwest Georgia continues to see increased growth from other areas seeking less crowded and warmer climes, new development will occur more frequently on forest and wildland areas. Albany-Dougherty County will have an opportunity to significantly influence the wildland fire safety of new developments. It is important that new development be planned and constructed to provide for public safety in the event of a wildland fire emergency.
Over the past 20 years, much has been learned about how and why homes burn during wildland fire emergencies. Perhaps most importantly, case histories and research have shown that even in the most severe circumstances, wildland fire disasters can be avoided. Homes can be designed, built and maintained to withstand a wildfire even in the absence of fire services on the scene. The national Firewise Communities program is a national awareness initiative to help people understand that they don't have to be victims in a wildfire emergency. The National Fire Protection Association has produced two standards for reference: NFPA 1144 Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire. 2008 Edition and NFPA 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Suburban and Rural Areas.
When new developments are built in the Wildland/Urban Interface, a number of public safety challenges may be created for the local fire services: (1) the water supply in the immediate areas may be inadequate for fire suppression; (2) if the Development is in an outlying area, there may be a longer response time for emergency services; (3) in a wildfire emergency, the access road(s) may need to simultaneously support evacuation of residents and the arrival of emergency vehicles; and (4) when wildland fire disasters strike, many structures may be involved simultaneously, quickly exceeding the capability of even the best equipped fire departments. The following recommendations were developed by the Albany-Dougherty County CWPP by the Community Wildfire Protection Specialist as a result of surveying and assessing fuels and structures and by conducting meetings and interviews with county and city officials. A priority order was determined based on which mitigation projects would best reduce the hazard of wildfire in the assessment area.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Proposed Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Reduction Priorities

Primary Protection for Community and Its Essential Infrastructure

Treatment Area

Treatment Types

Treatment Method(s)

1. All Structures 2. Applicable Structures

Create minimum of 30feet of defensible space**
Reduce structural ignitability**

Trim shrubs and vines to 30 feet from structures, trim overhanging limbs, replace flammable plants near homes with less flammable varieties, remove vegetation around chimneys.
Clean flammable vegetative material from roofs and gutters, store firewood appropriately, install skirting around raised structures, store water hoses for ready access, and replace pine straw and mulch around plantings with less flammable landscaping materials.

3. Community Clean-up Day Cutting, mowing, pruning**

Cut, prune, and mow vegetation in shared community spaces.

4. Driveway Access 5. Road Access

Culvert installation
Identify needed road improvements

See that adequate lengths of culverts are installed to allow emergency vehicle access.
As roads are upgraded, widen to minimum standards with at least 50 foot diameter cul-de-sacs or turn-around.

Proposed Community Wildland Fuel Reduction Priorities

Treatment Area

Treatment Types

Treatment Method(s)

1. Adjacent WUI Lands

Reduce hazardous fuels

Encourage prescribed burning for private landowners and industrial timberlands particularly adjacent to residential areas.
Seek grant for WUI mitigation team.

2. Railroad Corridors

Reduce hazardous fuels

Encourage railroads to better maintain their ROW eliminating brush and grass through herbicide and mowing. Maintain firebreaks along ROW adjacent to residential areas.

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Proposed Improved Community Wildland Fire Response Priorities

1. Water Sources

Dry Hydrants

Inspect, maintain and improve access to existing dry hydrants. Add signage along road to mark the hydrants.
Locate additional dry hydrants as needed.

2. Fire Stations

Equipment

Wildland hand tools. Lightweight Wildland PPE Gear. Investigate need for "brush" trucks near communities at risk.

3. Water Sources

Drafting equipment

Investigate need for additional drafting pumps.

4. Personnel

Training

Obtain Wildland Fire Suppression training for fire personnel to include S130, S190, and S215.

**Actions to be taken by homeowners and community stakeholders

Proposed Education and Outreach Priorities
1. Conduct "How to Have a Firewise Home" Workshop for County Residents Set up and conduct a workshop for homeowners that teach the principles of making homes and properties safe from wildfire. Topics for discussion include defensible space, landscaping, building construction, etc. Workshop will be scheduled for evenings or weekends when most homeowners are available and advertised through local media outlets. Distribute materials promoting Firewise practices and planning through local community and governmental meetings.
2. Conduct "Firewise" Workshop for Community Leaders Arrange for GFC Firewise Coordinator to work with local community leaders and governmental officials on the importance of "Firewise Planning" in developing ordinances and codes as the county as the need arises. Identified "communities-at-risk" are Grand Oaks and McCall, and should be sought after for inclusion in the National Firewise Communities Program.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
3. Spring Clean-up Event (National Wildfire Preparedness Day) Conduct clean-up event every spring involving the Georgia Forestry Commission, Albany-Dougherty County Fire Departments, and local residents of Albany-Dougherty County. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsors a National Wildfire Preparedness Day on the 1st Saturday of May. This has been held annually since 2013 and is a good time of year to have such an event. Set up information table with educational materials and refreshments. Initiate the event with a morning briefing by GFC Firewise coordinator and local fire officials detailing plans for the day and safety precautions. Activities to include the following:
Clean flammable vegetative material from roofs and gutters Trim shrubs and vines to 30 feet away from structures Trim overhanging limbs Clean hazardous or flammable debris from adjacent properties
4. Informational Packets Develop and distribute informational packets to be distributed by realtors and insurance agents. Included in the packets are the following:
Be Firewise Around Your Home Firewise Guide to Landscape and Construction Firewise Communities USA program materials Fire Adapted Community brochures Ready Set Go materials
5. Wildfire Protection Display Create and exhibit a display for the general public at the local events. Display can be independent or combined with the Georgia Forestry Commission display.
6. Media Invite the local and regional news media to community "Firewise" functions for news coverage and regularly submit press releases documenting wildfire risk improvements in Dougherty County.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

VIII. ACTION PLAN

Roles and Responsibilities The following roles and responsibilities have been developed to implement the action plan:

Role

Responsibility

Hazardous Fuels and Structural Ignitability Reduction

Dougherty County WUI Fire Council

Create this informal team or council comprised of residents, GFC officials, County Fire department officials, a representative from the city and county government and the EMA Director for Dougherty County. Meet periodically to review progress towards mitigation goals, appoint and delegate special activities, work with federal, state, and local officials to assess progress and develop future goals and action plans. Work with residents to implement projects and Firewise activities.

Key Messages to focus on

1 Defensible Space and Firewise Landscaping 2 Debris Burning Safety 3 Firewise information for homeowners 4 Prescribed burning benefits

Communications objectives

1 Create public awareness for fire danger and defensible space issues
2 Identify most significant human cause fire issues
3 Enlist public support to help prevent these causes
4 Encourage people to employ fire prevention and defensible spaces in their communities.

Target Audiences

1 Homeowners 2 Forest Landowners and users 3 Civic Groups 4 School Groups 5 Timber Companies

Methods

1 News Releases 2 Personal Contacts 3 Key messages and prevention tips 4 Visuals such as signs, brochures and posters

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Spring Clean-up Day

Event Coordinator

Coordinate day's events and schedule, catering for cookout, guest attendance, and moderate activities the day of the day of the event.

Event Treasurer

Collect funds from residents to cover food, equipment rentals, and supplies.

Publicity Coordinator

Advertise event through neighborhood newsletter, letters to officials, and public service announcements (PSAs) for local media outlets. Publicize post-event through local paper and radio PSAs.

Work Supervisor

Develop volunteer labor force of community residents; develop labor/advisory force from Georgia Forestry Commission, AlbanyDougherty County Fire Departments, and Emergency Management Agency. Procure needed equipment and supplies. In cooperation with local city and county officials, develop safety protocol. Supervise work and monitor activities for safety the day of the event.

Funding Needs The following funding is needed to implement the action plan:

Project

Estimated Cost Potential Funding Source(s)

1. Create a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space around structures

Varies

Residents will supply labor and fund required work on their own properties.

2. Reduce structural ignitability by cleaning flammable vegetation from roofs and gutters; appropriately storing firewood, installing skirting around raised structures, storing water hoses for ready access, replacing pine needles and mulch around plantings with less flammable material.

Varies

Residents will supply labor and fund required work on their own properties.

3. Amend codes and ordinances to provide

No Cost

better driveway access, increased visibility of

house numbers, properly stored firewood,

minimum defensible space brush clearance,

required Class A roofing materials and

skirting around raised structures, planned

maintenance of community lots.

To be adopted by city and county government.

4. Spring Cleanup Day (National Wildfire Preparedness Day)

Varies

Business Donations. State Farm grants

5. Fuel Reduction Activities

$15 / acre

FEMA & USFS Grants

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
IX. Grant Funding and Mitigation Assistance
Community Protection Grant: US Forest Service 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. Forest mastication, where it is practical with Georgia Forestry Commission equipment, is also available under this grant program. 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 completed 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.
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. The Georgia Forestry Commission Firewise Community Mitigation Assistance Grants Nationally recognized Firewise Communities can receive up to $5000 grants to help address potential wildfire risk reduction projects. Grant submission can be made through local Georgia Forestry Commission offices or your Regional Wildfire Prevention Specialist. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and American International Group, Inc. (AIG) offer grants to assist local fire departments in establishing or enhancing their community fuels mitigation programs while educating members of the community about community wildfire readiness and encouraging personal action.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
X. Glossary
Community-At-Risk A group of two or more structures whose proximity to forested or wildland areas places homes and residents at some degree of risk.
Critical Facilities Buildings, structures or other parts of the community infrastructure that require special protection from an approaching wildfire.
CWPP The Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Defensible Space The immediate landscaped area around a structure (usually a minimum of 30 ft.) kept "lean, clean and green" to prevent an approaching wildfire from igniting the structure.
Dry Hydrant - A non-pressurized pipe system permanently installed in existing lakes, ponds and streams that provides a suction supply of water to a fire department tank truck.
FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency whose mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Fire Adapted Community A community fully prepared for its wildfire risk by taking actions to address safety, homes, neighborhoods, businesses and infrastructure, forest, parks, open spaces, and other community assets.
Firewise Program A national initiative with a purpose to reduce structural losses from wildland fires.
Firewise Community/USA A national recognition program for communities that take action to protect themselves from wildland fire. To qualify a community must have a wildfire risk assessment by the Georgia Forestry Commission, develop a mitigation action plan, have an annual firewise mitigation/education event, have dedicated firewise leadership, and complete the certification application.
Fuels All combustible materials within the wildland/urban interface or intermix including, but not limited to, vegetation and structures.
Fuel Modification Any manipulation or removal of fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition or the resistance to fire control.
Hazard & Wildfire Risk Assessment An evaluation to determine an area's (community's) potential to be impacted by an approaching wildland fire.
Healthy Forests Initiative - Launched in August 2002 by President Bush (following passage of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act by Congress) with the intent to reduce the risks severe wildfires pose to people, communities, and the environment.
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Home Ignition Zone (Structure Ignition Zone) - Treatment area for wildfire protection. The "zone" includes the structure(s) and their immediate surroundings from 0-200 ft. Mitigation An action that moderates the severity of a fire hazard or risk. National Fire Plan National initiative, passed by Congress in the year 2000, following a landmark wildland fire season, with the intent of actively responding to severe wildland fires and their impacts to communities while ensuring sufficient firefighting capacity for the future. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - An international nonprofit organization established in 1896, whose mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. National Wildfire Preparedness Day Started in 2014 by the National Fire Protection Association as a day for communities to work together to prepare for the fire season. It is held annually on the first Saturday in May. Prescribed Burning (prescribed fire) The use of planned fire that is deliberately set under specific fuel and weather condition to accomplish a variety of management objectives and is under control until it burns out or is extinguished. Ready, Set, Go - A program fire services use to help homeowners understand wildfire preparedness, awareness, and planning procedures for evacuation. Southern Group of State Foresters Organization whose members are the agency heads of the forestry agencies of the 13 southern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Stakeholders Individuals, groups, organizations, businesses or others who have an interest in wildland fire protection and may wish to review and/or contribute to the CWPP content. Wildfire or Wildland Fire An unplanned and uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels.
Wildland/Urban Interface - The presence of structures in locations in which the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) determines that topographical features, vegetation, fuel types, local weather conditions and prevailing winds result in the potential for ignition of the structures within the area from flames and firebrands from a wildland fire (NFPA 1144, 2008 edition.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
XI. Sources of Information
Publications/Brochures/Websites: FIREWISE materials can be ordered at www.firewise.org Georgia Forestry Commission www.georgiafirewise.org Examples of successful wildfire mitigation programs can be viewed at the website for National Database of State and Local wildfire Hazard Mitigation Programs sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the Southern Group of State Foresters www.wildfireprograms.com Information about a variety of interface issues (including wildfire) can be found at the USFS website for Interface South: www.interfacesouth.org Information on codes and standards for emergency services including wildfire can be found at www.nfpa.org Information on FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) can be found at www.firegrantsupport.com Information on National Fire Plan grants can be found at http://www.federalgrantswire.com/national-fire-plan--rural-fire-assistance.html Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment website SouthWRAP www.SouthernWildfireRisk.com Fire Adapted Communities www.fireadapted.org Ready, Set, Go www.wildlandfirersg.org National Wildfire Preparedness Day www.wildfireprepday.org
Appended Documents: Dougherty County Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Summary Report (SouthWRAP) All files that make up this plan are available in an electronic format from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Assessment Strategy To accurately assess progress and effectiveness for the action plan, the Albany-Dougherty WUI Fire Council will implement the following:
Annual wildfire risk assessment will be conducted to re-assess wildfire hazards and prioritize needed actions.
Mitigation efforts that are recurring (such as mowing, burning, and clearing of defensible space) will be incorporated into an annual renewal of the original action plan.
Mitigation efforts that could not be funded in the requested year will be incorporated into the annual renewal of the original action plan.
Continuing educational and outreach programs will be conducted and assessed for effectiveness. Workshops will be evaluated based on attendance and post surveys that are distributed by mail 1month and 6 months following workshop date.
The Albany-Dougherty WUI Council will publish an annual report detailing mitigation projects initiated and completed, progress for ongoing actions, funds received, funds spent, and in-kind services utilized. The report will include a "state of the community" section that critically evaluates mitigation progress and identifies areas for improvement. Recommendations will be incorporated into the annual renewal of the action plan.
An annual survey will be distributed to residents soliciting information on individual mitigation efforts on their own property (e.g., defensible space). Responses will be tallied and reviewed at the next Albany-Dougherty County WUI Council meeting. Needed actions will be discussed and delegated.
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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WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN: AN ACTION PLAN FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Georgia Forestry Commission 5645 Riggins Mill Rd. Dry Branch, GA 31020 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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