Wildfire in South Carolina

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2 Wildfire in South Carolina Average number of wildfires per year 3,000 Average acres per year 20,000 Average acres per fire 6.7

3 Wildfires happen almost every day across SC! January 29 Fire Activity

4 A Landscape Made By Fire History of Fire in SC Lightning Native Americans Early Settlers Logging and destructive wildfires Fire Suppression Changing Population

5 It has happened in the past:

6 February, wildfire burned from Aiken to Marlboro County, and kept going into NC (over 3 million acres) It s likely there were several fires at once 14 lives lost, 20 sawmills, numerous homes, livestock, forests In today s dollars, losses were approximately $164 Million

7 Horry County Examples 1954 Bombing Range Fire 10, Rambi Raceway Fire Longs Crossroads Fire 1, Socastee Plantation Fire 6, Clear Pond Fire 30, Cotton Patch Bay Fire 2, Forestbrook Fire Long Bay Fire 1, Legends Fire 1,658 *No homes were lost in any of these wildfires Map Courtesy The Independent Republic Quarterly, Volume 40, No. 1-4, 2006 Information Courtesy the South Carolina Forestry Commission

8 It DOES happen here

9 Horry County, April ,130 acres burned 76 homes lost 97 homes damaged >$20 million in home losses

10 Horry County, March 2013 Windsor Green Fire burned 24 acres and destroyed 108 condominiums in Horry County in approximately 30 minutes

11 Two Fires, Two Dramatically Different Outcomes Clear Pond Fire 1976 Highway 31 Fire 04/28/09 Information Courtesy the South Carolina Forestry Commission

12 South Carolina s population is growing rapidly

13 Wildfires are not just a west-coast issue a Federal issue a State issue

14 ALL Wildfires Begin as a local problem!

15 Identifying Wildfire Risk

16 Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal Free online tool Pro viewer requires registration Allows you to visualize wildfire risk to communities, print reports, and define areas of interest

17 Bill Wiley Upstate Firewise Field Coordinator

18 Safer from the Start: A Guide to Firewise Communities Putting what we learned into Action through the Planning Process

19 Outline Comprehensive Land Use Planning NFPA and Firewise Standards Community level Homeowner Level Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions Community Associations and New Developments

20 National Firewise Communities Program VISION: It is possible for wildland fires to occur in areas of residential development without the disastrous result in the loss of lives and homes. MISSION: To promote community-wide responsibility in the use of Firewise principles, and to initiate policy and implement practices that minimize the loss of life and property to wildland fire independent of fire fighting efforts.

21 Community Land Use Evaluation Survey Results Plans were weak where it counts for safe growth: Plans contained 40% or even less of features important for identifying vulnerability, understanding key issues, instituting new policies and programs, and charting ways to implement these measures Communities making the greatest progress are in states that require hazard elements in local plans (not done so far in SC).

22 What s Needed Added incentive: Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000

23 Effectiveness of regulations and plans Ordinances and building codes can be effective IF Designed to address the local situation Community is driving the change Enforceable and enforced Comprehensive Plans/Land Use Planning A powerful but underused tool

24 Land Use Planning is Effective Survey of emergency managers ranked land use planning along with building codes as most effective for reducing hazards vulnerability over long term 20+ years of research shows losses are minimized in communities where local plans have considered potential impacts of various natural hazards

25 So, Why Include Hazard Elements in Comprehensive Plans? Helps minimize contradictions Can create enforcement-friendly environment Can help inform various stakeholders about extent and magnitude of risks in the community

26 The feedback loop Education and awareness leads to individual and community action Community action drives desire to institutionalize solutions Plans can help institutionalize safety Planners need public demand for plans with safety elements Plans that Incorporate Hazards Elements Community Action and Need for Continuity Individual Awareness

27 Planners Lets look at some tools that might help provide information and guidance in developing such plans.

28 NFPA and Firewise Standards: (National Fire Protection Association) NFPA 1144 NFPA 1141 Hazard Assessment Methodologies Community Wildfire Safety (BMP Guide for Planners)

29 NFPA 1144 Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire, 2013 Chapter 4: Assessing Wildland Fire Hazards in the Structure (Home) Ignition Zone (HIZ) Chapter 5: Building Design, Location and Construction Chapter 6: Fuel Modification Area

30 Chapter 4: Assessing Wildland Fire Hazards in the Structure (Home) Ignition Zone [HIZ] Community Assessment Elements and Conditions Development of Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan Mitigation Implementation and Enforcement

31 Home Ignition Zone Module 3 Wildfire Hazards in the HIZ

32 Chapter 5: Building Design, Location and Construction Location Roof Design and Materials Overhanging Projections/Buildings Exterior Vertical Walls and Exterior Openings Chimneys and Flues Mobile and Manufactured Homes Exterior Exposure Hazards

33 Foundation to Immediate Landscaped Area Landscaped (Managed) Vegetation Materials Next to the Home Propane Tanks Vehicles and Neighboring Buildings Module 3 Wildfire Hazards in the HIZ

34 Chapter 6: Fuel Modification Area Fuels Modification and Treatment Treatment of Landscaping Removal of dead material Modifying ladder fuels Spacing tree crowns

35 Immediate Landscaped Area to Extent of HIZ Vegetation reduction from feet Exposures Module 3 Wildfire Hazards in the HIZ

36 NFPA 1141 Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Suburban and Rural Areas Means of Access roads, fire lanes, parking Building Access and Separation (Setbacks) Water Supply Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness - Evacuation Fire Department Capability (Resources)

37 Hazard Assessment: other tools A New Look at Understanding Hazard Assessment Methodologies Community Wildfire Safety Through Regulation

38 Community Association Rules Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs or Master Deed) Covers use and occupancy restrictions affecting privately- and exclusivelyowned areas in a common interest community Describes limitations, rights and responsibilities of ownership Establishes a sense of community; a Constitution for the community

39 Community Association Rules Architectural Review Elements Specific guidelines for design, construction, siting and maintenance Construction materials and design Attachments (fences, decks, porches) Landscaping and vegetation Maintenance of home and lands

40 Firewise-friendly rules Can we create Firewise-friendly developments? CC&Rs can include broad guidelines Architectural guidance can provide specific Firewise requirements Prevalence of problem rules Pine straw mulch only No vegetation dead or alive shall be removed CC&Rs can be difficult to change

41 Firewise Forever -- Maintenance Issues Architectural Review and other rules make it easier for communities to self-regulate National program rewards annual activity to organize neighborhoods that take mitigative action Important to have flexibility for new findings Communities must comply with state and federal rules

42 Drake Carroll Coastal Firewise Field Coordinator

43 A Word about New Developments How to make communities Firewise early on, from the ground up to avoid

44 Firewise from the ground up Firewise in design Lots/common areas mitigated- (defensible space) Access, egress and water supply addressed Firewise construction and landscaping for new homes

45 Create Defensible Space 30 foot minimum from structure to wildland fuels Remove dense understory vegetation up to 60 feet

46 Create Defensible Space Important to have defensible space from the wildland fuels and from neighboring homes.

47 Lots and Common Areas Keep common areas maintained and allow for the necessary practices to accomplish these goals.

48 Residents and firefighters using same road Ingress and Egress Cul-de-sacs and dead ends Narrow and winding roads Access

49 Firewise Construction Siding, Roofing, Windows, Decking

50 Firewise Construction

51 Firewise Landscaping Less Flammable species of landscaping vegetation Less Flammable mulch Keep large flammable vegetation away from home

52 Firewise from the ground up Firewise in the fine print of the concepts of the CC&Rs Detailed Firewise design guidelines in the architectural design rules Firewise construction roofing/siding/decking/windows Firewise landscaping or defensible space in the home ignition zone Maintenance requirements

53 Recognition and Renewal Covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs) direct future action Subdivision rules are upheld Firewise requirements for resident action can be institutionalized here Yearly education/action days Maintenance of landscape on lots and common areas

54 More Information: New Safer from the Start: A Guide to Firewise Friendly Developments incorporates information from NFPA 1141, 1142 and 1144 Firewise Communities/USA national recognition available to neighborhoods who voluntarily conduct wildfire safety actions Public proposals and comments, and technical committee involvement; NFPA codes and standards

55 Firewise in SC There are Currently 24 Recognized Firewise Communities/USA in SC There are also 27 Communities that are in the process of getting Recognized

56 Future of Firewise in SC In the process of creating CWPP s on a County Wide basis. Allow us to show vulnerable areas throughout the county. Planners, Fire Chiefs, and Citizens can see the high risk areas. Helps get more agencies involved with the development of CWPP s

57 South Carolina Forestry Commission Darryl Jones Steven C. Steve Moore William H. Bill Wiley Drake Carroll