Human dimensions: wildfire response & preparation Dr. Anne-Lise K. Velez & Dr. MaryClare Hano, NC State Fire Chasers After the Wildfires, UNC

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1 Human dimensions: wildfire response & preparation Dr. Anne-Lise K. Velez & Dr. MaryClare Hano, NC State Fire Chasers After the Wildfires, UNC Asheville Spring Greenfest

2 Wildfires as Disasters Risk of wildfire disasters has increased with: fire intensity and size resulting from climate change increased human settlement in fire-prone areas (wildland-urban interface)

3 WUI & Wildfire in NC The wildland urban interface (WUI) is the area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland, forest or vegetative fuels. North Carolina has more WUI acres than any other state in the country and our growth increases this acreage every year. The interface creates great challenges for fire managers as nearly every fire or its associated smoke may impact homes, roads, farms or other development. Photo: White Creek Fire, Linville Gorge USFS, from WNCN.com, 3/20/17

4 Inciweb reports on 2016 NC fires Chestnut Knob Boteler Clear Creek Cliffside Cathey Gap Maple Old Roughy Muskrat Springs Party Rock Valley Camp Branch Avey Branch Knob Tellico Moses Creek Dobson 3 Dick s Creek Ferebee Silver Mine May Branch

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7 Fire response & Incident Management Teams (IMTs) IMT: paramilitary management infrastructure for logistical coordination of state, local, and federal emergency responders and government and non-governmental agencies On containment: back to local team; Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team

8 IMTs & effective wildfire responder networks

9 Common incident response actors

10 Jurisdiction in a wildfire Cooperative system IMT does not have any legal or other authority over state, county, or local agencies

11 Findings from western U.S. fire service, law enforcement, & county emergency managers generally familiar with ICS other key actors (county & municipal elected officials, town & county managers, animal service organizations etc.) significantly less likely to be familiar with ICS & IMTs procedures / capacities creates challenges in role definition & communication with IMT & other cooperators opportunity for greater training and education in ICS among these sectors so that they can be included in a more meaningful way during an incident

12 Top 5 Most Encountered Watch Outs Incident was of significant statewide political interest (i.e., a state declaration was assigned, National resources were heavily committed (PL4 or PL5) Loss of structures, working lands or other critical values at risk Incident was of significant local political interest Fire threatened a greater than average number of community assets challenge common

13 Least Encountered Watch Outs Apparent conflicts or turf battles Anti-fed/outsider/government sentiment Problematic historic relationships Actions indicated hidden or unspoken agendas Community fatigue was high due to extended duration of incident challenge common

14 High capacity communities Host agencies that know locals Strong relationships between responders Strong relationships between land agencies & responders Locals & responders understand ICS/ IMT system & processes Locals have emergency plans in place / community readiness

15 Community readiness Mitigation programs (CWPPs; Firewise) & defensible space programs Disaster response & mass care- evacuation plans; consideration of vulnerable populations; animal evacuation planning; donations Inter-agency coordination & communication- Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs); mutual aid & cost share; contact lists Public communication- evacuee information needs; locations for public meetings; resident notification of property damage & re-entry Experience with IMT members & familiarity with ICS

16 Knowing you re ready Individuals/ households: check local emergency management office to get on notification lists & get local info clear brush and flammable material from your property for defensible space have evacuation plans in place & meeting point have copies of documents, medication, pet transport ready

17 Knowing you re ready Counties/ municipalities: emergency plans in place & designated Emergency Operations Center designated Incident Command Post familiarize responders with NIMS/ ICS conduct regular tabletop exercises/simulations encourage local residents to clear brush/ local brush pickup days consider becoming a FireWise community

18 Continually revisit Check out reports & resources from NC State Fire Chasers Project at:

19 NC State Fire Chasers is directed by Branda Nowell, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) Toddi Steelman, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) Research Funding Provided by: This research is part of a larger initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, Joint Fire Science Program, and the USFS Northern Research Station. All views and conclusions in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or politics of the US Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the US Government.