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
Candler County, Georgia

AUGUST 2019

Prepared by; Lonnie Calloway, Chief Ranger, Candler County Will Fell, CWPP Specialist (Initial plan 2010) Beryl Budd, Wildfire Prevention Specialist (Revised plan 2019)
Georgia Forestry Commission 61949 GA Hwy 46 East Metter, GA 30439
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:
Bryan Aasheim Candler County Administrator (912) 685-2835 baasheim@candlerco-ga.gov
Justin Wells Director, Candler County EMA (912) 685-2568 jwells@candlerco-ga.gov
Jason Douglas Chief, Metter Fire and Rescue (912) 531-6832 jdouglas@cityofmetterga.gov
Joe Carter Firefighter, Metter Fire and Rescue (912) 314-6012 joecarter@cityofmetterga.gov
Lonnie Calloway Chief Ranger, Candler-Evans Forestry Unit (912) 739-1511 lcalloway@gfc.state.ga.us
George W. (Bubba) Bird Ranger II, Candler County Forestry Unit (912) 685-5330 gbird@gfc.state.ga.us

PLAN CONTENTS
I. Objectives ...............................................................................................................................4 II. Community Collaboration.......................................................................................................4 III. Community & Wildfire History..............................................................................................5 IV. Community Base Maps ...........................................................................................................11 V. Community Wildfire Risk Assessment...................................................................................14 VI. Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment & Risk Hazard Maps........................................17 VII. Prioritized Mitigation Recommendations............................................................23 VIII. Action Plan............................................................................................................ ..............28 IX. Mitigation Assistance & Grant Information.........................................................31 X. Glossary...................................................................................................32 XI. Sources of Information..................................................................................34
Appended Documents: Candler County Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Summary Report Candler County Wildfire Pre-suppression Plan NFPA 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Suburban and Rural Areas.

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I. OBJECTIVES

The mission of the following report is to set clear priorities for the implementation of wildfire mitigation in Candler 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
The core team convened on Dec 16th, 2009 to assess risks and develop the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The group is comprised of representatives from local government, local fire authorities, and the state agency responsible for forest management. Below are the groups included in the task force:

Candler County Government Emergency Management Board of County Commissioners
City of Metter Metter Fire and Rescue,
Georgia Forestry Commission

It was decided to conduct area assessments on the different quadrants of the county. The fire chief assessed the areas and reconvened on Feb 22nd, 2010 for the purpose of completing the
following:

Risk Assessment

Assessed wildfire hazard risks and prioritized mitigation actions.

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.

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III. COMMUNITY & WILDFIRE HISTORY
Candler County, Georgia's 150th county, covers an area of 247 square miles and was carved from parts of Bulloch, Emanuel, and Tattnall counties by a constitutional amendment in 1914. The southeastern Georgia county was named for Georgia governor Allen D. Candler. Candler County is one of only twenty-five Georgia counties that still have the same boundaries assigned at the time of their formation. The county seat of Candler is Metter. The current courthouse was built in 1921 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Two other buildings were listed on the National Register in 2002: the Candler County Jail and the old Metter High School. The Candler County Jail, a two-story brick building constructed in 1916, was originally a combination jail and dwelling for the sheriff. It now houses such county Candler County Courthouse services as the emergency management agency. The old Metter High School was built in 1910 and later purchased by the Candler County Historical Society for museum purposes. The Metter Advertiser is said to be the only newspaper in the United States ever to have been owned and published by a municipality. Pulaski, about six and a half miles from Metter, is the only other incorporated town in the county. The Central of Georgia Railway had a route going through the area, and white settlers found Pulaski to be an attractive place to build a community. Prior to World War II (1941-45), the economy of Candler County was entirely agricultural, with timber, cotton, tobacco, and poultry products being the mainstays. Now the county relies heavily on the service industry, followed by the manufacturing and retail sectors. According to the 2000 U.S. census, the county population was 9,577 (65.4 percent white, 27.1 percent black, and 9.2 percent Hispanic), a 23.7 percent increase from 1990. Annual events include Another Bloomin' Festival each Easter weekend. Notable residents include the evangelist Michael Guido, whose radio program is broadcast to audiences on all seven continents and whose newspaper column is published worldwide. His chapel and garden in Metter are open to the public. (Courtesy Elizabeth B Cooksey, New Georgia Encyclopedia)
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Wildfire History
Candler County, located in the heart of Southeastern Georgia, is largely an agricultural area with woodlands located throughout along drainage areas. Still the land area is about 50% forested. With the exception of the largely forested floodplain along the Canoochee River running across the county diagonally, there are homes and communities scattered throughout the county. The risks and hazards from the wildland urban interface are fairly general and substantial throughout the county even on the edges of the main population center of Metter.
Candler County is protected by a single station, the Metter Fire and Rescue located nearly in the center of the county The Georgia Forestry Commission maintains a county protection unit located about three miles east of Metter on Hwy 46 to respond to wildfires throughout the county. The cities of Metter and Pulaski are serviced by a pressurized water system with well placed hydrants throughout.
Over the past 53 years, Candler County has averaged 48 reported wildland fires per year. The occurrence of these fires shows a pronounced peak in the months from January through March. These fires have burned an average of 231 acres annually. The monthly acreage burned fairly well corresponds with the number of fires. Interestingly looking at figures from the past 10 years, the average annual number of fires has decreased to an average of 33 per year. The average acres lost over the last 10 years has dropped only slightly with a reduction in average size from 4.8 acres per fire to 4.7 acres per fire. This is perhaps the result of better response and equipment from both the Georgia Forestry Commission and the increased presence of rural fire departments. Despite this welcome trend in fire behavior, more homes are being built outside of traditional communities into the wildland urban interface.
The leading causes of these fires over the past 10 years, 2008-2017, was debris burning causing 48% of the fires and 44% of the acres burned. The 2nd leading cause of these fires was machine use accounting for 20% of the fires and 31% of the acreage burned. Another cause of concern was incendiary (arson) which caused 8% of the fires and 14% of the acreage burned. Over the past six years records show that almost half of the debris fires originated from residential burning.
Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Records show that in the past five years, 2014-2018, two homes have been damaged by wildfire in Candler County resulting in estimated losses of $16,941 along with four outbuildings valued at $21,000. According to reports during this period 17 homes were also directly or indirectly threatened by these fires. Additionally eight motor vehicles and mechanized equipment valued at $27,200 were lost. This is a substantial loss of non-timber property attributed to wildfires in Candler County.
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Cause
Campfire Children Debris: Ag Fields, Pastures, Orchards, Etc Debris: Construction Land Clearing Debris: Escaped Prescribed Burn Debris: Other Debris: Residential, Leafpiles, Yard, Etc Debris: Site Prep - Forestry Related Incendiary Lightning Machine Use Miscellaneous: Other Miscellaneous: Power lines/Electric fences Miscellaneous: Structure/Vehicle Fires Miscellaneous: Woodstove Ashes Undetermined Totals for County: Candler Year: 2018

Fires
1 0 3 0 3 0 5 2 2 0 2 0 3 1 1 4 27

Acres
0.22 0.00 21.76 0.00 5.26 0.00 30.07 1.03 2.29 0.00 15.80 0.00 0.48 0.10 3.68 34.24 114.93

Fires 5 Yr Avg

Acres 5 Yr Avg

1.00 3.13

0.20 0.12

2.60 9.95

0.60 0.87

1.40 3.73

0.40 6.59

6.80 18.19

1.20 46.70

1.20 3.48

0.40 0.03

1.20 9.17

0.20 0.04

1.60 0.77

0.40 0.24

0.40 0.83

1.00 7.72

20.60 111.55

Year
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Acreage Burned /Number of Fires For Candler County For FY 2008-2017

Acreage Burned

Number of Fires

Average Size

175.10

45

3.89

108.59

26

4.18

23.88

23

1.04

301.35

78

3.86

469.79

38

12.36

36.04

42

.86

289.92

27

10.74

35.58

15

2.37

33.64

13

2.59

80.70

23

3.51

Statewide Average Size
4.56 3.90 3.93 17.56 5.08 4.53 5.02 4.42 6.29 11.60

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Acreage Burned /Number of Fires by Fire Cause For Candler County For FY 2008-2017

Fire Cause Acreage Burned Number of Fires

Campfire

19.84

12

Children

72.47

21

Debris Burning

683.57

160

Incendiary

217.77

26

Lightning

44.20

14

MachineUse

476.45

65

Miscellaneous

33.37

28

Railroad

0.00

0

Smoking

2.37

2

Undetermined

4.55

2

Total 1,554.59

330

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IV. COMMUNITY BASE MAP
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V. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RISKASSESSMENT
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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The wildland fire risk assessments conducted in 2009 by the Metter Fire and Rescue returned an average score of 100, placing Candler County in the "high" hazard range. The risk assessment instrument used to evaluate wildfire hazards to Candler 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 Candler County:
Dead end roads with inadequate turn arounds Narrow roads without drivable shoulders Inadequate clearance in private drives Minimal defensible space around structures Heavy fuels buildup in adjacent wildlands Homes with wooden siding and roofs with heavy accumulations of vegetative debris No pressurized or non-pressurized water systems available Above ground utilities Undeveloped lots comprising half the total lots in many rural communities. High occurrence of wildfires in the several locations Lack of homeowner or community organizations

Summary of Evans County Assessment Ratings

Area of County Northeast Southeast Southwest Northwest

Access 8 8 8 8

Surrounding Vegetation
20 20 20 20

Bldg Construction
30 30 30 30

Fire Protection
15 15 15 15

Utilities 7 7 7 7

Additional Factors 20 20 20 20

Score 100 100 100 100

Hazard Rating High High High High

Average

100

High

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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 Candler 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.
Community Protection Zones map from the Candler County SWRA
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Above: Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) map Below: WUI Population (left) WUI Acres (right)
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Above: Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Risk map Below: WUI Response Risk Acres
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Above: Burn Probability map Below: Rate of Spread map
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Above: Fire Intensity Scale map Below: Fire Intensity Scale Acres
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Above: Fire Type map
Description
There are two primary fire types surface fire and canopy fire. Canopy fire can be further subdivided into passive canopy fire and active canopy fire. A short description of each of these is provided below. Surface Fire A fire that spreads through surface fuel without consuming any overlying canopy fuel. Surface fuels include grass, timber litter, shrub/brush, slash and other dead or live vegetation within about 6 feet of the ground. Passive Canopy Fire A type of crown fire in which the crowns of individual trees or small groups of trees burn, but solid flaming in the canopy cannot be maintained except for short periods (Scott & Reinhardt, 2001). Active Canopy Fire A crown fire in which the entire fuel complex (canopy) is involved in flame, but the crowning phase remains dependent on heat released from surface fuel for continued spread (Scott & Reinhardt, 2001).
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Above: Fire Type Acres Below: Flame Length map
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VII. PRIORITIZED MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Executive Summary As Southeast 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. Candler 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.
In 2012 the International Code Council developed the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). This code was adopted by the Georgia Legislature in 2014 for Counties to use when developing building and zoning codes in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to help reduce risk and minimize structure loss.
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 Candler County CWPP Core team 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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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
3. Community Clean-up Day 4. Driveway Access 5. Road Access 6. Codes and Ordinances

Create minimum of 30feet of defensible space**
Reduce structural ignitability**
Cutting, mowing, pruning** Culvert installation and emergency vehicle clearance**
Identify needed road improvements
Examine existing codes and ordinances. International Wildland Urban Interface Code IWUIC

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.
Cut, prune, and mow vegetation in shared community spaces.
See that adequate lengths of culverts are installed on driveways along with minimum width and overhead clearance to allow emergency vehicle access.
As roads are upgraded, widen to minimum standards with at least 50 foot diameter cul de sacs or turn arounds.
Amend and enforce existing building codes as they relate to skirting, propane tank locations, public nuisances (trash/debris on property), Property address marking standards and other relevant concerns
Review Subdivision and development ordinances for public safety concerns.
Enforce uniform addressing ordinance.

7. Burn Permits

Education and Enforcement

Greater Burn Permit enforcement and education from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

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Proposed Community Wildland Fuel Reduction Priorities

Treatment Area

Treatment Types

Treatment Method(s)

1. Adjacent WUI Lands 2. Existing Fire Lines

Reduce hazardous fuels Reduce hazardous fuels

Encourage prescribed burning for private landowners and industrial timberlands particularly adjacent to residential areas.
Seek grant for prescribed burning in WUI areas.
Seek grant for WUI mitigation team.
Clean and re-harrow existing lines.

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.
Locate and pre-clear helicopter dip sites.

2. Fire Stations

Equipment

Wildland hand tools. Lightweight Wildland PPE Gear. Investigate need for "brush" trucks.

3. Water handling 4. Road Names 5. Personnel

Tanker Capacity Road Signage Training

Investigate need for additional tanker capacity.
"Dead End" or "No Outlet" Tags on Road Signs.
Obtain Wildland Fire Suppression training for Fire Personnel. Ready Set Go training.

**Actions to be taken by homeowners and community stakeholders

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Proposed Education and Outreach Priorities
1. Conduct "How to Have a Firewise Home" Workshop for Candler 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 program 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. Identify "Communities at Risk" within the county for possible firewise community recognition.
3. Spring Clean-up Event (National Wildfire Preparedness Day 1st Saturday in May annually)
Conduct clean-up event every spring involving the Georgia Forestry Commission, Metter Fire Department and community residents. 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 Celebrate the work with a community cookout, with Community officials, GFC and Metter Fire Department discussing and commending the work accomplished.
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 Brochures Ready Set Go materials Fire Adapted Community information
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5. Wildfire Protection Display Create and exhibit a display for the general public at the Bloomin Festival and other local events. Display can be independent or combined with the Georgia Forestry Commission display. Hold Open House at Metter Fire Department to promote Community Firewise Safety and develop community support and understanding of local fire departments and current issues.
6. Media Invite the Metter and Statesboro news media to community "Firewise" functions for news coverage and regularly submit press releases documenting wildfire risk improvements in Candler County. Utilize Radio, TV, Cable access stations, and social media to reach a diverse audience.
The Georgia Forestry Commission can assist with developing a prescribed burning plan, installation of firebreaks, and can provide equipment standby and burning assistance when personnel are available. Private forestry contractors can also provide this service.
Forestry mowers and brush cutters, such as pictured here, can be very effective in reducing understory fuels in areas where prescribed fire is not practical. Private contractors can provide this service.
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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

Candler County WUI Fire Council

Create this informal team or council comprised of residents, GFC officials, Metter Fire Department officials, a representative from the city and county government and the EMA Director for Candler 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

Methods

1 News Releases 2 Radio and TV PSAs 3 Personal Contacts & social media 4 Key messages and prevention tips 5 Visuals such as signs, brochures and posters

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Spring Clean-up Day (National Wildfire Preparedness Day 1st Saturday in May)

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, Metter Fire Department, and Candler County EMA. 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

3. Amend codes and ordinances to provide 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.

No Cost

Residents will supply labor and fund required work on their own properties.
To be adopted by city and county government.

4. Spring Cleanup Day

Varies

Community Business Donations.

5. Fuel Reduction Activities

$35 / acre

FEMA & USFS Grants

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Assessment Strategy
To accurately assess progress and effectiveness for the action plan, the Candler County 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 1 month and 6 months following workshop date.
The Candler County 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 Candler 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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IX. MITIGATION ASSISTANCE & GRANT FUNDING
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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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 approaching wildfire 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).
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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:
Candler County Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Summary Report (SWRA)
Candler County Wildfire assessment scoresheets All files that make up this plan are available in an electronic format from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
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Georgia Forestry Commission 5645 Riggins Mill Rd. Dry Branch, GA. 31020 1-800-GA-TREES www.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