Living in the WUI
with
ENMU-Ruidoso Campus
February 4, 2014
Leroy Cockrell
Little Bear Forest
Reform Coalition
National recognition program for subdivisions/communities that
take proactive measures to prepare for wildfire
Village of Ruidoso-Forestry Department
• FIREWISE is a project of the
National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA)
• FIREWISE is a nationally
recognized program that is
usually administered by the
State Forestry Departments.
• Ruidoso has been a FIREWISE
recognized community since
2003 (re-chartered in 2013)
• Village of Ruidoso Forestry
Department established the
Village ordinance (Sec.42-80)
• VoR Forestry Department
personnel will interact with
Village residents and
subdivisions to promote
FIREWISE guidelines in the
Community
• New Mexico State Forestry
will interact with County
residents outside the city
limits of the Village of
Ruidoso
(daniel.ware@state.nm.us)
(www.nmforestry.com)
Steps for the Subdivision
•
Sponsor a neighborhood FIREWISE
Task Force Committee that will
oversee the FIREWISE
Communities/USA program and track
its progress and status
•
Enlist a wildland/urban interface
specialist (VoR or State) to complete
your neighborhood assessment and
create a plan that identifies agreedupon achievable solutions to be
implemented by the community
Steps for the Subdivision (con’t)
• FIREWISE committee develops and
implements FIREWISE plan which
includes:
•
Composing a letter to the
property owners explaining the
intentions, benefits and time
frame for FIREWISE activities to
be completed
•
Some mention of necessary
compliance with Village
ordinance (Sec.42-80) is
recommended if applicable
•
May require reminders to
property owners via Email or
postal mail
Steps for the Subdivision (con’t)
•
FIREWISE committee reviews
progress and contacts VoR Forestry
or NMSF authority when ready for reassessment
•
The appropriate authority will
approve results or suggest
additional activity by the
homeowners to bring the properties
into line with FIREWISE Principles
•
When complete, the appropriate
authority will support the application
for the subdivision’s recognition
•
Submit an annual report to
FIREWISE Communities/USA that
documents continuing compliance
with the program
For the Property Owner:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create a defensible space around
the structure (30’-level land, 60+’sloped land)
Remove dead/dying vegetation
Trim tree canopies to >= 10’ from
structure
Remove leaf litter (leaves/needles)
from yard, roof and gutters
Relocate firewood, etc. to 30+feet
from structure
Remove “ladder fuels” (low level
vegetation, wood fences, railroad
ties)
Remove excess vegetation along
roadway
Wide driveways/roadways can help
slow/stop wildfire
Additional Activities for the FIREWISE Community
• Observe a FIREWISE Communities/USA Day each
year that is dedicated to a local FIREWISE project
• Host a chipping day for residents to remove excess
vegetation from their property, as well as community
property
•
Hold a pine needle or debris removal day in
cooperation with the local fire department
•
Hold a FIREWISE Education day (Forest Health
Expo- April 11-12) that provides information about
proper plant and construction choices, introduces
local staff, and distributes pertinent FIREWISE
information for the community
•
Create a fuel removal project that
enlists local volunteers
Benefits of becoming a FIREWISE
Community
• Neighborhood becomes a more safe
and secure environment
• More esthetically attractive properties
• Posted FIREWISE approval makes for
easier $ales and increased property
values
• Can result in lowering or sustaining
costs of homeowners insurance
• And it may save your life, your
neighbor’s life and your property!
Questions?
Discussion?
Ahhhh….remember when???