Vista Redonda Community Wildfire Information

vista redonda community wildfire information 1

santa fe county fire—wildland division

vista redondacommunity wildfire information

the location

the assessments

the findings

fire characteristics

recommendations

evacuations

2 vista redonda community wildfire information


for moreinformation

Santa Fe County Fire—Wildland Divisionhttp://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/

Red Cross Albuquerque-Santa Fehttp://www.redcrossalbq.org/Disaster.php

NM Emergency Managementhttp://www.santafenm.gov/index.aspx?nid=1554

Santa Fe County Emergency Management Divisionhttp://www.santafecounty.org/fire/emergency_management_division



locationVista Redonda is a subdivision located just northwest of Tesuque that extends over 4 mesa tops. Generally homes are located atop steep slopes on dead end roads. The area is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and borders Santa Fe National Forest and Pueblo lands. The area is accessed by one road, however there is egress through a forest service road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. The roads in this area are well-maintained and wide, and there is a hydrant system in place, however the pressure is negligible and the community is in the process of updating it.





assessments

House by house wildland fire hazard assessments were con-ducted by the Wildand Division crew in the fall of 2009. Using an assessment form customized to the area utilizing data from the Santa Fe County CWPP, members viewed each home from the driveway and assessed what they saw from that vantage point.

Based on that view, each home was assigned a numerical rating which corresponds with the hazard rating categories of Low, Mod-erate, High, Very High, or Extreme. These ratings take into con-sideration home construction, driveway access, the home’s place-ment within the terrain and factors including location of propane, electrical and outbuildings. These ratings give us the basis for a plan of attack in the event of a wildfire.

Our website has a scaled down version of the assessment form that is interactive. It is located at:

http://www.sfcfire-wildland.com/ under Prepare for Wildfire, click the link “Assess Your Home”.

It’s an interactive form that will allow you to see the results of your own assessment as well as see the effects that certain mitigation efforts can have on your score.



characteristicsfireFire intensity, rate and spread will depend on fuel type and condition (live/dead), weather conditions prior to and during ignition, and the topography. Generally, the following relationships hold between fire behavior and fuel, weather and topography.

Fine fuels ignite more easily and spread faster with higher intensity than courser fuels. For a given fuel, the more there is and the more continuous it is, the faster the fire spreads and the higher the intensities. Fine fuels take a shorter time to burn out than courser fuels.

Weather conditions affect the moisture content of dead and live vegetative fu-els. Dead fine moisture content is highly dependent on relative humidity and sun exposure. Lower relative humidity and direct sun exposure results in lower fuel moisture content. Lower fuel moistures produce faster spread rates and higher fire intensities.

Wind speed significantly influences the rate of fire spread and fire intensity. The higher the wind speed, the greater the spread and intensity.

Topography influences fire behavior principally by the steepness of the slope. However, the configuration of the terrain such as narrow draws, saddles, and etc., can influence fire spread and intensity. In general, the steeper the slope, the higher the uphill fire spread and intensity.

The main vegetation within this community is mature pinon and juniper. There are steep slopes and some flat and open areas scattered throughout the area. Most of the pinon/juniper areas are spread out with breaks in between clumps of trees. This type of scattered vegetation would not likely support a crown fire.



the findings

This area suffered a large amount of beetle kill and as a result, there are pockets of fuels broken up by expanses of bare ground. Most of the homes in the area are stuccoed with flat roofs, often with wood decks attached and large expanses of windows.

A fire in this area would not likely run. There are not enough ground fuels to carry a fire any great distance, however, there are pockets of very thick fuels which, when burning, could produce large amounts of embers. The threat to homes in this area would likely be from embers lofted into the air and landing on a wood portion of a home, or a thick pocket of fuel catching and burning in close proximity to a home, generating enough heat to ignite it.

Evacuations, if necessary, would be fairly easy due to the wide roadways and a road blockage due to fire would be unlikely.

This area is hydranted, however at this time, the water system does not pro-duce enough water to be of any real use with a significant fire. Our under-standing is that the hydrant system is being upgraded.



mitigationideas

Screen off the area beneath decks and porchesThis area can become a trap for burning embers or debris, increasing the chance of starting your home on fire. Screen off the area using metal or non-combustible screening with no larger than 1/4” openings.

WindowsDouble-pane windows are most resistant to heat and flames, and smaller windows tend to hold up better than larger windows. Remember to take down curtains and move furniture towards the center of the room. The heat from fire can often ignite items inside your home.

Firewood and flammablesMove your wood pile at least 30 feet away and uphill from your home dur-ing fire season. Flammables such as paint, solvents or gasoline should always be stored in approved safety containers away from ANY source of ignition such as hot water tanks or furnaces. The fumes from these liq-uids can travel a great distance after they turn to gas. Preferably store these materials and any oil, gas or paint soaked rags in an area away from your home.

Thin vegetation near homeTake care to keep about 3 feet of clear space all around your home. Look for pockets of thick vegetation and thin it out, especially below your home if you are on a slope. Clear any areas of built up dry leaves or needles. Keep vegetation away from propane tanks as well, and try to screen pro-pane tanks with a non-combustible material.



recommendationshomeowner

No or Low Cost

Regularly check fire extinguishers and have a 100-foot hose available. Maintain defensible space for at least 30 feet around your home Keep wooden fence areas free of dried leaves and combustible materials.

Non-combustible material should connect the fence to structure Clear dry debris (leaves, needles, etc.) out from under decks

Minimal Investment

Clear and thin vegetation along driveways to make it easier for emergency ac-cess

Replace combustible landscaping with non-combustible native plants (a list is available on our website)

Keep tree branches pruned back from home Enclose the space under decks with screening no larger than 1/4”

Moderate Investment

Construct or retrofit overhanging projections such as decks with heavy timber or noncombustible material

Replace exterior windows and skylights with tempered glass or multilayered glazed panels

Treat wood decks with fire-retardant chemicals Install a roof irrigation system Relocate propane tanks underground



homeownerkits

EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT—a 72 hour kit that is readily available

3 days of emergency water (1 gallon per day per person) 3 days of emergency food (non-spoilable and easy to open) One change of clothing per person Blankets and/or sleeping bags Battery powered radio with spare batteries (AM capable to receive 770 AM

emergency alert station) Flashlight with spare batteries Toiletry supplies

PET EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

3 days of food in a waterproof container 3 days of water specifically for your pet Any medications in a waterproof container Small first aid kit specific to your pet Backup collar and leash Any important documents relating to your pet Create or pet carrier Pet sanitation supplies (ie: litter and litter box, newspaper, bleach, etc.) A picture of you and your pet together (to aid in finding your pet if you gdet

separated) Familiar toys, treats or bedding



evacuationsStep ONE - PREPARE

Have emergency contacts and family gathering areas set up

Have a plan for evacuating pets

Update your child’s School Release Policy with current information

Discuss with your children what to do if they are home alone during an emer-gency

Make lists of important items you use or need:1. Prescription medications2. Glasses/contacts3. Important documents4. Emergency supply kit

Step TWO—EVACUATION IMMINENT

Park your car facing out and leave the keys in itLoad emergency kitsIf there is time:1. Close windows, remove curtains2. Close doors, but do not lock, and leave exterior lights on3. Get lawn furniture out of the way

Step THREE—LEAVE AND MEET UP

Go early—if you feel threatened, don’t wait to be told Drive with lights ON, watch for fire apparatus Do not block access roads Do NOT call 911—listen to 770AM for contact phone numbers Do NOT attempt to re-enter until officials have declared it safe



Wildland Division22 Bisbee CourtSanta Fe NM 87507

505.995.6523

Documents

Vista Redonda Community Wildfire Information