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Home My WebLink About3.3 ITEM 3.3 TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS September 3, 2015 Staff Report to the Planning Commission SUBJECT: REVIEW THE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS WILDLAND- URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA MAP; FILE#395-14-MISC FROM: Steve Padovan, Consultant Planner br APPROVED: Suzanne Avila, AICP, Planning Director RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission: 1. Discuss the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps created by CALFIRE, existing state laws regarding fire codes and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Areas, existing fire prevention regulations in the Municipal Code; 2. Review the four WUI Fire Area Map boundary options that resulted from the three Planning Commission Subcommittee meetings; and 3. Direct staff to return to the Commission with a final draft of an amended WUI map boundary or select an existing WUI map option and direct staff to draft a resolution with a recommendation to the City Council to adopt that specific WUI map option. BACKGROUND In 2011, the Town adopted a WUI Fire Area Map (Attachment 1) in conjunction with the adoption of the 2010 California Building Code Update. The WUI map was developed by the Loa Altos Hills County Fire District in consultation with Town officials and the Santa Clara County Fire Department. According to the Fire District representative, the boundary was determined based on the types of plants and fuel loads on properties throughout Town, topography, road access, open space areas and density of development. Any new structure within a WUI designation must comply with additional building code requirements for exterior fire protection which typically results in additional construction costs. In January 2014, the Town initiated the process of adopting the 2013 California Building Code (CBC). During the review process, the boundary line delineating which properties are within the designated WUI Fire Area was brought into question. The concerns centered on the inconsistencies between the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps adopted by the state and the existing WUI map and the additional costs and/or design changes that apply to properties within the WUI Fire Area. At the March 20, 2014 City Council meeting, the Council agreed that any modifications to the WUI Fire Area map should be done separately from the proposed building code amendments due to the process by which the map is amended. Following adoption of the 2013 Code and associated amendments, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to form a subcommittee to work with staff, the Fire District and the Fire Department to consider revisions to the existing WUI map. Staff Report to the Planning Commission WUI Map Update September 3,2015 Page 2 of 4 In early 2015, the Planning Commission formed a WUI Map Update subcommittee with Commissioners Abraham and Couperus. The subcommittee met with staff, representatives of the Fire District and Fire Department representatives on March 18, April 22 and June 5, 2015 to discuss a variety of issues (see agendas under Attachment 2). These meetings were open to the public but were not posted or advertised. Each Commissioner and representative provided information to support their argument for modifying the existing WUI map boundary or retaining the original map. However, a consensus could not be reached and at the final meeting on June 5, 2015, staff presented the subcommittee with four WUI map boundary options. It was agreed that the four options would be brought forward to the Planning Commission for consideration. DISCUSSION The four options for the proposed WUI Fire Area Map boundary are as follows: 1. Eliminate the WUI map (Attachment 3) — Commissioner Abraham recommendation. There are no Very High fire hazard areas in Town, as designated by the state, and the state law was meant to address Very High fire hazard areas. In addition, the cost to comply with WUI requirements is high (up to $50,000 on a new house based on data from local home builders) and the fire risk in Town is low because the Town does not experience the type of winds that are associated with large wildfires (Diablo winds, Santa Ana winds, etc.). Furthermore, the Town maintains strong local codes for defensible space and the WUI designation increases fire insurance rates while decreasing availability. 2. Retain the existing map with the current boundary (Attachment 4) —Fire Department and Fire District recommendation. The Fire Department feels that the fuel loads in Town and the terrain justify the current boundary (see Attachment 5). Access for fire equipment is challenging in many areas with narrow roads and the burning embers spread fires some distance from the main fire. Therefore, the wildland-urban interface area should be large to protect a greater number of structures. This view is also supported by the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan for California (Attachment 6). 3. Utilize Interstate 280 as the WUI map boundary and include the Old Page Mill Road area (Attachment 7)—Fire District Alternate Proposal. I-280 forms a large defensible fire line and most of the area to the west is designated as High fire hazard. The fire station is located near the freeway and equipment from other jurisdictions can be brought quickly to help defend the fire line. 4. I-280/El Monte/Altamont/Black Mountain/Natoma/ElenalI-280/Page Mill Road (Attachment 8) — Staff Proposal. This option includes most of the areas west of I-280 that are in High fire hazard areas and the boundary follows roads generally located along ridgelines that are adequate in width to support emergency vehicle access. The area within the WUI designation forms a band roughly 3/4 to one mile wide between the Town limits and the WUI boundary. The general assumption is that a wildfire would begin in the open space areas to the west and then winds would blow embers toward the Town. Staff Report to the Planning Commission WUI Map Update September 3,2015 Page 3 of 4 State Laws and Fire Hazard Maps The state laws relating to wildland fire hazards (Attachment 9) require that all areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (on maps developed by CALFIRE) be designated as a WUI Fire Area (see Attachment 10 for maps of west Santa Clara County). These maps are divided into State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). The LRA maps are lands within incorporated city limits and are recommended areas that each local jurisdiction should place within its own adopted WUI Fire Area Map. In addition, the 2013 California Fire Code also allows each enforcing agency to include other areas deemed to be at a significant risk from wildfires to be included in the WUI fire area. Each local jurisdiction abutting the open space lands on the west side of Santa Clara County has adopted a WUI fire area map that encompasses the CALFIRE designated Very High fire hazard zones and some also include areas that are listed as High fire hazard zones (Attachment 11). However, Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills are the only jurisdictions with no areas designated as Very High fire hazard and it appears that only Los Altos Hills includes areas with no fire hazard designation within its adopted WUI fire area map (Attachment 12). Local Codes The Town has extensive existing local codes for fire prevention which require a "Class A" roof on all new structures and include clearance of brush and vegetative growth throughout the entire Town limits (Attachment 13). The maintenance of defensible space around a home and a fire resistant roof are known to be very effective at preventing the spread of fires from embers and help to slow the spread of fires between properties. PUBLIC COMMENT Staff received public comment at the subcommittee meetings regarding wildfire risks and cost benefit analysis. These comments are included under Attachment 14. CEQA STATUS The proposed map revision is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to "general exemptions" described in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, since.the map amendment would not have any significant effect on the environment. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2011 Adopted Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area Map 2. Subcommittee Agendas for March 18, April 22, and June 17, 2015 3. WUI Map Option 1 —Eliminate WUI Map 4. WUI Map Option 2—Retain Existing Map 5. Fire Department Justification Letter 6. 2010 Strategic Fire Plan for California Staff Report to the Planning Commission WUI Map Update September 3,2015 Page 4 of 4 7. WUI Map Option 3 —Interstate 280 Boundary Line 8. WUI Map Option 4—Staffs Proposal 9. State Laws Related to Wildland Fire Hazards and WUI 10. CALFIRE State Fire Hazard Severity Zones (SRA and LRA) 11. WUI Maps from Local Jurisdictions in West County 12. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Los Altos Hills 13. Excerpts from Town Municipal Code 14. Public Comments from Bill Balson Town of Los Altos gaffs ATTACHMENT 1 SSanta Clara County Fire cDepartment 1 � r,ctha7ul,1,2008 s�40`"� y�� CJ`p:rp� vgCj� �ij _.� o_eo pa I Ili Dir/.C., ci a ��PCc �aIoavo� 'Vair,.�c' O oo a d► oe. et �000•p' A-O�r .c0-■7�SGiG' dam'■ P.'.�a�lC ,,, G ri.�dC� _ b- D .. Oe•vooecY4 rOd�. 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"+. aD4 /';+?I d cQ� D�a.� .7;164aetkts.p.0 C ..p�,-`:aCt.bdQ e o vO�'4�p0 .e`'>vi c+.:o q---.$%.1e4,.."..,:.10.4. o 0:�■r p:«- 4D .c' c o Q' .�. o v.e■a e- �.0 o igt.,- e e dp\d .�,D v�o---0' t ae:7o- o. ar 0 bpd ��'�GeO 0'e,�<�"�� D v�o � o e eo ePp '�:!o' /�O 4 O°t� G a v G % "�D e.v Lam,e. ♦4• G O c` .e `�eo\ O Q 4 e �' 'id� G ��-otiZ�P vp;a aiCaPe�:'3c eeo�0a A*i f-44:1 4 4' .q oe a 0. c aC o oe 1 0' �-.:..1V-...,:b" o�..o e7 4 �oo�;0 PQGi:o-•Ga e-oD7 A. oa, �or a'�c� .� ...o. a �+ s 'near f�`'.iape.-,'S,,,x.Aet4 4GOlS�oo�WQD`. C`4e4,�:oano DOGG:a �.c,._.P G 70 4 ;.. d�1o�0 _e......!%• :r c.4�iw�.•�:'�,q�aeh�QG - c^.' QO�j ".far �013,....,:....4„., C ♦.D '- s < 71tl, 6C eo '0 O C-�+` .:.`'e DOS ..... D► c �O yYb AQaa O,ba�a -ie$e �� `- C1 rfirci o a vel woe ee a pOp o��-' ►,�_ 4 7z►. PO oe�f�se�� eD� <<►�e Vii i■ka g0 10.rve% ATTACHMENT 2 PLANNING COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE WUI MAP UPDATE Los Altos Hills Town Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road March 18, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order .. 3:00 p.m. 2. Introductions 3. Discuss Subcommittee Format/Procedures for WUI Map Update 4. Review Existing State and Local Regulations 5. Review Adopted State Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map and Los Altos Hills WUI Map 6. Discuss Previous Criteria used to Develop 2008 WUI Map 7. Develop Criteria for Updated Map 8. Next Steps 9. Adjourn 4:45 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE WUI MAP UPDATE Los Altos Hills Town Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road April 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order .. 3:00 p.m. 2. Introductions 3. Review and Discuss Maps Showing Existing Features and Physical Characteristics 4. Cost/benefit Analysis Discussion 5. Next Steps 6. Adjourn - 4:30 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE WUI MAP UPDATE Los Altos Hills Town Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road June 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order . 3:00 p.m. 2. Introductions 3. Discuss Contractor Data on Costs and Materials Associated with WUI Compliance Contacted 6 Builders that do work in Town - Most expensive upgrade is typically the glazing-20% more for WUI Compliant and up to half the cost of compliance with WUI - For typical large new home in LAH—$20k to $50k in additional costs depending on the design of the home- approximately 2% of the cost of construction at the high end - Generally not a topic of discussion with owners as long as they are told upfront about the added costs - Stucco exterior with reduced glazing and protected balconies reduces compliance costs—design choices by the owner are the biggest contributor to increased WUI compliance costs - Numerous products are available that are WUI compliant and not excessive in cost - WUI only applies to new structures and not additions. It doesn't make sense to have only part of a structure be fire resistant. 4. Discuss Cost/Benefit and Risk Assessment - Definition of Cost/Benefit Analysis from the web - A process by which business decisions are analyzed. The benefits of a given situation or business-related action are summed and then the costs associated with taking that action are subtracted. - Government regulation related to public safety and protection of property can impose added costs—the benefit is that the rules may save lives and structures, reduce insurance losses, reduce personal loss of property, and reduce the cost of fighting the fire in the future. - The WUI regulations in the State Building Code represent a cost/benefit analysis already done by the State in that the new regulations were designed to be effective in reducing some wildland fire risks while not imposing overly burdensome costs on property owners. - Each owner makes a cost/benefit decision based on the type of materials they choose when designing their building. - The Town,already imposes a Class A roof on all new structures or reroofs and brush clearance and maintenance applies to all properties in Town. Phone conversation with a broker at Allstate (Roger) - Risk Assessment is used by the Insurance business to determine whether or not to provide insurance and at what cost. - Insurers look at historical data, fire hazard maps, exterior materials, etc. to determine whether or not to insure a property and the annual premium to charge - Insurers will generally not provide fire insurance on a property that is in a very high fire hazard area unless the government provides some financial backstop. LAH is not one of those areas. The fire risk is generally low in the Town. 5. Review and Discuss the WUI Map Options 6. Next Steps 7. Adjourn 4:30 p.m. Town of Los Altos Wilts ATTACHMENT 3 NE INSTITUTIONAL 4 j iiiii OPEN SPACE PRESERVE M011W RECREATION AREA-PUBLIC RECREATION AREA-PRIVATE A • iiii ® OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION AREA � a. S WITHIN WUI Mi - , - / . ,./ iiii, - , 1, 1 _ . . ,.? \ r.A• ,, ?t,.. ..0,. ) i - \ : --1 . 1 -\ ,_.„, ,, ., _v, i • t „, ._ .. , _ � w IlEc ,_.:=1 , , ,. to ) (.\ : ''' '74' -- . -.-, �, � ; im” ..-k , v jo---4411-itt. - - _____ .-..).---Aopp.s. ,..______-- . . . ' IP" sAlk< 41p\ ''P:. • \I-41114s.i6; .. ., . , , ,--‘ ___ , ,, .., , ..„ _ ,._ ,...._, A e Air 114 . OPTION 1 - COMMISSIONER ABRAHAM'S PROPOSAL FOR WUI BOUNDARY crown of Los Altos Has ATTACHMENT 4 INSTITUTIONAL IMI OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MitRECREATION AREA-PUBLIC i \..4i _— RECREATION AREA-PRIVATE ® OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION AREA /f ,� -{ -- ® WITHIN WUI - . T ............_ \i i , \ \ Q1T.ie , * 11( I \ ? rCiek- .� 1I . ' - ') , , 1*. . '' 1 ftf -'--', - --: t`: ---- Niiii. cr'''V .-NA..",_ , \, 1111111111M116\ \ -... ‹.....t.- ,..C'' A.-.. .I ! ww. - r i, ,.._, .., . \, . OPTION 2 - EXISTING WUI BOUNDARY LAH WUI BOUNDARY MAP PROPOSAL ATTACHMENT 5 After reviewing the proposed WUI maps, I believe the best option is to keep the current WUI boundary map. East of 280 The area east of 280 contains significant WUI risk. There is heavy fuel loading and terrain features that can contribute to a large wildland fire. In addition, access to many of the structures is challenging. Most of the "fire breaks" consist of a sixteen to twenty foot road. In many cases the tree canopy covers the road creating continuous fuels from one area to another. Staffs Proposal Again, there is heavy, contiguous fuel loading in the proposed Staff WUI map. There is little or no discernible difference in fuels or terrain between the WUI area and the proposed exclusion (see photo). The terrain has many chutes, draws,valleys, and drainages that affect fire behavior. Access for fire equipment and evacuees is challenging in these areas. Additionally, spot fires, ember cast, ember showers and ember storms risk catching structures on fire some distance from the main fire. It is not uncommon to have quarter mile spotting from a fire. Most structures are lost because of embers. .> . t., , r • �. ... •'` b. .` ^ .--•. -� _. Com. . c•� 1 LAH WUI BOUNDARY MAP PROPOSAL cont.. Jitze's Proposal All of the previous concerns apply to this WUI boundary proposal with one addition. It is challenging to try and develop sophisticated maps where one street or area is included and the next one is not. As stated before, fires regularly spot and cast embers a quarter mile away. If the excluded properties are allowed to build with combustible materials in the same general area or intermingled with those that are restricted in the WUI zone the net benefit of the WUI designation will be lost. In addition, fire control lines do not follow WUI boundary maps. The fire,terrain, fuels, resources,weather and natural or man-made breaks will determine the fire's control line. Steve Padovan • From: John Justice [john.justice@sccfd.org] Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 9:58 AM To: Steve Padovan Subject: Documents Attachments: StrategicFirePlan_June2010_06-04.pdf Hi Steve, For you and the WUI map group, attached is the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan California. I am unaware of any updates to the plan. For informational purposes,the CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit(encompasses Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and portions of Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties) has a 2015 Strategic Fire Plan that should be available in another month or so. Another tidbit, is CAL FIRE considers Los Altos Hills is one of the identified communities at risk to wildfire in the State. When this latest Unit Strategic Fire Plan is finalized we can discuss it. 90/4/4 Padriee Deputy Chief/ Fire Prevention Santa Clara County Fire Department Office: 408.341.4440 Cell: 408.896.6878 1 ATTACHMENT 6 2010 STRATEGIC FIRE PLAN FOR CALIFORNIA A vision for a natural environment that is more resilient and man-made assets which are more resistant to the occurrence and effects of wildland fire through local, state, federal and private partnerships. cps CACipao tS, ,....Y410 .A% .'s.? ASO �4STRY AND F. STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Governor NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY LESTER A. SNOW, Secretary STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION Members STAN L. DIXON, Chair PAM GIACOMINI, Vice Chair MARK ANDRE LLOYD BRADSHAW GARY NAKAMURA JAMES OSTROWSKI DR. DOUGLAS PIIRTO BRUCE SAITO THOMAS WALZ CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION DEL WALTERS, Director June 2010 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FIRE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Pam Giacomini Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Co-Chair Ken Pimlott CAL FIRE, Co-Chair Mark Stanley CAL FIRE (Retired), Co-Chair Dean Cromwell CAL FIRE Todd Ferrara Natural Resources Agency George Gentry Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Ed Hollenshead USDA Forest Service Max Moritz University of California, Berkeley Deanna Spehn Senator Christine Kehoe's Office Kate Dargan CAL FIRE Tonya Hoover CAL FIRE Frank Stewart California Fire Safe Council Duane Fry Shasta County Fire Chief/Redding Fire Chief (Retired) Frank Vidales Los Angeles County Fire Department Kevin O'Meara CDF Firefighters Russ Henly CAL FIRE Sass Barton CAL FIRE Rich Strazzo CAL FIRE Chris Zimny CAL FIRE CONTRIBUTORS Christine Kehoe California State Senate, 39th District Gary Nakamura Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Thomas Walz Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Janet Barentson CAL FIRE Loren Snell CAL FIRE Andy McMurry CAL FIRE Sheldon Gilbert California Fire Chiefs Association John Todd Los Angeles County Fire Department Phyllis Banducci CAL FIRE Wayne Mitchell CAL FIRE Rachel Smith University of California, Berkeley June 2010 ii State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 3 Setting the Stage 5 Moving Forward 9 Vision 11 Goals and Objectives 11 Appendix A: Priority Objectives for 2010-2012 A-1 Appendix B: Review of the 1996 California Fire Plan B-1 Appendix C: Board Workshop 2008 C-1 Appendix D: 2010 Fire Plan Steering Committee D-1 Appendix E: Glossary E-1 June 2010 iii State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2010 Strategic Fire Plan is a strikingly different fire plan than those developed in the past. This Plan recognizes that fire will occur in California and works to answer the question of "how do we utilize and live with that risk of wildfire?" We believe the vision, goals and objectives lead us to that answer. These, in combination and through implementation, will create a state that is more resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of catastrophic wildfire while recognizing fire's beneficial aspects. This is the first statewide fire plan developed in concert between the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The Board consulted a group of outside experts to complete a needs assessment and subsequently formed the Fire Plan Steering Committee. This Committee worked for over a year preparing this document. The 2010 Strategic Fire Plan builds upon the concept first developed in the 1996 California Fire Plan, which led to collaborative efforts in fire prevention. You will see an incredible amount of planning and collaboration in the goals and objectives. We believe that these efforts will lead to communities doing the best work for fuels reduction and fire safety. For a summary of the review of the 1996 California Fire Plan, see Appendix B. This is the first time a fire plan has ever been released for public review and comment during development. Significant changes were included as a result of the excellent input from many stakeholders. The process does not stop with release of this document. The 2010 Strategic Fire Plan is a living document. The CAL FIRE priorities identified in Appendix A, for example, will evolve over time as statewide initiatives and availability of funds and staffing levels change. The 2010 Strategic Fire Plan is written so that each goal builds upon the previous one. Over time, each supporting objective will have measurement criteria to evaluate accomplishments and related effectiveness. Measurement criteria for these can be found in Appendix A. As you read the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan, please start with the chapter "Setting the Stage," which lays out the current scenario in California and our diverse landscapes. This forms the basis for the vision, goals and policies that are the foundation for this Plan. June 2010 1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Vision A natural environment that is more resilient and man-made assets which are more resistant to the occurrence and effects of wildland fire through local, state, federal and private partnerships. Goals as Summarized The central goals that are critical to reducing and preventing the impacts of fire revolve around both suppression efforts and fire prevention efforts. Major components are: ❑ Improved availability and use of information on hazard and risk assessment ❑ Land use planning: including general plans, new development, and existing developments ❑ Shared vision among communities and the multiple fire protection jurisdictions, including county-based plans and community-based plans such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) ❑ Establishing fire resistance in assets at risk, such as homes and neighborhoods ❑ Shared vision among multiple fire protection jurisdictions and agencies ❑ Levels of fire suppression and related services ❑ Post fire recovery Policies Supporting the Objectives The central policies that are critical to reducing and preventing the impacts of fire revolve around both suppression efforts and fire prevention efforts. Major policy components are: ❑ Land use planning that ensures increased fire safety for new development ❑ Creation of defensible space for survivability of established homes and neighborhoods ❑ Improving fire resistance of homes and � ` : y other constructed assets / ❑ Fuel hazard reduction that creates resilient landscapes and protects the wildland and natural resource values ❑ Adequate and appropriate levels of wildland fire suppression and related Collaborators viewing Fuelbreak in services Fresno County. ❑ Commitment by individuals and communities to wildfire prevention and protection through local fire planning June 2010 2 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION The Board is a Governor-appointed body, whose members are appointed based on their professional and educational qualifications and their general knowledge or interest in watershed management, forest management, fish and wildlife, range improvement, forest economics or land use policy. Of the Board's nine members, five are representatives from the general public, three are from the forest products industry and one member is from the range-livestock industry. comora •t— State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. The mission of the Board is to lead California in developing policies and programs that serve the public interest in environmentally, economically, socially sustainable forest and rangeland management, and a fire protection system that protects and serves the people of the state. Its statutory responsibilities are to: 1. Establish and administer forest and rangeland policy for the State of California, and 2. Protect and represent the state's interest in all forestry and rangeland matters, and 3. Provide direction and guidance to CAL FIRE on fire protection and resource management, and 4. Accomplish a comprehensive regulatory program for forestry and fire protection, and 5. Conduct its duties to inform and respond to the people of the State of California. In concert with the mission of the Board, the mission of CAL FIRE is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California. The Board is responsible for developing the general forest policy of the state, for determining the guiding policies of the Department, and for representing the state's interest in the management of federal land in California. The Department is the entity that implements the Board's policies and regulations. The Board is a part of the Department and, together, they work to carry out the mandates of the Governor and the Legislature to protect and enhance the state's unique forest, wildland and watershed resources. June 2010 3 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan To carry out these responsibilities, the Board engages in a strategic planning process which defines and communicates the Board's guiding values and priorities, directing resources to the most important issues. It also defines both the Board's and the Department's vision, and how performance is to be measured and reported. One element of this planning process is the development of a strategic fire plan, which forms the basis for assessing California's complex and dynamic natural and man-made environment, and identifies a variety of actions to minimize the negative effects of wildland fire. Public Resources Code §4114 and §4130 authorize the Board to establish a fire plan which, among other things, establishes the levels of statewide fire protection services for State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands. These levels of service recognize other fire protection resources at the federal and local level that collectively provide a regional and statewide emergency response capability. In addition, California's integrated mutual aid fire protection system provides fire protection services through automatic and mutual aid agreements for fire incidents across all ownerships. June 2010 4 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan SETTING THE STAGE Climate Change and Emerging Science Scientists have generally agreed that the Earth's climate is changing. Although the far-reaching implications of these changes are still unknown, they may have impacted weather patterns, resulting in longer fire seasons and a greater probability of intense fires in western forests. In addition, the cumulative effects of multiple years of drought along with overstocked vegetation conditions have increased fire hazards in many forests of California that prehistorically experienced frequent, low-severity fires. The reduced moisture content of drought-stressed vegetation increases flammability over a longer period of the year, resulting in an active burning period that starts earlier and lasts longer than historical patterns. Drought-stressed vegetation is more susceptible to insects and diseases, resulting in high mortality in trees and shrubs, leaving California wildlands with high levels of tinder-dry, dead woody material ready to ignite and burn with great intensity. There is ongoing research regarding the impact of uncharacteristically severe fires in California's forests as a result of climate change and past fire suppression efforts. Concurrently, some research indicates that many chaparral shrubland ecosystems may be impacted by a too-frequent fire interval, especially in Southern California. As a result, these areas may be at risk of conversion from native to invasive species, which can pose an increased fire threat. There is also an emerging view among scientists that fire hazard mitigation through vegetation treatments or prescribed fire may play a beneficial role in long-term forest carbon sequestration, emissions reductions and climate change mitigation. Similarly, more is being learned about the positive and negative impacts of wildfire on air and water quality, wildlife habitat, forest and range health and nutrient cycling. This highlights the continued need for integration between resource management and fire suppression activities. As science moves forward on these issues, the management of California's fire-prone landscapes will progress accordingly. Fire ignores jurisdictional and land ownership boundaries. Therefore, the best and most current science should guide coordinated planning across the administratively complex landscapes, eventually moving toward coexistence with fire through fire-resilient ecosystems and fire-resistant communities. Population At the same time as biophysical conditions have increased the threat of wildland fires in many locations, the exposure of people and homes to these threats has increased due to population growth and development in wildland and wildland urban interface (WUI) areas. Where once only natural resources were threatened by wildland fire in these areas, threats now extend to life and property. Additional importance is being placed on the overall fire protection system of state and local agencies to protect lives and June 2010 5 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan property. These issues complicate fire suppression and, in turn, increase the need for fire prevention and planning efforts. Fire Protection State, local and federal agencies each have unique responsibilities for wildland fire protection. The delivery of wildland fire protection services in California relies on an integrated, multi-agency effort to maximize the use of firefighting resources. This integration is essential to avoid duplication of firefighting resources and to allow the closest available resource to respond to a fire, regardless of jurisdiction. This integration is authorized by statute and guided by interagency agreements under which the state provides services to local and/or federal agencies, and vice versa. Recognizing that each agency has its primary mission and responsibility, disasters in California, including wildland fires, do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Along with differing missions, ownership responsibilities and land management objectives, applying suppression policies can be complicated and make cooperative efforts challenging. Fire suppression in an urbanized conifer forest may be approached differently than on a wildland fire in a conifer forest on National Forest managed lands. A one-size-fits-all approach to wildland fire suppression does not fit in California; hence, the need for differing suppression, prevention and mitigation strategies must be recognized and developed to meet the goals and objectives of this 2010 Strategic Fire Plan (Plan). Despite California's highly effective wildland fire protection system, some fires will continue to escape control efforts. Under extreme weather conditions, such as high wind or hot dry weather, or when resource availability is limited due to significant fire activity, a small percentage of wildland fires will become large and damaging. As a result, efforts must be taken to 4 create homes and communities ,. .rt .# 1.• ;~ 1, that can withstand such fires; f. • F _ �6.. *' develop policies and procedures to 7` _two,... 44t1,44p promote public and firefighter safety; and educate the public that �. . wildland fire is a natural part of Chaparral wildfire burning near residences. California's landscape. Individual landowners, homeowners and communities share wildland fire protection responsibilities with federal, state and local fire protection agencies. Homeowners have a primary responsibility to create and maintain defensible space and to utilize ignition resistant building materials and methods. Homeowners and landowners in a community June 2010 6 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan must work together to plan and implement fire protection measures, such as education programs and fuel treatments. Preventing Wildfire Threats to Ecosystem Health While historically wildfire has been a key component in ecosystem dynamics, a number of factors have disrupted the natural fire regime occurring in many of California's ecosystems. There are many cases where the type of fire and the pattern of its occurrence, when compared to historical conditions, are creating adverse impacts on ecosystem composition, structure and function. Factors such as fire suppression; land use, including timber management, grazing and development; exotic invasive species and climate change all place stress on the manner in which fire interacts with ecosystem health, function (such as biodiversity) and sustainability. While these issues are reasonably well defined from both a broad conceptual framework and a detailed site research perspective, an analytical approach using these concepts to define areas of priority across the state is needed to frame a strategic response to these impending risks. Current and Historical Trends in Wildland Fire California is a complex, wildfire-prone and fire-adapted landscape. Natural wildfire supports, and is critical to, the maintenance of ecosystem health, structure and function in the state. As such, the ability to use wildfire, or to mimic its impact by other management techniques, is a critical policy issue. At the same time, wildfire can be a significant threat to life, public health, infrastructure and other property and natural resources. This threat will continue to be a significant issue due to factors such as continued population growth, changing land use and drought or other shifts in climatic conditions. Additionally, because SRA consists predominantly of 4'. lands under private ownership, there are a variety .6 of expectations relative to ....- • ,� ;;' mitigating the threat from _ '"`''� -''''*,�i.i1 :. - • . , 4 wildfire. As a result, -0~�.�: ~p S��t• ',� , r � � - addressing wildfire as a threat . '... r';. ? V «�V z i _ is also a major policy issue. ., ,;-� '�1 . ,..%, , e• . ; A17.7 The complexities associated . .`z_ ' : ,1-.:.....'` ., _ _ - �j with ecosystem dynamics in ;'4it. . __ �' _ • ff__ • j' California make statewide or Extreme fire conditions encroaching on urban area. even regional generalizations June 2010 7 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan difficult to capture. Specifically, within the scope of classifying fire regimes and effects, local conditions may vary considerably. Data suggests a trend toward increasing acres burned statewide, with particular increases in conifer vegetation types. This trend is supported in part by the fact that the three largest fire years since 1950 have all occurred within the last 10 years. Looking at the fire acreage organized by decade and by life form confirms these basic trends. Fire is most common in shrublands, across all decades, with a large spike in the last decade (Figure 1). Conifer, hardwood and herbaceous (grassland) all burned at a relatively similar amount from 1970 through 2000. In the 2000s, conifer fires significantly increased in annual acres burned, averaging 193,000 acres per year, compared to an average of 48,000 acres over the previous four decades. Average Wildfire Acres by Decade 300 0 AGRICULTURE 250 t0 CONIFER ■HARDWOOD c H 200 ❑HERBACEOUS ®SHRUB °P 150 - - d 100 50 jiti 111 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000 to Decade 2008 Annual acres burned by decade and by type, 1950—2008. A detailed discussion of wildfire impacts and concerns is found in the 2010 Forest and Range Assessment, located at http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/assessment2010/publicreview.html. June 2010 8 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan MOVING FORWARD Adaptive Management For any strategic plan to be successful, the vision must allow for changing conditions. Adaptive management is an information-based process which promotes flexible decision making. As results of management decisions or other actions are known, adaptive management allows course corrections to achieve the desired outcome. Careful monitoring of these outcomes both advances scientific understanding and allows for the adjustment of policies or operations as part of an iterative learning process. Adaptive management also recognizes the importance of natural variability in contributing to ecological resilience and productivity. It is not a 'trial and error' process,. but rather emphasizes learning while doing. Adaptive management does not represent an end in itself, but rather a means to more effective decisions and enhanced benefits. Its true measure is in how well it helps meet environmental, social and economic goals, increases scientific knowledge, and fosters understanding among stakeholders. This Plan is designed to be flexible and allow for changing internal and external conditions. Priority objectives will be reevaluated and their relational importance may change from one evaluation period to the next. Goals and Objectives The foundation:of this dynamic Plan is built upon seven goals and their associated objectives. Collectively, these goals and objectives provide a framework to address the protection of lives, property and natural resources from wildland fire and improve environmental resilience to wildland fire. Priorities Concurrent with the development of the Plan, the Board and the Department have identified the top priorities for each goal. During the first two years of this Plan, each CAL FIRE Unit will revise-its individual Unit fire plan to identify its priorities for the implementation of the goals and objectives identified herein. Throughout the remaining life of this Plan, the priorities will be periodically reviewedand updated as necessary. Measurement Criteria A compilation ofbenchmarks that measure each goal will be developed by the. Department in concert with the Board and used to provide feedback to Board committees and to the full Board on an annual basis, or more frequently as necessary. Measurement criteria can be found for the highest priority objectives for each goal in Appendix A, "Priority Objectives for 2010-2012." June 2010 9 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection _ 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Timelines CAL FIRE will report to the Board annually on its accomplishments of the goals and objectives of this Plan. The next comprehensive update to the Plan,will take place in 2018. The Plan and its associated goals and objectives frame the program of work for the Department over the life of the Plan. Program priorities, funding levels and measures of success are dynamic and subject to change. The Board and CAL FIRE will remain diligent in attempting to secure the appropriate level of resources through direct funding requests, grant opportunities or agreements with collaborative partners. The goals and objectives will be prioritized to make the most effective use of existing staffand funding. CAL FIRE, to the extent feasible, will maximize the ability to meet the stated goals and objectives with the level of resources available. June 2010 10 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan VISION A natural environment that is more resilient and man-made assets which are more resistant to the occurrence and effects of wildland fire through local, state, federal and private partnerships. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goals Through government and,community collaboration, the following goals will enhance the protection of lives, property and natural resources from wildland fire, as well as improve environmental resilience to wildiand fire. Communityprotection includes promoting the safety of the public and emergency responders, as well as protection of property and other improvements. Each goal listed here is meant to build upon the previous one (e.g., Goal 3 builds upon the accomplishments in Goals 1 and 2). Although full attainment of a goal is ultimately dependent upon the success of previous goals, any of the goals can be worked on at any given time based on available funding and other opportunities. 1. Identify and evaluate wildland fire hazards and recognize life, property and natural resource assets at risk, including watershed, habitat, social and other values of functioning ecosystems. Facilitate the sharing of all analyses and data collection across all ownerships for consistency in type and.kind. 2. Articulate and promote the concept of land useplanning as it relates to fire risk and individual landowner objectives and responsibilities. 3. Support and participate in the collaborative development and implementation of wildiand fire protection plans and other local, county and regional plans that address fire protection and landowner objectives. 4. Increase awareness, knowledge and actions implemented by individuals and communities to reduce human loss and property damage from wildland fires, such as defensible space and other fuels reduction activities, fire prevention and fire safe building'standards. 5. Develop a method to integrate fire and fuels management practices with landowner priorities and multiple jurisdictional efforts within local, state and federal responsibility areas. 6. Determine the level of fire suppression resources necessary to protect the values and assets at risk identified during planning processes. 7. Address post-fire responsibilities for natural resource recovery, including watershed protection, reforestation and ecosystem restoration. June 2010 11 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Objectives For each of the identified goals, this Plan lays out a number of objectives to be accomplished. The identified objectives are not meant to be all-inclusive. There may be additional objectives that the Board, CAL FIRE or other cooperative partners identify and could utilize in reaching the primary goals. Goal 1: Identify and evaluate wildland fire hazardsand recognize life, property and natural resource assets at risk, including watershed, habitat, social and other values of functioning ecosystems. Facilitate the sharing of all analyses and data collection across all ownerships for consistency in type and kind. Objectives: a) Identify and provide appropriate automated tools to facilitate the collection, analysis and consistent presentation of datasets. b) Update and maintain consistent, detailed vegetation and fuels maps across all ownerships in an efficient and cost-effective e STATE OF CALIFORNIA manner. f FIREiHAZARD.` sEVERnYzoNuvc _�: c) Provide regular updates to the 4 DRAFT . .i Department's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. 3 d Developand validate weather "i' and climatology information }} • i �' -:lam }"� M for use in predicting fire • ., behavior. x e) Update fire history information - t and re-evaluate existing fire • prediction models to obtain FYI •- t t composite fire threat acrossl A , all ownerships. ' ' f) Update existing data for California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. values and assets at risk Source:CAL FIRE, Fire and Range Assessment utilizing geographic Program. information systems (GIS) data:layers and other mapping solutions, including fire behavior-specific effects. June 2010 12 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan g) Use science-based approaches to evaluate, understand and protect against the negative impacts of new and emerging threats suchas climate change, insect and disease outbreaks or land use changes on forest health and public safety, including the build up of hazardous fuel conditions and resulting fire behavior. h) Engage and participate.with local stakeholder groups (i.e., fire safe councils and others) to validate and prioritize the assets at risk. June 2010 13 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 2: Articulate and promote the concept of land use planning as it relates to fire risk and individual landowner objectives and responsibilities. Objectives: a) Assist the appropriate governmental bodies in the development of a comprehensive set of wildland and wildland urban interface (WUI) protection policies for inclusion in each county general plan or other appropriate local land use planning documents. b) Identify the minimum key elements necessary to achieve a fire safe community, and incorporate these elements into land use planning, CWPPs and regional, county and Unit fire plans. c) Engage in the development, review and adoption of local land use plans to: ensure compliance with fire safe regulations and current building standards. d) Promote the consolidation and broad availability of project-level land use planning, project implementation and wildland fire occurrence data developed throughout each county for use by all cooperating agencies. June 2010 14 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 3: Support and participate in the collaborative development and implementation of wildland fire protection plans and other local, county and regional plans that.address fire protection and landowner objectives. Objectives: a) Establish a working group, consisting of Board members and Department staff, to develop minimum standard elements for inclusion in Unit fire plans. b) Emphasize coordination of Unit fire plans with community wildfire protection plans to encourage and support one consistent approach. Develop county or regional fire plans by bringing together community- based groups, such as fire safe councils and affected fire and land management agencies. c) Create and support venues in which individual community members can be actively involved in local fire safe councils, community emergency response teams, FIREWISE and other community-based efforts to develop readiness plans and educate landowners to mitigate the risks and effects`of wildland fire. d) Collaborate with federaland local governments, other state agencies, fire service and other organizations, to maintain and improve emergency response plans. e) Ensure planning efforts are ' - `" : �:2-- consistent with the National Fire _ , Y � `� •~ �V Plan, the Health Forest Restoration Act, the Statewide i Hazard Mitigation Plan, as well - as local hazard mitigation plans ' " and other relevant statewide Interagency coordination and planning. strategic planning documents. f) Maximize available resources to strengthen planning efforts through the development of public/private partnerships. g) Develop fire risk mitigation treatment decision support tools to assist in project design, implementation and validation. June 2010 15 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 4: Increase awareness, knowledge and actions implemented by individuals and communities to reduce human loss and property damage from wildland fires, such as defensible space and other fuels reduction activities, fire prevention and fire safe building standards. Objectives: a) Educate landowners, residents and business owners about the risks and their incumbent responsibilities of living in the wildlands, including applicable regulations, prevention measures and preplanning activities. b) Educate landowners, residents, fire safe councils and business owners to understand that fire =- prevention is more , .; `9 than defensible � 2 �� '�'�� . _ " space, including why " ` �x - ' structures ignite, the „' � '�` _ :44: Z,T11 role embers play in .s= such ignitions and the -+> importance of fire � ' 'ry" safe building designs and retrofits. - L.. x "^.te �'s '§ .r""' x` R•� c) Facilitate activities with individuals and Home surrounded by wildland thatsurvived a fire due to organizations, as good defensible space. appropriate, to assist individual property owners in complying with fire safe regulations. d) Improve regulatory effectiveness; compljance monitoring and reporting pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) §4290 and §4291. e) Increase the number and effectiveness of defensible space inspections and promote an increasing level of compliance with defensible,space laws and regulations through the use of CAL FIRE staffing as available, public and private organizations, and.alternative inspection methods. f) Promote the consolidation of Fire Safe Regulations contained in.California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, with CCR Titles 19 and 24,.to achieve uniform application of building standards. June 2010 16 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan g) Continue to evaluate new, ignition-resistant construction technologies and materials, and promote the strengthening of California building standards. h) Seek out incentives to promote the retrofit of existing structures to meet ignition-resistant building codes. i) Actively enforce and seek updates as necessary to fire prevention codes and statutes, including those regulating utilities, railroads, small engines and other categories of equipment use that contribute to fire ignition. j) Actively investigate all wildland fires. For those resulting from negligent acts, pursue appropriate civil and/or criminal actions, including cost recovery. k) Analyze trendsin fire cause and focus prevention and education efforts to modify behavior and effect change. June 2010 17 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 5: Develop a method to integrate fire and fuels management practices with landowner priorities and multiple jurisdictional efforts within local, state and federal responsibility areas. Objectives: a) Increase support of landowner-initiated,hazardous fuels reduction using all available authorities, including the Vegetation Management Program. b) Work to remove regulatory barriers that limit hazardous fuels reduction activities. c) Promote and enhance programmatic documents that assist and streamline regulatory processes. d) Assist collaborative partners by educating, improving grant capacity and other means that provide tools to achieve fuels reduction work on the landscape. e) Promote forest and rangeland health and hazardous fuels reduction. Improve utilization of all forest products, including small logs, urban green waste and biomass. f) Increase public education and awareness in support of ecologically sensitive and economically efficient vegetation management activities, including prescribed fire, forest thinning and other fuels treatment projects. g) Promote the development of ' multi-agency/landowner fuels = '` _- tom - Z4 r r Oyu ° 3 ti' {P.. reduction policies and:activities at a `�. �. tt � ��; . �, Y the watershed and fire shed level. h) Support the availability and =N m utilization of CAL FIRE hand �'� � „ fir crews and other CAL FIRE 13" 4 _ �_� -.�%.°'"-, �,.� resources, as well as.public and t I private sector resources, for fuels management activities, including s.' f-tt+ ongoing maintenance. CAL FIRE inmate crew working on a fuel reduction chipping project. i) Support efforts to restore the ecological role of fire in areas and upon jurisdictions where doing so is consistent with local land management objectives and does not present an unacceptable risk to human health and safety or security of adjacent ownerships. June 2010 18 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 6: Determine the level of fire suppression resources necessary to protect the values and assets at risk identified during planning processes. Objectives: a) Maintain an.aggressive wildland fire initial attack policy that places a priority on protecting lives, property and natural resources. At the same time consider suppression-strategies that incorporate values and assets at risk, as well as cost factors wherever possible. b) Develop criteria for determining suppression resource $ ' # : M allocation based on elements such as identified values and assets at risk, ignition f . density, vegetation Ey , '� type and condition, as � .=<f• ` ; well as local weather - and topography. ; , �-- �- M � x • C) Initiate studies and Backfire suppression tactics on a wildland fire. analyses to identify appropriate staffing levels and equipment needs commensurate with the current and projected emergency response environment. d) Seek to increase the number of CAL FIRE hand crews for use in fighting wildland fires and other emergency response activities. e) Initiate and maintain cooperative fire protection agreements with local, state and federal partners that value the importance of an integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection system and deliver efficient and cost effective emergency response capabilities beneficial to all stakeholders. f) Improve policies and strategies to minimize injuries or loss of life to the public and emergency responders during emergency response activities throughoutthe state. g) Ensure all firefighters are provided the appropriate training, equipment and facilities necessary to successfully and safely meet the increasingly complicated and challenging fire and emergency response environment. June 2010 - 19 - State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan h) Continue to evaluate and implement new technologies to improve firefighter safety, situational awareness and emergency response effectiveness. i) Provide for succession planning and employee development at all levels . within CAL FIRE to maintain emergency response leadership capabilities, administrative management skills and pre-fire planning expertise. j) Effectively engage and train employees across all disciplines to address both planning and emergency response utilizing a "total force" approach. June 2010 20 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 7: Address post-fire responsibilities for natural resource recovery, including watershed protection, reforestation and ecosystem restoration. Objectives: a) Encourage rapid post-fire assessment, as appropriate, and project implementation to minimize flooding, protect water quality, limit sediment flows and reduce other risks on all land ownerships impacted by wildland fire. b) Work withlandowners, land management agencies and other stakeholders across the state to design burned area rehabilitation actions that encourage salvage and reforestation activities, create resilient and sustainable landscapes, and restore functioning ecosystems. c) Effectively utilize available resources, including CAL.FIRE hand crews, to accomplish restoration and protection activities. d) Assess the effects of pre- and post-fire treatments to. refine best management practices. e) Assist landowners and *' = local government in the evaluation of the need to retain and utilize features (e.g. roads, firelines, .° water sources) developed during a fire suppression effort, taking - into consideration those t F 14 identified in previous • • - planning efforts. Cooperative fuelbreak, resulting from community planning efforts. f) Aid landowners in recently burned areas in developing and implementing vegetation treatment plans to manage the re-growth of fuels to maintain reduced hazardous conditions: g) Promote-the maintenance of a native species seed bank and seedling production capacity to provide the availability of appropriate tree species for reforestation within all of the state's diverse seed zones. h) Use after-action reports to evaluate and implement new technologies and practices to improve future firefighting efforts. June 2010 21 • State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan APPENDIX A: Priority Objectives for.2010-2012 CAL FIRE Units were asked to identify two or more priority objectives under each goal. The Units' priorities are identified in bold and a measurement criteria are provided for each of the identified objectives. CAL FIRE staff will develop a new template for,Unit fire plans that reflects the vision, goals and objectives of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan. Unit fire plans, in the new format, will be presented to the Board in June 2011. Throughout the next year, the Units will implement the identified priorities and report on the measurement criteria by June 2012. Goal 1: Identify and evaluate wildland fire hazards and recognize life, property and natural resource assets at risk, including watershed, habitat, social and other values of functioning ecosystems. Facilitate the sharing ofall analyses and data collection acrossallownerships for consistency in type and kind. Objectives: a) Identify and provide appropriate automated tools to facilitate the collection, analysis and consistent presentation of datasets. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE shall establish policy that specifies spatial databases covering all forest and rangeland to not be older than 10 years. Include minimum requirements for spatial databases. Follow the coordinated work schedule with the USDA Forest Service to maintain cost effective collection and processing of data. b) Update and maintain consistent, detailed vegetation and fuels maps across all ownerships in an efficient and cost-effective manner. c) Provide regular updates to the Department's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. d) Develop and validate weather and climatology information for use in predicting fire behavior. e) Update fire history information and re-evaluate existing fire prediction models to obtain composite fire threat across all ownerships. f) Update existing data for values and assets at risk utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data layers and other-mapping solutions, including fire behavior-specific effects. June 2010 APPENDIX A-1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan g) Use science-based approaches to evaluate, understand and protect against the negative impacts of newand emerging threats such as climate change, insect and disease outbreaks or land use changes on forest health and public safety, including the build up of hazardous fuel conditions and resulting fire behavior. h) Engage and participate with local stakeholder groups (i.e., fire safe councils and others) to validate and:prioritize the assets at risk. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE shall designate personnel as advisors/liaisons to the California Fire Safe Council.(CFSC) and to each county or regional FSC. The advisors will be responsible for reporting activities to the Unit and Region. The advisor to the CFSC will report to the Board. Annual reporting of time-spent working will be displayed in hours at the:Unit, Region and Headquarters level. Reporting will include activities with local FSCs, communities, watershed groups or others defining hazards and risk of wildfire and documenting these in a CWPP or Unit fire plan. Emphasize the products developed in Goal 3, Objective b. Advisors will emphasize using standard guidelines and templates for consistency throughout the state. June 2010 APPENDIX A-2 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection� 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 2: Articulate and promote the concept of land use planning as it relates to fire risk and individual landowner objectives and responsibilities. Objectives: a) Assist the appropriate governmental bodies in the development of a comprehensive set of wildland and wildland urban interface(WUI) protection policies for inclusion in each county general plan or other appropriate local land use planning documents. Measurement Criteria CAL FIRE to appoint a committee including Unit, Region, Headquarters and Contract County representatives. Develop a work plan that identifies key elements of improving WUI strategies, including planning. Reporting should be based on elements identified and priorities for addressing them. Under the Board's Resource Protection Committee, review existing Board policies as they relate to wildland fire and the relevance (ease of use, applicability) to incorporation in local general plans. Identify areas of possible improvement and update policies. Track and report hours at the Unit, Region and Headquarters level spent in reviewing plans and projects;number of local Board/Council, Planning Commission meetings and/or meetings with other cooperators. b) Identify the minimum key elements necessary to achieve a fire safe community, and incorporate these elements into land use planning, CWPPs and regional, county and Unit fire plans. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE to create a working committee.with CAL Chiefs,: USDA Forest Service and other key organizations to develop, monitor and refine elements of fire safe community, including evacuation plans. The Committee shall review existing templates for FIREWISE Assessments, CWPPs, fire plans and land use plans; identify the common elements and approaches for better integration. Utilize fire protection, planning and.engineering expertise to identify the key elements(from existing templates)necessary for fire safe communities. Once agreed upon, these key elements will then be. used as a checklist to guide consistency in fire safe planning efforts across jurisdictions. At a minimum, annually report to the Board on results. June 2010 APPENDIX A-3 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. 2010 Strategic Fire Plan c) Engage in the development, review and adoption of local land use plans to ensure compliance with fire safe regulations and current building standards. d) Promote the consolidation and broad availability of project-level land use planning, project implementation and wildiand fire occurrence data developed throughout each county for use by all cooperating agencies. June 2010. APPENDIX A-4 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 3: Support and participate in the collaborative development and implementation of wildland fire protection plans and other local, county and regional plans that address fire protection and landownerobjectives. Objectives: a) Establish a working group, consisting of Board members and Departmental staff, to develop minimum standard elements for inclusion in Unit fire plans. b). Emphasize coordination of Unit fire plans with community wildfire protection plans to encourage and support one consistent approach. Develop county or regional fire plans by bringing together community- based groups, such as fire safe councils and affected fire and land management agencies. Measurement Criteria: These measurement criteria meets objectives a and b. CAL FIRE to revise the template for the Unit fire plans to incorporate the goals and objectives of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan. During the revision, the template for a CWPP will be jointly reviewed in order to reduce duplication of fire planning efforts. The key elements identified through the process identified in Goal 2, Objective b will also be incorporated into the Unit fire plan/CWPP. c) Create and support venues in which individual community members can be actively involved in local fire safe councils, community emergency response teams,:FIREWISE and other community-basedefforts to develop readiness plans and educate landowners to mitigate the risks andeffects of wildland fire. Measurement Criteria: The California Fire Alliance to work with the California and local FSCs to develop venues (e.g., workshops) that assist landowners with readiness planning and education. CAL FIRE, California Fire Alliance Liaison to report to the Board annually on. Alliance activities. d) Collaborate with federal and:local governments, other state agencies, fire service and other organizations, to maintain and improve emergency response plans. June 2010 APPENDIX A-5 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic.Fire Plan e) Ensure planning effortsare consistent with the.National Fire Plan, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act the Statewide Hazard Mitigation Plan, as well as local hazard mitigation plans and other relevant statewide strategic planning documents. f) Maximize available resources to strengthen planning efforts through the development of public/private partnerships. g) Develop fire risk mitigation treatment decision support tools to assist in project design, implementation and validation. June 2010 APPENDIX A-6 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 4: Increase awareness, knowledge and actions implemented by individuals and communities to reduce human loss and.property damage from wildiand fires, such as defensible space and other fuels reduction activities, fire prevention and fire safe building standards. Objectives: a) Educate landowners, residents and business owners about the risks and their incumbent responsibilities of living in the wildlands, including applicable regulations, prevention measures and preplanning activities. Measurement Criteria: In coordination with the CAL FIRE Communications Program, the USDA Forest Service and local fire agencies, University of California and county cooperative extension offices, CAL FIRE to collect information on methods and effectiveness of existing outreach. Complete the information collection within year one of adoption of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan. Develop a common set of measures to assess CAL FIRE efforts, build those into Unit fire plans and report to the Board. Report the progress of implementation at the end of year two. b) Educate landowners, residents, fire safe councils and business owners to understand that fireprevention is more than defensible space, including why structures ignite, the role embers play in such ignitions and the importance of fire safe building designs and retrofits. c) Facilitate activities with individuals and organizations, as appropriate, to assist individual property owners in complying with fire safe regulations. d) Improve regulatory effectiveness, compliance monitoring and reporting pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) §4290 and §4291. e) Increase the number and effectiveness of defensible space inspections and promote an increasing level of compliance with defensible space laws and regulations through the use of CAL.FIRE staffing as available, public and private organizations, and alternative inspection methods. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE to form an advisory committee to review PRC§4291 regulations and make recommendations to the Board that will provide for consistency, streamlining and clarification of existing regulations. The Committee shall develop criteria to increase the number and effectiveness of defensible space inspections. The Committee will develop an implementation plan for the recommendations and report onprogress to the Board. June 2010 APPENDIX A-7 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection . 2010 Strategic Fire Plan f) Promote the consolidation of Fire Safe Regulations contained in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, with CCR Titles 19 and 24, to achieve uniform application of building standards. g) . Continue to evaluate new, ignition-resistant construction technologies and materials, and promote the strengthening of California building standards. h) Seek out incentives to promote the retrofit of existing structures to meet ignition-resistant building codes. i) Actively enforce and seek updates as necessary to fire prevention codes and statutes, including those regulating utilities, railroads, small engines and other categories of equipment use that contribute to fire ignition. j) Actively investigate all wildland fire causes. For those resulting from negligent acts, pursue appropriate civil and/or criminal actions, including cost recovery. k) Analyze trends in fire cause and focus prevention and education efforts to modify behavior and effect:change. June 2010 APPENDIX A-8 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection - 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 5: Develop a method to integrate fire and fuels.management practices with landowner priorities and multiple jurisdictional efforts within local, state and federal responsibility areas. Objectives: a) Increase support of landowner-initiated hazardous fuels reduction using all available authorities, including the Vegetation Management Program. b) Work to remove regulatory barriers that limit hazardous fuels reduction activities. Measurement Criteria: In conjunction with the Resource Protection Committee, CAL FIRE will develop an approach to identifying and recommending ways to address regulatory and other barriers that limit hazardous fuels reduction activities. This approach should include consultation with the Board's Interagency Forestry Working Group and with other agencies, such as the USDA Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Energy Commission, the Department of Fish and Game, regional water quality control boards, local government and the public. Finish this compilation within the first year of adoption of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan. Based on barriers identified and recommendations for change, report,to the Board starting in the second year. c) Promote and enhance programmatic documents that assist and streamline regulatory processes. d) . Assist collaborative partners by educating, improving grant capacity and other means that provide tools to achieve fuels reduction work on the landscape. e) Promote forest and rangeland health and hazardous fuels reduction. Improve utilization of all forest products, including small logs, urban green waste and biomass. f) • Increase publiceducation and awareness in support of ecologically sensitive and economically efficient vegetation management activities, including prescribed fire, forest thinning and other fuels treatment projects. g) Promote the development of multi-agency/landowner fuels reduction policies and activities at the watershed and fireshed level. h) Support the availability and utilization of CAL FIRE hand crews and other CAL FIRE resources, as well as public and private sector resources, for fuels management activities, including ongoing maintenance. June 2010 ' - • APPENDIX A-9 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE will report to the Board on the number of crews available each year with a description of projects, including acres treated, completed by each Unit. Report the number of agreements and/or amount of funding and acres treated that involve grants or partnerships with federal agencies, resource conservation districts, local FSCs, fire districts, watershed groups or other non-profit or community groups that support the ability to carry out fuels reduction projects. c) Support efforts to restore the ecological role of fire in areas and upon jurisdictions where doing so is consistent with local land management objectives and does not present an unacceptable risk to human health and safety or security of adjacent ownerships. June 2010 APPENDIX A-10 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection - 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 6: Determine the level of fire suppression resources necessary to protect the values and assets at risk identified during planning processes. Objectives: a) Maintain an aggressive wildland fire initial attack policy that places a priority on protecting lives, property and natural resources. At the same time consider suppression strategies that incorporate values and assets at risk, as well as cost factors wherever possible. b) Develop criteria for determining suppression resource allocation based on elements such as identified values and assets at risk, ignition density, vegetation type and condition, as well as local weather and topography. c) Initiate studies and analyses to identify appropriate staffing levels and equipment needs commensurate with the current and projected emergency response environment. d) Seek to increase the number of CAL FIRE hand crews for use in fighting wildland fires and other emergency response activities. e) Initiate and maintain cooperative fire protection agreements with local, state and federal partners that value the importance of an integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection system and deliver efficient and cost effective emergency response capabilities beneficial to all stakeholders. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE to identify the number and effectiveness of agreements and partnerships. In conjunction with the Board's Resource Protection Committee, CAL FIRE will develop suggested measures of;effectiveness of cooperative agreements. This should be in collaboration with its partners, completed within 18 months of adoption of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan and reported to the Board. f) Improve policies and strategies to minimize injuries or lossof life to the public and emergency responders during emergency response activities throughout the state. g) Ensure all firefighters are provided the appropriate training, equipment and facilities necessary to successfully and safely meet the increasingly complicated and challenging fire and emergency response environment. h) Continue to evaluate and implement new technologies to improve firefighter safety, situational awareness and emergency response effectiveness. June 2010 APPENDIX A-11 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan i) Provide for succession planning and employee development at all levels within CAL FIRE to maintain emergency.response leadership capabilities, administrative management skills and pre-fire planning expertise. Measurement Criteria: CAL FIRE to revise and update the information developed in the 2005 Succession Planning meetings. This work should be completed within two years of the adoption of the 2010 Strategic Fire Plan, with annual reporting to the Board based on issues raised, including identification of key training needs, funding available and expenditures on the training program, content of Academy curricula, number of students requesting and/or able to take classes at the Academy, local community college or other educational outlets. j) Effectively engage and train employees across all disciplines to address both planning and emergency response utilizing a "total force" approach. June 2010. APPENDIX A-12 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Goal 7: Address post-fire responsibilities for natural resource recovery, including watershed protection reforestation, and ecosystem restoration. Objectives:. a) Encourage rapid post-fire assessment, as appropriate, and project implementation to minimize flooding, protect water quality, limit sediment flows and reduce other risks on all land ownerships impacted by wildland fire. Measurement Criteria: Provide.training for CAL FIRE personnel on suppression repair and damage assessment procedures. Develop standard formats and documentation templates for these assessments. Identify and use the findings to reduce the impacts of fire suppression on the landscape and improve resiliency of assets at.risk from wildfire. b) Work with landowners, land management agencies and other stakeholders across the state to design burned area rehabilitation actions that encourage salvage and reforestation activities, create resilient and sustainable landscapes, and restore functioning ecosystems. c) Effectively utilize available resources, including CAL FIRE hand crews, to accomplish restoration and protection activities. d) Assess the effects of pre- and post-fire treatments to refine best management practices. e). Assist landowners and local government in the evaluation of the need to retain and utilize features (e.g., roads, firelines, water sources) developed during a fire suppression effort, taking into consideration those identified in previous planning efforts. Measurement Criteria:, CAL FIRE(utilizing.Incident Command Teams) to schedule a post-fire review of the planning documents that cover the area affected by the fire. Review the goals,objectives and projects (implemented and planned) to identify successes and failures. Review the features developed during the fire and incorporate them into the existing Unit fire.plan documents. This objective will only be reported when.a fire occurs in an area with an existing Unit fire plan document. Incident command teams may conduct this post fire assessment under the direction of the Unit.Chief. f) ' Aid landowners in recently burned areas in developing and implementing vegetation treatment plans to manage the re-growth of fuels to maintain reduced hazardous conditions. June 2010 APPENDIX A-13 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan g) Promote the maintenance of a native species seed bank and seedling production capacity to provide the availability of:appropriate tree species for reforestation within all of the state's diverse seed zones. h) Use after-action reports to evaluate and implement newtechnologies and practices to improve future firefighting efforts. June 2010 APPENDIX A-14 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan APPENDIX B: Review of the 1996 California Fire Plan When the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) and the.. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) presented the 1996 California Fire Plan (1996 Plan), the overall goal was "to reduce total costs and losses from wildland fire in California by protecting assets at risk through pre-fire management prescriptions and increasing initial attack success." The 19.96 Plan included many findings and recommendations categorized by three topic areas: ❑ Level of service for wildland fire protection ❑ Wildland fire protection fiscal issues ❑ Pre-fire management program Board Direction for Review of the 1996 Plan In 2005, the Board commissioned the Fire Plan Assessment Advisory Committee to review the1996 Plan and prepare an assessment report. A few key results were: ❑ A new plan must contain a collaborative approach and it is imperative to engage the public in an ongoing manner ❑ : A new plan should focus on implementation of laws and regulations to encourage compliance with wildfire protection practices and include information for decision support ❑ The 1996 Plan represented a conscious shift from wildland fuels management to high value asset protection ❑ The 1996 Plan focused on land use setting, highlighting the wildland urban interface, and was the first step to addressing land use as it relates to fire. protection ❑ .The 1996 Plan focused on stakeholder involvement and planning activities ❑ Wildland conditions tend to drive increasing cost and losses and have a direct affect on levels of service provided. The continuing population expansion is one major factor driving up fire suppression costs ❑ The 1996 Plan contained complementary but often competing issues that need to be reconciled; fire suppression versus fuels management ❑ A new plan should include goals, objectives, performance standards and action plans : The 1996 Plan established a visionary framework, but full:implementation at the Unit level was not accomplished. The 1996 Plan established visions and goals that are still valid today but lacked performance measures and program reporting requirements to determine levels of success. The Committee determined most of the findings and recommendations are still current and relevant, however the original intent was not always clear. In general, lack of data inhibited evaluation of the findings and recommendations. June 2010 APPENDIX B-1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic.Fire Plan Membership of the 1996 Fire Plan Assessment Advisory Committee Tom Hoffman CDF Warren Alford Sierra-Nevada Forest Protection Campaign Chris Brown Mendocino County Air Quality Management District George Gentry Board of Forestry and Fire Protection John Hoffman Regional Council of Rural Counties Dick Hayes CDF Louis Blumberg Nature Conservancy Tony Clarabut CDF Chris Zimny CDF Bill Holmes CDF Jeff Harter CDF Mike Staley Office of Emergency Services Rose Conroy Davis Fire Department Liz Wright USDA Forest Service Warren Wilkes California Fire Districts Association Lisa Beutler Center for Collaborative Policy Jodie Monaghan Center for Collaborative Policy June 2010 APPENDIX B-2 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan • APPENDIX C: Board Workshop 2008 The Board convened a panel of experts from the University.of California and conducted a 2008 workshop entitled: "California Wildfires: Policy Implications of Research Findings." The workshop's purpose was to explore strategies to reduce the occurrence of wildfires as well as reduce losses to life, property and natural resources through the implementation of effective and efficient fire prevention; fire protection planning and suppression;financial management and firefighter/public safety actions. The key findings from that workshop included: • The 1996 Plan was the first in the nation to address wildfire as a local, state, and federal issue across ownerships and agencies O The wildfire issue is not being communicated effectively ❑ The paradox of mitigation —as hazards are mitigated, more people move into the wildland creating additional hazards, requiring additional mitigations, continuing an ongoing cycle O Assets at risk should not only include immediate impacts on homes, resources and watersheds, but also subsequent flooding and potential heavy metal contamination of drinking water ❑ Fire safe councils serve an important education and implementation role. O Shared public assets should be considered in the fire plan ❑ The state fire plan should facilitate the effective implementation of wildfire mitigation actions ❑ Different communications goals are needed for the various fire plan stakeholders, including homeowners, CAL FIRE, local fire departments, legislators, etc. O It is appropriate to distinguish conifer forests, which have income potential, from other vegetation types that do not. Revenue from commercial products can fund mitigation efforts in those locales. June 2010 APPENDIX C-1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic.Fire Plan APPENDIX D: 2010 Fire Plan Steering Committee After a lengthy review of the 1996 California Fire Plan by stakeholders, the Board moved forward to form the Fire Plan Steering Committee (Committee) to assist in establishing a framework todevelop an updated plan. The updated plan is intended to provide an allocation of resources based on wildfire risk and promote the goal of reducing total costs and losses from wildfire. The Committee is an expert and stakeholder group, consisting of Board members, fire managers, fire chiefs, legislative representatives, local and federal government representatives, educational institution staff and CAL FIRE staff. The 2010 plan should analyze all elements of fire services in the areas of: ❑ Fire planning and prevention ❑ Fire protection organization and operations ❑ Financial management ❑ Firefighter/public safety The intent of the Board is that the plan be "strategic,"with long-term adaptable and measurable goals and: O Identifies a strategy O Delineates how that strategy is implemented ❑ Allows for the development of specific performance measures to evaluate its implementation ❑ Provides for the ability to adapt as-necessary to meet changing social, political and environmental conditions , ' June 2010 APPENDIX D-1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan APPENDIX E: Glossary Climate Change—Any long-term significant change in the"average weather"that a given region experiences. Average weather may include average temperature, precipitation and wind patterns. (http://frap.cdf.ca.qov/assessment201.0/definitions.html) Communities at Risk— Defined by the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 as - "Wildland Urban Interface Communities within the vicinity of federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire." CAL FIRE expanded on this definition for California including all communities (regardless of distance from federal lands) for which a significant threat to human life or property exists as a result of a wildland fire event. California uses the following three factors to determine at risk communities: 1) high fuel hazard, 2) probability of a fire, and 3) proximity of intermingled wildland fuels and urban environments that are near fire threats. Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) —A community based collaborative plan developed by local stakeholders that identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments to protect communities and infrastructure from wildfire. Stakeholders, applicable local government, local fire departments, state forestry, and federal land management agencies agree to the plans. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements—Agreements established between federal, state, tribal and local government entities to provide long term fire and emergency service protection. Defensible Space—The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented, providing the key point of defense from an approaching wildfire or defense against encroaching wildfires or escaping structure fires. (http://cdfdata.fiire.ca.gov/fire er/fpp engineering view?guide id=8 ) Fire Hazard—A fuel complex, defined by volume, type condition, arrangement, and location, that determines the degree of ease of ignition and of resistance to control. (http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/glossarv) Fire Prevention—Activities such as public education, community outreach, building code enforcement, engineering (construction standards), and reduction of fuel hazards that is intended to reduce the incidence of unwanted human-caused wildfires and the risks they pose to life, property or resources. (http://www.nwcq.gov/pms/pubs/glossary Fire Resilient—The ability of a vegetation type,:ecosystem, or community to respond positively to or recover quickly from the effects of a wildfireburning within, across or adjacent to them. June 2010 APPENDIX E-1 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection- 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Fire Resistant—The condition of an asset that resists ignition and damage from wildfire: Structures are built using ignition resistant materials such as stucco, tile roofs, and boxed eaves with the likelihood that they will withstand most wildland fires or at least reduce damage caused by them. Fire Risk The,chance of fire starting, as determined by the presence and activity of causativeagents; a causative agent or a number related to the:potential number-of firebrands (embers) to which a given area will be exposed during the day. (http://www.nwcq.gov/pms/pubs/qlossary) Fire Safe Building Standards—Various laws and codes that apply accepted fire safety practices (as determined by scientific research panels and associations, with replicated results) into construction of assets. Examples of laws and codes include; California Fire Code Chapter 49, California Building Code Chapter 7A, Public Resource Code, §4290 and Fire Safe Regulations, §1270. Fire Safe Councils (FSC)-A group of concerned citizens organized to educate groups on fire safe programs, projects and planning. The Councils work closely with the local fire agencies to develop and implement priorities. (http://www.firesafecouncil.orq) Fireshed—A contiguous area displaying similar fire history and problem fire characteristics (i.e., intensity, resistance to control) and requiring similar suppression response strategies. Fire Suppression Resources—State, federal, tribal, local and private, equipment and resources, gathered to extinguish and mitigate wildland fires. FIREWISE —A national program designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protectpeople, property, andnatural resources from the risk of wildland fire before a fire starts. The Firewise program is community driven. Fire Hazard Severity Zones —Areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, then define the application of various mitigation strategies to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. Forest and Rangeland Health —An expression of the prevalent ecological conditions on a landscape as compared to benchmark conditions yielding maximum benefit to multiple resource values - ecological, economic, and social/political. Fuels Treatment—The manipulation or removal of fuels to reduce the likelihood of igniting and to reduce fire intensity(e.g., lopping, chipping, crushing, piling and burning). June 2010 APPENDIX E-2 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Fuels Reduction:Projects—The modification of vegetation in order to reduce potential fire threat. These projects often result in improved wildlife habitat capability, timber growth, and/or forage;production. GIS-Geographic Information Systems is a configuration of computer hardware and software that stores, displays, and analyzes geographic data spatially or through attribute features. Hand Crews—A number of individuals organized, trained and d supervised principally for fire suppression or fuel reduction projects. Ignition Density—The number of fire ignitions that occur in a specific unit of area, over a specified period of time; often used as a measure of initial attack workload. Initial Attack— A planned response to a wildfire given the wildfire's potential fire behavior. The objectiveof initial attack is to stop the fire and put it out in a manner consistent with firefighter and public safety and values to be protected. (http://www.nwca.gov/Dms/pubs/glossarv) Land Use Planning —A comprehensive assessment leading to a set of decisions that guide use of land within an identified area. Mutual Aid—An agreement in which two or more parties agree to furnish resources and facilities and to render services to each and every other party of the agreement to prevent and combat any type of disaster or emergency. Native Species Seed Bank—A storage area for seed thatis collected from a species which is a part of the original vegetation of the area in question. Prescribed Fire-A planned wildland fire designed to meet specific management objectives. Reforestation —The establishment of forests on land that had recent (less than 10 years) tree cover.(http://fray.cdf.ca. iov/assessment2010/definitions.html) Salvage—The harvesting of dead, dying and damaged trees to recover their economic values that would otherwise be lost to deterioration. Situational Awareness—The application of the human senses to current and predicted weather, fire or other emergency conditions to plan and execute actions that provide for the safety of all personnel and equipment engaged in an emergency; includes development of alternative strategies of fire suppression and the net effect of each. June 2010 APPENDIX E-3 State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 2010 Strategic Fire Plan Total Force— Bringing to bear the application of the totality of the CAL FIRE employee team who provide all functional service aspects of the Department that enables it to effectively mitigate emergencies and protect resources in areas protected by CAL FIRE. Type Conversion—The replacement of native vegetation(e.g., from native chaparral to non-native grassland) with non-native vegetation or the maintenance of an ecosystem in a pioneer state which prohibits the maturing of the native vegetation. Unit Fire Plan-Plans developed by individual CAL FIRE Units to address wildfire protection areas, initial attack success,assets and infrastructure at risk, pre-fire' management strategies, and accountability within their geographical boundaries. Values and Assets at Risk—Accepted principals or standards, and any constructed or landscape attribute that has value and contributes to community or individual well- being and quality of life. Examples include property, structures, physical improvements, natural and cultural resources, community infrastructure, commercial standing timber, ecosystem health and production of water. Wildland—Those unincorporated areas covered wholly or in part by trees, brush, grass, or other flammable vegetation. Wildfire—An unplanned ignition; unwanted wildland fire including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fires where the objective is to put the fire out. Wildland Fire— Fire that occurs in the wildland as the result of an unplanned ignition. Wildland:Urban Interface (WUI)—The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. (htto://www.nwcq.gov/Dms/pubs/glossary) June 2010 APPENDIX E-4 Town of Los Altos WilTs ATTACHMENT 7 gm INS-I IU IIONAL ` NM OPEN SPACE PRESERVE r r RECREATION AREA-PUBLIC I ___3. - `' RECREATION AREA-PRIVATE -•a, M1r� ® OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION AREA /1 ® WITHIN WUI II __ \ ,• ,._' . ' -4,46.-0.t. i_, Niiii, - • i A • i . , , \.. \,.„,,i, • , • , , fr.„ ____.• ..., _ , , wisc,E _,,_ - • , __,,, • .: ,\.,, .41. ,, , 011 RI\ _ _ .1 4,.. \\ ,, .) ,, ,.. _ 1 . , h Ili • . _: fit ., 10 OPTION 3 - FIRE DISTRICT'S ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL FOR WUI BOUNDARY 'Town of Los Altos ours ATTACHMENT 8 INSTITUTIONAL I( , OPEN SPACE PRESERVE NY / RECREATION AREA-PUBLIC RECREATION AREA-PRIVATE �% �� ® OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION AREA f ....4,11/1.-11, I I � ® WITHIN MI 1 :''' 1.I . \,.\4kia1.4_ .',_______.. ''-' ;_.e.*. ‘ (-11111111 1 - ' ' et. v4illke \ , ` i , . ,-. 1 OM • H,41%\' „tar ea 1 .4 0 't... .- V 1p I v. 1 .,---.0.,---.0%,' l J "i1 • Alitizik ,- .\ i-- -T ) _ 1 ,,42.7- . • : , ,--1'1 0,1sti iy✓ I `e. j h` ! k ,_,„ OPTION 4 - STAFF'S PROPOSAL FOR WUI BOUNDARY ATTACHMENT 9 • • PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 4201-4204 INFO ONLY applies to state responsibility area 4201. The purpose of this article is to provide for the classification of lands within state responsibility areas in accordance with the severity of fire hazard present for the purpose of identifying measures to be taken to retard the rate of spreading and to reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property. 4202. The director shall classify lands within state responsibility areas into fire hazard severity zones. Each zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands and shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors present, including areas where winds have been identified by the department as a major cause 'of wildfire spread. 4203. (a) The director shall, by regulation, designate fire hazard severity zones and assign to each zone a rating reflecting the degree of severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in the zone. (b) No designation of a zone and assignment of a rating shall be adopted by the director until the proposed regulation has been transmitted to the board of supervisors of the county in which the zone is located at least 45 days prior to the adoption of the proposed regulation and a public hearing has been held in that county during that 45-day period. 4204. The director shall periodically review zones designated and rated pursuant to this article and, as necessary, shall revise zones or their ratings or repeal the designation of zones. Any revision of a zone or its rating or any repeal of a zone shall conform to the requirements of Section 4203. In addition, the revision or repeal of a zone may be petitioned pursuant to Sections 11340.6 and 11340.7 of the Government Code. • GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51175-51189 Applies to LAH 51175. The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows: (a) Wildfires are extremely costly, not only to property owners and residents, but also to local agencies. Wildfires pose a serious threat to the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. The wildfire front is not the only source of risk since embers, or firebrands, travel far beyond the area impacted by the front and pose a risk of ignition to a structure or fuel on a site for a longer time. Since fires ignore civil boundaries, it is necessary that cities, counties, special districts, state agencies, and federal agencies work together to bring raging fires under control. Preventive measures are therefore needed to ensure the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. (b) The prevention of wildland fires is not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution, but is instead, a matter of statewide concern. It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter apply to all local agencies, including, but not limited to, charter cities, charter counties, and charter cities and counties. This subdivision shall not limit the authority of a local agency to impose more restrictive fire and public safety requirements, as otherwise authorized by law. (c) It is not the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to limit or restrict the authority of a local agency to impose more restrictive fire and public safety requirements, as otherwise authorized by law. 51176. The purpose of this chapter is to classify lands in the state in accordance with whether a very high fire hazard is present so that public officials are able to identify measures that will retard the rate of spread, and reduce the potential intensity, of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken. 51177. As used in this chapter: (a) "Defensible space" means the area adjacent to a structure or dwelling where wildfire prevention or protection practices are implemented to provide defense from an'approaching wildfire or to minimize the spread of a structure fire to wildlands or surrounding areas. (b) "Director" means the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection. (c) "Fuel" means any combustible material, including petroleum-based products and wildland fuels. (d) "Fuel management" means the act or practice of controlling flammability and reducing resistance to control of fuels through mechanical, chemical, biological, or manual means or by fire, in support of land management objectives. (e) "Local agency" means a city, county, city and county, or district responsible for fire protection within a very high fire hazard severity zone. (f) "Single specimen tree" means any live tree that stands alone in the landscape so as to be clear of buildings, structures, combustible vegetation, or other trees, and that does not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the vegetation to an occupied dwelling or structure or from an occupied dwelling or structure to vegetation. (g) "State responsibility areas" means those areas identified pursuant to Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code. (h) "Vegetation" means all plants, including trees, shrubs, grass, and perennial or annual plants. (i) "Very high fire hazard severity zone" means an area designated by the director pursuant to Section 51178 that is not a state responsibility area. (j) "Wildfire" means an unplanned, unwanted wildland fire, including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fires where the objective is to extinguish the fire. 51178. The director shall identify areas in the state as very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas . Very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where Santa Ana, Mono, and Diablo winds have been identified by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as a major cause of wildfire spread. 51178.5. Within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the director that identifies very high fire hazard severity zones, a local agency shall make the information available for public review. The information shall be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, maps. 51179. (a) A local agency shall designate, by ordinance, very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the director pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 51178. A local agency shall be exempt from this requirement if ordinances of the local agency, adopted on or before December 31, 1992, impose standards that are equivalent to, or more restrictive than, the standards imposed by this chapter. (b) A local agency may, at its discretion, exclude from the requirements of Section 51182 an area identified as a very high fire hazard severity zone by the director within the jurisdiction of the local agency, following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Section 51182 are not necessary for effective fire protection within the area. (c) A local agency may, at its discretion, include areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency, not identified as very high fire hazard severity zones by the director, as very high fire hazard severity zones following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area. (d) Changes made by a local agency to the recommendations made by the director shall be final and shall not be rebuttable by the director. (e) The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt a model ordinance that provides for the establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. (f) Any ordinance adopted by a local agency pursuant to this section that substantially conforms to the model ordinance of the State Fire Marshal shall be presumed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. (g) A local agency shall post a notice at the office of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency identifying the location of the map provided by the director pursuant to Section 51178. If the agency amends the map, pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section, the notice shall instead identify the location of the amended map. 51180. For the purposes of Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1, vegetation removal or management, undertaken in whole or in part, for fire prevention or suppression purposes shall not be deemed to alter the natural condition of public property. This section shall apply only to natural conditions of public property and shall not limit any liability or immunity that may otherwise exist pursuant to this chapter. 51181. The director shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county's general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179. 51182. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or occupied structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered land, brush-covered land, grass-covered land, or land that is covered with flammable material, which area or land is within a very high fire hazard severity zone designated by the local agency pursuant to Section 51179, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line except as provided in paragraph (2) . The amount of fuel modification necessary shall take into account the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained in a condition so that a wildfire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This paragraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, the most intense being within the first 30 feet around the structure. Consistent with fuels management objectives, steps should be taken to minimize erosion. (2) A greater distance than that required under paragraph (1) may be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. Clearance beyond the property line may only be required if the state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation includes findings that the clearing is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of transmission of flame or heat sufficient to ignite the structure, and there is no other feasible mitigation measure possible to reduce the risk of ignition or spread of wildfire to the structure. Clearance on adjacent property shall only be conducted following written consent by the adjacent landowner. (3) An insurance company that insures an occupied dwelling or occupied structure may require a greater distance than that required under paragraph (1) if a fire expert, designated by the fire chief or fire official from the authority having jurisdiction, provides findings that the clearing is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of transmission of flame or heat sufficient to ignite the structure, and there is no other feasible mitigation measure possible to reduce the risk of ignition or spread of wildfire to the structure. The greater distance may not be beyond the property line unless allowed by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. (4) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (5) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (6) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials. (7) Prior to constructing a new dwelling or structure that will be occupied or rebuilding an occupied dwelling or occupied structure damaged by a fire in that zone, the construction or rebuilding of which requires a building permit, the owner shall obtain a certification from the local building official that the dwelling or structure, as proposed to be built, complies with all applicable state and local building standards, including those described in subdivision (b) of Section 51189, and shall provide a copy of the certification, upon request, to the insurer providing course of construction insurance coverage for the building or structure. Upon completion of the construction or rebuilding, the owner shall obtain from the local building official, a copy of the final inspection report that demonstrates that the dwelling or structure was constructed in compliance with all applicable state and local building standards, including those described in subdivision (b) of Section 51189, and shall provide a copy of the report, upon request, to the property insurance carrier that insures the dwelling or structure. (b) A person is not required under this section to manage fuels on land if that person does not have the legal right to manage fuels, nor is a person required to enter upon or to alter property that is owned by any other person without the consent of the owner of the • property. (c) The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shall develop, periodically update, and post on its Internet Web site a guidance document on fuels management pursuant to this chapter. Guidance shall include, but not be limited to, regionally appropriate vegetation management suggestions that preserve and restore native species, minimize erosion, minimize water consumption, and permit trees near homes for shade, aesthetics, and habitat; and suggestions to minimize or eliminate the risk of flammability of nonvegetative sources of combustion such as woodpiles, propane tanks, decks, and outdoor lawn furniture. 51183. (a) The local agency may exempt from the standards set forth in Section 51182 structures with exteriors constructed entirely of nonflammable materials, or conditioned upon the contents and composition of the structure, and may vary the requirements respecting the management of fuels surrounding the structures in those cases. This subdivision does not authorize a local agency to vary a requirement that is a building standard subject to Section 18930 of the Health and Safety Code, except as otherwise authorized by law. (b) An exemption or variance under subdivision (a) shall not apply unless and until the occupant of the structure, or if there is no occupant, then the owner of the structure, files with the local agency a written consent to the inspection of the interior and contents of the structure to ascertain whether Section 51182 is complied with at all times. 51183.5. (a) A transferor of real property that is located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, designated pursuant to this chapter, shall disclose to any prospective transferee the fact that the property is located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, and is subject to the requirements of Section 51182. (b) Disclosure is required pursuant to this section only when one of the following conditions is met: (1) The transferor, or the transferor's agent, has actual knowledge that the property is within a very high fire hazard severity zone. (2) A map that includes the property has been provided to the local agency pursuant to Section 51178, and a notice is posted at the offices of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency that identifies the location of the map and any information regarding changes to the map received by the local agency. (c) In all transactions that are subject to Section 1103 of the Civil Code, the disclosure required by subdivision (a) of this section shall be provided by either of the following means: (1) The Local Option Real Estate Disclosure Statement as provided in Section 1102.6a of the Civil Code. (2) The Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement as provided in Section 1103.2 of the Civil Code. (d) If the map or accompanying information is not of sufficient accuracy or scale that a reasonable person can determine if the subject real property is included in a very high fire hazard zone, the transferor shall mark "Yes" on the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement. The transferor may mark "No" on the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement if he or she attaches a report prepared pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1103.4 of the Civil Code that verifies the property is not in the hazard zone. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to limit or abridge any existing duty of the transferor or the transferor's agents to exercise reasonable care in making a determination under this subdivision. (e) Section 1103.13 of the Civil Code shall apply to this section. (f) The specification of items for disclosure in this section does not limit or abridge any obligation for disclosure created by any other provision of law or that may exist in order to avoid fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit in the transfer transaction. 51184. (a) Section 51182 shall not apply to any land or water area acquired or managed for one or more of the following purposes or uses: (1) Habitat for endangered or threatened species, or any species that is a candidate for listing as an endangered or threatened species by the state or federal government. (2) Lands kept in a predominantly natural state as habitat for wildlife, plant, or animal communities. (3) Open space lands that are environmentally sensitive parklands. (4) Other lands having scenic values, as declared by the local agency, or by state or federal law. (b) This exemption applies whether the land or water area is held in fee title or any lesser interest. This exemption applies to any public agency, any private entity that has dedicated the land or water areas to one or more of those purposes or uses, or any combination of public agencies and private entities making that dedication. (c) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of properly authorized prescribed burning to improve the biological function of land or to assist in the restoration of desired vegetation. (d) In the event that any lands adjacent to any land or water area described in subdivision (a) are improved such that they are subject to Section 51182, the obligation to comply with Section 51182 shall be with the person owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining the occupied dwelling or occupied structure on the improved lands. All maintenance activities and other fire prevention measures required by Section 51182 shall be required only for the improved lands, not the land and water areas described in subdivision (a) . 51185. (a) A violation of Section 51182 is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) . (b) If a person is convicted of a second violation of Section 51182 within five years, that person shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) . (c) If a person is convicted of a third violation of Section 51182 within five years, that person is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) . 51186. The local agency having jurisdiction of property upon which conditions regulated by Section 51182 are being violated shall notify the owner of the property to correct the conditions. If the owner fails to correct the conditions, the local agency may cause the corrections to be made, and the expenses incurred shall become a lien on the property that is the subject of the corrections when recorded in the county recorder's office in the county in which the real property is located. The priority of the lien shall be as of the date of recording. The lien shall contain the legal description of the real property, the assessor's parcel number, and the name of the owner of record as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll. 51187. Any violation of Section 51182 may be considered a public nuisance pursuant to Section 38773. 51188. In the instance of conflict between this chapter and any provision of state law that allows a regional planning agency to regulate very high fire hazard severity zones, this chapter shall prevail. 51189. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that site and structure defensibility is essential to reduce the risk of structure ignition as well as for effective fire suppression by firefighters. This need to establish defensibility extends beyond the site fuel management practices required by this chapter, and includes, but is not limited to, measures that increase the likelihood of a structure to withstand ignition, such as building design and construction requirements that use fire resistant building materials, and provide standards for reducing fire risks on structure projections, including, but not limited to, porches, decks, balconies and eaves, and structure openings, including, but not limited to, attic, foundation, and eave vents, doors, and windows. (b) No later than January 1, 2005, the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Director of Housing and Community Development, shall, pursuant to Section 18930 of the Health and Safety Code, recommend building standards that provide for comprehensive site and structure fire risk reduction to protect structures from fires spreading from adjacent structures or vegetation and to protect vegetation from fires spreading from adjacent structures. CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE - MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE CHAPTER 49 - REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREAS (Matrix Adoption Tables are non-regulatory, intended only as an aid to the user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.) Adopting Agency BSC SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DHS AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC T-24 T-19' 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 2 3 4 Adopt Entire Chapter X Adopt Entire Chapter as amended (amended sections listed below) Adopt only those sections that are listed below [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1] Chapter/Section * The California Code of Regulations(CCR),Title 19,Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19,Division 1 text for the code user's convenience only.The scope,applicability and appeals procedures of CCR,Title 19,Division I remain the same. CHAPTER 49 REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREAS SECTION 4901 ing and Community Development in accordance with Section GENERAL 101.15 shall apply. 4901.1 Scope. The mitigation of conditions where a wildfire FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. Geographical areas burning in vegetative fuels may readily transmit fire to build- designated pursuant to California Public Resources Codes, ings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression Sections 4201 through 4204 and classified as Very High, capabilities, or result in large property losses shall comply High, or Moderate in State Responsibility Areas or as Local with this chapter. Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones designated 4901.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to provide mini- pursuant to California Government Code, Sections 51175 mum standards to increase the ability of a building to resist through 51189. the intrusion off lame or burning embers being projected by a The California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1280 vegetation fire and contributes to a systematic reduction in entitles the maps of these geographical areas as "Maps of the conflagration losses through the use of performance and pre- Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the State Responsibility Area scriptive requirements. of California." LOCAL AGENCY VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVER- SECTION 4902 ITY ZONE. An area designated by a local agency upon the DEFINITIONS recommendation of the CDF Director pursuant to Govern- ment Code, Sections 51177(c), 51178 and 5118, that is not a 4902.1 General. For the purpose of this chapter, certain state responsibility area and where a local agency, city, terms are defined as follows: county, city and county, or district is responsible for fire pro- CDF DIRECTOR. Director of the California Department of tection. Forestry and Fire Protection. STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREA. Lands that are classi- FIRE PROTECTION PLAN. A document prepared for a fled by the Board of Forestry pursuant to Public Resources specific project or development proposed for a Wildland- Code Section 4125 where the financial responsibility of pre- Urban Interface Fire Area.It describes ways to minimize and venting and suppressing forest fires is primarily the responsi- mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure. bility of the state. The Fire Protection Plan shall be in accordance with this WILDFIRE. Any uncontrolled fire spreading through vege- Article. When required by the enforcing agency for the pur- poses of granting modifications, a fire protection plan shall resources as defined in Public Resources Code, Sections be submitted. Only locally adopted ordinances that have been 4103 and 4104. filed with the California Building Standards Commission in WILDFIRE EXPOSURE. One or a combination of radiant accordance with Section 101.14 or the Department of Hous- heat, convective heat, direct flame contact and burning 2013 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 363 REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREAS embers being projected by vegetation fire to a structure and or by a local agency following a finding supported by sub- ;'4 its immediate environment. stantial evidence in the record that the requirements of this section are necessary for effective fire protection within the WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA. A geo- area. graphical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, SECTION 4906 Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by HAZARDOUS VEGETATION AND FUEL e ' the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires. MANAGEMENT ` 4906.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels shall be SECTION 4903 managed to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire PLANS[RESERVED] exposure to buildings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations. v‘. " :b 4906.2 Application. Buildings and structures located in the SECTION 4904 following areas shall maintain the required hazardous vege- FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES tation and fuel management: 4904.1 General. Lands in the state are classified by the CDF 1. All unincorporated lands designated by the State Board Director in accordance with the severity of wildfire hazard of Forestry and Fire Protection as State Responsibility expected to prevail in those areas and the responsibility for Area(SRA)including: fire protection, so that measures may be identified which will reduce the potential for losses to life,property, and resources 1.1. Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones. from wildfire. 1.2. High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. 4904.2 Classifications. The CDF Director classifies lands into fire hazard severity zones in accordance with California 1.3. Very-high Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Public Resources Code,Sections 4201 through 4204 for State 2. Land designated as Veuy High Fire Hazard Severity Responsibility Areas and accordance with Government Code, Zone by cities and other local agencies. .� Sections 51175 through 51189 for areas where a local El agency is responsible for fire protection. 4906.3 Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all applicable buildings and structures shall be main- tained in accordance with the following laws and regula- SECTION 4905 tions: WILDFIRE PROTECTION BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 1. Public Resources Code, Section 4291. 4905.1 General. Materials and construction methods for 2. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, exterior wildfire exposure protection shall be applied within Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Section 1299 (see guidance geographical areas where a wildfire burning in vegetative for implementation "General Guideline to Create fuels may readily transmit fire to buildings and threaten to Defensible Space"). destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities, or 3. California Government Code, Section 51182. result in large property losses. 4. California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, �. 4905.2 Construction methods and requirements within Chapter 7,Subchapter 1, Section 3.07. established limits. Within the limits established by law, con- struction methods intended to mitigate wildfire exposure shall comply with the wildfire protection building construe- SECTION 4907 tion requirements contained in the California Building Stan DEFENSIBLE SPACE dards Code, including the following: 4907.1 General.Defensible space will be maintained around s' 1. California Building Code, Chapter 7A, all buildings and structures in State Responsibility Area 2. California Residential Code, Section R327, (SRA)as required in Public Resources Code 4290 and "SRA Fire Safe Regulations" California Code of Regulations, Title 3. California Referenced Standards Code, Chapter 12-7A 14,Division 1.5, Chapter 7,Subchapter 2, Section 1270. and this chapter. Buildings and structures within the Very-high Fire Hazard 4905.3 Establishment of limits. The establishment of limits Severity Zones of a Local Responsibility Areas(LRA) shall °4 for the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area's required con- maintain defensible space as outlined in Government Code struction methods shall be designated pursuant to the Cali- 51175—51189 and any local ordinance of the authority hay- fornia Public Resources Code for State Responsibility areas ing jurisdiction. 364 2013 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE CHAPTER 7A [SFM] MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE SECTION 701A 3. Land designated as Wildland Interface Fire Area by SCOPE, PURPOSE AND APPLICATION cities and other local agencies. 701A.1 Scope. This chapter applies to building materials, Exceptions: systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new buildings located within a Wildland- 1. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Urban Interface Fire Area as defined in Section 702A. Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas, for which an application for a 701A.2 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish building permit is submitted on or after minimum standards for the protection of life and property by January 1, 2008, shall comply with all increasing the ability of a building located in any Fire Haz- sections of this chapter. and Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas or any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area to resist the intrusion of 2. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and Severity Zone within State Responsibility contributes to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses. Areas or any Wildland Interface Fire Area designated by cities and other local 701A.3 Application. New buildings located in any Fire Haz- agencies for which an application for a and Severity Zone or any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire building pennit is submitted on or after Area designated by the enforcing agency constructed after December 1, 2005 but prior to July 1, the application date shall comply with the provisions of this 2008, shall only comply with the follow- chapter. ing sections of this chapter: Exceptions: 2.1. Section 705A—Roofing 1. Buildings of an accessory character classified as a 2.2.Section 706A—Attic Ventilation Group U occupancy and not exceeding 120 square feet in floor area, when located at least 30 feet from 701A.4 Inspection and certification. Building permit appli- an applicable building. cations and final completion approvals for buildings within the scope and application of this chapter shall comply with 2. Buildings of an accessory character classified as the following: Group U occupancy of any size located least 50 feet from an applicable building. 1. Building permit issuance. The local building official shall,prior to construction,provide the owner or appli- 3. Buildings classified as a Group U Agricultural cant a certification that the building as proposed to be Building, as defined in Section 202 of this code (see built complies with all applicable state and local build- also Appendix C—Group U Agricultural Buildings), ing standards, including those for materials and con- when located at least 50 feet from an applicable struction methods for wildfire exposure as described in building. this chapter. Issuance of a building permit by the local 4. Additions to and remodels of buildings originally building official for the proposed building shall be con- constructed prior to the applicable application date. sidered as complying with this section. 701A.3.1 Application date and where required. New 2. Building pennit final. The local building official shall, buildings for which an application for a building permit is upon completion of construction,provide the owner or submitted on or after July 1, 2008 located in any Fire Haz- applicant with a copy of the final inspection report that and Severity Zone or Wildland Interface Fire Area shall demonstrates the building was constructed in compli- comply with all sections of this chapter, including all of ance with all applicable state and local building stan- • the following areas: dards, including those for materials and construction methods for wildfire exposure as described in this 1. All unincorporated lands designated by the State chapter. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as State local building official for the proposed building shall Responsibility Area(SRA)including: be considered as complying with this section. 1.1. Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones 701A.5 Vegetation management compliance.Prior to build- 1.2. High Fire Hazard Severity Zones ing permit final approval, the property shall be in compliance with the vegetation management requirements prescribed in 1.3. Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones California Fire Code Section 4906, including California 2. Land designated as Very-High Fire Hazard Severity .Public Resources Code 4291 or California Government Code Zone by cities and other local agencies. Section 51182.Acceptable methods of compliance inspection 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 293 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE and documentation shall be determined by the enforcing flames, as prescribed in Section 703A and SFM Standard 12- agency and may include any of the following: 7A-5, Ignition-Resistant Material. Ait F, 1. Local, state or federal fire authority or designee autho- LOCAL AGENCY VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVER- rized to enforce vegetation management requirements ITY ZONE means an area designated by a local agency upon 2. Enforcing agency the recommendation of the CDF Director pursuant to Gov- ernment Code Sections 51177(c), 51178 and 5118 that is not 3. Third party inspection and certification authorized to a state responsibility area and where a local agency, city, enforce vegetation management requirements county, city and county, or district is responsible for fire pro- y 4. Property owner certification authorized by the enforc- ing agency LOG WALL CONSTRUCTION. A type of construction in which exterior walls are constructed of solid wood members and where the smallest horizontal dimension of each solid SECTION 702A wood member is at least 6 inches(152 mm). DEFINITIONS RAFTER TAIL. The portion of roof rafter framing in a slop- For the purposes of this chapter,certain terms are defined ing roof assembly that projects beyond and overhangs an below: exterior wall. CDF DIRECTOR means the Director of the California ROOF EAVE. The lower portion of a sloping roof assembly Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. that projects beyond and overhangs an exterior wall at the EXTERIOR COVERING. The exposed siding or cladding lower end of the rafter tails.Roof eaves may be either"open" material applied to the exterior side of an exterior wall, roof or "enclosed." Open roof eaves have exposed rafter tails and eave soffit,floor projection or exposed underfloor framing. an unenclosed space on the underside of the roof deck. Enclosed roof eaves have a boxed-in roof eave soffit with a FIRE PROTECTION PLAN is a document prepared for a horizontal underside or sloping rafter tails with an exterior specific project or development proposed for a Wildland covering applied to the underside of the rafter tails. Urban Interface Fire Area.It describes ways to minimize and ROOF EAVE SOFFIT.An,enclosed boxed-in soffit under a mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure. .� roof eave with exterior covering material applied to the soffit The Fire Protection Plan shall be in accordance with this framing creating a horizontal surface on the exposed under- -`\ chapter and the California Fire Code, Chapter 49. When side. Y required by the enforcing agency for the purposes of granting ✓ modifications, a fire protection plan shall be submitted. Only STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREA means lands that are locally adopted ordinances that have been filed with the Cali- classified by the Board of Forestry pursuant to Public fornia Building Standards Commission or the Department of Resources Code Section 4125 where the financial responsi- Housing and Community Development in accordance with bility of preventing and suppressing forest fires is primarily Section 1.1.8 shall apply. the responsibility of the state. FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES are geographical WILDFIRE is any uncontrolled fire spreading through vege- tative fuels that threatens to destroy life, property, or Codes Sections 4201 through 4204 and classified as Very resources as defined in Public Resources Code Sections 4103 High, High, or Moderate in State Responsibility Areas or as and 4104. Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones desig- WILDFIRE EXPOSURE is one or a combination of radiant nated pursuant to California Government Code, Sections heat, convective heat, direct flame contact and burning 51175 through 51189. See California Fire Code Article 86. embers being projected by vegetation fire to a structure and 4. ,~ The CaliforniaCode Regulations, Title 14, Section its immediate environment. of g 1280,entitles the maps of these geographical areas as "Maps WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA is a geo- of the Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the State Responsibility graphical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Area of California." Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources HEAVY TIMBER.A type of construction classification spec Code Sections 4201 through 4204 and Government Code ified in Section 602. For use in this chapter, heavy timber Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by ( " shall be sawn lumber or glue laminated wood with the small- the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires. 6.' est minimum nominal dimension of 4 inches(102 mm).Heavy timber walls or floors shall be sawn or glue-laminated planks SECTION 703A splined, tongue-and-grove, or set close together and well STANDARDS OF QUALITY spiked. IGNITION-RESISTANT MATERIAL. A type of building 703A.1 General. Building material, systems, assemblies and stmaterial that resists ignition or sustained flamingcombustion methods of construction used in this chapter shall be in sufficiently so as to reduce losses from wildland-urban accordance with Section 703A. �= inter- face conflagrations under worst-case weather and fuel condi- 703A.2 Qualification by testing. Material and material dons with wildfire exposure of burning embers and small assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of 294 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR Section 703A shall be accepted for use when the results and a fire protection plan shall be submitted in accordance with conditions of those tests are met. Product evaluation testing the California Fire Code, Chapter 49. of material and material assemblies shall be approved or 703A.7 Standards of quality. The State Fire Marshal stan- listed by the State Fire Marshal, or identified in a current dards for exterior wildfire exposure protection listed below report issued by an approved agency. and as referenced in this chapter are located in the Califor- 703A.3 Approved agency. Product evaluation testing shall be nia Referenced Standards Code, Part 12 and Chapter 35 of performed by an approved agency as defined in Section 1702. this code. The scope of accreditation for the approved agency shall SFM Standard 12-7A-1,Exterior Wall Siding and Sheath- include building product compliance with this code. ing.A fire resistance test standard consisting of a 150 kW 703A.4 Labeling. Material and material assemblies tested in intensity direct flame exposure for a 10-minute duration. accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall bear SFM Standard 12-7A-2, Exterior Windows. A fire resis- an identification label showing the fire test results. That iden- twice test standard consisting of a 150 kW intensity direct tification label shall be issued by a testing and/or inspecting flame exposure for a 8-minute duration. agency approved by the State Fire Marshal. SFM Standard 12-7A-3,Horizontal Projection Underside 1. Identification mark of the approved testing and/or A fire resistance test standard consisting of a 300 kW inspecting agency intensity direct flame exposure for a 10-minute duration. 2. Contact and identification information of the manufac- SFM Standard 12-7A- 4, Decking. A two-part test con- turer sisting of a heat release rate(Part A)deck assembly com- bustion test with an under deck exposure of 80 kW 3. Model number or identification of the product or mate intensity direct flame for a 3-minute duration, and a(Part Hal B)sustained deck assembly combustion test consisting of a 4. Pre-test weathering specified in this chapter deck upper surface burning ember exposure with a 12 mph wind for 40 minutes using a 2.21b(1 kg)burning "Class A" 5. Compliance standard as described under Section size 12"x 12"x 2.25"(300 mm x 300 mm x 57 mm) roof 703A.7 test brand. 703A.5 Weathering and surface treatment protection. SFM Standard 12-7A-4A,Decking Alternate Method A.A 703A.5.1 General. Material and material assemblies heat release rate deck assembly combustion test with an tested in accordance with the requirements of Section under deck exposure of 80 kW intensity direct flame for a 703A shall maintain their fire test performance under con- 3-minute duration, ditions of use, when installed in accordance with the man- SFM Standard 12-7A-5, Ignition-resistant Material. A ufacturers instructions. generic building material surface burning flame spread 703A.5.2 Weathering. Fire-retardant-treated wood and test standard consisting of an extended 30 minute ASTM fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes shall E84 or UL 723 test method as is used for fire-retardant- meet the fire test performance requirements of this chapter treated wood. after being subjected to the weathering conditions con- tained in the following standards, as applicable to the materials and the conditions of use. SECTION 704A IGNITION-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION 703A.5.2.1 Fire-retardant-treated wood. Fire retar 704A.1 General. The materials prescribed herein for ignition dant-treated wood shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 2898, "Standard Practice for Accelerated resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter. Weathering of Fire-Retardant Treated Wood for Fire 704A.2 Ignition-resistant material. Ignition-resistant mate- Testing (Method A)" and the requirements of Section Hal shall be determined in accordance with the test proce- 2303.2. dures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-5 "Ignition-Resistant 703A.5.2.2 Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and Material"or in accordance with this section. shakes. Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and 704A.3 Alternative methods for determining ignition-resis- shakes shall be approved and listed by the State Fire tant material. Any one of the following shall be accepted as Marshal in accordance with Section 208(c), Title 19 meeting the definition of ignition-resistant material: California Code of Regulations. 1. Noncombustible material. Material that complies with 703A.5.3 Surface treatment protection. The use of paints, the definition for noncombustible materials in Section coatings, stains or other surface treatments are not an 202. approved method of protection as required in this chapter. 2. Fire-retardant-treated wood. Fire-retardant-treated 703A.6 Alternates for materials, design, tests and methods wood identified for exterior use that complies with the of construction. The enforcing agency is permitted to modify requirements of Section 2303.2. the provisions of this chapter for site-specific conditions in 3. Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes. Fire- accordance with Section 1.11.2.4. When required by the retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes, as defined enforcing agency for the purposes of granting modifications, in Section 1505.6 and listed by State Fire Marshal for 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 295 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE use as "Class B"roof covering,shall be accepted as an 706A.3 Ventilation openings on the underside of eaves and ; ignition-resistant wall covering material when installed cornices. Vents shall not be installed on the underside of 9 over solid sheathing. eaves and cornices. Exceptions: SECTION 705A 1. The enforcing agency may accept or approve spe- ROOFING cial eave and cornice vents that resist the intrusion of flame and burning embers. 705A.1 General. Roofs shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7A and Chapter 15. Roofs shall have a roofing 2. Vents complying with the requirements of Section assembly installed in accordance with its listing and the man- 706A.2 may be installed on the underside of eaves ufacturer's installation instructions. and cornices in accordance with either one of the following conditions: 705A.2 Roof coverings. Where the roof profile allows a space between the roof covering and roof decking, the spaces 2.1.The attic space being ventilated is fully pro s... ,a shall be constructed to prevent the intrusion of flames and tected by an automatic sprinkler systemki embers, be firestopped with approved materials or have one installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 layer of minimum 72 pound(32.4 kg) mineral-surfaced non- or, perforated cap sheet complying with ASTM D 3909 installed 2.2.The exterior wall covering and exposed over the combustible decking. underside of the eave are of noncombustible 705A.3 Roof valleys. Where valley flashing is installed, the material, or ignition-resistant-materials as flashing shall be not less than 0.019-inch (0.48 mm) No. 26 determined in accordance with SFM Standard gage galvanized sheet corrosion-resistant metal installed 12-7A-5 Ignition-Resistant Material and the over not less than one layer of minimum 72 pound(32.4 kg) vent is located more than 12 feet from the mineral-surfaced nonperforated cap sheet complying with ground or walking surface of a deck, porch, ASTM D 3909, at least 36-inch-wide (914 mm) running the patio or similar surface. full length of the valley. 705A.4 Roof gutters.Roof gutters shall be provided with the SECTION 707A means to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris in the EXTERIOR COVERING ; \ gutter. 707A.1 Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the materials and construction methods used to resist building ignition and/or safeguard against the intrusion of flames SECTION 706A resulting from small ember and short-term direct flame con- VENTS tact exposure. 706A.1 General. Where provided, ventilation openings for 707A.2 General. The following exterior covering materials enclosed attics, enclosed cave soffit spaces, enclosed rafter and/or assemblies shall comply with this section: spaces formed where ceilings are applied directly to the 1. Exterior wall covering material underside of roof rafters, and underfloor ventilation shall be in accordance with Section 1203 and Sections 706A.1 2. Exterior wall assembly through 706A.3 to resist building ignition from the intrusion 3. Exterior exposed underside of roof eave overhangs of burning embers and flame through the ventilation open- ings. 4. Exterior exposed underside of roof eave soffits of exterior d underside ose 706A.2 Requirements. Ventilation openings for enclosed 5. Exposed porch ceilings attics, enclosed eave soffit spaces, enclosed rafter. spaces 6. Exterior exposed underside of floor projections formed where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of roof rafters, and underfloor ventilation openings shall be 7. Exterior underfloor areas fully covered with metal wire mesh, vents, other materials or Exceptions: other devices that meet the following requirements: 1. Exterior wall architectural trim, embellishments, f x. 1. The dimensions of the openings therein shall be a mini- fascias, and gutters . . mum of'/16-inch(1.6 mm)and shall not exceed 1/8-inch 2. Roof or wall top cornice projections and similar (3.2mm). assemblies 2. The materials used shall be noncombustible. 3. Roof assembly projections over gable end walls Exception: Vents located under the roof covering, 4. Solid wood rafter tails and solid wood blocking along the ridge of roofs, with the exposed surface of installed between rafters having minimum dimen- the vent covered by noncombustible wire mesh, may sion 2 inch(50.8 mm)nominal be of combustible materials. 5. Deck walking surfaces shall comply with Section 3. The materials used shall be corrosion resistant. 709A.4 only 296 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR 707A.3 Exterior walls. The exterior wall covering or wall 707A.5 Enclosed roof eaves and roof eave soffits. The assembly shall comply with one of the following require- exposed underside of enclosed roof eaves having either a meats: boxed-in roof eave soffit with a horizontal underside, or slop- 1. Noncombustible material ing rafter tails with an exterior covering applied to the under- side of the rafter tails, shall be protected by one of the 2. Ignition-resistant material following: 3. Heavy timber exterior wall assembly 1. Noncombustible material 4. Log wall construction assembly 2. Ignition-resistant material 5. Wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria in 3. One layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute behind an exterior covering on the underside of the raf- direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM ter tails or soffit Standard 12-7A-1 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior Exception: Any of the following shall be deemed to meet wall assembly applied to the underside of the rafter the assembly performance criteria and intent of this sec- tails or soffit including assemblies using the gypsum tion: panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum 1. One layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing Association Fire Resistance Design Manual applied behind the exterior covering or cladding on 5. Boxed-in roof eave soffit assemblies with a horizontal the exterior side of the framing underside that meet the performance criteria in accor- 2. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exte- dance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Stan- rior wall assembly designed for exterior fire expo- dard 12-7A-3 sure including assemblies using the gypsum panel Exceptions: The following materials do not require pro- and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associ- tection: ation Fire Resistance Design Manual 1. Gable end overhangs and roof assembly projections 707A.3.1 Extent of exterior wall covering. Exterior wall beyond an exterior wall other than at the lower end coverings shall extend from the top of the foundation to of the rafter tails the roof, and terminate at 2 inch(50.8 nun)nominal solid 2. Fascia and other architectural trim boards wood blocking between rafters at all roof overhangs, or in the case of enclosed eaves, terminate at the enclosure. 707A.6 Exterior porch ceilings. The exposed underside of exterior porch ceilings shall be protected by one of the fol- 707A.4 Open roof eaves. The exposed roof deck on the lowing: underside of unenclosed roof eaves shall consist of one of the following: 1. Noncombustible material 1. Noncombustible material 2. Ignition-resistant material 2. Ignition-resistant material 3. One layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied 5/8-inch behind the exterior covering on the underside of the 3. One layer of Type X gypsum sheathing applied ceiling behind an exterior covering on the underside exterior of the roof deck 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the ceiling 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior assembly including assemblies using the gypsum panel wall assembly applied to the underside of the roof deck and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associa- designed for exterior fire exposure including assent- tion Fire Resistance Design Manual blies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products 5. Porch ceiling assemblies with a horizontal underside listed in the Gypsiznt Association Fire Resistance Design Manual that meet the pezformance criteria in accordance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3 Exceptions: The following materials do not require pro- tection: Exception:Architectural trim boards. 1. Solid wood rafter tails on the exposed underside of 707A.7 Floor projections. The exposed underside of a canti- open roof eaves having a minimum nominal dimer levered floor projection where a floor assembly extends over sion of 2 inch(50.8»zzn) an exterior wall shall be protected by one of the following: 2. Solid wood blocking installed between rafter tails on 1• Noncombustible material the exposed underside of open roof eaves having a 2. Ignition-resistant material minimum nominal dimension of 2 inch(50.8 nun) 3. One layer of 5/3-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied 3. Gable end overhangs and roof assembly projections behind an exterior covering on the underside of the beyond an exterior wall other than at the lower end floor projection of the rafter tails 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior 4. Fascia and other architectural trim boards wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor pro- 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 297 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE jection including assemblies using the gypsum panel SECTION 708A and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associa- EXTERIOR WINDOWS AND DOORS tion Fire Resistance Design Manual 708A.1 General. 5. The underside of a floor projection assembly that meet 708A.2 Exterior glazing. The following exterior glazing the performance criteria in accordance with the test materials and/or assemblies shall comply with this section: procedures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3 1. Exterior windows Exception:Architectural trim boards. s=' 2. Exterior glazed doors 707A.8 Underfloor protection. The underfloor area of ele • - vated or overhanging buildings shall be enclosed to grade in 3. Glazed openings within exterior doors accordance with the requirements of this chapter or the 4. Glazed openings within exterior garage doors underside of the exposed underfloor shall consist of one of 5. Exterior structural glass veneer the following: 708A.2.1 Exterior windows and exterior glazed door 1. Noncombustible material assembly requirements. Exterior windows and exterior 2. Ignition-resistant material glazed door assemblies shall comply with one of the fol- 3. One layer of 3/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied lowing requirements: behind an exterior covering on the underside of the 1. Be constructed of multipane glazing with a minimum floor projection of one tempered pane meeting the requirements of 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior Section 2406 Safety Glazing, or wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor 2. Be constructed of glass block units, or including assemblies using the gypsum panel and 3. Have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 20 sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association minutes when tested according to NFPA 257, or Fire Resistance Design Manual 4. Be tested to meet the performance requirements of 5. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per- SFM Standard 12-7A-2 formance criteria in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3 708A.2.2 Structural glass veneer. The wall assembly behind structural glass veneer shall comply with Section <<- Exception: Heavy timber structural columns and beams 707A.3. do not require protection. . _: 707A.8 Underside of appendages. When required by the 708A.3 Exterior doors.Exterior doors shall comply with one enforcing agency the underside of overhanging appendages of the following: shall be enclosed to grade in accordance with the require- 1. The exterior surface or cladding shall be of noncom- ments of this chapter or the underside of the exposed under- bustible or ignition-resistant material, or floor shall consist of one of the following: 2. Shall be constructed of solid core wood that comply 1. Noncombustible material with the following requirements: 2. Ignition-resistant material 2.1.Stiles and rails shall not be less than 13/8 inches thick. 3. One layer of 5/8 inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside of the 2.2•Raised panels shall not be less than 1'4 inches floor projection thick, except for the exterior perimeter of the raised panel that may taper to a tongue not less than 3/8 4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior inch thick wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor including assemblies using the gypsum panel and 3. Shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 20 ,.r- sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association minutes when tested according to NFPA 252. Fire Resistance Design Manual 4. Shall be tested to meet the performance requirements of 5. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per SFM Standard 12-7A-1. formance criteria in accordance with the test proce- 708A.3.1 Exterior door glazing. Glazing in exterior doors dures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3 shall comply with Section 708A.2.1. 1:7- Exception: Exception: Heavy timber structural columns and beams do not require protection. 298 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR SECTION 709A SECTION 710A DECKING ACCESSORY STRUCTURES 709A.1 General. The walking surface material of decks, 710A.1 General. Accessory and miscellaneous structures, porches, balconies and stairs shall comply with the require- other than buildings covered by Section 701A.3, which pose a ments of this section. significant exterior exposure hazard to applicable buildings during wildfires shall be constructed to conform to the igni- 709A.2 Where required. The walking surface material of tion resistance requirements of this section. decks, porches, balconies and stairs shall comply with the 710A.2 Applicability. The provisions of this section shall requirements of this section when any portion of such surface apply to trellises, arbors,patio covers, carports, gazebos and is within 10 feet(3048 mm)of the building. similar structures of an accessory or miscellaneous charac- 709A.3 Decking Surfaces. The walking surface material of ter. decks,porches, balconies and stairs shall be constructed with Exceptions: one of the following materials: 1. Decks shall comply with the requirements of Section 1. Ignition-resistant material that complies with the per- 709A. fonnance requirements of both SFM Standard 12-7A-4 2. Awnings and canopies shall comply with the and SFM Standard 12-7A-5. requirements of Section 3105. 2. Exterior fire retardant treated wood 710A.3 Where required. Accessory structures shall comply with the requirements of this section. 3. Noncombustible material 71OA.3.1 Attached accessory structures shall comply with 4. Any material that complies with the penfonnance the requirements of this section. requirements of SFM Standard 12-7A-4A when 71OA.3.2 When required by the enforcing agency, attached exterior wall covering is also either noncom- detached accessory structures within 50 feet of an applica- bustible or ignition-resistant material. ble building shall comply with the requirements of this Exception: Wall material may be of any material that oth- section. erwise complies with this chapter when the decking sur- 710A.4 Requirements. When required by the enforcing face material complies with the performance requirements agency accessory structures shall be constructed of noncom- ASTM E 84 with a Class B flame spread rating. bustible or ignition-resistant materials. 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 299 mopSANTA CLARA COUNTY VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LRA As Recommended By CAL FIRE • ''?'')s,t„...\ - .e L \ 1�2�.. IT'' • ` "��•• 'C] FIRE HAZARD 56VQ�7IY ZONES A -'— 5� , n -PM16L NW1II r x.. 4k. �► 504105.\ om:�"_"'T��:..�_�_ i Y� • r' it J:�G \\... . �" Tye (-)'2‘ \ J y • PACIFIC OCEAN • _ ,,' \ 't Seal QUO • rlr.s' Orulli>r ` I.e¢.....,......we a.Me,Ir m..b.a..y ne 91.“Iv.o>1.+..e. .prat",n.m+ri murnmp.r.e..r.srenern. PP.a i"0°'0f�'+�+�"Pa.w..<., 'w.vne.r...nun e+q•enc.laor mama neves�. .w •ml.rowmi. nW.C'ear,Y.n Yr M. ..N>r,ee vmn'd ares . T•NfT.•w lrn. .rev.,.. DRAFT FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LRA CALFIRE - FRAP 2008 tN44%'...?N. i) air . , •Z . I i L.71%/(J i t Altos Los ITills _ _ 4. . . ‘100. .,. . .., ,.. .. ., ••. .... . . .. 1 ,......,_ MRL-I IAZARD SEVERITY ZONES _LRA Very 1 tigh _LRA l hgh LRA Moderate LRA Unionist Otlrr Very Hiitlt Other High Other Moderate Other etvnncd Inn.rpixated Chit, u...+..r.....w.......rrtr..a.... ..rM rmmiarw ..tim.�~.01.0 IMO �r• +.r.....r......w w.arw..�i.ai.+r.r•••• 7 EMI 111111111111 MIN ir 4----- _ I I__L_ ..... N ...? MIMI o ►�nil III,Mallg1111116 CAST ST an ATTACHMENT 11 •1 �� . lup •.y fi�� -� -� N�W 4 ME IBM"eir11011.11116, 111. 1 gm . ! W11/d�E ` * I MIEN ilk AVain e LEl ow LriA. meintmurill =IN wit: mhos�=L I ; I �.,, ` a+!•i m �� M ^TTA DR SW OftTX!T fLl T � ,. � ��ii s , . %, - . N" IIP V MIS 111:-.... ~: : Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area 1.1 ! LUiAiLiIi .�g /,_ - VeryHigh –•–• City Boundary 6: . ijimitel t Fire Hazard parcels 'Mu no 1 r ipP 'yr 4 , it 0 250 500 1,0000 ..WAAWi*lik �* # '� • Feet • March 30,2009 . �'�, .�,r �-- RNreWwJM•e1FY••'Fln'fYr1.n=.wb01904�M.1 - 1 1 : 1 i 1 ! ! Nunil 1 i'- . 04044 ,060,s ,�A: oI NN~==smu .. land , Ill *CUPERTINO — T LWUTW •.R�ia�� VIoN X11 �� ' N/�IN1N1 :/,�h y1 ► .��= ul ilk, •� c,,.•►r+ �1� NN/NHHI NNS1. 11:11k :!him 111 ' G '3` ii�i�l� � f � "� V&JPiIiL �i.n i en i ups War„ii'm oil* iv .444 iii MN I 4 ove,t9.0 \/ , On ii: AV/AIL , , 41, _ . _.. 0,400 di II um INN / / 004. - a. am aillimmEniX ' ne Ell En °yh, ♦i MEM �_ Ml \ /"----- / i / \ - ..._.�i�.�.�._._._.�.�.�._._._.�., "— n SIIIININ �i ice 4 ` ■n It% II. 1I . 0 -I CO . :.ti ' 1 FRmu' UNINCORPORATED •.--• ^._._._._._. SARATOGA COMMUNITY VISION 2040 City of Cupertino Figure HS-1 Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (WUIFA) Los Altos IL lSunnyvale \ HOMESTEAD I ao ! -11I I i'" _ l 1 I I / a Q a Santa Clara le 4 \\C: STEVENS MEM KVO MRIBIMi' 2 f i , \\..ss inao i `' t 1 San Jose 1 " Legend L \ _ Unincorporated Areas within Urban Service Area $1111 /�a J i I City Boundary I StevensCreek -- — - Urban Service Area Boundary borrow J it T. Sphere of Influence Saratoga Boundary Agreement Line Ott / I I Unincorporated Areas _ Urban Wildland Interface N 003 1 Mila 1000 70 0 00 3000 Peet 0 300 1000 Meters HS-8 Palo Alto Critical Facilities and Fire Hazard Zones (I= it 4if ' % S , • e 1 ifbs • • • 'lii1;:F., #.' j-, --,-. 0a • �e _r0 /C 07/ 'Qav/ O SP Centra /ExAY V 4,. 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'S WF ' r Fire Hazard Zones A R A T Cr p2g21lL Prepared by RBF Consulting:12/04/2012 Sources:City of Saratoga-Zoning Map(2010)Wldland-Urban Interface Fire Area Map(2009):ESRI Terrain Basemap Exhibit 7 County of Santa Clara-CftvLimits(2010)StreetEdae(2009):CA Deot of Forestry and Fire Protection(20071 Wildland Urban Interface Map Roofing Fire Rating Requirements _ % $1104111141111114 0 1/11-01114koll 'ft - , 0 st..? aa,Iite. H*�'�w.ii r et It `IP r��lle graroziiilaikvionlvitiza "'--1 iii 010i■�■ All) pare alIBUMBINS 11.66/1121111011r r . ' ‘1141111111111 c'' 14 11.101 MAUD fa* er11111141111AVVAIT ‘ i ila Lialiefe0111111 jai lei aritikliiiriel..- .14,- ilt GP ealpiaq' Lil - 111.0"41 la Mr is ....m.,,z :---- Inv 0 irlk to -..14‘ 'PP 4t*V44 51aire7 t - 447t44p '%'4:-.1 , allA 7'1 , ,410, 4,4I TWIN CREE•`��` � �� Q - �. =M1��,�,�II� lii l 0 MONTEWOup �� /y FA' , .R1i4PPJ ,1 `rIf. or„4-,..',bli.,...... - NII/ I" �. Liii 'No rim Ivreaw AV #4 NI 14., $0, 14 ar •••?(**,0111180,- Y Aliii, t A .t: 'L) cr 0_ it:4 Ar ' attlsr.t;Liitzszsir ; , `.. ,� yam, 1•. l ilga •�frigurie ..Lessee,d , ��. ��.�j ,1 mo , per �►r:• .�}�� ,�sib4,14 ,4%z,a,,� 1I X11• &. v 00 1 07� c `� �:�rr� V 11;11 '�II73 ooillirii El 1 PRF :. m V'irra,{� a°�y11111 ewin air�� •, �► III...1/111E �1' .• " z ` �1��:�•////•��I'111 �• ►! `lief • � J� :�4`/,III/4 rft /1111 \I Oka jeilift.4\,,Alip •4 #.4 �►�4 ', 0. 4.,,•,''%,•. t / - • +j•�• '•1i�4 °LA/ .. 0•-* . ' * 4.4,4 , . ._ : „. „, 4_41:, • •• i.z. *de* i :ao,,,_ ,'_ _ 0-\(':PtV '4 r# r ` ��/1 � Dill— �* / ■s 0,\'<, Wildland 1, ® Wildland Urban Interface Areas PIII j Local Selection- Class A Roof Required rtai-"4 State Selection- Class A Roof Required Non-selected- Minimum Class B Roof Required isoiri. - Santa Clara County Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area Adopted February 24,2009 ----/ 'N. --------- ,,h, ,---' l.„. .--- ,.1. ‘,.. ,I ( PALO r .. ALTO '.,- -, Mar AS 4 < `‘ MO 1 c UNTA .v,* ,igiatiiii I VIEW 1.. / LOS LOS . V.,•••••••,... ALTOS ALTOS .L SUNNYVALE ' HILLS - a. . r) SANTA 880 e CLARA •--'-"- I 1 . IC' 1•• .0% • .e• CUPERTINO CAIII, LcAmpBELL 4 - et . 41t 1 I * SARATOGA 1.6, / r'i , iillir •:.' '...1. . a LOS Its GATOS i.. fiat * ,..‘ ii• - N, _ ,•1 i lb. ' "••• ', fr.‘46.... il s , I-. • • .......-' ... . „ MORGAN ,....*, ., Nt• 1 4 HILL 16 N1/4 ••••..,_ -No• „iii.lf / .• -, •••,,... , . % ..\•...,.. \ ,-) r... -", GILROY i LI_ il ,23 --, I ( i /"••...t N,. s. Wildland Urban Interface ... -) i. %...... Very High Zone, Wildland Urban Interface " '‘,4 I Wildland Urban Interface 1 tr' Ivj5 Non-Wildland/Non-Urban; Urban Unzoned 0 2.5 19,Ailes MOIR - _, y ) f .. a Legend i 1 �_S \ - - — -- _ fi J i' / /- - i /,x _ ` Ilii I i l 1 1 l l ;i l __1 , 111 Parcels 6 \ / I I .,,- I /1 • t ' __ 1 1 1 l I 1 i t I I E JLO.G sMArx(ONFA) i f /f - •`%i - _} -� _. / l Wry High Fln II ,d MFF �"- --.` -.. /~ _Tr;i I --1!:. -51FIF MYWNM IRA IVH �r ` �I I l \ , .]T al Los Gatos Designated(WOWS,/ / '� I ` I \ .. 11 _, - - aaaw..ux.g u` I SIMF MriWIFEP,.-Zn.MIF11A) 7. b` /�`{ I. ' /\' ,i 1 i \ ,. �"1\ i 1 I { _ i l i I 1 i -1 Pre-Zoned Mn Designated—...MNIF- Iii • I ' fllilil ; . Wili./ / / .y ' I . - i - aif l i / �� i ` ,s �� f`* 1 t — -- / / r;--',.*, Ji I �! ;int -C--{ J / --i I �� '_. 44e....--7-i0 o ..--, . . ,..-----,\," - 44 00 jy,,/ � , f � �, J -A � f � I ` 4 q I4 lip (i''). \? SJ . - (51,1 r \� r% v \ a, H a et? _, 4.4C . • /i N W+E S ...o Exhibit "A" 0 5001,000 Town of Los Altos Mills ATTACHMENT E jl/... Li \ E. INSTITUTIONAL �� T IM OPEN SPACE PRESERVE ,� RECREATION AREA-PUBLIC RECREATION AREA-PRIVATE v I ,� Y 1- OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION AREA r - -- r I '" • \ ®HIGH FIRE HAZARD 1 \, - f • MODERATE FIFE HAZARD T "tt . --. ' ,,,y �, . . --..r.,:./,. i • • -��, r--, _ Y I W E _ „,.- `c \` 7 } _� r. /�,j ` _ ^ •./ j� s. ' /414:'—'',' ip% ' • . -0;•00,A%-e4t, \ :\ ' It .._ 0 . ,, - �,....., ��.. 40._ _.. - ..„, ;rte, , ,,,,.. i ., A. %', .. „ . i �ti: . . ..- , � • , t yi Lh 1 it ” • _ L \ -. / r 8_,- .1,,. 40 FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 1 of 9 ATTACHMENT 13 Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Up Previous Next Main Collapse Search Print Title 4 PUBLIC SAFETY Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION 4-2.101 Definitions. For the purposes of this article, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this article are defined as follows: Chief means the Chief of the Los Altos Fire Protection District or his or her authorized representatives. Clearance distance or distances means lengths measured along the natural slope of the land, unless otherwise specified in this article. Combustible means having the characteristic of changing shape or ignition at or below a temperature of one thousand two hundred (1,200)degrees Fahrenheit during an exposure of five (5) minutes and continuing to burn or glow at that temperature. Fireworks means any article or substance,or combination of substances, prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. "Fireworks" shall include, but shall not be limited to, firecrackers, sparklers,torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, blank cartridges,and similar items. Hazardous fire area means any land within the present and future boundaries of the Town which land is covered with combustible grass, grain, brush, or wooded areas, whether privately or publicly owned,which is so situated, or is of such inaccessible location,that a fire originating upon such land would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in great and unusual damage through fire or resulting erosion. Permit means a written document showing permission granted by the Chief or his or her authorized deputy upon a form prescribed by the Chief. Person means any individual, firm, copartnership,joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate,trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, political subdivision, or any other group or combination acting as a unit. Structure means that which is constructed, an edifice or building of any kind. Tracer means any bullet or projectile incorporating a feature which marks or traces the flight of such bullet or projectile by flame, smoke, or any other means which results in fire or heat. Tracer charge means any bullet or projectile incorporating a feature designed to create a visible or audible effect by any means which results in fire or heat and shall include any incendiary bullet or projectile. (§ II, Ord. 105) 4-2.102 Intent. The unrestricted use of combustible grass, grain, brush, or wooded land in hazardous fire areas is a potential menace to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. It is therefore the intent of this article to provide the necessary safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fire and to provide adequate fire protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by recreational, residential, commercial, industrial, or other activities conducted in any hazardous fire area. (§ I, Ord. 105) 4-2.103 Permits. http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 2 of 9 The Chief shall have the authority to stipulate such conditions as he or she deems necessary in all permits. If, in his or her judgment,the public safety would be better served, he or she may refuse to issue any permit. Permits for periods not to exceed one year may be issued to public utilities operating pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Public Utilities Commission of the State. Such permits shall apply to work being done by employees of the utilities and not by their contractors; provided, however, prior written notice shall be delivered to the Chief for each job whenever practicable. (§ III, Ord. 105) 4-2.104 Restricted entry.. The Chief shall officially determine and publicly announce when any hazardous fire area shall be closed to entry and when such area shall again be opened to entry.No person, other than those persons expressly exempted by the provisions of this section, shall go on or be upon any hazardous fire area, except public roadways, inhabited areas, or established trails and camp sites which have not been closed, during such time when the hazardous fire area is closed to entry.The provisions of this section shall not prohibit residents or owners of private property within any hazardous fire area, or their invitees or guests, from going or being upon their lands, and such persons shall be excepted from the provisions of this section to such extent. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any entry, in the course of duty, by any peace or police officer, or any other duly authorized public officer, member of any fire department, or member of the Division of Forestry of the State. (§ IV, Ord. 105) 4-2.105 Trespassing on posted property_ (a) Posting Orders. Whenever the Chief determines that any specific area within a hazardous fire area presents an exceptional and continuing fire danger because of the density of natural growth, difficulty of terrain, proximity of structures, or accessibility to the public, he or she shall declare such area closed until changed conditions warrant the termination of the closure. The Chief shall order any such area posted as set forth in subsection(b)of this section. (b) Signs. Signs prohibiting entry by unauthorized persons and referring to this article shall be placed on every area ordered posted by the Chief pursuant to the provisions of subsection(a)of this section. Such signs shall be so constructed and located as to give adequate notice to the public. The location, size,type, and number of such signs are hereby committed to the reasonable discretion of the Chief. (c) Right of Entry Prohibited—Exceptions.No person shall enter or remain within any area closed and posted by the Chief pursuant to the provisions of this section; provided, however, owners and occupants of private or public property within closed and posted areas, and their guests or invitees, and local, State, and Federal public officers, or their authorized agents acting in the course of duty, shall be exempted from the provisions of this section. (§ V, Ord. 105) 4-2.106 Smoking. No person shall light, ignite, or otherwise set fire to or smoke any tobacco, cigarette, pipe, or cigar in or upon any hazardous fire area; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any place of habitation or to any place within the boundaries of any established smoking area or camp site designated by the Chief. (§ VI, Ord. 105) 4-2.107 Spark arresters. (a) Machinery.No person shall use or operate in, upon, or within two hundred (200) feet of any hazardous http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 3 of 9 fire area any tractor, construction equipment, engine, machinery, or steam, oil, or gasoline operated stationary or mobile equipment from which a spark or fire may originate unless such equipment is provided with a qualified device or spark arrester installed in, or attached to,the exhaust pipe,which device or spark arrester will prevent the escape of fire or sparks. Such qualified device or spark arrester shall meet the United States Forest Service Standards for Spark Arresters for Internal Combustion Engines,Number 5100-1, dated January 1965. For the purposes of this section, any registered motor vehicle operated on a road or highway, which vehicle is equipped with a muffler in good condition as required by the Vehicle Code of the State, shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this section. (b) Chimneys. Each chimney used in conjunction with any fireplace. barbecue, or heating appliance in which solid or liquid fuel is used, and situated upon any building, structure, or premises located within two hundred (200) feet of any hazardous fire area, shall be maintained with a spark arrester constructed with heavy wire mesh or other noncombustible material with openings not to exceed one-half inch. Each chimney in existence on July 7, 1965, shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this subsection on or before January 7, 1966. (§ VII, Ord. 105) 4-2.108 Tracer bullets,tracer charges, rockets and model aircraft. (a) Tracer Bullets and Tracer Charges. No person shall fire, or cause to be fired, any tracer bullet or tracer charge into or across any hazardous fire area, nor shall he or she have in his or her possession any tracer bullet or tracer charge in such area. (b) Rockets and Model Aircraft. No person shall use, fire, or project into or across any hazardous fire area any rocket, model plane, glider, or balloon powered with an engine, propellant, or other feature liable to start or cause fire in such area. (§ VIII, Ord. 105) 4-2.109 Explosives.. No person shall possess, keep, store, sell, offer for sale, give away, use, discharge, transport, or dispose of in any manner any explosive within any hazardous fire area, except by authority of a written permit from the Chief. (§ IX, Ord. 105) 4-2.110 Fireworks. Except as hereinafter provided, it is unlawful for any person to possess, store, offer for sale, sell at retail, use, or discharge any fireworks. The Chief shall have the power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks. Every such display shall be handled by a licensed operator approved by the Chief and shall be of such character and so located, discharged, or fired, in the opinion of the Chief and after proper inspection, so as not to be hazardous to property or endanger any person. Applications for permits for public displays shall be made in writing at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the date of the display. After such permit has been granted, the use of fireworks for such display shall be lawful for that purpose only.No permit granted hereunder shall be transferable. (§ X, Ord. 105, as amended by § 1, Ord. 228,eff. July 15, 1976) 4-2.111 Apiaries. No person shall use any lighted or smoldering material in connection with the smoking of bees in or upon any hazardous fire area except by authority of a written permit from the Chief. (§ XI, Ord. 105) http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 4 of 9 4-2.112 Open flame devices. (a) No person shall operate or use any device, machine, or process, such as a welding torch, tar pot, decorative torch, or any other device liable to start or cause fire in or upon any hazardous fire area, except by authority of a written permit from the Chief; provided, however, no permit shall be required if such use is within inhabited premises, or designated camp sites, or areas cleared in accordance with the provisions of Section 4- 2116(a)(6)of this article provided adequate measures are taken to prevent the escape of fire and such uses are a minimum of thirty (30)feet from any combustible grass or grain or brush or wooded areas. There shall be excepted from the provisions of this subsection public utility companies making emergency repairs, which companies shall not be required to obtain a permit for such emergency repairs; provided, however, this provision shall not relieve such public utility companies from taking adequate measures to prevent the starting or causing of fire in or upon any hazardous fire area. (b) No person shall operate or use any flame employing device, such as a lantern or kerosene road flare, as a signal or marker in or upon any hazardous fire area. The provisions of this section shall not apply to or restrict the proper use of flares at the scenes of emergencies. (§ XII, Ord. 105) 4-2.113 Outdoor fires. (a) Permits Required.No person shall build, ignite, or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind or character, or for any purpose whatsoever, in or upon any hazardous fire area except by authority of a written permit from the Chief. Such permit shall incorporate such terms and conditions which will reasonably safeguard the public safety and property. Regardless of the permit,however, no person shall build,ignite, or maintain any outdoor fire in or upon any hazardous fire area under the following conditions: (1) When any high wind is blowing; or (2) When there is no person seventeen (17)years of age or over present at all times to watch and capable of tending such fire; or (3) During such times as a public announcement by the Fire Chief is made that there shall be no open burning. (b) Permits Required—Exceptions.No permit shall be required for outdoor fires within inhabited premises or designated camp sites where such fires are built in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill and are a minimum of thirty(30)feet from any combustible grass or grain or brush or wooded area. (c) Burning Trash in Barbecues and Outdoor Fireplaces.No person shall use any permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill for the disposal of rubbish,trash, or combustible waste materials. (§ XIII, Ord. 105) 4-2.114 Outdoor fireplaces. (a) Permits Required.No person shall build, install, or maintain any outdoor fireplace, permanent barbecue, or grill in any hazardous fire area without first securing the written approval of the Chief. (b) Maintenance. Every outdoor fireplace, permanent barbecue, or grill shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe condition at all times. All openings in any such appliance shall be provided with an approved spark arrester, screen, or door. If required for their proper functioning, barbecues and grills may be approved with certain openings left unprotected. Each outdoor fireplace, permanent barbecue, or grill in existence on July 7, 1965, shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this subsection on or before January 7, 1966. (§ XIV, Ord. 105) http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 5 of 9 4-2.115 Brush and vegetative growth—Clearance from electrical transmission lines. (a) Support Clearance. Any person owning, controlling, operating, or maintaining any electrical transmission line upon any hazardous fire area shall, at all times, maintain around and adjacent to any pole supporting a switch,fuse, transformer, lightning arrester, or line junction, or dead end or corner pole, tower, or other pole or tower at which power company employees are likely to work most frequently an effective firebreak,consisting of a clearing of not less than ten (10)feet in each direction from the outer circumference of such pole or tower; provided, however,the provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to lines used exclusively as telephone,telegraph,telephone or telegraph messenger call, fire, or alarm lines, or other lines classed as communication (Class C)circuits by General Order 95 of the Public Utilities Commission of the State. Every pole and tower in existence on July 7, 1965, shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this subsection on or before January 7, 1966. (b) High Tension Line Clearance. Any person owning, controlling, operating, or maintaining any electrical transmission line upon any hazardous fire area shall maintain a clearance of the following distances in all directions between all vegetation and all conductors carrying electrical current: (1) For lines operating at two thousand four hundred (2,400)volts and less than sixty-eight thousand (68,000)volts, four(4) feet; (2) For lines operating at sixty-eight thousand (68,000)volts and less than one hundred fifteen thousand (115,000)volts, six(6) feet; and (3) For lines operating at one hundred fifteen thousand(115,000)volts and over, ten (10)feet. In all such cases such distances shall be sufficiently great to furnish the required clearance from the particular wire or conductor at any position of such wire or conductor at any temperature of one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit or less. Forked trees, dead trees,old decadent or rotten trees,trees weakened by decay or disease, and trees leaning toward the line which may contact the line from the side or may fall on the line shall be felled, cut, or trimmed so as to remove the hazard. (c) Self-supporting Aerial Cable.No clearing to obtain line clearance shall be required when self- supporting aerial cable is used except that forked trees, leaning trees, and ocher growth which may fall across the cable and break it shall be removed. (d) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require any person to maintain any clearing on land where such person does not have the legal right to maintain such clearing, nor shall any provision of this article be construed to require any person to enter upon or to damage property of another without the consent of the owner thereof. (Also see Section 4-2.116(c).)(§XV, Ord. 105) 4-2.116 Brush and vegetative growth—Clearance from structures and roadways. (a) Required. Any person owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining any buildings or structures in, upon, or adjoining any hazardous fire area, and any person owning, leasing, or controlling any land adjacent to such buildings or structures shall at all times: (1) Maintain around and adjacent to such buildings or structures an effective firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance therefrom of not less than thirty(30)feet on each side thereof, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth. The provisions of this section shall not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants used as ground cover provided they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure; (2) Maintain around and adjacent to such buildings or structures additional fire protection or firebreaks made by removing all brush, flammable vegetation, or combustible growth located from thirty(30)feet to one http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 6 of 9 hundred (100) feet from such buildings or structures as may be required by the Chief when he or she finds that because of extra hazardous conditions a firebreak of only thirty(30) feet around such structures is not sufficient to provide reasonable fire safety. Grass and other vegetation located more than thirty(30) feet from such buildings or structures and less than eighteen (18) inches in height above the ground may be maintained where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion; (3) Remove that portion of any tree which extends within ten (10)feet of the outlet of any chimney; (4) Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building free of dead wood; (5) Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth; (6) The Chief may require the removal of all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth within ten (10)feet on each side of any roadway and at such other places upon any property as he or she may deem necessary to prevent or avoid fire damages to adjoining properties or undue hardships in fighting fires. The provisions of this section shall not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or cultivated ground cover, such as grass, ivy, succulents, or similar plants used as ground cover,provided they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire; (7) Remove flammable vegetation a minimum of ten (10)feet around liquefied petroleum gas tanks/containers; (8) Firewood and combustible materials shall not be stored in unenclosed spaces beneath buildings or structures, or on decks or under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs. The storage of firewood and combustible material within the defensible space shall be located a minimum of thirty(30)feet from structures and separated from the crown of trees by a minimum horizontal distance of fifteen(15)feet. Exception: Firewood and combustible materials not for consumption on the premises shall be stored as approved by the fire code official; and (9) Clear areas within ten (10)feet of fire apparatus access roads and driveways of non-fire-resistive vegetation growth. Exception: Grass and other vegetation located more than thirty(30)feet from buildings or structures and less than eighteen (18) inches in height above the ground need not be removed where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. As used in this subsection, "roadway" shall mean that portion of a public or private road designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. (b) Notices of Noncompliances—Costs of Work Done by Chief. In the event any of the conditions prohibited by the provisions of this section exist,the Council may instruct the Chief to give notice to the owner of the property upon which such conditions exist to correct such prohibited conditions, and, if the owner fails to correct such conditions,the Chief may cause the work to be done and make the expense of such correction a lien upon the property upon which such conditions exist. (c) Exceptions. If the Chief determines in any specific case that difficult terrain, danger of erosion, or other unusual circumstances make strict compliance with the clearance provisions of Section 4-2.115 of this article or this section undesirable or impractical, he or she may suspend the enforcement of such provisions and require reasonable alternative measures designed to advance the purposes of this article. (§ XVI, Ord. 105, as amended by § I, Ord. 162, § 1, Ord. 226, eff. October 17, 1975, and § 1, Ord. 558, eff. February 15,2015) 4-2.117 Fire roads and firebreaks. (a) Vehicles.No person,except public officers acting within the scope of their duties, shall travel upon or drive or park any motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor vehicle upon any fire road or firebreak beyond the point where travel is restricted by a cable, gate, or sign without the permission of the property owner involved.No http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 7 of 9 person shall park any vehicle so as to obstruct the entrance to any fire road or firebreak. (b) Aerials and Obstructions.No person shall install or maintain a radio or television aerial, or guy wires thereto, or any other obstruction on any fire road or firebreak, which obstruction is less than sixteen(16)feet above such fire road or firebreak. (§ XIX, Ord. 105) 4-2.118. Littering..__.___.._._. No person shall place, deposit, or dump any garbage, cans, bottles, papers, ashes, refuse, trash,rubbish, or combustible waste material in or upon any hazardous fire area.No person shall dump such material in, upon, or along any trail, roadway, or highway in any hazardous fire area. Public and private dumping areas having been approved by the agency having jurisdiction shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions,of this section. (§ XVII, Ord. 105) 4-2.119 Ashes and coals. No person shall place, deposit, or dump any ashes or coals in or upon any hazardous fire area, except in the hearth of an established fire pit, camp stove, or fireplace; or in a noncombustible container with a tight-fitting lid,which container is kept or maintained in a safe location not less than ten (10)feet from any combustible vegetation or structure; or where such ashes or coals are buried and covered with one foot of mineral earth not less than twenty-five(25)feet from any combustible vegetation or structure. (§ XVIII, Ord. 105) 4.2.120 Vehicles. No person shall operate any motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor vehicle, except upon clearly established public or private roads within any hazardous fire area, without first having secured a permit to do so from the Chief.No such permit shall be issued unless written permission from the property owner is first presented. (§ XX, Ord. 105) 4-2.121 Tampering with locks, barricades, and signs. (a) No person shall tamper with, mutilate, destroy, or remove any lock, barricade, seal, cable, sign or marker installed within any hazardous fire area by or under the control of the Chief or other duly constituted authority. (b) No unauthorized person shall unlock any gate, door, barrier, or lock installed by or under the control of the Chief or other duly constituted authority. (§ XXI, Ord. 105) 4-2.122 Water sources. (a) Location. Every swimming pool, wading pool, water storage tank, or other similar source of water located within the area marked "A" on the Swimming Pool Regulation Map of the Town, on file in the office of the City Clerk, shall be so located that access thereto by Fire Department vehicles can be readily made.The installation of every such pool or tank shall be subject to approval by the Fire Department prior to the issuance of a building permit and prior to the certification of final inspection. (b) Suction Pipes. In lieu of providing the access required by the provisions of subsection(a) of this http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 8 of 9 section,the owner may provide a permanent suction pipe running from the pool, tank, or other source of water to a location prescribed by the Fire Department. The construction, specifications, and maintenance of such suction pipe installation shall be as prescribed by the Fire Department, and such installation shall be tested prior to the granting of the final Building Department and Fire Department approval. Such specifications shall provide for a pipe of a minimum size four(4) inches inside diameter, and all fittings shall have California Standard Thread, as set forth in Section 1400 of Subchapter 9 of Chapter 1 of Title 19 of the California Administrative Code. (c) Access Obstructions.No person shall place or keep any post,fence, growth,trash, or other material or thing near any access route or permanent suction pipe outlet which obstruction would prevent such access route or permanent suction pipe outlet from being immediately discernible.No person shall in any other manner deter or hinder the Fire Department from gaining immediate access to such permanent suction pipe, swimming pool, tank, or other source of water. (d) Applicability. The requirements of this section shall be applicable only to pools,tanks, and other similar sources of water located within the area marked"A" on the"Swimming Pool Regulation Map"of the Town, on file in the office of the City Clerk, for which permits are issued and construction is commenced subsequent to June 2, 1971. (§ XXIII, Ord. 105, as amended by §§ 1, 2, and 3, Ord. 183) 4-2.123 Liability for fire damages. The expense for fighting any fires which are the result of a violation of the provisions of this article shall be a charge against the person whose violation caused the fire. Damages caused by such fires shall constitute the debt of such person and shall be collectible by the Chief in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied. (§ XXII, Ord. 105) 4-2.124 Enforcement. (a) Personnel. The Chief and his or her deputies hereby are authorized to enforce the provisions of this article. Such deputies shall consist of the following persons: (1) Officers and members of the Fire Department; (2) Officers and members of the Police Department of the Town and the Sheriffs Department and Fire Marshal's Office of the County; (3) Officers of the Division of Forestry of the State; and (4) Such other officers and employees of the Council as may be recommended by the Chief and approved by the Council. (b) Right of Entry. The Chief and his or her authorized representatives, including deputized personnel, may enter any premises, structure, or building at any reasonable hour to enforce the provisions of this article. The owner,tenant, lessee, occupant, manager, or operator of any such premises, structure, or building shall permit the Chief or his or her authorized representatives to enter and inspect at the time and for the purpose stated in this section; provided, however, the authority conferred by this section shall not apply to the entry of a private residence unless written notice is served on the occupant thereof. Such written notice shall contain a statement of the time and the purpose of such inspection. (§ XXIV, Ord. 105) 4-2.125 Violations—Penalties. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article or of any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as set http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 Chapter 2 FIRE PREVENTION Page 9 of 9 forth in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code. (§ XXV and XXVI, Ord. 105) Article 2. Fireworks 4-2.201 Sales—Permits required—Fees. No person or entity shall sell or expose for sale firecrackers, fireworks, or torpedoes of any nature whatsoever within the Town except by a permit therefor specifically granted by the Council. Such permit shall only be granted when deemed advisable for the public welfare, and for such terms and such condition as may be fixed, and upon the payment of a fee in an amount to be set by resolution. (§ 3, Ord. 15; § 4, Ord. 328, eff. October 6, 1989) 4-2.202 Public nuisances—Confiscation. Any firecrackers, fireworks, or torpedoes of any nature whatsoever used or possessed in violation of the provisions of this article are hereby declared to be public nuisances and may be confiscated and possessed by any police officer of the Town or County and delivered to the custody of the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police may return, upon such conditions as he or she deems desirable for the public welfare, any such firecrackers, fireworks, or torpedoes to the person from whose possession they were taken or may retain the same and destroy them unreturned after sixty(60)days. (§ 6, Ord. 15) Article 3. Los Altos County Fire Protection District 4-2.301 Inclusion within District. It is hereby declared to be the intention and desire of the Town, as expressed by the Council,that the Town be embraced within and included in the Los Altos County Fire Protection District,the Town being adjacent and contiguous to the Los Altos County Fire Protection District. (§ 1, Ord. 2) View the mobile version. http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=4-2&showAll=1&frames=off 3/11/2015 8-1.2.02 Amended sections of adopted codes. Page 1 of 1 Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Up Previous Next Main Search Print Title 8 BUILDING REGULATIONS Chapter 1.2 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE 8-1.2.02 Amended sections of adopted codes. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.2.01, the Residential Code is amended as follows: (a) Section R313.2 is amended to read: R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all new one- and two-family dwellings and in existing one- and two- family dwellings where during the process of a remodel and/or addition,the existing roof structure (joists, rafters, etc.) is removed over an area that exceeds 75% of the existing dwelling floor area. Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are already provided with an automatic residential fire sprinkler system. (b) Section R902.1.3 is amended to read as follows: R902.1.3 Roof coverings in all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class A. (§ 2, Ord. 558, eff. February 15, 2015) View the mobile version. http://gcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=8-1_2-8_1_2_02&frames=off 8/27/2015 Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE Page 1 of 4 Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Up Previous Next Main Collapse Search Print Title 8 BUILDING REGULATIONS Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 8-1.8.01 Adoption of 2013 California Fire Code._ (a) The 2013 California Fire Code, Part 9,Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereafter,the Fire Code or CFC), and also the 2012 International Fire Code,published by the International Code Council, including Appendix B,Appendix C and Appendix K(hereinafter referred to as the"Fire Code") and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein. (b) One copy of the Fire Code shall be kept on file at the City of Los Altos Hills. (§ 2, Ord. 558, eff. February 15,2015) 8-1.8.02 Amended sections of adopted code. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.8.01, the following sections of Fire Code are amended as follows: (a) Section 106.5 is added to read as follows: 106.5 Final inspection.No final inspection as to all or any portion of a development shall be deemed completed until the installation of the required fire protection facilities and access ways have been completed and approved. No final certificate of occupancy may be granted until the Fire Department issues notice of final clearance of such fire protection facilities and access ways, as required by the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, to the Town's Building Department. (b) Section 108.1 is amended to read as follows: 108.1 Board of appeals established. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals.The board of appeals, as it appears in this code, shall be deemed and construed to mean the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills. The fire code official shall be an ex officio member of said board but shall have no vote on any matter before the board.The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the fire code official. (c) Section 108.3, Qualifications, is deleted in its entirety. (d) Section 109.4 is amended to read as follows: 109.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of httn://acode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.nhn?tonic=8-1 8&showAll=1&frames=off 3/12/2015 Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE Page 2 of 4 this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as set forth in Title 1, Chapter 2 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code. (e) Section 109.4.1 is amended to read as follows: 109.4.1 Abatement of violation.In addition to the imposition of the penalties herein described,the fire code official is authorized to institute appropriate action to prevent unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation; or to prevent illegal occupancy of a structure or premises; or to stop an illegal act, conduct of business or occupancy of a structure on or about any premises. If any person fails to comply with the order of the fire code official, or in the event that the fire code official is unable to locate the responsible person within a reasonable time,the fire code official may take such steps to abate a fire hazard or health hazard as are necessary for the protection of the public health and safety. In no event is notice necessary before abatement when the fire hazard constitutes a clear and present danger to the public welfare. The cost of any such abatement is a debt to the Town, of the owner of the premises or who, by his or her act or inaction, caused the fire hazard. The cost of the abatement shall become a lien on the premises when the need for the abatement and the amount of the cost have been established. (f) Section 202 is amended by adding or amending the following definitions: Administrator means the City Manager of the Town of Los Altos Hills or designated representative. Chief or Fire Chief or fire code official means the Fire Chief retained by the Los Altos Hills County Fire District or designated representative. Chief of Police means the Sheriff of the County of Santa Clara with whom the Town contracts for police services, or designated representative. Corporation Counsel means the City Attorney for the Town. Fire Department means the Fire Department retained by the Los Altos Hills County Fire District. Jurisdiction means the Town of Los Altos Hills. Police Department means the Sheriff's Department of the County of Santa Clara with whom the Town contracts for police service. (g) Chapter 4 of the 2012 International Fire Code is not adopted. (h) Section 503.1 is amended to read as follows: 503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.2 and as per Fire Department access road Standards. htto://acode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.Dht ?topic=8-1 8&showAll=1&frames=off 3/12/2015 Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE Page 3 of 4 (i) Section 503.2.1 is amended to read as follows: 503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet(6,096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches(4,115 mm). Exception: When there are not more than two Group R, Division 3, or Group U occupancies, the access road width may be modified by the fire code official. (j) Section 912.2 is amended to read as follows: 912.2 Location.With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the building for other fire apparatus.The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official. (k) Section 4902.1 is amended to read as follows: Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. A geographical area identified by the state as a"Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone"in accordance with the Public Resources Code Sections 4201 through 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires. The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area shall be defined as all areas within the Town of Los Altos Hills as set forth and delineated on the map entitled "Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area"which map and all notations, references, data and other information shown thereon are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter. The map properly attested, shall be on file in the Office of the City Clerk of the Town of Los Altos Hills. (1) Section 4906.2 is amended as follows: 4906.2 Application. Buildings and structures located in the following areas shall maintain the required hazardous vegetation and fuel management: (1) All unincorporated lands designated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as State Responsibility Areas(SRA) including: 1.1. Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones 1.2. High Fire Hazard Severity Zones 1.3. Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (2) Land designated as a Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or as a Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area by the Town of Los Altos Hills. (m) Section 5704.2.9.6.1 is amended to read as follows: htto://acode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.phn?tonic=8-1 8&showAll=1&frames=off 3/12/2015 Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE Page 4 of 4 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited. The storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited (see Section 3 of the Sample Legislation for Adoption of the California Fire Code on page xxvi). The limits referred to above, in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited, are hereby established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills located within a"Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone"as designated on the state adopted CALFIRE Maps. (n) Section 5706.2.4.4 is amended to read as follows: 5706.2.4.4 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited.The storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited (see Section 3 of the Sample Legislation for Adoption of the California Fire Code on page xxvi). The limits referred to above, in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited, are hereby established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills located within a "Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone"as designated on the state adopted CALFIRE Maps. (o) Section 5806.2 is amended to read as follows: 5806.2 Limitations.The storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited(see Section 3 of the Sample Legislation for Adoption of the California Fire Code on page xxi). The limits referred to above, in which the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited, are hereby established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills located within a"Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone" as designated on the state adopted CALFIRE Maps. (p) Section 6104.2 is amended to read as follows: 6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) (see Section 3 of the Sample Legislation for Adoption of the California Fire Code on page v). The limits referred to above, in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills. (§2, Ord. 558, eff. February 15, 2015) View the mobile version. http://acode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=8-1 8&showAll=1&frames=off 3/12/2015 8-8.01 Administration and enforcement. Page 1 of 1 Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Up Previous Next Main Search Print Title 8 BUILDING REGULATIONS Chapter 8 CODE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 8-8.01 Administration and enforcement. The Building Official of the Town of Los Altos Hills shall be responsible for administration and enforcement of the provisions of Chapters 8-1.1 (Building Code), 8-1.2(Residential Code), 8-1.3 (Electrical Code), 8-1.4 (Mechanical Code), 8-1.5 (Plumbing Code), 8-1.6 (Energy Code), 8-1.7 (Historical Building Code), 8-1.9 (Existing Building Code), 8-1.10 (CalGreen) and 8-1.11 (Referenced Standards Code).The Los Altos County Fire Protection District shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 8-1.8 (Fire Code). (§ 2, Ord. 558, eff.February 15, 2015) View the mobile version. http://qcode.us/codes/losaltoshills/view.php?topic=8-8-8 8 01&frames=off 3/11/2015 Bill Batson ATTACHMENT 14 From: Bill Balson [wbalson@pacbell.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 12:39 PM To: 'Duffy Price' Subject: RE: WUI Issue Hi Duffy, I'll outline my present concerns,with two caveats. First my research is incomplete so I might modify my opinions in light of what I learn in the future. Second,these ideas are not a complete statement of what I've learned,just a good faith response to your questions. Risk management deals with the probability of damage (sometimes called the hazard) and the magnitude of damage. State Fire has recently completed a thorough update of the state fire hazard maps. These maps are intended to assess the likelihood and severity of a wildfire,so they are an incomplete risk assessment as they do not deal with the damage aspect. Nonetheless,the maps are used by a wide array of state and local agencies as well as private companies engaged in insurance. The maps are created through a systematic assessment of lot-specific risk factors such as moisture,slope, and fuel load. The result is a lot-specific hazard rating for most of the state. The relevant hazard ratings for the mid-Peninsula are High and Very High. All of Los Altos Hills lots are rated High. Most of the neighboring Towns are also rate High. There are small areas of Cupertino and Portola Valley that have recently been rated Very High, probably due to slope factors. In Southern California, large areas are designated Very High. The distinction between High and Very High is quite important for insurance purposes and also for building code purposes. Many insurance companies will not insure a home in a Very High rating zone. Los Altos Hills has a separate set of ordinances for Very High zones and High zones,which mostly arises by incorporation of the State Building Codes. Los Altos Hills has additionally adopted several practical code requirements irrespective of the fire hazard rates.Two of those are Class A roofs and chimney spark arrestors. Studies going back to the 1970s confirm the cost-benefit value of these building features. The definition of a WUI is separate from the State classification of fire hazard. It is based primarily on the distinction between rural/wildland and urban areas. As a result, it is possible to have a scenario in which a lot is in a designated WUI zone that has no reasonable nexus to lots designated Very High hazard. In fact, most of Los Altos Hills is a prime example of this scenario. Historically, all of Los Altos Hills has followed the building codes for High zones. Nonetheless, the default building code is now that lots in WUI zones must comply with building code requirements that are unique to Very High zones. Presumably LAH will be required to comply with the Very High codes. The high-benefit requirements like Class A roofs and spark arrestors are not the problem. But,there are a host of more onerous and expensive building code requirements that have a less compelling cost-benefit rationale in LAH. Outdoor decks are highly restricted if not banned outright. Severe restrictions cover roof overhangs and patio gazebos. Exterior storage buildings must be nonflammable. Commonly seen design features of LAH homes may be prohibited. These building code requirements for the Very High zones were developed and justified largely for Southern California situations. The landscaping requirements for the Very High zones are also restrictive, but are ambiguous without detailed research by a homeowner. The requirements are violated by virtually every lot in LAH: Evergreen shrubs next to a house, mulching a garden along the exterior wall of a house,trees within 10 feet of a house,trees within the drip zone of each other, fire-laddering all trees, etc. In fact, some of the Town's landscape screening requirements for new building permits may violate the requirements for Very High zones. One component of the landscaping requirements involves the distinction between flammable and nonflammable landscaping. But,there is no uniformly agreed definition of flammable plants. These requirements may make good sense within the Very High zones, but there is no data I can find that presents any case, much less a compelling cost-benefit case for all those measures in the High hazard zones. My personal experience is that there is a very low risk of wildfire damage in LAH based on my insurance rates. I replaced my cedar roof with a From: Bill Balson [wbalson@pacbell.net] Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2015 3:13 PM To: Steve Padovan;jima.pc@gmail.com; 'Jitze Couperus'; 'John Justice'; 'Jim Abraham'; 'Melvin Vaughn';julie.linney@sccfd.org Cc: Suzanne Avila;Jeanne Evilsizer; 'Duffy Price' Subject: RE: Los Altos Hills WUI Map Update Subcommittee Meeting Thanks everyone for a great first meeting. I mentioned a few times the role of cost-benefit studies as a partial way to examine the merit of proposals to reduce risk,which is the aim of the WUI regulatory structure. While cost-benefit studies are an incomplete analysis,they form a useful step in assembling the information on the social benefits and social costs of proposals to reduce wildfire risk. Since, many people are not too familiar with the specifics of cost-benefit studies I want to offer a hypothetical and highly simplified illustration using some of the information that various folks at yesterday's meeting pointed out. Clearly a hypothetical is not a substitute, but it can offer some ideas and guideposts for balancing the choices to be made. One relevant observation Yitze made was the very real risk of wildfire, and the Liddicott fire some years back was the prime illustration, in which about a dozen homes were destroyed in 1985. Another relevant observation by Jim was that the WUI-required building modifications added about$50k to a recent home construction he was familiar with. A cost-benefit study can help make these disparate facts more comparable. For example, measured in today's home prices (median home value of$3m net of the lot) the homes destroyed represent an economic loss of$36,000,000 which is a substantial sum. However,the risk to all homes in LAH over the relevant period of time at risk is also relevant. There were about 2800 households in LAH in 2010. So,we can calculate that there was an average wildfire damage of$12,857/household in today's dollars over the 30-year period. There are many variations on that calculation that are worth testing. Perhaps LAH was lucky and the average frequency in Santa Clara is higher. Perhaps, we've taken substantial mitigation steps that reduce the risk below the historical observation. Perhaps home prices are higher, or in some cases lower. Perhaps a range of scenarios is even more appropriate. Perhaps the wildfire damages should be expressed as a probability of a large event, rather than averaged over all homes. (On a probability- per-year-per-household basis, it's a risk of 3/1000,which is less than the likelihood of a severe earthquake,a car accident, or a fall down the home stairs.) Perhaps environmental and other values should be added. But, the resulting wildfire damage estimate, however expressed,should than be compared to the resources we require homeowners and the town to expend to reduce that risk. The California insurance department examined various homeowner perils in 2004 focusing of water damage. Surprisingly,the most frequent peril claimed is water damage from overflowing toilets, washing machines, etc. They examined at the zip-code level all claims in California for a three-year period. They found that in about 5%of"exposure-years" homeowners file a claim for water damage and that the average claim was $6-11,000 depending on the zip code. To put that on a comparable basis to the calculation above,the average water-related damage per household over thirty years would be$16,500 (using the high end of the range of claims). So, roughly speaking, LAH's historical wildfire-related home damages based on Liddicott are comparable or even a bit less than the more mundane water damages. But, we spend many times more on fire protection than water-damage prevention, or a host of other perils with which homeowners must contend. The high value mitigation LAH residents already take such as a Class A roof, chimney spark arrestors,tree removal, brush removal, disking, etc. are likely equal to or more than the Liddicott-based historical damage estimate. And, that comparison assumes full risk mitigation,when in fact the WUI mandates are only a partial risk mitigation. So,when it is opined by Mel that$50,000/house is not so much to spend, the question arises What is the probability-weighted benefit to the typical household? Bill Balson f10•///P./TTr.o,• / .-..,,-1,..,.,.,/A.•„,Tlnrr,/T .,...,1 nc SMALL FIRES MODERATE FIRES LARGE FIRES BENEFIT OF EXTREME EXTREME FIRES -INFRASTRUCTURE -DEFENSIVE ZONES -MUTUAL AID DEFENSIVE MEASURES -EVACUATION -FUEL LOAD REDUCTION -CLASS A ROOFS -COMMUNICATION -SPRINKLER RETROFIT -WEATHER CHANGE -RAPID RESPONSE -PREVENT/SLOW SPREAD -COMMON EQUIPMENT VH ZONE BUILDING -BURN OUT REQUIREMENTS Se ' ,; . FREQ CY OF FIRES COST OFD• AGE+ FIRE FIGH G+ OTHER ' I _ empummiimmiwomagio pm.) DRAFT June 10, 2015 Wildfire Risks in Los Altos Hills Are Low and Getting Lower Through Existing Plans for Fuel Reduction, Defensive Zones, and Class A Roofs By Bill Balson This paper is an overview of some issues confronting the City Council in determining which lots, if any,within Los Altos Hills should be required to apply building codes that would have the effect of altering the design of eaves and prohibiting common deck designs, among other actions.' The purpose of defining a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is to apply greater regulatory controls over the risks due to wildfires, principally through the building code and fire code.' Wildfire risk arises as a special concern in Los Altos Hills as a result of environmental conditions such as the buildup of fuel in the form of dead biomass and the low moisture content due to lack of rainfall in the summer.' Rapid response by firefighters to an initial wildfire alarm is critical,so an additional environmental factor is slope,which can slow access by fire fighters. CalFire has evaluated each lot in Los Altos Hills based on fuel load, moisture content,and slope steepness as part of its statewide wildfire hazard assessment. CalFire refers to their detailed quantitative analysis as a hazard assessment because it deals with the likelihood of a wildfire and not the magnitude of the potential damage caused.' Wildfires can be started by natural causes,such as lightning, and manmade causes,such as discarded cigarettes. However, most wildfires are caused by people and a large percent are intentionally set. Wildfires are rarely initiated as a result of a residential fire, although many residences in California have been destroyed as a result of wildfires. There are thousands of wildfires in California every year, most of which are small and rapidly extinguished.' Los Altos Hills has less fuel accumulation, greater ground moisture, and more moderate hillsides than many areas, consequently the frequency of wildfires is much lower than elsewhere in California and even elsewhere in Santa Clara County.' Many parts of Los Altos Hills receive roughly twice the annual precipitation as other areas of Santa Clara County.' CalFire's hazard assessment categorizes most areas using its quantitative methodology. The category"Very High" is used to refer to areas of the state with the highest hazard arising from fuel loading, low moisture,and steep slopes. For example,the San Diego hillsides covered with dry chaparral are Very High. A few locations near Cupertino and Portola Valley are categorized Very High. 'The facts described in this paper are based on the information submitted to the WUI Subcommittee of the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission and additional information cited. The author reserves the right to amend any opinions stated herein based on additional information provided by the committee. 2 WUI is defined by state law but implemented by local agencies. California Fire Code Chapter 49,Section 4905.3. "The establishment of limits...shall be designated...by a local agency...following a finding...that the requirements are necessary for effective fire protection...". See CalFire documentation http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire prevention/fire prevention wildland zones maps.php Together, hazard combined with damage potential is often considered to equate to risk. 5 The Liddicott fire in 1985,attributed to arson, is the worst fire in Los Altos Hills experience,in which nine homes were reportedly damaged. On a historical claims basis,wildfire damages in Los Altos Hills are lower than commonly experienced damage claims such as water damage from overflowing washing machines. 6 The Santa Clara Unit completed its Fire Management Plan in 2005. Page iii shows all county fires between 1950- 2004. Page iv shows fuel load ranking,with no Very High zones in Los Altos Hills. Page 12 shows the types of wildfires by vegetation classification. 'National Weather Service data reported by San Jose Mercury News and http://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/california/los altos hills is highly variable depending on altitude. 1 . DRAFT June 10, 2015 The category"High" or"Moderate" is used to categorize most other non-urban areas. All lots in Los Altos Hills are categorized as Moderate or High.' The distinction between High and Very High hazard zones has both a regulatory and an insurance application,which apply risk assessment in different but related contexts. In California, only a few home insurance companies will insure a home within a Very High hazard zone. Almost all insurance companies that offer home insurance in California cover fire risk in Los Altos Hills'in part because all lots are rated at the lower hazard category and in part because of the Town's proactive mitigation.1° Premiums for home insurance are elevated in Very High hazard zones due to the higher wildfire risk.' However,within High hazard zones few insurance companies separately rate1z a home for wildfire risk despite the fact that there are well-known observable risk-factors,such as shake roofs.2 The lack of pricing sensitivity arises due to the low overall risk posed by wildfires within Los Altos Hills compared to the numerous other risks that homeowners face. Wildfire risk,viewed by a homeowner or their carrier, is one of many causes of a residential fire. Residential fires are dominated by kitchen fires as ignition sources.14 Wildfire damage is not high on the list of claim histories kept by insurance companies and reported to the state insurance department even though it warrants continuous vigilance.' Water damage due to broken faucets or washing machine overflow is the single largest damage category according to those claim histories. Continuous efforts by communities over many decades have mitigated overall average-annual wildfire damages despite increasing home values and increasing number of homes.16 The number of residential fires nationally peaked in 1980, annual civilian fire-related deaths peaked in 1978, and annual residential fire damage peaked in 1977.17 In California, the acres burned,the number of wildfires, and the number of structures destroyed in 2013 was near the ten-year average in spite of dry conditions.18 8 Fire Management Plan, pp.27-8. See also Los Altos Hills Hazard Mitigation Plan,2013, p.46. 9 Los Altos Hills Hazard Mitigation Plan,2013,p. 13(Chapter 23 of Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan) 10 See Los Altos General Plan,Safety Element,2007, p.11;see also minutes of the Los Altos Hills County Fire District Board of Directors reporting the removal of over 100 dead trees and dozens of eucalyptus trees as a result of its free program(http://www.lahcfd.org/community-programs/pine-tree-removal) 11 Specialty fire insurance carriers such as Einhorn Insurance exist and a pooled-risk carrier of last resort is supported by the industry. In the highest hazard zones, insurance companies use detailed models similar to CalFire but more granular,and contractually require specific property modifications regarding roofs and defensive zones. lz Rating is a procedure in which an insurance carrier makes adjustments to a base premium to account for divergences of the property from a typical property. 13 In one recent anecdotal example in Los Altos Hills replacing a 30-year old untreated shake roof(worst possible roof)with a Class A composition roof(best possible roof)had no impact on the homeowner's premium. 14"Home Structure Fires", National Fire Protection Association(NFPA)2013 is"Spatial Analysis of Frequency and Severity for Water versus Non-water Homeowners Claims in California", California Department of Insurance,2004. is See for example"Homeowners Wildfire Mitigation Guide", University of California http://ucanr.edu/sites/Wildfire/. See also the Santa Clara FireSafe Council at http://www.sccfiresafe.org/. 17"Fire Loss in the United States 2013", Michael J. Karter,Jr., NFPA,September 2014 18"Wildfire Activity Statistics(Redbook)", CalFire,2013. These annual reports began in 1943. 2 DRAFT June 10,2015 Regulatory risk management includes a host of risk mitigation actions in both High and Very High zones.19 Building codes in both High and Very High zones prohibit shake roofs, which have been known since the 1970s to increase the potential for a wildfire to propagate since burning embers can land on the wood roof and easily start a fire. In Los Altos Hills,shake roofs are prohibited or required to be treated to provide equivalent Class A protection. Just as importantly,fuel load reduction is conducted by the Town, by the Fire Department,and by homeowners. These fuel reduction actions include removal of eucalyptus trees,which are highly flammable, removal of dead trees, and creation of fire breaks. An important element of controlling wildfire risk is rapid response and the Fire Department's fire-fighting capability is designed for that purpose. Water access in most of Los Altos Hills for firefighting is gravity fed, removing an important risk factor compared to historical fires in other communities. Fire access requirements are part of the Town's building codes and enforced by the Fire Chief. These include street width, driveway turnarounds, brush reduction, and fire hydrant placement among others. The U.S. Fire Administration routinely conducts an ex-post analysis of the causative factors in major wildfires. The conclusions of several of these reports are instructive in assessing the effectiveness of Los Altos Hill's overall efforts at wildfire risk mitigation. For example, in a Pebble Beach fire20 all homes with shake roofs were destroyed,while all homes with a composition roof and a defensive zone survived. High winds,slow access, and poor water access were contributing factors in Pebble Beach. Some wildfires are too severe for a residential home to survive in spite of risk mitigation efforts. In the Oakland Hills fire,the Diablo winds fanned temperatures to such an extreme that cars were melted and homes were ignited by radiant heat.21 When a home is ignited by radiant heat, building code requirements such as eaves, decks, roofs,windows,and fire sprinklers would have no benefit. Fortunately,the risk factors involved in slowing the spread of wildfires are well-known and the lessons learned have been applied in Los Altos Hills. These lessons fall into two categories: infrastructure for firefighting and homeowner property management. Infrastructure includes reliable water access, reliable communications, common equipment standards22, and adequate access. In Los Altos Hills,the periodic Fire Management Plan by Battalion 3 anticipates and actively improves each of these mitigation factors.23 Homeowners are responsible by ordinance for mitigating risks of propagation on their lots through vegetation management, defensive zones, and accessibility.24 19 Risk mitigation refers to the actions taken in response to risk factors and are typically designed to reduce the probability-weighted damage from all possible fires through a combination of reducing the likelihood of ignition, the speed of response,the tendency of a fire to propagate, and/or the resulting damage from a wildfire. 2°"Urban Wildlands Fire; Pebble Beach, California", US Fire Administration, 1987. . "The assessment team noted that no structure was lost that had a combination of composition roofing,double pane windows, PRC 4291 compliance,and landscaping." Landscaping was defined as removal of most native vegetation and planting of typical landscaping varieties that are less flammable. PRC 4291 included items like a 30 ft defensive zone, brush removal,spark arrestor,and similar mitigations that are required in LAH. 21"The East Bay Hills Fire",US Fire Administration,1991. "...the exposure caused by burning trees and brush was often sufficient to cause interior ignitions by radiant exposure through windows." "The intensity of the exterior fire exposure was so severe that interior automatic sprinkler systems had no value in protecting the structures from ignition." 22 In the Oakland Hills,responding fire departments had hoses that did not fit the fire hydrants. 23 Battalion Three, Fire Protection Plan 24 Los Altos Hills Municipal Code,Chapter 2 3 DRAFT June 10, 2015 The Town Council faces a decision regarding the selection of which lots, if any,to include within the designated WUI. This responsibility is delegated to the Town by the enabling legislation.25 The regulatory consequence of the WUI is to apply the building code requirements defined for the Very High hazard zones to all lots within the WUI,even where those lots were judged by CalFire to have the lower hazard zone of Moderate or High.26 There are some situations in other cities (e.g., Portola Valley)where a lot is judged High, but is next to a Very High zone, and thus prudence might warrant higher caution. All lots in Los Altos Hills however have been judged by CalFire to be in the Moderate or High hazard zone. Moreover, all lots bordering on Los Altos Hill's lots have similarly been judged to be in the High hazard zone. None are rated Very High hazard. Combined with the claim history of insurance carriers, this is powerful direct evidence that Los Altos Hill's residents have adequately controlled risk due to wildfires. No risk is zero, but added measures to reduce the risk of wildfires in Los Altos Hills is not necessary in light of the Town's extensive mitigation measures,the CalFire hazard designation, and existing building and fire codes. The necessary risk mitigation actions that could be taken are already required for all Los Altos Hills lots whatever action is taken with regard to the proposed WUI maps. The additional building code requirements that would be applied to lots included in a WUI are not otherwise required by virtue of CalFire hazard categorization for Los Altos Hills. These relate,for example,to the design of eaves and decks. The risk mitigation benefit of these building code requirements would occur in a hypothetical fire in which the fire was severe enough to ignite a home despite a defensive zone and Class A roof, but not so severe that the home would ignite irrespective of protective measures (e.g. by radiant combustion as in the Oakland Hills fire). Despite, extensive data collection efforts by CalFire, by the U.S. Forest Service, and by insurance carriers;the data evaluated by the WUI Subcommittee reveals not even a single instance of a home in a High hazard zone that was saved by those added requirements but that would have been otherwise lost. The reason for the lack of data is not for want of sufficient examples of wildfires, but because the existing regulatory requirements within High zones have been adequate risk mitigation. There is therefore no measurable homeowner benefit to applying those additional building code requirements in Los Altos Hills,other than a homeowner's own preference for their own residence. There are fundamental questions of equity that would arise by applying two different sets of wildfire building codes to different properties in Town that are nearly identical from a wildfire risk perspective.27 The public has direct access to the CalFire hazard assessment through an online tool allowing the public to enter their street address and obtain the CalFire hazard ranking(i.e. Moderate, High or Very High). Since, all lots in Los Altos Hills have been judged to be in the Moderate or High category, any property owner using the CalFire tool will quickly discover the truth that there is no substantial difference in risk motivating the expenditures they would be required to undertake. 25 California Fire Code 4905.3 26 Building codes for lots in Very High hazard zones are severely restricted by regulation motivated by the higher hazard. For example,overhanging decking is prohibited,among other restrictions. 27 No study by a local agency has been offered to the WUI Subcommittee contradicting or amending the CalFire hazard assessment. Moreover,the Town's Hazard Mitigation Plan explicitly cites CalFire's assessment. 4 DRAFT June 10, 2015 Occasionally Asked Questions Does climate change increase the risk of wildfires? Climate change is thought by the Santa Clara County Water District to reduce the snow pack and has the potential to diminish the amount of water captured by California reservoirs.28 Climate change may also increase the propensity for drought conditions in California. Precipitation in Los Altos Hills was slightly below average in 2014 despite the drought conditions for our water supply.29 As a result ground moisture in Los Altos Hills is not exceptionally low this year, but was affected in 2013. Ignition sources of wildfires,such as lightening and cigarettes, are unlikely to be materially affected by climate change. Climate change could affect the moisture content of Los Altos Hill's lands through increased droughts and water restrictions, but would not affect the slope or fuel load. CalFire hazard rankings could be altered by an increase in drought conditions. Insurance carriers have recently increased fire insurance rates in areas with Very High hazard ratings by CalFire, partly justified by drought conditions.30 Wildfire damage claims in Moderate and High hazard zones have shown no trend over the past decade.31 Is there a shared community risk due to wildfires? Yes, and everyone must do their part. The largest quantifiable reduction in the risk of wildfire propagation is due to roofs,fuel load reduction and defensive zones,which are required of most land owners in Los Altos Hills (CalTrans and Foothill College being the main exceptions). The application of Very High hazard building codes to some lots in Los Altos Hills has no demonstrated material benefit to the risk of wildfire propagation.32 Shouldn't homeowners bear the cost of wildfire firefighting? Yes. And they bear more than their fair share now. CalFire attempts cost recovery from people that cause fires, but private homeowners bear the remaining cost of firefighting though fees, parcel taxes and income taxes. Government entities,such as Foothill College and CalTrans; and nonprofits like churches,who aren't required to pay taxes,do not pay their fair share. Private homeowners make up the difference. Moreover, Los Altos Hill's ordinances cannot require state entities to comply with prudent fire-related risk management practices. 28 Santa Clara County Water District(http://www.valleywater.org/Services/ClimateChange.aspx) 29 Drought is a multiyear phenomenon so even though 2014 was near normal,a single year does not end the drought. Moreover,2014 was a warm winter leading to an historically small snow pack and little runoff into reservoirs. so Cody Drabble,"California Wildfires Drive Up Insurance Costs For Homeowners", Capital Public Radio, Inc.,2015 31"Wildfire Activity Statistics(Redbook)",CalFire,2013. 32 A properly maintained defensive zone and Class A roof can save a house surrounded by a wildfire, except in the most extreme fires, as demonstrated both during wildfires and in controlled experiments as cited herein. The additional building code requirements developed for Very High hazard zones have no empirically demonstrated added benefit to Los Altos Hills homeowners and residents in Moderate and high hazard zones in information reviewed. 5 DRAFT June 10, 2015 Shouldn't the Town enforce the highest building code measures on homeowners to protect them? The specific building codes that would be applied to WUI homes that are not already applied throughout Los Altos Hills are entirely beneficial to and are the expense of specific homeowners. So, community shared risks are not at issue, as they are for Class A roofs and defensive zones. The Town should apply a neutral cost-benefit standard to building codes that are motivated to protect homeowners. For example,fire sprinklers in new homes have a positive cost-benefit because the reduction in insurance costs outweighs the cost of the sprinklers. The additional building codes at issue in a WUI do not have a positive cost-benefit relationship based on CalFire analysis and empirical data.So,while some homeowners might choose them,the Town should not require them. Since many Los Altos Hills residents are wealthy,isn't money not important to them? The building code requirements at issue in the WUI are likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars per home and tens of millions in total. Moreover, most Los Altos Residents are not wealthy in terms of how they live. Many simply bought a California ranch many years ago and now face exorbitant taxes. Application of the Town's threshold for permitting remodels could easily turn a desired modest remodel into a teardown costing millions. Are homeowners'lives at risk in wildfires? Wildfires that get out of control can claim lives as did the Oakland Hills fire. Most civilian lives are lost in wildfires due to failure to follow evacuation orders and/or failure to practice safe evacuation procedures. Regulations on eaves and decks are unlikely to materially affect resident behavior during an evacuation order. Dying in a residence during wildfire is significantly less likely than dying in a fall on the stairs of a residence.33 NFPA reports that the risk of dying in a residential fire 100 years ago was more than ten times greater than today. Are the lives of firefighters at risk in wildfires? Yes. Firefighters risk their lives to save resident lives and to save property. Even so,job-related death rates for firefighters are less than the average for all jobs.34 Nationwide, about half of firefighter deaths are due to cardiovascular events among volunteer fire departments resulting from over exertion and lack of physical preparedness. Los Altos Hill's firefighters are typically professionals who are well trained. However,the relevant issue is whether the building codes at issue would make a difference. They would not because wildfire propagation risk would not be improved relative to the existing building codes applicable to High hazard zones. Firefighters' risks are primarily mitigated by appropriate investments in infrastructure,which make communication and coordination more effective. Firefighters' risk often arises from dangerous situations that could have been avoided by better commination and coordination. Of 310 sa National Vital Statistics System,Centers of Disease Control and Prevention,2015 (http://www.cdc.Qov/nchs/deaths.htm) 34 Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities",2011. 6 DRAFT June 10, 2015 firefighter fatalities between 1990-2006 during wildfire operations,the major causes of death were vehicle and aircraft accidents, burnovers, and heart attacks.3s Would wildfire risks be reduced if all new development in Los Altos Hills were prohibited? No. Los Altos Hills is mostly developed already. Most new building occurs on existing lots with designs that are beneficial to the whole community due to increased energy efficiency,water efficiency, accessibility, landscape design, and easements. The Town's commitment to one-acre lot minimums and slope ordinance are substantial factors in mitigating the propagation risk since the distance between homes is rarely within 100 feet of each other. Areas like the Oakland Hills in contrast have average lots sizes of just a quarter acre,frequently placing homes within 30 feet of each other. Are Los Altos Hill's streams and creeks a special concern not considered by CalFire for wildfires? Not in terms of the proposed application of WUI building codes. Creeks in Los Altos Hills tend to have both more vegetation and more moisture than surrounding land. Creeks can provide a natural fire break to wildfire propagation due to the moisture content of the ground.36 In the CalFire methodology, both fuel load and moisture is considered. However,the issue is best analyzed in terms of the creeks' potential for propagating wildfire from one lot to another.Since all lots in Los Altos Hills, including lots that span creeks, are categorized as High rather than Very High hazard, no creek could be a pathway to transmit a wildfire from a Very High hazard zone into the Town. Shouldn't the Town Council just define Los Altos Hills as Very High hazard to avoid the perception that there is higher risk? Risk perception is a two-way street. Wildfire risk in Los Altos Hills is empirically low because the Town and its residents are proactive. Communicating to the public that risks are higher than the empirical data describe might motivate extra protective efforts. It also might motivate prohibitive insurance premiums and forestall real estate transactions, ultimately resulting in less protective measures due to lower property tax revenues and fewer upgrades of 60-year old homes. What is the program called Firewise? It is a wildfire educational program operated jointly by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USDA Forest Service,the US Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters. What is the Santa Clara FireSafe Council? An association of dozens of fire departments, large land owners/managers, corporations, homeowners associations and individuals who develop local programs for the reduction of built- 3s National Wildfire Coordinating Group, PMS841,2007 36John Weir, "Conducting Prescribed Fires:A Comprehensive Manual",2009, p. 101 7 DRAFT June 10, 2015 up hazardous fire-prone vegetation and the creation of informed communities with respect to Defensible Space,general fire safety,and fire's effect and role in our environment. What is Headwaters Economics? Itis an 8-person research group led by Ray Rasker based in Montana. They have produced a series of papers focused on wildfire related to" ... private land within 500 meters of forested federal land." They argue that preventing development near federal forests would reduce the costs of fighting wildfires born by the U.S. Forest Service. 8