Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-185
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Community Risk Assessment and Mitigation Planning
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
A
509-684-7474
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
509-684-7481
Please Call Ahead For FAX
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO 290 Colville, WA 99118
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Mr. Chuck Johnson Grant Specialist
Organization/Jurisdiction:
WA DNR
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-684-7474
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-684-7481
Call Ahead For FAX
Email:
chuck.johnson@wadnr.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
Okanogan County Community Fire Plan
Proposed Project Start Date:
03/01/2006
Federal Funding Request:
$
138,000
Proposed Project End Date:
03/01/2007
Total Project Funding:
$
166,500
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, Stand alone, Number 1
Brief Project Summary: Who, What, Where, Desired Outcomes in relation to NFP Goals and Community Risk Assessment and
Mitigation Plans (This should summarize page 2).
Highlands Fire Defense Team LCG, Methow Community Fire Plan LCG, and South Okanogan Valley LCG. These three LCGs are
collaborating with the, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Okanogan/Wenatchee
NF, Colville NF, WA DNR, WA DFW, Okanogan County officials, Okanogan Fire Chiefs Association, and Okanogan Conservation
District.
The project is development of a county wide community fire plan for Okanogan County.
The project area is Okanogan County, located in north central Washington, excluding the Colville Indian Reservation.
The Okanogan County Community Fire Plan will identify the communities at risk, identify values at risk, identify wildfire hazardous
areas, prioritize areas of hazardous fuels reduction treatments, recommend types and methods of treatment to protect communities
and essential infrastructures, and recommend measures homeowners and communities at risk can take to reduce the ignitability of
Project Location:
Latitude: 48.35132
Longitude: 119.604
County:
Okanogan
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Federal Congressional District:
5
Telephone number of Contact:
Loren Torgerson, Asst. Regional Manager, WA DNR
509-684-7474 Ext.
Mark Morris, District Ranger, Okanogan/Wenatchee NF
509-486-2186 Ext.
Scott Boyd, Fire Management Officer, BLM
509-536-1237 Ext.
Applications for funding must include a narrative response that describes the proposal. Please do not submit responses longer than
one page, single space, 12-pitch font.
Describe project including, but not limited to:
x change fire behavior
x WHO are your collaborators - are they current or potential collaborators?
Address these
through fuels reduction
x describe the relationship of this plan’s desired outcome to NFP Goals
items as
x increase community
and to any existing community fire protection plan.
applicable:
education and awareness
x project time frames and matching or contributed funds
x enhance fire protection
x tools and/or skills needed to complete project
capability
x specific project location, geographic extent, and fire risk assessment
x desired outcome
methodology
For this project, explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning, through a “Local Coordination
Group.” If you haven’t worked with a local coordination group, why not?
The project area is Okanogan County, located in NC WA, excluding the Colville Indian Reservation. This geographical area totals 2,725,598
acres, including 1,569,043 federal acres, 385,901 state lands acres, and 770,654 acres in private lands. Okanogan County, comprising 13% of
the Washington State land mass, is a rugged, mountainous area in a frequent fire ecosystem. 14 Fire Protection Districts in the county protect
private lands. However, 15% of these private lands are without FPD coverage. These lands are undergoing private development and contribute
greatly to the WUI problems within the county. Demographics include developments and structures comprising a mix of rural/urban interface
neighborhoods with a history of complex, costly wildfires. Climate in the Okanogan consists of warm, dry summers wth12-16 inches of annual
precipitation, and cold winters. The majority of the precipitation each year is in the form of snow. Okanogan County has the most fire starts and
highest fire suppression costs in the state.
The Okanogan NF and WA DNR statistics for 1970 to 2003 report approximately 4,500 fire starts totaling 382,452 acres with more than
$250,000,000 in suppression costs, over 140,000 acres burned within the last three years. FPD 3, statistics for 2001 to 2004 report 95 wildland
fires totaling $3,348,850 in property damage.
The Okanogan County Community Fire Plan encompasses the areas covered by three Local Coordinating Groups: Highlands Fire Defense Team
LCG, Methow Community Fire Plan LCG, and South Okanogan Valley LCG. These three LCGs are collaborating with the, US Fish & Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Okanogan/Wenatchee NF, Colville NF, WA DNR, WA DFW, Okanogan County
[OC] officials, OC Fire Chiefs Association, and OC Conservation District. The project steering committee will be comprised of representatives
from the LCGs, state and county officials. The steering committee will oversee the disbursement of funds and coordination of all activities under
this grant. Matching/contributed funds will be provided by state and county Geographic Information System personnel providing technical
assistance and resources, the LCGs and other community level contributions to landowner education and plan information, and the WA DNRÃ
¢??s administration and plan coordination, as well as some risk assessment activities and travel expenses.
NFP Goals - The Okanogan County Community Fire Plan will identify the communities at risk, identify values at risk, identify wildfire hazardous
areas, prioritize areas of hazardous fuels reduction treatments, recommend types and methods of treatment to protect communities and essential
infrastructures, and recommend measures homeowners and communities at risk can take to reduce the ignitability of structures.
Risk assessment will be done by evaluating the infrastructure of interface neighborhoods including transportation systems, addressing and
signage, vegetation/fuels and defensible space, hydrant and other developed water sources, and utilities. Current fire hazard risk assessment on
a landscape level is being completed and will be incorporated into the plan. An assessment of fire capabilities and readiness of agencies and
local authorities will be conducted. The plan will identify wildfire hazards by determining the configuration of the wildfire environment, weather
patterns specific to dangerous fire spread, the topography and fuel types of interface neighborhoods and their adjacent surroundings.
During the planning process, the LCGs and other collaborators will increase community education and awareness by promoting wildland fire
prevention to homeowners, public schools, and industry, encouraging Fire Wise local work groups and interagency activities. Fuels reduction and
defensible space demonstrations will be conducted where feasible.
Agreements in accordance to policies of the Office of Fiscal Management, will be established and funding provided from this grant to empower
the LCGs to collaboratively determine, within the geographic scope of their boundaries, local level prioritization of hazardous fuels reduction
treatments, recommendation of treatment strategies, recommendations to address fuels-associated issues unique to their area, and
recommended measures for reducing structure ignitability. The LCGs will continue to develop community level data to support the county plan
during the interim between the grant application and funding. Additional data captured by the LCGs will be included in the plan as addenda, thus
providing a more in depth plan and comprehensive information for a variety of entities and communities throughout the county.
The primary skill needed with respect to the proposed project is an ability to facilitate, coordinate, cooperate and motivate. Technical writing
ability, balanced with a knack for conveying complex information in a way that is accessible to the general public, will also be required. The
agencies and the communities engaged in this process have resources, including technical knowledge, necessary to prepare and implement a
plan within the one year time frame. Tools such as a laptop computer and digital camera may be needed.
Desired Outcome - Completion of this plan will provide the fire protection entities and other emergency responders with detailed information that
will allow more efficient response knowledge and abilities to address wildfire occurrences and enhance firefighter safety for future fire seasons
Applications for funding, must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Be sure you address every one
briefly, yet thoroughly.
1. Planning for Action. (40 Points)
A. Describe your desired plan outcome and how the outcome will be measured.
B. How will the plan address :
x Fire behavior changes through fuels reduction
x Community education and awareness
x Enhanced suppression capability
C. How will the completed plan be implemented, and by whom? OR How does this plan enhance or complete
previous fire planning by the community?
D. How will the plan address landowner responsibility for implementation of this plan?
Describe your ability to complete project in one year of receipt of funds
Response:
The Okanogan County CWPP will identify risks and potential fuels reduction and mitigation strategies for guiding interagency land management
and pre-suppression efforts in reducing wildland fire costs and damages. The plan will engage the public and provide risk assessment information
and hazard reduction strategies to private landowners. The outcome will be a comprehensive inventory of communities at risk and mitigation
strategies that will allow hazardous fuels reduction implementation projects to occur strategically. Outcome measurement success will be
determined by completion of the plan with community engagement in the process and by implementation of highest priority risk reduction and
mitigation strategies.
Completion of plan will provide details of communities at risk to fire responders, enhancing efficiency and firefighter safety. This plan will identify
and prioritize areas and implementation projects including potential fuels utilization programs.
In order to alter future fire behavior, the CWPP will address fuels reduction by identifying fuels distribution and arrangement; ranking of relative
fuel flammability and potential fire intensity; determining the fuels condition class; identifying natural fuel breaks; analyzing historic fire behavior;
assessing and evaluating risks and resources; and determining desired future condition, mitigation goals, and highest priority fuels reduction
projects.
The communities level of education and awareness relative to risk from wildfire will be sharply increased by public meetings, news media
coverage of the planning process, and the planning process itself. Also, door-to-door contact will be made by personnel from participating
agencies.
Enhanced Suppression Capability: The CWPP process will result in increased capabilities and infrastructure protection through developing a
standard suppression procedure, training needs, inventory of protection resources available in the area and establish evacuation procedures for
fire plan areas. These assessments will provide each protection agency with the foundation to develop action plans to improve the capabilities in
the future and establish potential future grant projects or suppression equipment needs.
LCG will meet at least annually to prioritize implementation projects within their areas. For projects that exceed their geographical boundaries or
that compete for funding, the county-wide steering committee will meet yearly or as needed to prioritize implementation projects. Implementation
for specific projects would be pending funding provided to entities and individuals.
Landowner education and awareness of responsibility will occur through community outreach, as a byproduct of the process of completing
ground-level risk assessments utilizing local fire officials, and through the use of targeted fuels reduction and defensible space demonstrations
Completion of the project within a year of receiving funds will be accomplished by representatives of the collaborating LCGs, representing a broad
scope of Okanogan County agencies and citizens, functioning as a focused steering committee. This committee will provide direct guidance to
consultants hired to manage wildfire and fuels data, conduct community risk assessments, develop multi-layered maps, incorporate public
outreach responses and hazard treatment recommendations and strategies from LCGs, and write a draft of the county fire plan. Landowner
responsibility will be emphasized during risk assessments, public contacts and demonstrations. Strategy implementation will involve partnerships
with other agencies, contractors, stewardships and stakeholders.
This steering committee is dedicated to the process of developing an Okanogan County CWPP and will convene throughout 2005, at their
expense, to gather data, maps, and draft a comprehensive outline to guide the funded efforts of 2006.
2.
Enhancing Community Collaboration and Local Capacity. (30 points)
A. Describe your strategy for collaboration to develop this plan across multiple ownerships.
B. Identify the interested partners and members of the community who are involved in this project, and
the level of their involvement.
C.
D.
How will this project enhance local community collaboration and local capacity for cooperative action?
Describe skills or experience the community will gain through development of this plan.
Response:
Through the efforts of three LCGs, agencies and citizens, cooperation has begun to design a plan with a ten year vision. Community benefits
include improved fire protection, emergency response and a leadership role for FPDs in plan design and implementation. Planning process will
lead to understanding of fire risks and mitigation options by all partners and the public. LCGs will work directly with individual communities to
help them realize the benefits of investing in projects to reduce fire risk and ensure adequate protection. This plan will improve interagency and
private landowner coordination, preparedness, and planning as funding allows communities to move into a planned implementation program
that will reduce the fire hazard through the work done on these projects. This will achieve safer and more efficient suppression and prescribed
fire operations, which in turn will better ensure public and firefighter safety, and reduce fire costs, losses and damages.
The project will enhance local capacity for cooperative activity through the empowerment of LCGs to work within their communities.
Citizens will gain understanding of individual and collective risks from wildfire events and factors contributing to risk. Community members will
participate in discussions concerning risk mitigation strategies, identification and prioritization of projects. The experience of participating
actively in a collaborative planning process will prepare citizens to engage in future planning.
3.
Expanding Community Participation. (30 Points)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Explain the level of cooperation, coordination and/or involvement of the Local Coordination Group. List the
cooperators/members (in a broad way) of the local area coordination group.
Describe your strategy for leveraging funding. Who are the partners and what is their commitment to the
plan’s completion, including any existing or proposed cost-share agreements and their status.
Describe the extent of local support or opposition for the project.
Describe your strategy for post-plan marketing and collaboration for the successful implementation of the
next steps described in the plan.
To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities in your sub-geographic
area, state-wide area?
Response:
Highlands Fire Defense Team LCG includes FPDs, WADNR, WADFW, Colville Tribe, BIA, Spokane/Wenatchee BLM, OKCO Dept of Emergency
Management, Okanogan/Wenatchee NF, Colville NF, and citizens. The Okanogan Highlands is a sub-geographic region spanning 1,062,651
acres of multiple jurisdictions in north OKCO. Active since 2001, and have identified communities at risk.
Methow LCG includes, Methow Conservancy, Okanogan Communities Development Council, NW Ecosystem Alliance, Partnership for a
Sustainable Methow, Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation, Methow Forest Owners Co-op, Pacific Biodiversity Institute, OKCO Conservation
District, US Forest Service, NCW RC&D, OKCO Planning, OKCO Sheriff, WADNR, WADFW, citizens and professionals. Methow LCG covers
1,254,700 acres of WRIA 48. Active since Dec 2003 and have completed a Community Fire Plan Summary Report.
South Okanogan Valley LCG is in formation. Includes FPD 3, WA DNR, OKCO Conservation District, partnerships still developing. The South
Okanogan Valley LCG covers the south portion of Okanogan County, 408,247 acres.
OKCO is updating the County Comp Plan during the course of the development of the CWPP, providing a favorable opportunity for coordinated
planning. The CWPP proponents will annually request Title II and Title III funds to support fire planning.
Public response has been favorable. The Methow and Highlands LCGs have been actively working within their respective communities in
processes that are open to the public. In general, the public has expressed support, and stakeholders have been impressed with the level of
cooperation occurring among such a diverse group.
The plan will be marketed through public meetings websites and local NGOs
Project Work Form
Tasks
1. Draft detailed project description.
2. Coordinate maps and available data.
3. Develop request for bid. document
1. Obtain funding, convene steering
committee.
2. Recruit consultant.
3. Organize workspace & materials.
4. Set time tables for plan development
1. Risk assessment of OK CO communities.
2. Coordinate fuels survey info.
3. Data management of fuels survey.
4. Needs assessment with FPDs.
1. Community outreach to include citizens in
plan development.
2. Host information meetings with
communities and partners.
3. Develop CWPP website.
Initial draft of:
1. Hazard/risk assessments
2. Interface maps
3. Plan development
1. Develop recommended mitigation
strategies & establish priorities.
2. Advance plan development.
3. Advance mapping project.
Finalize Okangan County Community Fire
Plan:
1. Approval of County Commissioners
2. Approval of FPDs
3. Approval of State Forester
1. Publication of CWPP.
2. Circulation of CWPP, print & website.
3. Presentation of final plan to local entities.
4. Approach implementation.
Time Frame
Responsible Party
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
2005 to spring 2006
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Chuck Johnson WADNR
April 2006
Consultant
May 06 to Sept 06
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant/s
Fire Protection Districts
May 06 to Sept 06
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant
LCGs
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant
Oct 06 to Nov 06
Dec 06 to Feb 07
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant/s
LCGs
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant
March 2007
April 2007
OK CO CWPP Steering Committee
Consultant
LCGs
Project Budget
FPDs
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
County
LCGs
Partner 2
Partner 3
Total
Personnel
Project Coordinator
Field Work
Subtotal
$2,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$10,000
$5,000
$2,000
$3,000
$20,000
$0
$12,000
$5,000
$2,000
$3,000
$22,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
Fringe Benefits
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$500
$500
$1,500
$3,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$500
$500
$1,500
$3,500
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$250
$250
$250
$250
$3,000
$0
$500
$500
$0
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$750
$750
$250
$250
$4,000
$80,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$80,000
$50,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$50,000
$130,000
$0
$0
$0
$130,000
Printing/binding
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
Ad & website
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$5,000
$6,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$6,000
$138,000
$14,750
$6,250
$2,750
$4,750
$166,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Subtotal
Travel
Per diem & mileage
$0
Subtotal
Equipment
GPS, Clinometers, Compa
Subtotal
Supplies
Office supplies, maps
Hazard Risk brochures
Subtotal
Contractual
Consultant
Sub Contracts
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program)
Income1
___________________________________
1
Program income is the gross revenue generated by a grant or cooperative agreement supported activity during the life of the grant. Program
income can be made by recipients from fees charged for conference or workshop attendance, from rental fees earned from renting out real
property or equipment acquired with grant or cooperative agreement funds, or from the sale of commodities or items developed under the grant
or cooperative agreement. The use of Program Income during the project period may require prior approval by the granting agency.