AGENDA DATE: 8/7/2024
TITLE:
Title
Wildland Fire Prevention Strategies
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive feedback on proposed Wildland Fire Prevention strategies for consideration.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Eggleston, Pelliccia
PRESENTER (S): Chief Eggleston, Deputy Chief Pelliccia
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The 2023 Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan notes Albemarle County faces significant risk from wildland fires due to its diverse topography, heavily forested areas, and increasing urban-wildland interface. This became more evident than ever on March 20, 2024, when every fire apparatus owned by Albemarle County was in use by Fire Rescue. On that day a combination of Red Flag conditions, downed power lines, and other causes led to 26 separate wildfire dispatches with the three largest fires burning a total of 520 acres. Effective wildland fire prevention strategies are crucial to protect lives, property, and natural resources.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-Being - Nurture a safe and healthy community. Resilient, Equitable & Engaged Community - Design programs and services that promote an equitable, engaged, and climate-resilient community.
DISCUSSION: Effective wildland fire prevention strategies include aggressive community outreach and education, vegetation management, land use planning and development, and emergency preparedness some of which include collaborations and partnerships at the local and state level.
Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) has taken initial measures to enhance our preparedness for wildfires including expanding our analytic capabilities. This includes evaluating our operational effectiveness and identifying training and equipment gaps, as well as conducting a comprehensive community risk assessment to identify priority areas to focus outreach efforts.
The National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) Firewise USA program is a model approach to community outreach and education about the threat of wildfire. It requires community involvement and provides resources and support for neighborhoods to achieve Firewise recognition. In 2019, ACFR staff worked with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VADOF) to conduct a pilot Firewise program with the Emerald Ridge community. Implementation of this program countywide will require a multi-year approach and involve collaboration with VADOF among other partners.
ACFR staff has also researched local ordinances from other counties throughout the Commonwealth and stands prepared to provide recommendations for revision to our current Open Burning ordinance.
BUDGET IMPACT: This is an exploratory discussion with no specific funding requested at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
There are no specific recommendations from staff at this time.
ATTACHMENTS: None.