Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2002-2003
Nevada County Wild Fire Preparedness Reason for Investigation
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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
Public Safety funding became available in Fiscal Year (FY) 1994/95 under Proposition
No recommendations for this finding
F2
In FY 2001/02, NCCFD elected to use 12.3 percent ($19,150) of their portion of the unrestricted Proposition 172 allocation for their public education and fuel reduction program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Increase the allocation to the fire districts to at least the original 10 percent of the Proposition 172 Public Safety funds, but tie the increase to programs similar to NCCFD’s Fuel Management and Hazard Reduction Program;
F3
The NCCFD began a “Fuel Management and Hazard Reduction Program” in 1997 which now deals with both developed and undeveloped parcels within a residentially zoned target area. a) Developed parcels are inspected to ensure compliance with Section 4291 of the State Public Resources Code. Such inspections serve to remind property owners of the requirement to maintain “defensible space” around structures. b) Undeveloped parcels are inspected to ensure that they do not constitute a hazard to their neighbors. If a parcel is judged hazardous, an abatement order may be issued and the property owner is notified accordingly. If the owner fails to correct the problem, NCCFD may hire a contractor to remove the hazard and may attach a lien on the property to recover the costs.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
NCCFD personnel have met with local homeowner organizations to help formulate evacuation plans to be used in the event of a major wild fire.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
In 1998 and 1999, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors considered proposals to adopt a countywide vegetation ordinance similar to the NCCFD program. These proposals were not adopted.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
In October 2001, Nevada County received the first of five annual allotments (approximately $149,000) of Title III Forest Reserve funds from the US Forest Service. These funds may be utilized for fire prevention and county planning. Approximately $18,000 of the yearly amount is committed to an education program administered by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
For the fiscal year 2002/03, about $63,000 of the remaining $131,000 was allocated to the FSC in accordance with Board of Supervisors Resolution 02-371. Approximately $45,000 of the first year’s Forest Reserve allotment remains unallocated. This, when added to the second yearly allotment, leaves about $176,000 to be allocated in this fiscal year or carried over to subsequent years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Apply unallocated Forest Reserve funds to fire prevention and planning activities;
F8
The FSC of Nevada County is a non-profit organization dependent upon grants, donations, and community volunteers. It employs two full-time staff. a) The FSC provides educational materials and presentations relative to fire safety. It also operates a chipping program to encourage the establishment of defensible space, and provides brush-clearing assistance for low-income seniors who are unable to create and maintain their own defensible space. b) The FSC has provided large grinders at central locations where brush can be chipped more economically than with standard chippers. These chips are then hauled and sold to cogeneration facilities outside of the County to partially offset the cost of the chipping.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Investigate the use of advanced technology, such as centrally located small cogeneration plants, which may reduce the cost of chipping programs;
F9
Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services has helped coordinate shelter locations for evacuation situations. It has not identified safe major evacuation routes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Coordinate evacuation planning with the local fire districts;
F10
Despite the potential horrific impact of a major fire, similar to the Hayman Fire which consumed 138,000 acres south of Denver, Colorado this past summer, Nevada County has not estimated the direct fiscal threat to the County from reduced property and sales tax collections, as well as a demand for increased services, following such a fire. CONCLUSIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Estimate the cost to the County of a major wild fire and evaluate these potential costs with the adequacy of current funding for wild fire preparedness.
Conclusions 4
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CL1 Page 3The Grand Jury commends the NCCFD for utilizing a portion of their allotted Proposition 172 funds for implementing their Fuel Management and Hazard Reduction Program. It is noted that the scope of this program is limited by funding.
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CL2 Page 3The Grand Jury commends the Board of Supervisors for having continuously allocated a part of Proposition 172 Public Safety funds to the independent fire districts, and for their continued support of the FSC through the Forest Reserve funds.
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CL3 Page 3A successful fire preparedness program requires community wide support. It is best carried out in a flexible manner at local levels to accommodate local needs such as ecological and aesthetic concerns. A combination of both carrot (i.e., chipping programs) and stick (enforcing existing law) is required.
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CL4 Page 3Wild land fires pose a major threat to the lives and property of Nevada County residents. Wild fires can never be entirely avoided but the damage can be significantly lessened by proper planning. Additional amounts spent on fire preparedness activities will reduce direct economic impact on the County following a major fire.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Nevada County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office