Community wildfire protection plan, Troup County: 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

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

APRIL 2017
1

The following report is a collaborative effort between various entities. The representatives listed below comprise the core decision-making team responsible for this report and mutually agree on the plan's contents.
Troup County Representatives
Patrick Crews, Chairman, District One Commissioner Signature Ellis P. Cadenhead, Commissioner, District Two Signature Lewis C. Davis Jr., Commissioner, District Three Signature Morris Jones III, Commissioner, District Four Signature Richard English Jr., Commissioner, District Five Signature Dennis Knight, Fire Chief, Director, Troup County Fire & Emergency Management Signature Louis Dekmar, Chief of Operations Fire Dept. City of LaGrange Signature Milton Smith, Fire Chief, City of West Point Signature
Georgia Forestry Commission Representatives
Amy Weaver, Chief Ranger, Heard Troup Counties Signature Carl Melear, CWPP Specialist, Forest Protection Signature
2

PLAN CONTENTS

PAGE

I. Objectives & Goals ...........................................................................................................................4

Il. Community Collaboration ...........................................................................................................................5

Ill. Community Background and Wildfire History ............................................................................................................................6

lV. County Base Maps ...........................................................................................................................11

V. Wildland Urban Interface ......................................................................................................14

Vl. Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment (SouthWRAP) & Hazard Maps ...........................................................................................................................17

Vll. Community Wildfire Risk Assessment ......................................................................................................20

Vlll. Mitigation Recommendations and Action Plan ......................................................................................................22

IX. Grant Funding & Mitigation Assistance .......................................................................................................28

X. Glossary .........................................................................................................29

XI. Sources of Information .......................................................................................................31

Appended Documents:

Troup County Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Summary Report (SouthWRAP)

This plan should become a working document that is shared by local, state, and federal agencies that will use it to accomplish common goals. It is intended to amend the present County Hazard mitigation plan. 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.

3

I. OBJECTIVES & GOALS
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, home owner 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 Troup County. The plan includes prioritized recommendations for the appropriate types and methods of fuel reduction and structure ignitability reduction that will help 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 about 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.
Develop and implement effective community ordinances and codes.
4

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 March 2011 to initiate development of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The group is comprised of representatives from Troup County Board of Commissioners, Troup County Fire Department, Troup County Emergency Management, and the Georgia Forestry Commission. The benefits that will be gained from the development of this CWPP are summarized below:
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
5

lll. COMMUNITY BACKGROUND & WILDFIRE HISTORY

Troup County

Troup County, Georgia's sixty-third, was established on the border of Alabama, along with four other counties, by an act of the state legislature in 1825. Georgia governor George Troup, for whom the county was named, signed an act organizing the former Creek Indian lands into counties.
As one of its first official acts, the new Troup County government selected a site for the county seat. They chose a location near the geographic center of the county and named the town after the Chateau de LaGrange, the country estate of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French general and hero of the American Revolution (1775-83). LaGrange was incorporated in December 1828. Two other cities, West Point and Hogansville, are located in the county. West Point, in the southwest corner along the Alabama border, was incorporated under the name Franklin in 1831; the legislature changed the town's name in 1832. Hogansville, in the northeast portion of the county, was incorporated in 1870.

Troup County, which comprises 414 square miles, prospered in the nineteenth century as an agricultural area with rich soil watered by the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries. Growing into a center of commerce, government, and education, LaGrange, supported two female colleges and a male university. One of these schools, LaGrange College, was Troup County Courthouse founded in 1831 and continues to serve the area as a coeducational Methodist-affiliated institution with more than 1,000 students. Beautiful homes and gardens, several of which are now part of historic districts or are listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places, were built in the city.

The Civil War (1860-65) found Troup County residents ready to serve the Southern cause. Located along the Atlanta and West Point rail line, which remained open almost until the end of the war, LaGrange served as a hospital center for the Confederacy.
Leading statesman and U.S. and Confederate senator Benjamin Hill lived there. His home, Bellevue, built from 1853 to 1855, is a National Historic Landmark. The Battle of West Point occurred at nearby Fort Tyler along the Georgia-Alabama line on April 16, 1865. The following day a corps of ladies, calling themselves the Nancy Harts in honor of Nancy Hart, the Revolutionary War

Bellevue

heroine from Georgia, defended LaGrange from an invasion of

Union troops led by Colonel Oscar H. LaGrange. The Nancy

Harts gave up their arms when the colonel promised not to burn their homes and town.

Led by such families as the Callaways, Dunsons, Truitts, Laniers, and Huguleys, Troup County entered the industrial era of the "New South" by the late nineteenth century. During this time the county's economy centered on textile mills. Since the 1960s Troup

6

County has successfully attracted diversified industry from around the world, including plants from Japan and Germany. In October 2006 Kia Motors Corporation, a Korean automobile manufacturer, broke ground in West Point for its first factory in the United States. The plant opened in February 2010 with an initial workforce of 1,200 employees. Another large employer in the county is Interface, a manufacturer of commercial carpeting.

LaGrange and Troup County have within their borders West Point Dam and Lake, constructed primarily for flood control in the 1960s and 1970s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. West Georgia Medical Center is the leading hospital in the county, and West

Georgia Technical College serves students in the area. The county is home to an impressive variety of art and cultural

West Point Dam and Lake

institutions, including museums, theaters, ballets, and orchestras.

According to the 2010 U.S. census, the population of Troup County was 67,044, an increase from the 2000 population of 58,779.

The above material is courtesy of the New Georgia Encyclopedia

Wildfire History
Wildland Fire activity in Troup County has been consistent with historical trends in past years. Escapes from Debris burning along with incendiary fires are the leading causes.
The following table outlines fire activity for fiscal years 2007 through 2016. As seen in the chart below, activity was increased statewide in 2007 and 2011due to large wildfires in SE Georgia and the Okefenokee Refuge. In 2015 Troup County had the lowest ever wildfire activity and acreage burned due to above average rainfall during the year.

Fiscal Year
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Number of Wildfires
11 8 16 18 25 36 19 16 25 38

Acres burned Troup County
60.09 9.17 37.16 110.51 105.62 123.82 159.61 93.82 254.50 274.64

Average Size
5.46 1.15 2.32 6.14 4.22 3.44 8.40 5.86 10.18 7.23

Statewide Average
Size 6.29 4.42 5.02 4.53 4.98 17.56 3.56 3.90 4.56 18.64

7

The following table outlines fire activity for the fiscal year (FY 2017) which began on July 1, 2016 and ends on June 30, 2017. The major cause of these wildfires so far is children playing, debris burning, and machine use. Wildfire activity has significantly increased during this year due to drought.

County = Troup

Cause

Fires

Campfire

Campfire

2

Children

Children

6

Debris: Ag Fields, Pastures, Orchards, Etc

Debris: Ag Fields, Pastures, Orchards, Etc

0

Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn

0

Debris: Other

Debris: Other

0

Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard, Etc

Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard, Etc

5

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

0

Incendiary

Incendiary

1

Lightning

Lightning

0

Machine Use

Machine Use

5

Miscellaneous: Other

Miscellaneous: Other

3

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

fences

fences

2

Miscellaneous: Spontaneous Heating/Combustion

Miscellaneous: Spontaneous Heating/Combustion

3

Miscellaneous: Structure/Vehicle Fires

Miscellaneous: Structure/Vehicle Fires

0

Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes

2

Railroad

Railroad

1

Smoking

Smoking

1

Undetermined

Undetermined

1

Totals for County: Troup Year: 2017

32

Acres
0.50 2.31

Fires 5 Yr Avg
1.20
2.20

Acres 5 Yr Avg
1.14
2.99

0.00 0.20 0.02

0.00 2.20 13.78 0.00 0.20 0.05

11.35 2.20 3.57

0.00 4.70 0.00 19.50 4.20

0.40 0.00 0.80 4.61 0.40 6.92 1.40 4.01 1.00 10.66

7.72 1.00 2.12

0.80 0.60 0.16

0.00 0.60 1.82 0.10 1.20 1.27 0.20 0.20 0.04 2.38 0.20 0.48 8.00 1.00 2.09 61.76 17.00 55.74

8

9

10

lV. COUNTY BASE MAPS
11

12

13

V. 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)
Troup County is typical of a county that is undergoing a rapid transition from an isolated rural county to a more urbanized county. This transition resulted from influence of the I-85 and I-185 corridor. The location of the Kia automobile plant has stimulated growth which has improved the housing market in rural areas. This economic boost could result in increased wildland urban risk.
14

WUI is described as the area where structures and other human improvements meet and intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.
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. Some of these hazards are listed below:
Hazardous Material 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. These areas may also contain some type of booby trap.
Propane Tanks Both large (household size) and small (gas grill size) liquefied propane gas (LPG) tanks can present hazards to firefighters, including explosion.
15

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 "off-gas" extremely hazardous vapors. Plastic decking materials that resemble wood are becoming more common and may begin softening and losing structure strength at 180 degrees Fahrenheit 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.
Abandoned wells Found around old home sites, open wells can be a hazard for firefighters, especially while working a wildfire during the night.
There is a map in the appendix which shows the track of the tornado which occurred on April 27, 2011. Firefighting in areas affected by this storm will be extremely difficult and dangerous should they remain unchanged from when they occurred. Structures in close proximity to this track are at heightened risk.
16

VI. SOUTHERN WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT & HAZARDS 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 Troup County. The SouthWRAP (SWRA) products included in this report are designed to provide the information needed to support the following key priorities:
o Identify areas that are most prone to wildfire
o Identify areas that may require additional tactical planning, specifically related to mitigation projects and Community Wildfire Protection Planning
o Provide the information necessary to justify resource, budget and funding requests
o Allow agencies to work together to better define priorities and improve emergency response, particularly across jurisdictional boundaries
o Define wildland communities and identify the risk to those communities
o Increase communication and outreach with local residents and the public to create awareness and address community priorities and needs
o Plan for response and suppression resource needs
o Plan and prioritize hazardous fuel treatment programs
Wildland Urban Interface map from Troup County SouthWRAP report
17

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Risk map (above) and WUI Risk Index Acres graph (below) from the Troup County SWRA report
18

Community Protection Zones map (above) and Fire Intensity Scale map (below)
19

VII. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS

Following a meeting between the Georgia Forestry Commission and Troup County and municipal fire department personnel on March 3, 2011 assessments of communities at risk from wildland fire was undertaken. The risk assessment instrument used to evaluate wildfire hazards was the GFC Community Wildfire Risk Assessment. This 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 the higher risk communities and developments in Houston 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 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 High occurrence of wildfires in several locations Distance from fire stations Lack of homeowner or community organizations Wildfire Risk (rating scale):

Low Risk:

Total Wildfire Risk Rating is 0 - 75 points:

The chances of your home surviving a wildfire are GOOD. Little is needed to improve

your situation.

Moderate Risk: Total Wildfire Risk Rating is 76 - 130 points: The chances of your home surviving a wildfire are FAIR. Some Minor improvements will make your home more fire resistant.

High Risk:

Total Wildfire Risk Rating is Over 130 points:

Your home is at risk and improvements are necessary to reduce risk!

Extreme Risk:

Total Wildfire Risk Rating is Over 140 points:

Your home MAY NOT SURVIVE if a wildfire passes through the area.

This assessment process was based on information provided by the Georgia

Forestry Commission from the Southern Fire Risk Assessment supplemented by

20

local knowledge of high risk areas. Communities were assessed using the Georgia Forestry Commissions Form 140 for Woodland Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment. This form determines risk based on four criteria subdivision design, site hazard, building construction, and additional factors. Communities are assigned a risk category based on a numerical score. Communities are designated as being at extreme, high, moderate, or low risk. Assessments were declared complete on July 16, 2012. The original assessments are retained by the Georgia Forestry Commission. These documents would be useful if they were referenced to determine how risk categories could be improved.

Thirty seven (37) communities were assessed. Of these12 were classified as being at moderate risk and 25 were determined to be at low risk. Information on the assessed communities is shown on a spreadsheet entitled `Risk Summary Troup County' which is included in the appendix. This document contains summary information from the assessment forms. The locations for the communities are shown on the Wildland Fire Susceptibility map for Troup County. All maps are in PDF format which allows for file sharing and printing in all formats.

Community Name or Location Graysons Landing Pioneer Dr Whitaker Acres Cherokee Resort Amhurst Subdiv. St. Anthony Ct. Vernon Ferry Rd Grove Point Lakeshore Dr / Highland Park Greenbriar Subdiv. Long Cane Community Homecoming The River Club Brookwood Dr Spring Valley Foxcroft Dr Willowcrest Way Pine Grove Baileys Pointe Millridge Jackson Creek Deal Dr Bryant Lake Ashford Circle Hummingbird Estates Northridge Dr Eagles Rest Country Club Rd Ashling Dr. Lismore Dr. Sunny Point Dr. Auburn Ave. Guinn St. Hampton Green Wexford Morgan Dr. Victoria Dr. North Pointe Dr. Upper Big Springs Rd Overlook / Troon Way North and South Page St. Villages of HuntCliff

Map Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Latitude

Longitude Homes

3310'23.703"N 852'55.4833"W 135

3256'42.0762" 851'5.8212"

18

332'55.7864"N 856'3.551"W 150

3254'21.962"N 8451'55.2461"W 47

3254'54.3105"N 855'39.4747"W 20

334'28.0505"N 852'38.8028"W 13

332'34.812"N 858'0.284"W

250

337'26.4392"N 8453'27.8442"W 23

334'9.809"N 854'2.5521"W

26

331'7.8972"N 8456'36.5143"W 70

3255'3.8387"N 859'13.062"W

30

333'53.6878"N 850'42.0504"W

7

335'43.7873"N 856'11.4227"W

17

332'53.8871"N 855'45.285"W

105

334'1.1098"N 855'26.1039"W

22

333'40.6037"N 855'33.7313"W

77

333'20.9151"N 8456'7.86"W

112

333'20.9151"N 8456'7.86"W

42

333'55.755"N 854'41.9847"W

7

333'50.9075"N 854'30.6574"W

14

330'14.0369"N 8459'57.1263"W 18

335'4.5247"N 852'50.9996"W

93

339'10.6369"N 8454'16.0338"W 73

334'52.788"N 852'53.7517"W

48

336'4.5289"N 853'44.9415"W

53

332'56.7783"N 853'2.1959"W

120

334'35.6968"N 852'31.4162"W

90

335'7.0702"N 853'1.9995"W

41

331'0.0071"N 851'0.8122"W

46

337'40.6619"N 853'21.7217"W 300

330'38.5313"N 8457'42.5887"W 30

334'6.6656"N 855'4.1736"W

37

334'51.533"N 850'2.3766"W

68

330'59.1346"N 8459'2.1734"W 160

3256'17.7838"N 8457'48.7079"W 44

333'53.2202"N 851'29.9164"W

70

3310'31.3449"N 8455'5.4294"W

23

score 123 111 102 97 89 85 84 84 80 79 78 78 74 73 73 73 72 71 71 71 71 69 69 69 68 68 67 67 66 65 62 62 61 56 54 49 28

Risk Category moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low

Jurisdiction Sta 2 Sta 1 Sta 4 Sta 12 Sta 7
Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 10 Sta 11
Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 9 Sta 4
Sta 3 Lagrange Sta 2 Sta 2
Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange
Sta 9 Sta 9 Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 1 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 11 Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 1 Lagrange Sta 2 Sta 1 Sta 4 Lagrange Sta 3 Lagrange Sta 1 Lagrange Sta 1 Sta 4 Lagrange Hogansville

21

VII. MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS & ACTION PLAN
The following recommendations were developed by collaboration between the Georgia Forestry Commission and various County Fire and Emergency Services. A priority order was determined based on which mitigation projects would best reduce the hazard of wildfire in the assessment area.
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
Proposed Community and Structural Ignitability Reduction Priorities:
1. Locate lack of and improve defensible space around structures in communities at risk
2. Identify access problems that affect initial attack in communities at risk 3. Identify structural ignitability concerns in communities at risk 4. Identify and resolve problems with codes, covenants, or ordinances that negatively influence structural ignitability
Proposed Wildland Fuel Reduction or Modification Priorities:
1. Reduction or modification of wildland fuel in proximity to communities at risk 2. Reduction or modification of fuel concentrations in shared spaces inside communities at risk
Proposed Improvements to capabilities of Wildland Response agencies:
1. Identify needs and improve training and qualification of wildland response agencies
2. Identify needs and recommend equipment acquisitions for wildland response agencies
Proposed Education and Outreach Priorities:
1. Improve public knowledge in communities at risk and in the general population of the County regarding Firewise principles.
2. Notification of communities at risk regarding wildland fire hazard 3. Improvements to public notification during periods of high to extreme fire
danger.
22

Steps to implement Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Priorities

Hazard

Specific Action and Responsible Party

Lack of

Using the risk summaries referenced in section 3, each department

Defensible

should conduct inspections of communities at risk in their jurisdiction

Space

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

Access

Using individual Communities at Risk maps for each station, the

problems

Georgia Forestry Commission and Troup 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 to suppression tactics

Structural

Troup County Fire officials should examine structures for structural

Ignitability

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.

Codes and

Troup County and municipal Fire Marshalls should closely examine

Ordinances

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 address or street names, set back distances

from wildland fuels, road widths in new developments. The

International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) was adopted

for use in Georgia in 2014.

In regard to priority, the above steps should first extend to the higher numbers in from

the risk summary as these communities are at a higher degree of risk.

Steps to implement Fuel Reduction or Modification Priorities

Hazard Hazardous Wildland Fuel Accumulations

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. Due to the nature of smaller sizes holdings and steeper terrain, burn projects may have to be small scale and carefully managed. A suggested project to reduce fuel near the Baileys Point and Pine Grove Communities is included in the appendix. This is a suggested
23

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

project only. Landowner cooperation and approval will be needed on this and any project undertaken. In areas where the need exists and fuel reduction by burning is determined to be inappropriate, permanent or semipermanent 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 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 Troup County Wildland firefighters
Improve or acquire wildland fire fighting equipment

Responsible Party and specific action
The Chief Ranger and Assistant District Manager of the Georgia Forestry Commission and Troup County Fire Chief should examine all training records for personnel under their supervision. All personnel assigned or anticipated to be assigned wildland response responsibilities should be certified Georgia Basic Wildland Firefighter or higher in qualification. Additional training and qualification should be sought for personnel identified in the Troup County Fire plan who are assigned specific Incident Command System (ICS) functions. Sources for available funds for training should be sought at local, state, and federal levels. All stations for Troup 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 responses should be examined by the Georgia Forestry Commission Chief Ranger and the Troup County Fire Chief.

The type 6 engine stationed at Troup County Station 1should be retained and brought up to national standard as regards response capability.

24

Steps to educate or inform the Public regarding wildland fire prevention and responsibilities

Opportunity

Responsible Party and Specific Action

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

Before the end of calendar year 2013 the Georgia Forestry Commission and Troup County Fire should obtain Firewise certification for the Grayson's Landing Community. Should this goal not be realistic, another community from the risk summary should be selected for certification.
Prior to the onset of fire season(s) rangers of the Georgia Forestry Commission and Troup 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. 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 Heard Troup unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission and used for all firewise meetings in those Counties. Local news media should be invited to these meetings. Goals for potential Firewise certified communities in Troup 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. Signs directing residents to the firewise website could be effective. Firewise materials could be provided to the County building permit office.

25

Timetables for Actions
Steps to implement Community Hazard and Structural Ignitability Priorities
Steps to examine communities at risk for defensible space and structural ignitability should take place during the winter of 2012-13.
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 201213. 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 availabity during the late winter of 2012 - 13.
Steps to implement improvements to wildland response capability
Cooperation between state and local wildland suppression forces regarding improvements to firefighter qualification, training, and equipment acquisition 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 years 2012and 2013
The use of media should coincide with the above action. Certification of Firewise communities should follow the timetable associated
with the action plan
26

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 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.
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.
27

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.
28

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.
29

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.
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.
30

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:
Troup 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.
31

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
32

33