HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Sister's CWPP Final
Pole Creek Fire
Sisters, OR 2012
2014 Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
May 12, 2014
Prepared by
Alison Green
Project Wildfire
projectwildfire.pw@gmail.com
www.projectwildfire.com
(541) 322-7129
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
i
Executive Summary
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) are documents that designed to be developed by
local group of stakeholders who are invested in the wildland fire threat to their area. The group
of stakeholders typically consists of a representative from the fire department, the state, any
governing bodies and especially property owners. Each of these representatives should bring
their concerns regarding wildland fire to the discussion and propose solutions to their concerns.
Although reducing the risk of high intensity wildland fire is the primary motivation behind this
plan, managing the wildlands for hazardous fuels reduction and fire resilience is only one part of
the larger picture. Residents and visitors desire healthy, fire-resilient wildlands that provide
habitat for wildlife, recreational and economic opportunities, and scenic beauty. Continued
efforts have been made by county, state and federal land management agencies to reduce the
threat of high intensity wildland fires through education and fuels reduction activities on public
lands. In addition, private residents have responded enthusiastically to the defensible space and
preparation guidelines and recommendations to reduce hazardous fuels on their own properties
by participating in programs such as Firewise and FireFree.
Wildland fire is a natural and necessary component of ecosystems across the country. Central
Oregon is no exception. Historically, wildland fires have shaped the forests and wildlands
valued by residents and visitors. These landscapes however, are now significantly altered due to
fire prevention efforts, modern suppression activities and a general lack of large scale fires,
resulting in overgrown forests with dense fuels that burn more intensely than in the past. In
addition, the recent increase in population has led to a swell in residential development into
forested land, in the wildland urban interface.
The 2014 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan will assist the Sisters –
Camp Sherman, Black Butte Ranch and Cloverdale Fire Districts and Sisters area residents in the
identification of surrounding lands, including federal and state lands at risk from high intensity
wildland fire. The Greater Sisters Country CWPP identifies priorities and strategies for reducing
hazardous wildland fuels while improving forest health, supporting local industry and economy
and improving fire protection capabilities. It also identifies strategies to address special areas of
concern such as evacuation routes as well as outlines actions that individuals can take to help
protect themselves and their neighborhoods against the threat of wildland fires.
The Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan is ultimately developed by and
for the community members to enhance their understanding of their local surroundings and how
their landscape determines their risk of wildland fire. Each risk assessment and recommendation
in this plan has been made after careful consideration by the Steering Committee. Specific
recommendations for homeowners to reduce their risk can be found on pages 37 and 38 of this
CWPP.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
ii
Declaration of Agreement
The Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan was originally completed and
signed on June 21, 2005. A revision to the original plan was approved on May 15th, 2006. The
Sisters City Council accepted a second revision of this plan on October 8th, 2009. As directed by
this CWPP, fuels reduction activities have been completed on public and private lands. Recent
wildland fires have also impacted the landscape. Combined, these events have changed the
priorities outlined in the three previous documents. The Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners accepted this plan by resolution #2006-040.
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Roger Johnson, Fire Chief Date
Sisters – Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Thad Olsen, Fire Chief Date
Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Dan Tucker, Fire Chief Date
Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Andrew Gorayeb, City Manager Date
City of Sisters
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Kevin Benton, District Forester Date
Oregon Department of Forestry
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Tammy Baney, Chair Date
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Tony DeBone, Vice Chair Date
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
______________________________________________________________________ _________________
Alan Unger, Commissioner Date
Chair, Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
iii
Acknowledgements
Assembled within the true spirit of collaboration, the following people are acknowledged for
their participation and commitment resulting in the creation of the 2014 Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Joanne Anttila Board Member — Crossroads
Jack Barringer Resident — Black Butte Ranch
Kevin Benton Oregon Department of Forestry
Leland Bliss Sisters School District
Guy Chamness Bureau of Land Management
Matt Cyrus Board Member — Aspen Lakes
Chris Dayton Oregon Department of Forestry
Tony DeBone Deschutes County Commissioner
Rodney Dines US Forest Service
Ben Duda Oregon Department of Forestry
Betty Fadeley Business Manager — Tollgate
Vince Grace US Forest Service
Alison Green Project Wildfire
Pauline Hardie City of Sisters, Community Development
Roger Johnson Fire Chief, Sisters – Camp Sherman FPD
Ed Keith Deschutes County Forester
Gary Marshall Sisters – Camp Sherman FPD
Kristie Miller District Ranger, US Forest Service
Trevor Miller US Forest Service
Thad Olsen Fire Chief, Cloverdale FD
Eric Porter Sisters City Planner
Jinny Reed US Forest Service
Dan Tucker Fire Chief, Black Butte Ranch FD
Shana Vialovos Board Member — Crossroads
Ed Young Resident-Metolius
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ i
Declaration of Agreement .............................................................................................................................................. ii
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................................... iii
Contact information ........................................................................................................................................................ v
Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Planning Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Collaboration ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Community Profile .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Public and Private Accomplishments ............................................................................................................................ 8
Wildland Urban Interface Description ......................................................................................................... 14
Wildland Fuel Hazards ................................................................................................................................... 16
Community Base Maps ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Communities at Risk ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Community Assessments of Risk ................................................................................................................................... 21
ODF Assessment of Risk Factors ..................................................................................................................... 21
Risk of Wildfire Occurrence .................................................................................................................. 21
Hazard ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Protection Capability .............................................................................................................................. 21
Values Protected ...................................................................................................................................... 24
Structural Vulnerability ......................................................................................................................... 25
Summary of ODF Assessment of Risk Factors ............................................................................................. 26
ODF Assessment of Risk Factors with Ranking ....................................................................................... 28
Oregon Forestland – Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997 (SB 360) ............................................ 28
Fire Regime Condition Class ........................................................................................................................ 30
Areas of Special Concern ............................................................................................................................... 32
Prioritized Hazard Reduction Recommendations
and Preferred Treatment Methods ...................................................................................................................... 32
Prioritized Communities at Risk ................................................................................................................... 32
Priorities and Goals ........................................................................................................................................ 33
Preferred Treatments – Public Lands .......................................................................................................... 33
Preferred Treatments – Private and County Owned Lands ...................................................................... 35
Recommendations to Reduce Structural Ignitability .................................................................................................. 37
Structural Ignitability Recommendations ................................................................................................... 37
Defensible space checklist ............................................................................................................................... 38
Other Recommendations ................................................................................................................................................ 39
Action Plan and Implementation ................................................................................................................................... 40
Evaluation and Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................ 42
Appendices
Appendix A – Community Maps ................................................................................................................... 44
Appendix B – Community Assessments ........................................................................................................ 46
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
v
Contact Information
Copies of this CWPP may be found and downloaded at:
www.projectwildfire.org
Ed Keith, County Forester
Deschutes County
61150 SE 27th Street
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 322-7117
Roger Johnson, Fire Chief
Sisters – Camp Sherman Fire District
301 S. Elm Street
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 549-0771
Dan Tucker, Fire Chief
Black Butte Ranch Fire District
13511 Hawks Beard
Black Butte Ranch, OR 97756
(541) 595-2288
Thad Olsen, Fire Chief
Cloverdale Fire District
68787 George Cyrus Rd
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 548-4815
Kevin Benton, Unit Forester
Oregon Department of Forestry
3501 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754
(541) 447-5658
Rodney Dines, Fire Management Officer
Central Oregon Fire Management Services- Cascade Division
Pine St & Highway 20, PO Box 249
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 549-7700
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
vi
Alison Green, Program Coordinator
Project Wildfire
61150 SE 27th Street
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 322-7129
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
1
2014 Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Purpose
The purpose of the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is to:
• Protect lives and property from wildland fires;
• Instill a sense of personal responsibility and provide steps for taking preventive actions
regarding wildland fire;
• Increase public understanding of living in a fire-adapted ecosystem;
• Increase the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildland
fires;
• Restore fire-adapted ecosystems; and
• Improve the fire resilience of the landscape while protecting other social, economic and
ecological values.
Originally completed in 2005 with a revised planning boundary in 2006 and revised again in
2009, this comprehensive revision maintains the original purpose and outlines the updated
priorities, strategies and action plans for fuels reduction treatments in the Greater Sisters Country
wildland urban interface (WUI). This CWPP also addresses special areas of concern and makes
recommendations for reducing structural vulnerability and creating defensible space in the
identified Communities at Risk. It is intended to be a living vehicle for fuels reduction,
educational, and other projects to decrease overall risks of loss from wildland fire; revisited at
least annually to address its purpose.
Although reducing the risk of high intensity wildland fire is the primary motivation behind this
plan, managing the forests and wildlands for hazardous fuels reduction and fire resilience is only
one part of the larger picture. Residents and visitors desire healthy, fire-resilient forests and
wildlands that provide habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.
Wildland fire is a natural and necessary component of ecosystems across the country. Central
Oregon is no exception. Historically, wildland fires have shaped the forests and wildlands
valued by residents and visitors. These landscapes however, are now significantly altered due to
fire prevention efforts, modern suppression activities and a general lack of large scale fires,
resulting in overgrown forests with dense fuels that burn more intensely than in the past. In
addition, the recent increase in population has led to a swell in residential development into
forested land, in the wildland urban interface.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
2
The 2014 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan will assist the Sisters –
Camp Sherman, Black Butte Ranch and Cloverdale Fire Districts and Sisters area residents in the
identification of surrounding lands, including federal and state lands at risk from high intensity
wildland fire. The Greater Sisters Country CWPP identifies priorities and strategies for reducing
hazardous wildland fuels while improving forest health, supporting local industry and economy
and improving fire protection capabilities. It also identifies strategies to address special areas of
concern such as evacuation routes as well as outlines actions that individuals can take to help
protect themselves and their neighborhoods against the threat of wildland fires.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
3
Planning Summary
The Sisters City Council adopted the most recent update of the Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan by resolution on October 8th, 2009 by resolution number
2009-22. Additionally to the current revision to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, an
ordinance is being considered by the City of Sisters that would require Senate Bill 360 standards
(Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act, see page 28) on all properties within
city limits. This ordinance would allow for ornamental trees, brush and grasses only if they are
maintained and irrigated.
Continued efforts have been made by county, state and federal land management agencies to
reduce the threat of high intensity wildland fires through education and fuels reduction activities
on public lands. In addition, private residents have responded enthusiastically to the defensible
space and preparation guidelines and recommendations to reduce hazardous fuels on their own
properties.
Although reducing the risk of high intensity wildland fire is the primary motivation behind this
plan, managing the wildlands for hazardous fuels reduction and fire resilience is only one part of
the larger picture. Residents and visitors desire healthy, fire-resilient wildlands that provide
habitat for wildlife, recreational and economic opportunities, and scenic beauty.
In keeping with the strategy of the original Greater Sisters Country CWPP, the Steering
Committee revisited the planning outline in Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan: A
Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities (Communities Committee, Society of
American Foresters, National Association of Counties, and National Association of State
Foresters 2005); and Deschutes County Resolution 2004-093.
Eight steps are outlined to help guide Steering Committees through the planning process:
Step one: Convene the decision makers.
The Greater Sisters CWPP Steering Committee reconvened in November 2013 to review the
work completed within and adjacent to the WUI boundaries on public and private lands; and
reevaluate the priorities for future fuels reduction treatments. The Steering Committee is
comprised of the Program Director from Project Wildfire; Fire Chiefs from Sisters-Camp
Sherman, Cloverdale, and Black Butte Ranch Fire Districts; representatives from Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF); representatives from the Bureau of Land Management and the
US Forest Service, the Deschutes County Forester, other stakeholders and members of the
public.
Step two: Involve state and federal agencies.
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) directed communities to collaborate with local and
state government representatives, in consultation with federal agencies and other interested
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
4
parties in the development of a CWPP. The Steering Committee recognized the importance of
this collaboration and involved not only members from the USDA Forest Service and USDI
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) but Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Deschutes
County representatives as well. Each agency brought a wealth of information about fuels
reduction efforts planned and completed along with educational information based on current
research across the nation.
Step three: Engage interested parties.
Representatives from the Communities at Risk participated on the Steering Committee. The
Steering Committee also included members of local businesses, homeowner/neighborhood
associations, and other organizations and individuals.
Step four: Establish a community base map.
The Steering Committee reviewed the previous maps and boundaries from the 2009 CWPP. The
group approved the 2014 CWPP boundary, which now has seven (7) rating areas that replaced
the previous fourteen (14). The Steering Committee was able, with this change to the base map,
to include over 700 additional structures in the risk assessment process.
Step five: Develop a community risk assessment.
The Steering Committee relied on the ODF Assessment of Risk Factors and the Structural
Vulnerability factors for each of the seven Communities at Risk.
Step six: Establish community hazard reduction priorities and recommendations to reduce
structural ignitability.
Based on the assessments, the Steering Committee produced three groups of priorities for fuels
reduction treatments on public and private lands. The Steering Committee also made
recommendations to reduce structural ignitability based on information in the assessments and
local knowledge.
Step seven: Develop an action plan and assessment strategy.
The Steering Committee identified an action plan for key projects; roles and responsibilities for
carrying out the purpose of the CWPP; potential funding needs and the evaluation process for the
CWPP itself.
Step eight: Finalize the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
A draft of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP was available for public comment prior to the final
signing and approval of the plan. The Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection
Plan was mutually approved by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire, Cloverdale Fire, Black Butte
Ranch Fire, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the City of Sisters, and the Deschutes County
Board of Commissioners as demonstrated in the Declaration of Agreement.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Collaboration
In 2003, Congress passed historical bi-partisan legislation: the Healthy Forests Restoration Act
(HFRA). This legislation directs federal agencies to collaborate with communities in developing
a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that includes the identification and prioritization of areas
needing hazardous fuels treatment. It further provides authorities to expedite the National
Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process for fuels reduction projects on federal lands. The
act also requires that 50% of funding allocated to fuels projects be used in the community-
defined wildland urban interface.
Since the enactment of this legislation, communities have had the opportunity to direct where
federal agencies place their fuels reduction efforts. HFRA also allows community groups to
apply for federal funding to make communities safer against the threat of wildland fire.
Although some of the authorities under HFI and HFRA have been subsequently challenged in
federal courts, all have been successfully appealed and the original intent and authorities under
each remain the same.
As with the initial version, community members of Sisters, Oregon came together with
representatives from Sisters – Camp Sherman Fire District, Black Butte Ranch Fire District,
Cloverdale Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), the USDA Forest Service
(USFS), the USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the City of Sisters, Deschutes County
and Project Wildfire to revisit the Greater Sisters Country CWPP and refocus the priorities. The
Steering Committee completed this revision in accordance with Preparing a Community Wildfire
Protection Plan: A Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities (Communities
Committee, Society of American Foresters, National Association of Counties, National
Association of State Foresters 2005); and Deschutes County Resolution 2004-093.
A draft of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP was available for public comment for 30 days prior
to the final signing and approval of the plan. Interested parties provided comments for
consideration by the Steering Committee during this period.
The Sisters City Council approved the 2014 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire
Protection Plan on ___________. This CWPP was also formally adopted by Deschutes County
by resolution # 2006-040.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Community Profile
The Greater Sisters Country is located in central Oregon on the east side of the Cascade
Mountains. According to the census 975 residents called the city of Sisters home in 2000.
Deschutes County estimates the 2012 Sisters population at 2,080 with another 9,437 in rural
population that inhabit areas surrounding the city of Sisters. This is an increase of 133% within
the city limits in twelve years. These figures do not include the high influx of visitors during the
tourist season.
Sisters is known for its outstanding recreational opportunities, cultural traditions and general
small town feel. The annual Sisters Rodeo, the Starry Nights Music series and the Sisters Quilt
Show consistently bring thousands of visitors to the area. Within the planning area there is also a
significant amount of public land with developed and dispersed recreation sites, which provide
valuable recreation opportunities to both residents and visitors. In the summer months, the
County estimates a transient population of up to 10,000 people that occupy these areas creating a
seasonal challenge for those agencies responsible for fire suppression and evacuation.
The CWPP planning area boundary lies within the larger area of the eastern Cascade slopes and
foothills. The area is dominated by western juniper, sage brush, and grasses on the high desert to
the east; and a transition from ponderosa pine to mixed conifer to a sub-alpine mix of tree
species near the crest of the Cascades in the west. The vegetation is adapted to the prevailing dry
climate and is highly susceptible to wildland fire with major threats to the area each year.
Volcanic cones and buttes dot the landscape across much of the region. Most of the communities
in the area lie at an elevation of 3,200 feet.
Approximately 7,000 acres of the CWPP planning boundary are agricultural lands. The large
property owners consistently maintain and irrigate their agricultural property within the Greater
Sisters CWPP planning boundary. These lands provide irrigated fuel breaks in the larger
landscape of wildland fuels.
The Greater Sisters community presents a unique challenge for the wildfire planning process.
Not only are the core city business and residential areas at significant risk from wildfire, so too
are the many subdivisions outside the city limits that have been developed in the thick of nearby
forests. Dense stands of trees, topographical challenges and thick ground vegetation contribute
to the overall wildland fire risk in the Greater Sisters planning area.
The climate in Sisters is typical of the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, with most of the
annual precipitation coming as winter snow or fall and spring rains. Summers are dry and prone
to frequent thunderstorms that may be wet or dry. These thunderstorms frequently cause multiple
fire ignitions. In 2013, 23 lightning fires occurred with 1,512 acres burned and 25 human caused
fires occurred with 6.5 acres burned.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
8
The communities of Greater Sisters Country are bound together by Oregon State Highways 20,
126 and 242. The City of Sisters lies at the intersection of these corridors. As central Oregon
grows, more residents and tourists crowd these highways and increase congestion, particularly
during the summer months when fire season reaches its peak. The City of Sisters Transportation
System Plan calls for improving access through Sisters. This will benefit emergency response by
improving access routes in the event of a major wildland fire. The Highway 242 and Highway
20 corridor as well as Forest Road 16 (Three Creeks Road) are included in the consideration of
the WUI boundary due to their critical role as roads and travel corridors that link communities
together and serve as evacuation routes.
The Eagle General Aviation Airport is located at the intersection of Camp Polk Road and
Barclay Drive, less than one mile from the Sisters city limits. Roberts Field in Redmond is the
primary commercial aviation hub in Central Oregon and lies 20 miles east of the Sisters area.
General aviation and wildland fire support facilities are also available at Roberts Field.
Public and Private Accomplishments
As part of the ongoing wildland fire risk management of the surrounding public and private
forestlands, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of
Forestry, Deschutes County and private landowners are engaged in hazardous fuels treatment
projects across the planning area.
US Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management
The US Forest Service
The US Forest Service – Sisters Ranger District manages 203, 890 non-wilderness
acres within the Greater Sisters area of which 104,469 acres are classified as
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). District operations continue to make great
strides to increase both forest health and reduce the potential for high intensity
wildland fire through fuels reduction activities. The following tables and maps
provide a snapshot of fuels treatment projects on Forest Service lands that have
occurred during the life of the Greater Sisters Area CWPP.
It is important to note that each project area requires multiple types of fuels reduction activities to
achieve the desired result including mechanical shrub mowing, tree thinning, hand piling, and under
burning. Therefore, multiple entries are required in order to adequately restore forest ecosystem health
and reduce hazardous fuels. The ultimate goal for these projects is to reduce the potential for high
intensity fire that can spread to tree crowns, requiring costly suppression efforts and causing large losses
on the landscape as well as in and around communities.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
9
US Forest Service 2006-2013 Fuel Related Treatments by Planning Area
Project
Name &
Start Date
Project Status
Commercial
Thin
Complete
Pre-
commercial
Thin
Complete
Mastication
Complete
Biomass Removal
Complete
(burning of piled
material, yarding
of material,
and/or grinding
of material)
Underburning
Black Butte
Ranch
Natural
Fuels
(CE, 1996)
95% complete
(in
maintenance)
0 413 291 468 484
Hwy 20
(EA, 1998)
95% complete
(in
maintenance)
0 236 697 382 2370
McCache
Veg Mgmt
(EA, 2001)
Ongoing 0 1,374 88 1,424 404
Metolius
Basin Veg
Mgmt
(EIS,
2003)
Ongoing 2,421 4,738 2,459 4,417 866
Santiam
Restoration
(EA, 2003)
95% complete
(in
maintenance)
0 564 0 591 282
Sisters Area
Fuels
Reduction
(EA, 2008)
Ongoing 4,856 12,778 7,199 8,260 496
Glaze
(EA, 2008) Ongoing 501 562 336 0
Other
(NEPA not
Required)
0 559 308 111 404
Total 7,778 21,224 11,042 15,989 5,306
*EIS = Environmental Impact Statement; EA = Environmental Assessment; CE = Categorical Exclusion
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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US Forest Service Current Planning Areas and Treatment History 2006-2013
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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The treatments associated with the various planning areas represented above are in various phases
of completion, with some nearing their end (See above table). As projects come to a close, Forest
Service land managers assess new priority treatment areas and begin associated project analysis.
Numerous areas have been identified for fuels related treatments in the future planning areas shown
below. Of these areas, the following are currently under development.
• Melvin Butte approximately 5,300 acres (In planning phase, implementation scheduled to
begin in 2015) – East of 16 with an ingress/egress hazardous fuels treatment buffer west of
16 rd. Remaining acres associated with Popper planning areas not impacted by Pole Creek
Fire. Within and adjacent to Whychus Creek Community at Risk block.
• Fly approximately 17,000 acres (In planning phase, implementation scheduled to begin in
2015/16) – Northeastern periphery of Sisters Ranger District between Eyerly Fire and slope
of Green Ridge. The majority of project area is east of Metolius Community at Risk block.
• Garrison approximately 18,600 acres (In planning phase, implementation scheduled for
2015/16) – North of the City of Sisters and Indian Ford. In Whychus Canyon Community at
Risk block.
• Weirbull approximately 8,000 acres (On the horizon for planning in 2017/18) – Southeast
of the City of Sisters. In both Whychus Creek and Fryrear Butte Community at Risk blocks.
• North Basin approximately 27,000 acres (On the horizon for planning 2017/18) – In the
Metolius Community at Risk block.
• West Trout approximately 19,000 acres (On the horizon for planning 2018/19) – West of
Whychus Creek Community at Risk block and within the CWPP Planning Boundary.
• Tower approximately 5,000 acres (On the horizon for planning 2018/19) – In both
Metolius and Indian Ford Creek Community at Risk blocks.
The Bureau of Land Management
The Prineville District manages 43,393 acres within the Greater Sisters area all of
which are classified as Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The BLM has not
conducted any recent fuels mitigation within the Sisters WUI, however future
projects will be planned in the Cline Buttes planning area, shown on the following
map.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
12
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Project Map
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
13
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) continues to work with landowners in
the Greater Sisters area developing forest management plans that reduce
hazardous fuels in and around subdivisions to provide defensible space and
healthy forests. In the last eight years, thousands of acres have been treated
under ODF cost share grant programs in the Sisters planning area.
Deschutes County owns 1% of the land in the greater Sisters Country WUI.
Through ongoing funding opportunities including grants, Deschutes County is
taking steps to reduce the hazardous vegetation and provide for a more fire safe
community. The County has reduced hazardous fuels on approximately 1,440
acres of land in the last three years.
The Firewise Communities USA program is a national recognition
program which highlights communities that have chosen to complete
and maintain defensible space; ensure adequate access, water and
signage; promote ongoing fire prevention education, and build or retro-
fit structures with non-combustible building materials such as siding,
decks and roofing. Adequate water availability and access are also
required. Firewise Communities USA now recognizes 6 communities in the Greater Sisters
Country CWPP area – Aspen Lakes, Cascade Meadow Ranch, Crossroads, Metolius Meadows,
Summer Lane and Tollgate.
The Firewise Communities program recognizes communities who have demonstrated their
commitment to wildfire preparedness. Through these steps, the Firewise Communities in the
Greater Sisters Area have effectively lowered their wildfire risk. They have fostered
collaboration between neighbors, increased awareness and their communities’ ability to respond
to wildfire. Their neighborhoods provide a safe and effective location for fire professionals to
work and these neighborhoods have dramatically decreased their odds of losing their homes to
wildfire.
Collaborative Forests Landscape Restoration Act – Deschutes Collaborative Forest
Restoration Project
In 2010, a collaborative group of local agencies and organizations formed a
proposal for funding a large, collaborative forest restoration and hazardous fuels
reduction project on public lands managed by the Deschutes National Forest. This
landscape level project is known as the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project
(DCFP). Under the federal Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act
(CFLRA), the proposal was approved for funding up to $10 million over the next
ten years. The Steering Committee and several task-oriented sub-committees now
provide input and recommendations to the Deschutes National Forest for projects located on
the 257,000 acre landscape. The entire project spans the west side of the Greater Bend WUI, the
western portion of the East & West Deschutes County CWPP boundary, and is also included in
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
14
the Sisters CWPP boundary to the north and the Sunriver
CWPP boundary to the south. An amendment to the original
boundary was approved in 2012 to include additional landscape
acreage near Sunriver and Black Butte Ranch. Now portions of
the $10 million award can be expended across a broader area.
As restoration projects on this landscape are implemented, the
prescriptions and guidelines identified in this CWPP will be met
marking a significant treatment of wildland hazardous fuels on
a landscape scale, a priority in each of the CWPPs in Deschutes
County. This will also allow for the creation and realization of
fire adapted communities along much of the west side of the
county.
The Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project now has a website
in place –www.deschutescollaborativeforest.org – along with a social media presence on
Facebook to continue the stakeholder dialogue and educational outreach for this important
landscape.
Fire-Adapted Communities
This CWPP is just a piece of the over-arching framework and
goal of Fire-Adapted Communities. People and nature are
increasingly threatened by fire, despite fire’s natural,
beneficial role. At the same time, firefighting costs are
escalating and diverting money away from proactive land
management. The solution is to make natural areas and
communities more fire-ready so that we can allow fire to play its natural role at a meaningful
scale. The Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) initiative and the FAC Learning Network are
helping homeowners, communities and land managers in fire-prone areas prepare for inevitable
fires -- to “live with fire” safely. A fire-adapted community acknowledges and takes
responsibility for its wildfire risk, and implements appropriate actions at all levels. Actions
address resident safety, homes, neighborhoods, businesses and infrastructure, forests, parks, open
spaces and other community assets. There is no end-point in becoming a fire-adapted
community. Sustaining, growing and adapting strategies, partnerships and capacity through time
are key. Visit www.fireadapted.org for more information. Working toward being more fire
adapted by developing a CWPP addresses one of the three prongs outlined in the larger goal of
the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
Wildland Urban Interface Description
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act defines the wildland urban interface (WUI) as an area
within or adjacent to an at-risk community that has been identified by a community in its wildfire
protection plan. For areas that do not have such a plan, it is identified as:
• extending ½ mile from the boundary of an at-risk community,
C rooked River
E a s t T u m b u l l
tu20
tu97
tu97
tu20
UV126
UV126
UV242
UV372West
Bend
West
Tumbull
SAFR
Drink
Popper
U
r
s
u
s
Glaze
Meadow
Skyline
Addition
Cascade L a kes H w y
T h r e e C r e e k s R d / U S F S 1 6
D e s c h u t e s R i v e r
T u m a l o C r e e k
W h y c h u s C r e e k
D e s c h u t e s R i v e r
T h r e e C r e e k
HWY 20
Pole
Creek
S o u t h B e n d
Sunriver
Kew
Rocket
Bend
Redmond
Sisters
Deschutes Collaborative Forest ProjectRedmond
0 5 Miles
Warm Springs, 20 Miles ¿
La Pine, 8 Miles
Gilcrist, 23 Miles
Cresent, 24 Miles
¿
CLFRP Boundary (257,000 ac.)
U.S. Forest Service
Wilderness Area
CFLRP Projects
Private Land
Prineville,
16 Miles
¿
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
15
• extending 1½ miles from the boundary of an at-risk community when other criteria
are met such as a sustained steep slope or a geographic feature that creates an
effective firebreak, or is classified as Condition Class 3 land,
• adjacent to an evacuation route.
In the 2009 CWPP review and revision, the initial WUI boundary determination process was
reviewed. The WUI was refined and adjusted to better reflect the definition of community as
outlined in this document and included considerations of community growth, seasonal recreation
areas, and access and egress corridors that were not identified in the initial plan.
The committee then expanded the definition of the WUI based on the three categories of
community as defined in the 2001 Federal Register. Those categories include:
Category 1. Interface Community
The Interface Community exists where structures directly abut wildland fuels. There is a clear
line of demarcation between residential, business, and public structures and wildland fuels.
Wildland fuels do not generally continue into the developed area. The development density for
an Interface Community is usually three or more structures per acre, with shared municipal
services. Fire protection is generally provided by a local government fire department with the
responsibility to protect the structure from both an interior fire and an advancing wildland fire.
An alternative definition of the Interface Community emphasizes a population density of 250 or
more people per square mile.
Category 2. Intermix Community
The Intermix Community exists where structures are scattered throughout a wildland area. There
is no clear line of demarcation; wildland fuels are continuous outside of and within the
developed area. The development density in the Intermix ranges from structures very close
together to one structure per 40 acres. Fire protection districts funded by various taxing
authorities normally provide life and property fire protection and may also have wildland fire
protection responsibilities. An alternative definition of Intermix Community emphasizes a
population density of between 28-250 people per square mile.
Category 3. Occluded Community
The Occluded Community generally exists in a situation, often within a city, where structures
abut an island of wildland fuels (e.g., park or open space). There is a clear line of demarcation
between structures and wildland fuels. The development density for an Occluded Community is
usually similar to those found in the Interface Community, but the occluded area is usually less
than 1,000 acres in size. Fire protection is normally provided by local government fire
departments.
For planning purposes in the 2014 Greater Sisters Country CWPP, the Steering Committee
agreed that the defined wildland urban interface boundary will include all three categories of
community as defined above.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
16
The WUI also includes a ½ mile buffer on each side of the major transportation and evacuation
routes through and out of the planning area. These routes include State Highways 20, 242, and
126; US Forest Service Roads 14 and 16 (Three Creeks Road). The WUI boundary continues all
the way to the wilderness boundary of the Cascade Mountains on the west; to the Warm Springs
Indian Reservation on the north; to the Greater Bend CWPP boundary and the East & West
Deschutes County CWPP boundary on the south and the Greater Redmond CWPP boundary to
the east.
There are additional lands not classified as WUI that are within the overall CWPP boundary.
The Steering Committee chose not to classify the additional lands within the CWPP outside the
WUI boundary, as they are predominately forested or rangelands with limited structural
development. The wildland fire risk in those areas is significantly less than in the WUI areas.
See community maps in Appendix A.
The Greater Sisters Country WUI boundary lies within the CWPP boundary and is
approximately 409 square miles and covers 261,750 acres. There are non-WUI areas in the
remainder of the CWPP boundary that bring the total acreage under this CWPP to 425,937 acres
or 665 square miles.
Wildland Fuel Hazards
The vegetation in the Greater Sisters Country WUI includes
• Ponderosa pine
• Western juniper
• Bitterbrush
• Manzanita
• Ceanothus or Snowbrush
• Western sage
• Mixed conifer
Ponderosa pine is currently found in varying degrees across
the entire Sisters planning area. Historically, ponderosa pine
forests contained more understory grasses and less shrubs than
are present today. These plants combined with fallen pine
needles, formed fast-burning fuels that led to recurrent
widespread burning. Low-intensity ground fires that occur at
intervals of 11-15 years characterize the fire history for
ponderosa pine. The pattern of low ground fires and stand
dynamics resulted in the open park-like conditions that early
inhabitants and visitors found in the region.
Less stand management, less logging activity and highly effective wildland fire suppression have
significantly altered the ponderosa pine forest type. Removal of the larger “yellow belly” pines
has dramatically decreased open park-like forests, replacing them with more evenly spaced and
smaller “black-bark” forests. Similar to other species of conifer forest types, the suppression of
fire has greatly increased the number and density of trees, creating ladder fuels and putting the
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
17
stands at risk of attack from insects and disease. These factors have contributed to more intense
fires in ponderosa pine forests in recent years.
Mature lodgepole pine in central Oregon is characterized by dense, uniform stands, an absence
of other species, and a general lack of understory shrubs (although bitterbrush is often found with
mature lodgepole pine). Lodgepole pine forests exhibit a moderate severity fire regime with a
fire return interval between 60 and 80 years. Fire in lodgepole pine stands can be low, moderate,
or severe over time and often result in full stand replacement.
In addition to fire, mountain pine beetles are worth noting as a
significant disturbance agent as the two processes are linked.
The fire cycle in lodgepole pine is 60-80 years and occurs as
follows: a stand replacement fire leads to stand regeneration è
Dead snags from the fire fall to the forest floor and fuels begin
to accumulate è Windstorms blow more trees to the ground è
Forest fires burn some of the downed logs and lead to heart rot
in the standing trees è The heart rot stresses the stands and
makes it vulnerable to attack by the mountain pine beetle è A
major outbreak of the mountain pine beetle causes significant mortality and soon the conditions
are ripe for another stand replacement fire.
Western juniper also occurs across the Sisters WUI but is more
predominant to the east of the planning area. The fire history of
western juniper is characterized by fire that occurs approximately
every 30 years and is generally limited by the availability of fuels.
Western juniper trees have thin bark and fires kill them easily.
Western juniper is expanding its range over the previous century.
Several factors may account for the expansion: a) fire suppression
which allows the stands to grow unchecked by fire, b) overgrazing
by domestic livestock which opens up new sites for colonization, c)
re-establishment of juniper after an area is logged, and d) climate change.
Bitterbrush occurs throughout the Greater Sisters Country on all
aspects and elevations and is frequently found with mixed shrubs
such as Manzanita and Sage. Fire severely damages Bitterbrush,
especially if rain is not received shortly after a burn. Bitterbrush is
fire dependent, but not fire resistant. It regenerates mostly from seed
after a fire and often sprouts from caches of seeds made by rodents.
Bitterbrush will sprout after burning regardless of the severity of the
burn and matures relatively quickly. Consequently, the Sisters
wildland urban interface area is rich with patches of bitterbrush that burn well on their own and
provide fire-ready ladder fuels for taller tree stands.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
18
Manzanita is a shrub that occurs mainly in the western portions of
the Sisters planning area. It can be mixed with other shrub species
such as bitterbrush. Manzanita is established both through sprouts
and seeds that are stimulated by fire. Fires in Manzanita are
conducive to rapid and extensive fire spread due to both physical
and chemical characteristics. The shrub has volatile materials in the
leaves, low moisture content in the foliage and persistence of dead
branches and stems. Manzanita is particularly susceptible to fire
where it is the primary understory component.
Ceanothus or Snowbrush mainly occurs on the west side of
Sisters in the higher elevations. It can commonly be found
growing along side Manzanita, Bitterbrush and mixed Conifer
Forests. Ceanothus is promoted by fire, a “medium or hot” fire
can create more favorable growing conditions by removing the
canopy. The shrub usually increases following fire, often
dramatically where it was previously uncommon or not present.
Like Manzanita, Ceanothus burns quite hot; its foliage contains
volatile oils that contribute to its high fire hazard.
Western sage is found on the eastern lowlands of the Sisters
planning area and commonly grows in association with juniper
and bitterbrush. Most fires kill western sage plants. In many
western sage communities, changes in fire occurrence along with
fire suppression and livestock grazing have contributed to the
current condition of sage communities. Prior to the introduction
of annuals, insufficient fuels may have limited fire spread in big
sagebrush communities. Introduction of annuals, especially
cheatgrass, has increased fuel loads so that fire carries easily.
Burning in sage communities commonly sets the stage for repeated fires. Fire frequency can be
as little as 5 years, not sufficient time for the establishment and reproduction of big sagebrush.
In these cases annuals such as cheatgrass commonly take over the site.
Mixed conifer (wet and dry) is a complex forest type that
varies considerably depending on elevation and site
conditions. In the plan area, dry mixed conifer and wet
mixed conifer forest types occur, depending on the
elevation.
The dry mixed conifer includes Douglas fir, ponderosa pine,
lodgepole pine, western larch and true fir. Found at
elevations ranging from 3,600 feet to 4,500 feet, it occupies
a transitional zone between the higher elevation mixed
conifer zone and the true ponderosa pine or lodgepole pine zone.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
19
The wet mixed conifer is found in the higher elevations (4,000 – 7,000 feet) on the west side of
the fire plan area. Similar to the dry mixed conifer sites, vegetation consists of Douglas fir, white
fir, ponderosa pine, western larch, and lodgepole pine. Spruce can be found in the wetter riparian
areas.
The historical range of fire intervals in the wet and dry mixed conifer varies considerably; from
35 to 200 years and can be of variable intensity; from low intensity maintenance burns to stand
replacement events.
Fires too, have significantly impacted the Greater Sisters Country landscape. The table below
recognizes the large fires that have endangered the Greater Sisters County since 2000. All of
these large wildfires have threatened residents and prompted evacuations within multiple
neighborhoods. The Cache Fire also resulted in the loss of two homes within Black Butte Ranch.
Fire Name Fire Size (acres) Year Occurred
Cache Fire 3,894 2002
B&B Complex 90,769 2003
Lake George Fire 5,550 2006
Black Crater Fire 9,400 2006
GW Fire 7,357 2007
Summit Springs 1,973 2008
Wizard Fire 1,847 2009
Black Butte 2 578 2009
Rooster Rock 6,134 2010
Shadow Lake 10,000 2011
Pole Creek 26,795 2012
Green Ridge 1,510 2013
Community Base Maps
The Steering Committee agreed to utilize the best available information and data from the US
Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, the Fire Learning Network and Deschutes
County databases. Using this data, the Steering Committee relied on the following maps and
GIS data (Appendix A) to complete the updated risk assessment process:
• Greater Sisters Country WUI and CWPP boundaries with Communities at Risk;
• 2013 Deschutes County tax lot and population data;
• Fire starts in the last ten years
Communities at Risk
The Healthy Forest Initiative (HFI) and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) define a
“community at risk” from wildland fire as one that:
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
20
• is a group of homes and other structures with basic infrastructure and services (such
as utilities and collectively maintained transportation routes) in or adjacent to federal
land;
• has conditions conducive to large-scale wildland fire; and
• faces a significant threat to human life or property as a result of a wildland fire.
The Steering Committee revised the base map to identify the following seven (7) Communities at
Risk, which incorporate several neighborhoods within the Greater Sister’s Country Planning
Area. The Steering Committee defined these Communities at Risk by using fire district
boundaries, major roadways and Sisters city limits.
City of Sisters – 1,210.5 acres with approximately 1,200 structures; population of
2,080.
Indian Ford Creek – 39,934 acres with 1,694 structures; including Black Butte
Ranch, Tollgate, Cascade Meadow and other rural Indian Ford neighborhoods;
population of 4,235.
Whychus Canyon – 40,126 acres with 1,258 structures; including Sage
Meadows, Indian Ford Meadow, Panoramic, Aspen Lakes, Squaw Creek Estates
and other rural Whychus Canyon neighborhoods; population of 3,145.
Whychus Creek – 56,802 acres with 239 structures; including Crossroads and
other rural Whychus Creek neighborhoods; population of 598.
Metolius – 60,555 acres with 279 structures; including Camp Sherman, Suttle
Lake and other rural Metolius neighborhoods; population of 698.
McKenzie Canyon – 17,673 acres with 70 structures; population of 175.
Fryrear Butte – 45,471 acres with 788 structures; including Plainview, Forked
Horn and other rural Cloverdale neighborhoods; population of 1,970.
Although the above rating areas are located within the overall WUI acreage, they are also
assessed separately under this CWPP.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
21
Community Assessment of Risk
For the 2014 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan the Steering
Committee the Oregon Department of Forestry Assessment of Risk Factors on the seven (7)
Communities at Risk.
ODF Assessment of Risk Factors
The ODF Assessment of Risk Factors is based on five categories of evaluation that include a
variety of information designed to identify and evaluate wildland fire risk across Oregon: risk of
wildfire occurrence, hazard, protection capability, human and economic values protected and
structural vulnerability.
Risk of Wildfire Occurrence
The risk of wildfire occurrence refers to the likelihood of a fire occurring based on historical fire
occurrence, home density and ignition sources. The calculations are based on evidence from the
USFS, ODF, the Sisters – Camp Sherman Fire Protection District, Cloverdale Fire Protection
District and Black Butte Ranch Fire Protection District of fire occurrences per 1,000 acres per
ten years, as well as home density and ready ignition sources like dry lightning storms, debris
burning, equipment use, juveniles, campfires, and arson.
The current condition of the vegetation on the federal and private lands adjacent to and within
the Communities at Risk poses an extreme risk of high intensity wildland fire. The City of
Sisters and surrounding rural neighborhoods are also threatened by embers falling on the
community from an adjacent wildland fire.
Hazard
The hazard rating describes resistance to control once a fire starts based on weather, topography
(including slope, aspect and elevation), vegetation and crown fire potential. As stated earlier,
effective wildland fire suppression has led to the extensive buildup of overstory and ground
vegetation in the wildland urban interface.
A wildland fire could start within any of the Communities at Risk or in any of the forested areas
adjacent to or surrounding the communities. With a fire of any significance, it could be difficult
to assemble the resources necessary to adequately address all of the fire and life safety issues that
could arise in the early stages of emergency operations.
Protection capability
The ratings for this category are based on fire protection capability and resources to control and
suppress wildland and structural fires. The ratings also consider response times and community
preparedness.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
22
When local resources are fully engaged, all agencies can request additional resources through the
State of Oregon and request federal resources through the Pacific Northwest Coordination
Center.
In addition to this high level of coordination, all fire departments and agencies in Central Oregon
convene each year for a pre-season meeting to discuss the upcoming wildland fire season.
Topics addressed at this meeting include predicted wildland fire activity, lessons learned,
weather forecasts and how agencies can/will respond to meet the needs of fire events.
Sisters – Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District is a combination career and volunteer
department providing structural and wildland fire services to over 200 square miles. The District
also provides advanced life support ambulance transport service to more than 2000 square miles
in mountainous and high desert terrain. Special services provided include, vehicle extrication,
water rescue and hazardous materials response. A broad range of community risk and fire safety
services are provided to area residents utilizing a combination of career and volunteer staffing.
The District currently employs a Fire Chief, a Deputy Chief of Operations, an Administrative
Assistant, two part-time positions including the Community Risk and Fire Safety Manager and
Financial Manager. The District also employs three Shift Commander/Paramedics and Six
Firefighter/Paramedics. The Volunteer Firefighters are an integral part of the organization and
provide both fire suppression and emergency medical services. The Auxiliary Volunteer
program provides fire prevention and public education programs to residents of the District.
The District headquarters station is located in the City of Sisters. In addition to the headquarters
station, the District utilizes three other volunteer stations, which are located in the Tollgate
Subdivision, Squaw Creek Canyon Estates Subdivision and the community of Camp Sherman.
The District utilizes a fleet of firefighting and EMS apparatus including: five structural and
interface engines, three water tenders, two heavy brush engines, three light brush engines, one
heavy rescue truck, three ambulances, one command vehicle and three staff vehicles.
The District is a party to the Central Oregon Mutual Aid Agreement. In the event of a major
structural fire, the District may request assistance from all other fire departments that are
signatory to the agreement. In addition, all Central Oregon fire departments and the wildland
fire agencies including the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Bureau of
Land Management are party to the Central Oregon Cooperative Wildland Fire Agreement.
These cooperative agreements allow for interactive coordination in the event of a wildfire that
threatens communities in Central Oregon.
Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District
Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District serves the residential and resort community of
Black Butte Ranch. Located at the foot of the Cascade Mountains and the Three Sisters
Wilderness, the district covers three square miles and protects 1,251 residences and a handful of
light industrial buildings. Eight career staff, and six to twelve fire/EMS students and volunteers
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
23
respond to calls from one centrally located station. The district trains all personnel in structural
firefighting, emergency medical delivery, hazardous materials operations, and wildland fire
suppression. The fire district also provides primary services to three residences immediately
adjacent to Black Butte Ranch property under contract.
The District participates in the Central Oregon Mutual Aid Agreement. In the event of a major
structural fire, the District may request assistance from all other fire departments that are
signatory to the agreement. In addition, all Central Oregon fire departments and the wildland
fire agencies including the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Bureau of
Land Management are party to the Central Oregon Cooperative Wildland Fire Agreement.
Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District
The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District is approximately 50 square miles in size and
is located in the triangle between the Bend, Redmond, and Sisters – Camp Sherman fire
districts. The Cloverdale Fire district is a combination department comprised of a paid Chief and
Training officer as well as 20 dedicated volunteer personnel. Cloverdale provides fire prevention
and suppression services, along with first response medical services, to assist the Sisters’
ambulance service. The Cloverdale personnel are trained in structural and wildland firefighting
as well as extrication, hazardous materials and emergency medical care.
The district has two stations strategically located to serve the district. Equipment includes; two
structural engines, three water tenders, one light brush unit, two quick response ems/ brush units,
one interface truck, and two command vehicles. The district was recently rated by the Insurance
Service Office (ISO) and received a Fire Suppression Rating of 3 for the hydranted areas and 6
for the non-hydranted areas.
The District participates in the Central Oregon Mutual Aid Agreement. In the event of a major
structural fire, the District may request assistance from all other fire departments that are
signatory to the agreement. In addition, all Central Oregon fire departments and the wildland
fire agencies including the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Bureau of
Land Management are party to the Central Oregon Cooperative Wildland Fire Agreement.
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)
Within the Greater Sisters planning area, private forestland is protected by the Central Oregon
District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF provides wildland fire response for
fires burning on, or threatening private forestlands paying a Forest Patrol Assessment. There are
some areas within the Greater Sisters WUI that receive dual protection from ODF and the local
Fire Districts because they are located within the rural fire protection district and are also
classified as private forestland within the ODF district. In those cases the fire district provides
initial response and transfers fire command to ODF upon their arrival.
Oregon Department of Forestry provides one Type 6 engine and one hand crew in the Sisters
area, typically June through October. Ten additional engines are available for response in the
Prineville-Sisters unit. Statewide resources are also available to ODF including initial attack
hand crews, dozers, water tenders, helicopters, air tankers, and overhead staff positions,
depending on statewide needs.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
24
USDA Forest Service
The Forest Service provides wildland fire protection on the federal lands within the Greater
Sisters planning area. Working in cooperation with the USDI Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), they are identified as the Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS). COFMS
includes the Deschutes National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest, the Crooked River National
Grassland, and the Prineville District of the BLM. These four units are managed cooperatively
under combined leadership, with an Interagency Fire Management Officer, two Deputy Fire
Management Officers, and a Board of Directors including decision makers from both agencies,
with Forest Service District Rangers and BLM Field Managers. COFMS has a central
dispatching facility in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry that serves as a
Coordination Center for fire and fuels operations, as well as safety and training issues for
COFMS. In total, COFMS provides the following resources: 26 engines, six initial attack hand
crews, six prevention units, two dozers, two water tenders, one Type 3 helicopter, 35 smoke
jumpers, two interagency Hotshot Crews (Redmond & Prineville), one Type 2 helicopter with 20
rappellers, one Type 1 helicopter, Central Oregon Dispatch Center (COIDC), Redmond Air
Center, an air tanker base, a regional fire cache and required overhead staff positions. During fire
season these resources are in high demand and may not always be available.
Law Enforcement
Police services are provided by the Deschutes & Jefferson County Sheriffs’ who have the
responsibility for ensuring the safe and orderly evacuation of a community in the event of a
major emergency. A number of resources have been allocated to accomplish this task including
hi/lo sirens on vehicles; emergency notification via radio and television; reverse 9-1-1 capability;
Sheriff’s Department staff; Fire District staff, Forest Service Law Enforcement and community-
wide volunteers. Any other issues relative to a major emergency are addressed by the
Countywide Disaster Plan and the Deschutes County Department of Emergency Services.
Oregon State Police assists the law enforcement efforts and cooperates with Deschutes and
Jefferson County and Forest Service for protection in the Greater Sisters area.
Community Preparedness
Also under the category of Protection Capabilities, the ODF Assessment of Risk examines a
community’s level of organization and preparedness to respond in an emergency situation. The
assessment considers whether the area has an organized stakeholder group that looks out for its
own area through mitigation efforts, a phone tree, etc., or whether the area receives only outside
efforts such as newsletters, mailings or fire prevention information from other groups. The
Steering Committee used local knowledge to determine the level of preparedness.
Values Protected
These ratings are based on home density per ten acres and community infrastructure such as
power substations, transportation corridors, water and fuel storage, etc.
Based on Deschutes County and tax records from 2013, there are approximately 5,355 structures
in the Greater Sisters planning area, with an estimated real market value of $956,578,119.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
25
Approximately, 350 businesses operate in the Sisters area. If a large wildland fire occurs in this
area, which resulted in the closure of either State Highway 20, 242 or 126, the economic loss to
businesses in Sisters could exceed $500,000 per day, and on the larger impacted area of central
Oregon the loss could exceed $3.5 million per day. The closure of Highway 20 for two weeks
during the B&B Complex fire in 2003 resulted in the loss of $500,000 of daily commerce in
Sisters, which resulted in the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Disaster Loan program.
The essential infrastructure includes multiple webs of utilities, roads, water and a recently added
municipal sewer system and has an approximate replacement value of $275,000 per mile for
electrical transmission lines; $150,000 per mile of electrical distribution lines; and $2 million per
electrical sub-station. Physical loss to roads, water and sewer systems would be minimal
because most are underground or otherwise not flammable.
Structural Vulnerability
In recent years, many neighborhoods in the greater Sisters area have taken steps to decrease the
vulnerability of structures to wildland fire. Although attitudes and behaviors towards fire are
changing thanks to educational programs like FireFree and Firewise, the population growth and
continued development into the wildland urban interface present fresh challenges each year. The
Steering Committee puts high value on the importance of making structures and neighborhoods
in the Greater Sisters Country area as fire safe as possible.
Adequate water resources were not considered in this assessment and are addressed as a priority
item under Action Plan and Implementation.
The following table is a summary of the seven Communities at Risk, the value ratings (with
corresponding scores) and the total scores for each community in each category. The higher the
total score in this assessment, the higher the overall risk. The specific definitions for the point
values in the ODF risk ratings are below.
Risk: Describes the likelihood of a fire occurring based on historical fire occurrence and ignition sources.
Low = 0 – 13 points; Moderate = 14 – 27 points; High = 28 – 40 points.
Hazard: Describes resistance to control once a fire starts based on weather, topography and fuel. Low =
0 – 9 points; Moderate = 10 – 40 points; High = 41 – 60 points; Extreme = 61 – 80 points.
Protection capability: Describes fire protection capability and resources based on type of protection,
response times and community preparedness. Low = 0 – 9 points; Moderate = 10 – 16 points; High = 17
– 40 points. A risk factor of low is the goal for each community.
Values protected: Describes the human and economic values in the community based on home density
per ten acres and community infrastructure such as power substations, transportation corridors, water and
fuel storage, etc. Low = 0 – 15 points; Moderate = 16 – 30 points; High = 31 – 50 points.
Structural vulnerability: Describes the likelihood that structures will be destroyed by wildfire based on
roofing and building materials, defensible space, separation of homes, fire department access and street
signage. Low = 0 – 30 points; Moderate = 31 – 60 points; High = 61 – 90 points.
Total score: A sum of all the points from each category assessed.
26 Greater Sisters Country CWPP
Table 1 – ODF Assessment of Risk
Ci
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Likelihood of fire
occurring
Fire occurrence 20 20 20 20 20 10 20
Ignition risk - home
density 10 5 5 5 5 0 5
Ignition risk - other
factors 8 10 10 10 10 10 10
Total 38 35 35 35 35 20 35
Rating High High High High High Mod High
Hazards
Weather 40 40 40 40 40 40 40
Slope 0 0 3 3 3 3 0
Aspect 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Elevation 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Vegetation 5 15 25 17 18 25 15
Crown fire potential 0 5 5 5 5 2 2
Total 52 67 80 72 73 77 64
Rating Mod High High High High High High
Protection
capabilities
Fire response 0 1 6 3 8 15 0
Community
preparedness 2 1 2 2 2 3 3
Total 2 2 8 5 10 18 3
Rating Low Low Low Low Mod High Low
Values protected
Home density 30 20 15 15 15 2 15
Community
infrastructure 20 20 20 20 20 0 20
Total 50 40 35 35 35 2 35
Rating High High High High High Low High
27 Greater Sisters Country CWPP
Table 1 – ODF Assessment of Risk, continued.
Structural vulnerability
Ci
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Flammable roofing
non wood - 0
wood - 30 1 7 3 3 5 3 3
Defensible space
Meets SB 360 - 0
Non compliant - 30 9 9 12 9 10 15 5
Ingress - egress
Two or more roads - 0 0 0
One road - 7 6 4 2 7 5
Road width
Greater than 24 feet - 0 0
20 - 24 feet - 2 2 2
Less than 20 feet - 4 4 3 3 3
All season road condition
surfaced, < 10% grade - 0 0 0 0 0
surfaced, > 10% grade - 1 1
Non surfaced, <10% grade - 1 2
Non surfaced, >10% grade - 3 3
Other than all season - 4
Street signs
Present - 4" reflective letters -
0 0 0 0
Absent - 5 2 5 4 2
Fire Service Access
< 300 ft. with turnaround - 0 0
> 300 ft. with turnaround - 2 2 1
< 300 ft. w/o turnaround - 4 4 3 3 3
> 300 ft. w/o turnaround - 5
Total 12 29 26 26 27 34 16
Rating Low Low Low Low Low Mod Low
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Table 2 provides a summary of the ODF Assessment of Risk and the total score for each.
Table 2 – ODF Assessment of Risk Summary with Ranking
Likelihood of
fire occurring Hazard
Protection
capability
Values
Protected
Structural
Vulnerability Total Rank
Whychus
Canyon
35
High 80 High 8 Low 35 High 26 Low 184 1
Whychus
Creek
35
High 72 High 5 Low 35 High 26 Low 173 2
Indian Ford
Creek 35 High 67 High 2 Low 40 High 24 Low 168 3
Metolius 35 High 73 High 10
Moderate 35 High 27 Low 180 4
City of
Sisters 38 High 52
Moderate 2 Low 50 High 12 Low 154 5
Fryrear
Butte 35 High 64 High 3 Low 35 High 16 Low 153 6
McKenzie
Canyon
20
Moderate 77 High 18
Moderate 2 Low 34
Moderate 151 7
While the Metolius rating area scored higher than Indian Ford Creek And Whychus Creek in the
ODF Assessment of Risk, due to the large amount of land treated and large fire history, the
Steering Committee agreed that the Whychus Creek and Indian Ford Creek rating areas pose a
greater fire risk to the Greater Sisters Area and thus assigned them a higher priority ranking.
Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of
1997
The Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act, also known as Senate Bill 360,
enlists the aid of property owners toward the goal of turning wildland urban interface properties
into less volatile zones where firefighters may more safely and effectively defend homes from
wildfires. The law requires property owners in identified areas to reduce excess vegetation
around structures and along driveways. In some cases, it is also necessary to create fuel breaks
along property lines and roadsides.
The process of identifying wildland urban interface areas follows steps and definitions described
in Oregon Administrative Rules. Briefly, the identification criteria include:
• Lands within the county that are also inside an Oregon Department of Forestry protection
district.
• Lands that meet the state’s definition of “forestland.”
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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• Lands that meet the definition of “suburban” or “urban”; in some cases, “rural” lands
may be included within a wildland urban interface area for the purpose of maintaining
meaningful, contiguous boundaries.
• Lots that are developed, that are 10 acres in size or smaller, and which are grouped with
other lots with similar characteristics in a minimum density of four structures per 40
acres.
The Oregon Department of Forestry is the agency steward of this program. It supplies
information about the act’s fuel reduction standards to property owners. ODF also mails each of
these property owners a certification card, which may be signed and returned to ODF after the
fuel reduction standards have been met. Certification relieves a property owner from the act’s
fire cost recovery liability. This takes effect on properties that are within a wildland urban
interface area and for which a certification card has not been received by the Department of
Forestry. In these situations, the state of Oregon may seek to recover certain fire suppression
costs from a property owner if a fire originates on the owner's property, the fuel reduction
standards have not been met, and ODF incurs extraordinary suppression costs. The cost-recovery
liability under the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act is capped at $100,000.
The specific recommendations under Senate Bill 360 for private lands are outlined under
Prioritized Hazard Reduction Recommendations and Preferred Treatment Methods in this
CWPP.
The Steering Committee presents the following groups of priorities for consideration under this
CWPP:
Extreme Risk Priority Communities
Whychus Canyon
Whychus Creek
Very High Risk Priority Communities
Indian Ford Creek
Metolius
High Risk Priority Communities
City of Sisters
Fryrear Butte
McKenzie Canyon
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Fire Regime - Condition Class
Fire Regime - Condition Class considers the type of vegetation and the departure from its natural
fire behavior return interval. Five natural (historical) fire regimes are classified based on the
average number of years between fires (fire frequency) combined with the severity of the fire on
dominant overstory vegetation. All five fire regimes are represented on the landscape in the
Greater Sisters Country WUI. Western juniper for example has a fire return interval of
approximately 30 years with high potential for stand replacement fires. Therefore, it falls within
Fire Regime II.
Table 5 summarizes Fire Regimes.
Table 5 – Fire Regimes
Fire Regime Group Fire Frequency Fire Severity Plant Association Group
I 0 – 35 years Low severity Ponderosa pine,
manzanita, bitterbrush
II 0 – 35 years Stand replacement Western juniper
III 35 – 100+ years Mixed severity Mixed conifer dry
IV 35 – 100+ years Stand replacement Lodgepole pine
V > 200 years Stand replacement Western hemlock,
mixed conifer wet
Condition Class categorizes a departure from the natural fire frequency based on ecosystem
attributes. In Condition Class 1, the historical ecosystem attributes are largely intact and
functioning as defined by the historical natural fire regime. In other words, the stand has not
missed a fire cycle. In Condition Class 2, the historical ecosystem attributes have been
moderately altered. Generally, at least one fire cycle has been missed. In Condition Class 3,
historical ecosystem attributes have been significantly altered. Multiple fire cycles have been
missed. The risk of losing key ecosystem components (e.g. native species, large trees, soil) is low
for Class 1, moderate for Class 2, and high for Class 3.
Table 6 summarizes Condition Class.
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Table 6 – Condition Class
Condition Class Attributes
Condition Class 1
§ Fire regimes are within or near an historical range.
§ The risk of losing key ecosystem components is low.
§ Fire frequencies have departed from historical frequencies (either increased or
decreased) by no more than one return interval.
§ Vegetation attributes are intact and functioning within an historical range.
Condition Class 2
§ Fire regimes have been moderately altered from their historical range.
§ The risk of losing key ecosystem components has increased to moderate.
§ Fire frequencies have departed (either increased or decreased) from historical
frequencies by more than one return interval. This change results in moderate
changes to one or more of the following: fire size, frequency, intensity, severity
or landscape patterns.
§ Vegetation attributes have been moderately altered from their historic ranges.
Condition Class 3
§ Fire regimes have been significantly altered from their historical range.
§ The risk of losing key ecosystem components is high.
§ Fire frequencies have departed (either increased or decreased) by multiple
return intervals. This change results in dramatic changes to one or more of the
following: fire size, frequency, intensity, severity, or landscape patterns.
§ Vegetation attributes have been significantly altered from their historic ranges.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Areas of special concern
Critical Transportation Routes
For purposes of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP, the Steering Committee defines Critical
Transportation Routes as:
• all routes necessary for the support of routine flow of commerce to and/or through
the greater Sisters area,
• all routes that could be used for potential evacuation of citizens and/or visitors
from a wildland fire threat to public safety,
• routes needed for emergency ingress and egress to a wildland fire incident, not
including unimproved or “two-track” roads,
• and, all routes needed to protect and support critical infrastructure (power
substations, communication transmission lines, water and fuel storage, public
service facilities, recreation facilities, etc.).
The Steering Committee expressed great concern over the need to identify, develop and protect
critical transportation routes as part of this planning process. A detailed look at specific
ingress/egress issues for each Community at Risk is included under Recommendations to Reduce
Structural Ignitability. This issue is also highlighted under Action Plan and Implementation.
Prioritized Hazard Reduction Recommendations and
Preferred Treatment Methods
The Steering Committee agreed that the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection
Plan is a living tool that can be used for multiple outcomes. The following is an outline of the
prioritized Communities at Risk, as well as preferred treatments and goals for hazardous fuels
reduction under the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Prioritized Communities at Risk
Based on the combined assessment as shown in Table 4 and group consensus, the Steering
Committee has identified the following prioritized Communities at Risk for hazardous fuels
reduction treatments on public and private lands in the Greater Sisters Country WUI:
Extreme Risk Priority Communities
Whychus Canyon
Whychus Creek
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Very High Risk Priority Communities
Indian Ford Creek
Metolius
High Risk Priority Communities
City of Sisters
Fryrear Butte
McKenzie Canyon
Priorities and goals
With critical needs assessed and priority areas listed, the Steering Committee identified the
following goals to meet the Purpose on page 1 of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP:
• Reduce hazardous fuels on public lands
• Reduce hazardous fuels on private lands (both vacant and occupied)
• Reduce structural vulnerability
• Increase education and awareness of wildfire threat
• Identify, improve and protect critical transportation routes
Preferred treatments and goals for hazardous fuels reduction
The overall standard of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP is to decrease the risk of high
intensity wildland fire behavior by reducing and maintaining fuel loads to that which can
produce flame lengths of less than four feet. This enables safe and effective initial attack. The
overall goal is to reduce the potential for crown fires and provide for a healthy, fire resilient
landscape that supports the social, economic and ecological values of Sisters area residents and
visitors. The Steering Committee recognizes the effectiveness and value of maximizing
treatment efforts in areas that are adjacent to federal, state, or private projects and recommends
that future projects consider these benefits when selecting areas for treatment. The following
specific standards are recommended for treatments on public and private lands within the Greater
Sisters Country planning area.
Public lands
Federal lands make up 61% of the Greater Sisters Country planning area and are managed by the
US Forest Service from the Sisters Ranger District and the Bureau of Land Management from
the Prineville District. Each of the seven Communities at Risk is adjacent to public lands.
It is the intent of the Steering Committee that the Greater Sisters Country WUI area is subject to
expedited measures for hazardous fuels treatment and allocation of funds to protect the
Communities at Risk as stipulated by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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The maps in Appendix A detail the WUI boundary throughout the Greater Sisters Country
CWPP area and the individual Communities at Risk calling for protection specifically by
reducing wildland fuel hazards on public lands.
The overall standard for public lands under this CWPP is to decrease the risk of high intensity
wildland fire behavior by reducing and maintaining fuel loads to that which can produce flame
lengths of less than four feet in the areas within the WUI boundary of each Community at Risk.
This buffer will begin at the edge of private lands and extend onto the federal lands to the
designated WUI boundary. This enables safe and effective initial attack. This standard will be
achieved by the federal land management agencies through a variety of treatment methodologies
such as thinning, prescribed burning and mechanical treatments.
Based on the risk assessments, the priorities of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP with regard to
public lands within the WUI are as follows:
§ All areas within the designated WUI boundary beginning with the first ¼ mile
buffer around each Community at Risk utilizing the following priorities:
§ Within 300 feet of any evacuation route from each Community at Risk.
§ All areas beyond the initial ¼ mile of each prioritized Community at Risk above, in
¼ mile increments until the WUI boundary is reached.
§ For mixed conifer and lodgepole stands which have missed typical fire cycles and
still pose threats of potential crown fires to communities, specific fuels treatments
shall be accomplished on federal and state lands to reduce and maintain fuel loads
to that which can produce flame lengths of less than four feet to provide for
effective initial attack and minimize the resistance to control.
§ Although the treatments should focus on areas rated Extreme Risk Priority
Communities, maintenance of previously treated lands is also a top priority where
treatment is critical to maintain this status within the CWPP area. Treatment and
maintenance of previously treated lands before treatment begins again in other
places is an important component of keeping communities safe.
In general, the dominant strategy in all areas should be thinning from below, in an effort to
restore large tree, open park-like ponderosa pine dominated forests. In exclusively lodgepole
pine and mixed conifer stands where site conditions are favorable to ponderosa pine, intensive
thinning should occur with a reforestation strategy to restore a proper ratio, as determined by the
agency, of lodgepole or mixed conifer to ponderosa pine. Excessive dead/down fuels should be
removed followed by understory maintenance.
The Steering Committee also encourages federal land managers to work with local landowners to
minimize road closures that could be used as alternate evacuation routes from Communities at
Risk.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
35
Private and county owned lands
Private lands make up 37% of the area in the planning area. The County owns only 1% of the
land in this planning area. The Steering Committee recommends that County owned lands be
treated in the same manner as privately owned lands.
Private lands with structural improvements
On private lands with structural improvements, the goal is for each structure to meet the specific
standards for classified lands as identified in the Oregon Forestland – Urban Interface Fire
Protection Act of 1997, also known as Senate Bill 360. This statute outlines standards and
requirements for defensible space on private property that receives fire protection from Oregon
Department of Forestry. The Oregon Department of Forestry provides wildland fire protection in
the Greater Sisters Country planning area and the Steering Committee supports the goals and
standards of Senate Bill 360. The Steering Committee agreed that the required standards under
each classification from Senate Bill 360 are the goal to achieve on private and county owned
lands throughout the Greater Sisters Country WUI.
A detailed description of the standards is available from the Oregon Department of Forestry in
the handbook for the Oregon Forestland – Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997. This
information is also available at www.oregon.gov/ODF/fire/SB360.
The Default Standards under the Oregon Forestland – Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of
1997 are:
• Establish a primary fuel break of 30-100 feet around structures;
• Create fuel breaks around driveways longer than 150 feet;
• Remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys;
• Remove any dead vegetation that overhangs a roof;
• Remove flammable materials from under decks and stairways;
• Move firewood 30 feet away from structures;
Property owners can also achieve the Senate Bill 360 standards by taking advantage of FireFree
and Firewise suggestions to create and/or maintain defensible space, a fire-resistant buffer that
allows for effective first-response firefighting and a significantly reduced risk of the spread of
fire. These national education programs promote a variety of fire safe actions to help prevent the
spread of fire to protect individual homes and neighborhoods. Information about these programs
can be found at www.firefree.org and www.firewise.org. More information is also listed in this
plan under Recommendations to Reduce Structural Vulnerability.
Vacant lots
Within the Greater Sisters Country WUI, approximately 20% of the private lots are considered
vacant, or lots with no structural improvements. Many of those lots are owned by “absentee
owners”. In general, vacant lots owned by absentee owners present a specific threat to
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
36
neighborhoods in that owners have little to no connections to the neighborhoods and in most
cases do not recognize their responsibility to contribute to the safety of the entire neighborhood
by reducing the hazardous vegetation on their properties. The risk of destructive wildland fires is
thereby greater inside these neighborhoods due to the lack of owner attention on vacant lots.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Recommendations to Reduce Home Ignitability
Structural Ignitability
Based on the assessment of structural vulnerability for the ODF Assessment of Risk, Table 7
provides recommendations for property owners to reduce their homes probability of igniting.
Adequate water resources for fire suppression were not considered as part of this assessment.
This topic is addressed under Action Plan and Implementation
Table 7 – Recommendations to Reduce Structural Ignitability
þ How can I reduce my home’s probability of igniting?
q Increase Homeowner education with programs such as, FireFree, Firewise, Senate
Bill 360
q Establish additional evacuation routes, sign & maintain evacuation routes
q Identify, upgrade and maintain any roads <20 feet in width
q
Produce & install reflective signs for any non-reflective that may exist
q
Maintain fuel reduction projects annually
q Re-apply for Firewise annually, if applicable
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Table 8 provides a checklist for residents seeking to reduce the risk of catastrophic losses to their
homes and properties. The list is compiled from tips and suggestions from the FireFree and
Firewise programs, which promote homeowner responsibility for reducing fire hazards on their
property. The Steering Committee approves this combined checklist. More information about
these programs can be found at www.firefree.org and www.firewise.org.
Table 8 – Defensible Space Checklist
þ What can I do to help prevent losses to my property and my neighborhood?
q If you are interested in a free home assessment – call you local Fire Agency
q Post easy-to-read address signs so emergency crews can find your home.
q Reduce the density of nearby trees.
q Clear wood piles and building materials at least 30 feet away from your home.
q Remove low tree branches and shrubs. Trim up juniper and other trees at least 4 feet from
the ground. Remove “ladder fuels” among trees.
q Keep grass and weeds cut low.
q Remove all branches and limbs that overhang roofs.
q Remove leaves & needles from gutters, roofs and decks.
q Remove dead plants and brush.
q Maintain 30-100 feet of defensible space around your home.
q Screen vents and areas under decks with 1/8” metal mesh or fire resistant siding.
q Keep decks free of flammable lawn furniture, toys, doormats, etc.
q Choose fire-resistant roofing materials like metal, tile or composition shingles.
q Trim vegetation along driveways a minimum distance of 14’ wide x 14’ high for fire
trucks.
q Choose fire resistive plants. Visit www.extension.oregonstate.edu/deschutes to view
Fire-Resistant Plants for the Home Landscape.
q Use alternatives to burning debris like composting or chipping.
q If burning debris outside city limits – call the Burn Line at your local Fire District to see if
burning is allowed. Do not burn building materials.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Other Recommendations
Education
As stated in the Purpose of the Greater Sisters Country CWPP, three of the goals for this
planning effort are to:
• Instill a sense of personal responsibility for taking preventative actions regarding
wildland fire,
• Increase public understanding of living in a fire-adapted ecosystem, and
• Increase the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildland
fires.
With these goals in mind, education and outreach are top priorities for the Greater Sisters
Country CWPP. The rapid influx of new residents is just one reason the Steering Committee
places high value on the education of Sisters area residents and landowners. Many new residents
are unfamiliar with wildland fire and have limited experience with issues like defensible space.
Residents and visitors will continue to benefit from clear examples of what a fire resilient forest
and community look like as well as easy access to resources that help them take action.
There are several opportunities to enhance educational efforts in the Greater Sisters area. All fire
districts, the US Forest Service and BLM, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Central
Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative and Project Wildfire all provide wildland fire prevention
programs through a variety of individual and collaborative efforts. The City of Sisters is
working with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce to develop wildfire awareness and
prevention information to place on the websites for both organizations.
Some neighborhoods in the Greater Sisters area are well organized through homeowners
associations and other groups. These groups provide valuable ongoing education to their
populations about the risks of catastrophic wildland fire and ways to improve their protection.
The Steering Committee supports these groups and encourages their formation in the Sisters area
to address the educational needs of current and incoming residents about living in a fire adapted
environment and increasing personal responsibility for creating defensible space.
The Steering Committee also recommends support for projects that enhance a community’s
ability to communicate necessary information in the event of a wildfire. Programs that develop
and maintain neighborhood phone trees or communication lists that identify neighbors who may
need additional assistance during an evacuation are encouraged.
Utilizing the information in Tables 7 and 8, property owners are strongly encouraged to learn
more about how they can reduce the hazards on their own property. Local residents are
encouraged to contact their local fire department for information. Residents may also find
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
40
additional information on how they can reduce hazards and protect themselves at
www.firefree.org and www.firewise.org.
Action Plan and Implementation
The Steering Committee recognizes that the Greater Sisters Country CWPP is a living tool with
multiple applications. The following priority actions are intended to assist individuals and
agencies in the implementation of this CWPP across the Greater Sisters Country.
Priorities
Identify, Improve and Protect Critical Transportation Routes
The Steering Committee will work with the fire districts, the City of Sisters, Deschutes County,
and Oregon Department of Transportation to identify and map existing transportation and
evacuation routes in each Community at Risk. The Steering Committee will assist in conducting
further assessments to determine the evacuation needs of each Community at Risk and identify
potential projects developing new routes and/or improving existing routes. A few areas a specific
concern the Steering Committee identified are: the access to north of Wizard Falls, access to both
Edgington and Remuda sub-divisions, and ladder fuel reduction needs to be completed
surrounding vital communication sites and other infrastructure within the Greater Sisters Area.
The Steering Committee identified two lots surrounding Sisters High School that they agree pose
a fire risk to critical infrastructure. They recommend the lots be thinned to reduce fire risk.
The Steering Committee encourages discussions with fire agencies and local landowners that
address the issue presented when effective evacuation from an area is not available. Utilizing the
2009 Interagency Evacuation Guidelines, the Steering Committee will facilitate discussions to
consider whether “sheltering in place” and safe staging areas are an option. The Forest Service
will continue to closely consider all critical transportation routes during the planning and
implementation stages on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as identified on page 6
of this document.
The Steering Committee will continue to encourage federal land managers to work with local
landowners to minimize closures of roads that could be used as alternate evacuation routes from
Communities at Risk.
Reduce hazardous fuels on public lands
Immediately following the acceptance and signed approval of this plan, Project Wildfire will
have the 2014 Greater Sisters Country CWPP available to all federal and state land managers
including the Deschutes National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon
Department of Forestry. The intention of the Steering Committee is to engage in continued
discussions with the Sisters community and adjacent landowners to implement the CWPP and
accomplish hazardous fuels reduction projects that address the prioritized Communities at Risk
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
41
in the most expeditious manner possible. The Steering Committee recognizes the effectiveness
and value of maximizing treatment efforts in areas that are adjacent to federal, state or private
projects and recommends that future projects consider these benefits when selecting areas for
treatment.
Reduce hazardous fuels on private lands
The intention of the Steering Committee is to engage in continued discussions with landowners
to facilitate fuels reduction projects on private lands utilizing the list of prioritized Communities
at Risk. These actions can be accomplished through education activities or grants for specific
projects on private lands. The Steering Committee identified the subdivisions surrounding
Edgington & Remuda Roads as being areas that should be first priority for fuel reduction.
The Steering Committee would like to promote Sweat Equity projects throughout the Greater
Sisters Area. These will be projects that place the responsibility on the individual to perform
ladder fuel reduction on their property. After the fuel has been removed the County will offer
haul away or chipping of the material. This program allows for assistance in defensible space
creation but empowers the homeowner with education.
Reduce Structural Vulnerability
The Steering Committee is charged with the task of engaging community members to review the
Structural Vulnerability Assessment in this CWPP and identify projects that will strengthen the
potential for the neighborhoods to survive a catastrophic wildland fire within the Greater Sisters
Country WUI. Tables 7 and 8 can be utilized as a resource for homeowners to improve the fire
resistance of their homes on an individual basis and also by groups to implement education
programs in the individual sub regions.
The Steering Committee is also charged with the task of working with the fire districts to identify
and assess the water resources available for fire suppression in the Communities at Risk. The
Steering Committee will make recommendations for projects to ensure adequate water resources
are available for fire suppression.
Increase Awareness and Education
The Steering Committee will work with the fire districts and Project Wildfire to review the
educational programs available and identify potential projects for implementation in those
Communities at Risk that do not already participate in fire prevention education activities.
Fund Projects
The Steering Committee will encourage and assist community groups in seeking funding for
fuels reduction, educational, and other projects to decrease overall risks of loss from wildland
fire.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
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Evaluation and Monitoring
The Steering Committee faced a complex task in the comprehensive revision of the Greater
Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Implementing and sustaining these efforts
will require a significant commitment. Building a collaborative and cooperative environment
with the fire districts, community-based organizations, local government, and the public land
management agencies has been the first step in reducing the risk of loss from wildland fire. The
Steering Committee pledges to maintain this cooperation with the public over the long-term with
the commitment of all the partners involved.
At a minimum, the Steering Committee shall include: the Program Coordinator from Project
Wildfire; a Chief Officer from each fire district; a representative from Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODF); a representative from Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS), the
City of Sisters and Deschutes County along with members of the Sisters area public.
The Steering Committee agrees that the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection
Plan will be a living document, intended to promote fuels reduction, educational, and other
projects to decrease overall risks of loss from wildland fire; revisited at least annually and
revised every five years in order to address its purpose.
Sisters – Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District will work with Project Wildfire to
convene the Steering Committee at least once per year, or as often as the Steering Committee
deems necessary to implement and review the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire
Protection Plan. Topics for discussion can include:
• Identification and assessment of new or treated risks.
• Evaluation and tracking of progress toward goals.
• Updating of maps.
• Adoption of new and/or revised priorities.
• Identification of specific projects.
• Discussion of grant opportunities and determination of projects eligible for
funding.
• Writing of grants.
• Identification of appropriate projects to address additional items as
outlined in the Action Plan for Structural Vulnerability, Education and
Critical Transportation Routes.
• Coordination of additional items, projects and assessments.
Greater Sisters Country CWPP
43
The Sisters – Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and Project Wildfire will ensure that
the evaluation and monitoring activities listed above are addressed by the Steering Committee
each year. As members of the Steering Committee change, Project Wildfire will ensure that it
maintains a balanced representation of agency and public members, with a continued focus on
inviting interested parties to participate in the review and planning process.