Georgia’s Forest Action PlanA Road Map for Georgia’s Forests

We would like to thank The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils

(NARC&DC), The US Forest Service, and The Georgia Forestry Commission

The Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council hopes this workshop will help our citizens

become more involved with Georgia’s Forest Action Plan

Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council

Fire Adaptive Communities

Get Involved: Assessment, Awareness, Action

Most people think wildfires only happen out West?

Think again….

WILDFIRES ARE A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITYNaturally occurring in Georgia’s ecosystems for centuries

Are you ready?

Is your house ready?

“With adequate planning and cooperation among

varying interests, wildfires can occur without

disastrous loss of life, property, and resources. “

• Wildfires can put dozens (even hundreds) of homes at risk simultaneously.

• Firefighters may not have the resources to protect each home.

• Residents can take action to increase their homes’ chances of surviving a wildfire.

• Makes your house and community fire ready with programs like Firewise Community USA.

Examples of actions include:Remove fuel from forest floorUse prescribed burning practices when neededCreate buffer zone around houses

All of our Counties must be proactive

Good fires prevent bad ones. • Prescribed Burns: Controlled burns used in forest management

• Fire is an essential, natural process:• Replenishes soil nutrients

• Removes dead and dying vegetation

• Creates conditions for healthy re-growth

Fire-prone communities earn Firewise Communities/USA recognition status by meeting the following criteria:

• Complete an assessment and create a plan that identifies locally agreed-upon solutions that the community can implement.

• Create Firewise task force, committee, commission or department which maintains the Firewise Community program and tracks its progress or status.

• Observe a Firewise Communities/USA Day each year that is dedicated to a local Firewise project.

Continued..

• Invest a minimum of $2.00 annually per capita (in kind) in local Firewise Communities/USA efforts. (Work by municipal employees or volunteers using municipal and other equipment can be included, as can state/federal grants dedicated to that purpose.)

• Submit an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA, documenting continuing compliance with the program.

Wildland Urban InterfaceAn increasing population is moving from the urban setting to rural areas adjacent to wildland. This makes development planning and proactive fire prevention tactics a must.

Defensible Space

Develop an Evacuation Plan

Understanding Wildland Fire and Preparedness

Working with Towns County Fire Department

Understanding the Threat of Wildland Fire• The Threat of Wildland Fire in Our Area?• Some Examples in Towns county

• Escaped debris burns are the number one cause of wildfires in Georgia• 5,420 burn permits issued from July 1,2012-June 30,2013 in Towns• Cedar Knob Fire, Young Harris, 800 acres• Whiskey Mountain Fire, Hiawassee City Limits, 115 acres

Understanding the Threat of Wildland Fire• What Drives Wildland Fires in our Area?

• Hardwood leaf litter • wind • steep slopes • low relative humidity• Careless people

Towns County Example

When Structures Become Fuel

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

March 2013

The Ready, Set, Go! Program • RSG Personal Wildland Fire Action Plan

• Family and Property Preparation

• Checklists for Disaster Preparation; what to do as a Fire Approaches; and Emergency Supplies if you have to leave

Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants• Ready – “Prepare for the Fire Threat”

• Defensible Space: Easy Steps You Can Do Now to Safeguard Your Home

•Firewise Communities

Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants• Defensible Space: Easy Steps you can do Now to Safeguard Your Home• Remove leaf litter (dry leaves/pine needles) from yard, roof, and gutters.• Remove combustible material and vegetation from around and under decks.• Remove woodpiles and other combustible materials.• Remove dead and dying vegetation.• Remove and reduce “ladder fuels” (low level vegetation that allows fire to

spread from the ground to the tree canopy).• Consider Firewise landscaping techniques.

Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants• Set – “Situational Awareness when a Fire Starts”

• Preparing the Home for a Fire • Inside and out preparation-Page 9• Alert family and neighbors• Know the current fire danger (November, March, April)• Stay tuned to current information• When you’re Set-Go! • And don’t look back!

Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants• Go – “Leave Early”

• Leaving Early Makes it Safer for You, Your Property and Responding Firefighters

• Where to Go: designated safe zones

Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants• What if you are Trapped by a Moving Fire Front?

• Action Guide Checklist: Page 9

• What to Wear

• What to Do

A Challenge We Can Face• Prepare Your Family and Home

• Understand Wildland Fire

• Ensure The Safety of You and Firefighters

• Be a Partner in the Wildland Fire Solution

Check out our website:

www.townscountyfireprevention.wordpress.com