Date: 09/23/2013

Final
Fire-Adapted Communities and Waldo Canyon

WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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09:10 AM -- Fire-Adapted Communities and Waldo Canyon

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Ms. Cathy Prudhomme, Firewise Associate Project Manager, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), briefed the committee on the concept of fire-adapted communities, and discussed certain lessons learned from the Waldo Canyon Fire. Committee members received a brochure on fire-adapted communities (Attachment A), and an article entitled "Moving Toward a Fire Adapted Community (Attachment B), both prepared by the NFPA. Ms. Prudhomme discussed the mission of the NFPA, and cited statistics associated with recent fires in Colorado. Ms. Prodhomme provided some background on fire-adapted communities, and certain legislation that establishes fire-adapted community goals. Ms. Prudhomme discussed the Fire Adapted Community Coalition, and provided further information on what constitutes a fire-adapted community. Ms. Prudhomme then discussed the actions that are taken to establish a fire-adapted community.

130923 AttachA.pdf130923 AttachA.pdf130923 AttachB.pdf130923 AttachB.pdf


09:22 AM

Ms. Prudhomme discussed the fire-adapted communities that have been established nationwide and in Colorado, and growth in the number of fire-adapted communities. Ms. Prudhomme briefed the committee on the report entitled "Lessons Learned from Waldo Canyon" (the report may be accessed at: http://fireadapted.org/~/media/Fire%20Adapted/Images/News%20Images/Waldo-Canyon-Rpt-FINAL-shrunk%203.pdf ), first discussing the impact of embers in forest fires in the wildland-urban interface and the importance of defensible space. Ms. Prudhomme discussed efforts that succeeded in preventing property damage in the Waldo Canyon Fire and other Colorado wildfires, and compared the concepts of fire-adapted communities and fire-wise communities. Ms. Prudhomme explained how a community becomes a fire-adapted community.


09:35 AM

Ms. Prudhomme continued to brief the committee on how a community becomes a fire-adapted community. Ms. Prudhomme responded to questions regarding what constitutes a community in terms of establishing a fire-wise community, and grant-making for fire-wise communities. Ms. Prudhomme responded to further questions regarding what role the United States Forest Service plays in creating fire-adapted communities, and the practical implementation of programs that create fire-adapted communities. Ms. Prudhomme responded to questions regarding the effectiveness of Colorado Wildfire Protection plans (CWPP).


09:46 AM

Discussion ensued regarding the importance of CWPPs. Ms. Prudhomme responded to questions regarding the scope of duties of the NFPA, and effective strategies for motivating owners of second homes to conduct fire mitigation on their properties. Ms. Prudhomme responded to questions regarding the role of insurance companies in incentivizing such mitigation activities, and the potential role of the committee in improving the rate of property owner-initiated wildfire mitigation. Ms. Prudhomme responded to additional questions about efforts to create coalitions to address wildfire issues.


09:56 AM

Discussion ensued regarding emergency communication during emergency events. Ms. Prudhomme responded to questions regarding the role of the NFPA in flood mitigation in burn zones, and the protection of cultural assets from wildfire. Discussion followed regarding the incentives created in Colorado Springs for homeowners to conduct wildfire mitigation activities that resulted in home protection during the Waldo Canyon Fire. Discussion followed regarding the NFPA program.