Community Wildfire Protection Planning in Skagit County

 

The Skagit Conservation District has been asked by Skagit County to lead efforts on the development of a county-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).  Currently there is a draft working document CWPP in existence for Eastern Skagit County , which will be used as the base document and expanded to include the entire county. 

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Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

  1. What is a CWPP?

A community based plan that identifies and prioritizes hazardous fuels treatments and recommends ways to reduce structural ignitability.

 

  1. Why develop a CWPP?

There are several great reasons to develop a community wildfire protection plan. First and foremost, a successful CWPP provides a community with a set of goals, actions and resources specifically designed to address the threat of wildfire. These goals, actions and resources can help:

  • Enhance public safety
  • Improve economic resiliency through the identification and protection of critical infrastructure and businesses at risk
  • Restore and protect ecosystem health
  • Raise public awareness about wildfire risks
  • Educate landowners of their shared responsibility in wildfire protection
  • Build new partnerships between local, state and federal fire fighting agencies, community organizations and businesses
  • Realize opportunities for collaboration

Finally, a CWPP is a critical tool required in order to leverage funding for hazard mitigation and recovery work through the National Fire Plan, FEMA mitigation grants and other resources. Under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 communities that seek funding from the federal government for hazardous fuels reduction work are required to develop a protection plan. The minimum requirements for a conforming CWPP as described in the HFRA are:

  • Collaboration: A CWPP must be collaboratively developed by local and state government representatives, in consultation with federal agencies and other interested parties. 
  • Prioritized Fuel Reduction: A CWPP must identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommend the types and methods of treatment that will protect one or more at-risk communities and essential infrastructure.
  • Treatment of Structural Ignitability: A CWPP must recommend measures that homeowners and communities can take to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the area addressed by the plan. 

Who initiates and drives the process of creating a CWPP?

Local governments, watershed councils or affiliated community groups can spearhead the effort to create a CWPP. Three partners must sign off on the final plan: the local government or municipality, the local fire protection department(s) and the state forestry management agency. Other groups and federal agencies are also encouraged to participate in the process.

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Progress Update

As part of the process of developing this CWPP, Conservation District staff will be working in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources NW Region, U.S. Forest Service, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, local Fire Districts, and others.  Skagit 

Conservation District has mailed out a letter and questionnaire to all Fire Chiefs and Fire Commissioners in Skagit County requesting feedback and input on CWPP and Firewise efforts.  This feedback will be included in the CWPP.

We are currently working to schedule time on local Fire Commissioner meeting agendas to discuss our efforts, gain support, get local knowledge and input into our process and plan, and introduce/discuss the Firewise program.

Fire District Meetings Attended:

            Fire District #5 - Bow

            Fire District #13 – Hope Island/Summit Park  

            Skagit County Commissioners’ Mtg.

            Fire Chiefs’ Association Meeting

            Fire Commissioners’ Association Meeting

            Fire District #11 – Mt. Erie mtg. w/ chief

            Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan update mtgs.

            Fire section of Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan updated, in draft form

 

It is expected that there will be future community meetings to discuss this plan as we begin to develop it.  Please check back for future meeting information postings on our website.

If you are interested in this process or have questions, please contact Jenny Hinderman or Al Craney at the Skagit Conservation District at (360) 428-4313, or email jenny@skagitcd.org  or al@skagitcd.org

For more detailed information on CWPPs and for access to completed CWPPs through out the state, please visit

www.safnet.org/policyandpress/cwpp.cfm  

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/Topics/FireBurningRegulations/Pages/rp_burn_countymitigationplans.aspx