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The Timbers September 2019 Firewise/USA® Community Assessment

FIREWISE/USA®

RECOGNITION PROGRAM

THE TIMBER

COMMUNITY

STATISTICS

Approximately 60% of homes have some fuel reduction, but most need some improvement.

6 dwellings and 22 resi-dents.

Landscaping may be a wild-fire hazard.

Two and one half acre lots.

Frequent severe fire weather.

Frequent wildfires with a high potential for large, intense fires.

All homes with Class A fire re-sistant roofs.

Approximately 60% of homes with non-combustible siding.

Most homes with decks.

Forest (TL8) fuel type.


Introduction

The Timber is a community of 6 dwellings and 22 residents located east of Monument, Colorado. Lot sizes range between two and a quarter to two and one half acres, and there is no common area. There is one fire hydrant at the southern intersection of Furrow and Minglewood Trail. Utilities are underground.

Development of the Community Wildfire Risk Assessment and Action Plan began with a meeting on June

13th 2019 between Dave Root, with the Colorado State Forest Service and Jim Naylor of The Timbers to

drive through the community and briefly evaluate the wildfire hazards. The result of the meeting was a

decision by the HOA board to pursue recognition as a Firewise USA Site. In August the HOA board

developed a set of community values at risk to wildfire and objectives.

Values at risk to wildfire were developed by the HOA:

Protection of our properties, and lives in the community;

Developing HOA pride in our community through beautification of our community;

Creating a healthy forest and watershed area;

Maintaining a healthy environment for indigenous animals.

The Community also expressed several objectives for the Assessment:


To understand our communities risk and what we can do to protect ourselves;

Reaching and sustaining the rating ‘defensible community’ from the Monument/Tri-Lakes Fire Pro-

tection district;

o Through achieving a set of common goals with guidance from land management and fire

officials

o Through development of a Firewise/USA Community Assessment and Action Plan

Creating a community compatible with nature to ensure we can save our homes, our property and

the community.

The community and the CSFS agreed to work with the community to develop a strategy of wildfire risk

reduction and forest restoration for The Timber.

The community was assessed by aerial photography and mapping by the CSFS and then via a drive

through in July 2019. No private property was entered, and the community was assessed by driving the

roads and observing the fuels, homes and forest health. The Timber is a newer community with all homes

having a class A roof, and about 60% of the homes are constructed with stucco. Specific details about

individual homes was not observable, so details of construction, deck construction, doors, windows and

soffit and foundation vents, could not be closely observed. Homeowners should check these items after

reading the information in the home construction section on page 16.

Some homes had needles and debris on the roof and in gutters—a hazardous situation. Gutters could

not be directly observed, but most appeared to be metal. Landscaping could not be observed except

from the road, but even so, some landscaping clearly presented wildfire threat to the home.

At least 60% of the homeowners have done some sort of fuel reduction around their homes, but more

needs to be done. Most homeowners have reduced ladder fuels (trees, shrubs and low branches) in their

yards. Some have not sufficiently opened the upper forest canopy to prevent a fire from burning through

the tree tops.

Regional Wildfire Hazard

The Timber is not isolated from

its surroundings, and the com-

munity is not isolated from re-

gional fire risks. During (hot

temperatures, high winds and

low humidity) embers may be

blown ahead of the flaming

front for as far as one mile

starting new fires ahead of the

main fire.

A wildfire risk analysis the sur-

rounding area was made with

the use of the Colorado Wild-

fire Risk Assessment Portal

(CO-WRAP). CO-WRAP is a

GIS based program used to

analyze and compare wildfire


risk across the landscape. It is important to understand that CO-WRAP uses the long term average

weather in its outputs. Thus the predictions from CO-WRAP represent wildfire risks on an average

weather day, not the worst case scenario. CO-WRAP uses a 30 meter resolution, and it is not always

useful for analysis of smaller subdivisions such as The Timber. The fire hazard and fuel types specific to

The Timber used in the assessment are based on actual observations made on the ground by CSFS

foresters.

CO-WRAP generates a wealth of data, only some of which is used here. The bar graph on the previous

page is based on analysis of fire starts within a two mile radius of The Timber from data collected over

many years. Historic fire report data were used to map the ignition points for all Colorado fires. The

area surrounding The Timber has a very high number of fire starts each year.

Wildland interface fires are those, like the Black Forest and Waldo Canyon Fires, which threaten commu-

nities situated among wildland fuels. The map below is the wildfire intensity output from CO-WRAP. The

wildfire intensity descriptors use by CO-WRAP (lowest, moderate or highest) can be misleading. They

are not descriptors of actual wildfire hazard, rather they are used to compare the hazard in one area to

another.

Comparisons are most useful when made to a known quantity. The known quantity in this case is the

Black Forest Fire. The CO-WRAP Fire Intensity output for the Black Forest Fire is actually lower than the


area surrounding The Timber. Should a fire start on a day with the same severe weather conditions as

those on June 11, 2013, the day the Black Forest Fire ignited, The Timber would be at grave risk.

Regional Wildfire Hazard Reduction: The CO-WRAP analysis does not take into account the degree to

which The Timber homeowners have reduced their hazard with defensible space. The community’s risk

In the photo to the left, evacu-ation routes within The Timber are often safe with trees thinned along the right of way.

Some areas, particularly in the

southern end of the commu-nity along Minglewood Trail, dense, unmitigated fuels line

the roadway.

The dangerous fuel conditions along roads and highways may

hamper evacuation and access by firefighters.

Evacuation beyond The Timber’s boundaries

would be difficult.

Dense, unmitigated fuels abut Highway 105 and other main roads in the area. If they were burn-ing heat and smoke would impair safe travel.

Add traffic from many adjoining neighborhoods, fear and panic, and evac-uation can devolve into a hazardous journey.

Firefighters will have a

difficult time reaching the fire traveling against the traffic.


is significantly lowered as a result. Observations made on the ground in surrounding areas, and the CO-

WRAP analysis show that the community is a high risk community surrounded by severe wildfire high risk

properties. The risk is not defined by subdivision boundaries, and the map above shows the hazard is

regional in scope.

In a small community like The Timber,

surrounding hazards loom large. While

the fuel reduction within the community

is effective protection, high intensity

wildfires still threaten the community

from the edges. The good work done by

the community’s residents is, or should

be, one piece in of regional fuel reduc-

tion.

Even after the destruction of the Black

Forest Fire, a truly regional effort to re-

duce wildfire hazard has not yet devel-

oped, but there is encouraging progress

toward that end. The Timber is one of

several nearby Firewise sights that in-

clude Woodmoor, Arrowood III, Higby

Estates, and Canterbury. There is the

opportunity for Firewise/USA sites to

work together, share ideas and support

one another.

This summer, the North El Paso Commu-

nity Organization (NEPCO) has estab-

lished a permanent Wildfire Mitigation

Committee tasked with promoting wild-

fire mitigation and community action.

[REPLACE With Matthew’s Official mis-

sion Statement]

Evacuation

The Timber is fortunate have multiple

escape routes. Most homes have miti-

gated the fuels along the right of way,

but, especially along the southern end of

Minglewood Trail, escape for residents

and is compromised by dense fuels di-

rectly adjoining the road. Dense stands

of unthinned trees grow along the edge

of the rights of way. Fire in such dense

fuels would be a high intensity crown fire

producing lethal amounts of heat. Such

an intense fire could trap residents who

delay evacuation until the last moment.

Evacuation Tips:

In Advance of an Evacuation: Know at least two ways out of your neighbor-

hood, and be sure everyone in

your family knows them.

Practice an emergency evacuation plan with

everyone in your family.

Arrange a safe meeting place for separated

family members.

Designate a friend or relative as a contact for

separated family members.

Assemble an emergency supply kit con-

taining important documents, medica-

tions, personal I.D. Be prepared to stay

away for at least 72 hours.

Know how to shut off natural gas or pro-

pane at the meter or tank.

Know of any elderly or disabled persons in

your neighborhood who may need assis-

tance.

Arrange with a friend or relative outside

the area to care for pets or livestock.

Have a “to go kit” ready for pets.

When a wildfire threatens: Back the car into the garage with the keys

in the ignition, the car door unlocked, and

the garage door set for manual operation.

Load your “to go kits’ into the car.

Keep pets together in a single room.

Keep the family together; take only one

vehicle.

Wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy

shoes, work gloves and a handkerchief to

cover your face.


The same dangers threaten firefighters who would atttempt to protect the homes. The real risk that

firefighters will be trapped in the community without safe escape prevents them from defending the

community.

Residents should thin trees within fifty feet of the road to the same standards as zone two defensible

space.

Recent studies of fatalities during wildfire evacuations show that a majority of the fatalities are elderly

individuals. The community should become acquainted with and be prepared to assist any elderly or

disabled neighbors should the need arise.

As evacuees enter the main feeder roads, safety does not improve. Although El Paso County generally

keeps the rights of way on main roads clear, the rights of way are narrow—often as little as three feet

beyond the pavement. Dense untreated forests line the roadways, on private land. Residents of The

Timbers, and every other subdivision in the area, will travel a dangerous path to safety.

Exact evacuation routes will be determined by the County Sheriff based on the location of a fire, expected

direction of spread and expected rate of fire spread. Information will be broadcast on local radio and

television and through reverse 911 calls. Reverse 911 calls are not automatically routed to cellular

phones. Residents who rely on cellphones for information must register their phones with the El Paso-

Teller E911 Authority at: http://www.elpasoteller911.org/246/Emergency-Notification-System

During an emergency, information is provided

through reverse 911 calls. Reverse 911 calls are

not automatically relayed to cellular phones. Cell

phones need to be registered at the El Paso-

Teller E911 Authority at:

http://www.elpasoteller911.org/246/Emergency-Notification-System




WILDFIRE HAZARDS

Fire intensity and spread rate depend on the fuel type and con-

dition (live/dead), the weather conditions prior and during ig-

nition, and the topography. Generally the following relation-

ships hold between the fire behavior and the fuel, weather and

topography.

Fine fuels, such as grass, ignite more easily and spread

faster with higher intensities than coarser fuels. For a

given fuel, the more there is and the more continuous it is,

the faster the fire spreads and the higher the intensities.

Fine fuels take a shorter time to burn out than coarser

fuels.

The weather conditions affect the moisture content of the dead and live vegetative fuels. Dead fine

fuel moisture content is highly dependent on the relative humidity and the degree of sun exposure.

The lower the relative humidity and the greater the sun exposure, the lower will be the fuel moisture

content. Lower fuel moistures produce higher spread rates and fire intensities.

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

speed, the greater the spread rate and intensity.

Topography influences fire behavior principally by the steepness of the slope. However, the configu-

ration of the terrain such as narrow draws, saddles and so forth can influence fire spread and intensity.

In general, the steeper the slope, the higher the uphill fire spread and intensity.

Neither topography nor weather can be altered to reduce the intensity of a wildfire. Only the amount

and arrangement of fuels can be changed in advance of a wildfire to reduce its intensity.

Fuels: Fuels can be categorized based on standard fuel models. Fuels of different types, such as grass

or dense conifer, can be expected to burn with predictable intensities under similar weather conditions.

The applicable fuel model was determined by on the ground observation and then drawn onto topographic

maps to combine the effect of fuel and topography.

In the model outputs used here, rate of spread and flame length, help to predict the severity of a wildfire.

Rate of spread is straightforward. It is how fast the fire will move across the landscape when the mid-

flame wind speed is 20 miles per hour.

Flame height requires more explanation. The heat produced by a flame is related to flame length, so

longer flames produce more heat. Flame lengths in excess of four feet generate lethal amounts of heat,

and firefighters cannot dig control lines next to the fire. The firefighting strategy becomes one of indirect

attack, and firefighters fall back to a safer area and work to halt the fire when it reaches them. Everything

between the control line and the flame front must be sacrificed for safety.

The fuel models used here are those developed by Scott and Burgan1. The figures quoted for rate of

spread and flame length are based on very dry fuels. Thus the figures present the worst case scenario,

yet steep slopes and high winds could cause even more intense fire behavior than predicted by the

models.

1 Scott, Joe E. and Robert Burgan. 2005. Standard Fire Behavior Fuel Models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel’s sur-

face fire spread model. General Technical report RMRS-GTR-153. Fort Collins, CO U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Ser-

vice, Rocky Mountain Research Station.


Only one fuel model is found in The Timber:

TL8 Long-Needle Lit-

ter (Corresponds to Na-

tional Wildfire Coordi-

nating Group model 9.)

These are the denser

forest stands with a

closed forest canopy.

Fire burns through the

litter, fallen needles and

down wood, on the for-

est floor. If the fire

stays on the ground with

midflame wind speeds of

20 MPH, the model pre-

dicts moderate rates of

spread at 0.6 MPH, and

flame lengths of ten

feet.

But the great hazard in

this fuel type, especially

where the forest is un-

thinned, is that during

severe weather, the fire

will climb into the can-

opy with flame lengths

in excess of 60 feet.

This forest type has

abundant lower limbs

that will act as ladder

fuels, fuels that allow a

ground fire to climb into

the tree tops. This type

of fire, a crown fire, is

the most destructive to

property and resources, and crown fires generate large amounts of firebrands that threaten homes

far from the fire itself. During severe weather crown fires can be unstoppable.

Topography: The Timber straddles a low ridge with half the community on a slight north facing slope

and other half with a southern aspect. Average slopes are gentle, about five percent on both slopes, and

sever small ephemeral drainages bisect the community. Along the drainages, there are steep slopes for

short distances. Fires will tend to follow even these slight drainages.

Weather: Weather is the wildcard since it cannot be known in advance of a fire. Warm, dry and windy

weather will produce intense fire behavior in the unmitigated areas of the community. Mitigated areas

can anticipate less intense fires.

Fuel Model TL8, here in an unthinned area, represents a severe wildfire hazard and an overcrowded forest where trees are starv-ing for moisture and sunlight. Intense crown fires can move through the canopy.

Fortunately fire hazard is moderate on the properties where trees

have been thinned for defensible space and dwarf mistletoe man-agement.


Definition of the Home Ignition Zone –

It is plain that The Timber is located in a wild-

fire environment. Wildfires will happen--ex-

clusion is not a choice. The variables in a fire

scenario are when the fire will occur, and

where. Communities in the wildland urban in-

terface cannot “prevent wildfires”, but they

can be prepared to survive fires with the least

damage possible. They must become Fire

Adapted Communities.

A house burns because of its interrelationship

with everything in its surrounding home igni-

tion zone----the house and its immediate sur-

roundings. The concept of defensible space,

thinning trees and vegetation within 100 to

150 feet of homes, is familiar to most homeowners in the region. Defensible space is indeed an effective

way to keep the radiant heat of wildfires away from structures.

But autopsies of homes burned in wildfires show that 40 to 90% of the destroyed homes were not ignited

by radiant heat or contact with the fire.

Most of the home ignitions in a wildfire are from windblown embers (firebrands) carried as

much as a mile in front of the fire.

Hardening homes and other structures against ember ignition is equally as important and the defensible

space surrounding the buildings.

To avoid a home ignition, a homeowner must

eliminate the wildfire’s potential relationship

with his/her house. This can be accom-

plished by interrupting the natural path a fire

takes. Changing a fire’s path by clearing a

home ignition zone is an easy-to-accomplish

task that can result in avoiding home loss. To

accomplish this, flammable items such as

dead vegetation must be removed from the

area immediately around the structure to pre-

vent flames from contacting it. Also, reducing

the volume of live vegetation will reduce the

intensity of the wildfire as it enters the home

ignition zone.

Residents can reduce their risk of destruction

during a wildfire by taking actions within their

home ignition zones. This zone principally

determines the potential for home ignitions

during a wildland fire; it includes a house and

The unburned trees in the background show that no flames touched this home destroyed in the Black For-est Fire. Windborne firebrands falling on combustible material on or near the home caused the loss.

The unburned trees behind this home, destroyed in the Black Forest Fire, prove it was not engulfed by a

wall of flame. Rather, windborne embers ignited the home and caused the loss.


its immediate surroundings within 100 to 150 feet.

The result of the assessment is that wildfire behavior will be dominated by the residential characteristics

of this area. The good news is that by addressing community vulnerabilities, residents will be able to

substantially reduce their exposure to loss. Relatively small investments of time and effort will reap great

rewards in wildfire safety.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS –

In the event of a wildfire, access into, out of and within The Timber could be hazardous. Although

the community has three possible escape routes, evacuation by residents or access by firefighters

could be blocked by untreated fuels along the roads within the community and along feeder roads

outside The Timber’s boundary.

Driveways should be marked with four inch reflective numbers on a metal post at the intersection

of the driveway and the street.

Also, lack of adequate address signs makes homes difficult to locate for an emergency medical

response.

Untreated fuels on land surrounding The Timber present a regional wildfire threat.

Many homes have defensible space, but about one fourth of the community is unmitigated, and

extremely vulnerable to wildfire.

Even at homes with excellent defensible space, landscaping often poses a threat to homes, espe-

cially from juniper (pfitzers) bushes near homes. Junipers are highly flammable plants, and should

be removed from landscaping.

Ponderosa pine in large areas of The Timber are infected with dwarf mistletoe, a parasite that

deforms and reduces the vigor of the trees. Infection over many decades will cause mortality of

the trees, most likely from bark beetles.

Fuel reduction and dwarf mistletoe management are complimentary activities and should occur

together.

FIREWISE PRESCRIPTIONS

During a large wildfire, there are never enough

fire engines to defend every home. When ade-

quately prepared, a house can likely withstand a

wildfire without the intervention of the fire ser-

vice. When the surrounding forest is well man-

aged, it too will survive a wildfire with minimal

damage. The Firewise/USA program is designed

to enable communities to achieve a high level of

protection against WUI fire loss even as a sus-

tainable ecosystem balance is maintained.

The Timber HOA does not enforce fuel reduction

on the private lots in the community, but it is

important that all residents understand the

safety of the community depends on each indi-

vidual taking an active role to management the

forests on their property. The information that

follows is a generic prescription for forest health

When managed to be fire adapted, forests, like com-munities, survive wildfires with minimal damage. Aside from some scorched needles, there is little to indicate this area burned in the Black Forest Fire two months earlier.


and fuel reduction. These generic recommen-

dations can be adapted to address specific con-

ditions existing in forest stands, and a visit with

a forester on the property can be helpful to

prescribe treatments that achieve multiple

landowner objectives in addition to defensible

space.

Protecting Homes with Defensible Space:

Thinning in the HOME IGNITION ZONE protects

homes from the heat of wildfires. Wildfire mit-

igation includes both thinning around buildings

to reduce heat from burning vegetation and re-

ducing ignitability of the structures to protect

them from windborne embers, and convective

heat. Further information about increasing the survivability of structures is found on the CSFS website

at:

http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/pub-csfs2.html#wildfire .

Defensible space is defined as an area around a structure where existing vegetation is modified to slow

the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire. This includes selective removal of trees around buildings

in two or three concentric management zones. On slopes, increase the width of each zone on the downhill

side. Fuels are reduced according to prescriptions for each zone.

Zone one: This is the closest zone to a structure, and extends 30 feet from the outer most edge

of a building including any decks. The management goal is to separate trees or shrubs within this

zone so that the convective or radiant heat will not ignite the structure. A few tall trees may be

left in zone one if the lowest branches are pruned so that they are well above a fire resistant roof.

Most trees should be removed within 15 feet of the eves or a deck. One or two high value trees

may be left in this zone if they are pruned ten feet above the roof or deck, and there are no ladder

fuels beneath them. There should be a minimum of 15 feet of space between the longest branches

on these trees and the nearest branch of adjoining trees.

Trees further than fifteen feet beyond the eves should be separated by ten feet between the

longest branches and any ladder fuels should be removed. A good rule of thumb is to keep any

shrubs at least ten feet from the tree’s dripline.

Low branches should be pruned up to eight feet on trees over thirty feet in height, but always

leave at least two-thirds of the green branches on smaller trees.

Keep grass within zone one mowed to less than four inches in all seasons of the year.

Landscaping and Defensible Space: Most homeowners in The Timbers have some degree of

landscaping surrounding their home. Well-designed landscaping can increase the effectiveness

of defensible space, but poorly designed landscaping will undo all the good of defensible space.

Landscaping should follow the same logic as defensible space. The amount and continuity of fuel

in landscapes should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Landscaping with deciduous

trees, due to their lower flammability, is superior to landscaping with conifers. The blue spruce

http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/pub-csfs2.html#wildfire


found in many landscapes can increase the fire hazard because of the lower limbs touching

the ground. The lower limbs of spruces should be trimmed as for other conifers.

To prevent a fire from smoldering directly to the foundation, a deck or beneath decks,

maintain a five foot barrier of bare dirt or noncombustible mulch in these areas. Avoid

planting woody shrubs in the barriers, but well-watered herbaceous plants pose little

hazard.

Fact Sheets about Firewise Landscaping and Firewise Plant Materials are found on the CSFS

website at:

Fire Resistant Landscaping: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06303.pdf

Firewise Plants: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06305.pdf

Zone two: The width of zone two depends on the slope around the house. If the average slope

angle is less than 5%, zone two extends out 70 feet from zone one (100 or more feet total distance

around the house). As slopes increase, increase the width of zone two on the downhill side of the

house, and increase the spacing between tree crowns. The main fuels reduction guideline for zone

two is to thin the trees to an average spacing of 10-feet crown separation. Clumps of two or three

trees may be retained in this zone if the space between the clump and the adjoining trees is at

FIREWISE LANDSCAPING

Never plant junipers or other flammable species in defensible spaces.

Maintain five feet of bare earth or rock mulch around foundations, and

decks.

Never plant tall, shrubs with woody stems or branches around founda-

tions or near decks.

Never plant within five feet of windows or foundation vents.

Increase spacing between plants in zone one.

Use low growing succulent plants in zone one.

Plant in small irregular clusters or islands

Stone or gravel paths break up fuel continuity and enhance defensible

space.

Keep plants and grass well irrigated.

Plant shrubs in wide separated patches and in openings, not be-

neath trees.

Plant recognized firewise plants

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06303.pdf



least 30 feet. All ladder fuels under trees should be removed. The branches of large trees should

be pruned to a height of 8 feet above ground, but small trees should have at least two-thirds of

the green needles remaining.

Firefighters must be able to escape quickly if conditions suddenly deteriorate. Zone two should

extend along both sides of driveways for a width of 50 feet from each edge of the drive. This is

important to allow safe access and egress for emergency vehicles. Adequate clearance should be

maintained to allow access to large structural fire trucks. Twelve feet of horizontal clearance and

13 feet of vertical clearance should be maintained. At the house end of driveways, adequate room

for a large fire engine to turn around should be maintained.

Zone three: The guideline for zone three is to thin the forest primarily to improve forest health.

Spacing is less critical in this area but some spaces should be made in the canopy and ladder fuels

removed. A useful rule of thumb is that a tree should receive sunlight from all four sides.

FUEL REDUCTION AND DWARF MISTLETOE MANAGEMENT:

Dwarf mistletoe is a parasitic plant that robs moisture and nutrients from the host tree. Over many years,

it causes the tree to decline in vigor and eventually may cause death. More commonly, the tree declines

to the point where bark beetles attack and kill it.

Three common species of dwarf mistletoe are found in the region, each named after its principle host,

ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir. Despite their

species specific names, ponderosa and lodgepole dwarf mis-

tletoes grow on any pine species, but Douglas-fir dwarf mistle-

toe is exclusive to Douglas-fir. Spruce, true firs and deciduous

trees are immune to all three species of dwarf mistletoe.

The most obvious symptom of dwarf mistletoe infection is the

dense, distorted growth of the branches, called witch’s brooms

because they appear to be twisted or tied in knots. Witches

brooms, because of the dense concentration of needles are

more volatile, and burn with greater intensity than normal

branches. Witches brooms low on the tree can be hazardous

ladder fuels.

Mistletoe shoots are only reproductive structures with no pho-

tosynthetic function. Removing the shoots from a branch does

not control dwarf mistletoe, except to temporarily halt seed

production. Structures called sinkers, (analogous to roots in

plants) embedded in the wood cause the damage, and the mis-

tletoe plant continues to absorb the host tree’s water and nu-

trients. Shoots that are removed grow back and form seeds in

two or three years.

During the growing season, dwarf mistletoe shoots develop ber-

ries containing a seed. In August, the berries fill with water and

explode, shooting the seed as far as 40 feet. Most seeds strike

branches of the host tree and do not travel the full 40 feet, so

the expansion of dwarf mistletoe pockets averages two feet per

year. When the seed strikes a branch, it germinates and the

A ponderosa pine with advanced dwarf mistletoe infection. Note the heavy contorted “witch’s brooms” in the lower branches. After long periods of infection, the needles at

the top of the tree become sparse and shorter.


sinkers penetrate the bark into the tree’s conductive tissues, and the growing mistletoe begins to steal

the tree’s food and water. The first visible symptom of infection is swelling in the branch at the site of

the growing mistletoe plant, but nubs of the emerging shoots won’t be visible for three years and a shoot

won’t bear its first seeds for seven years. As seeds spread, all susceptible trees in the vicinity may become

infected; it is extremely rare to find a single infected tree in the forest.

The tendency of mistletoe to infect all trees in a stand makes eradication difficult. No effective chemical

treatment exists for mistletoe, and the only way to kill the parasite is to kill the host. In stands where

only the susceptible species of tree exists, total eradication of the mistletoe would require a clearcut,

which is unacceptable to most landowners.

Fortunately, mistletoe kills trees slowly, so it is not necessary to eradicate the parasite. The disease can

be controlled by a program of thinning to increase tree vigor. Pruning the more heavily infected branches

also helps, even if not all the mistletoe is eliminated. The final step in the process is to replant with non-

susceptible species so that new trees will grow before the mistletoe kills the remaining trees.

The spread of mistletoe can be halted by a minimum 40-foot buffer zone between infected and non-

infected trees. In this situation, cut 20 feet into non-infected trees to remove any mistletoe that is not

yet visible; cut the remaining 20 feet into the infected stand. Non-infected trees outside the buffer should

be checked each spring for mistletoe and any infected branches should be immediately pruned before

seeds develop.

A dwarf mistletoe treatment program of thinning and underplant-

ing is entirely compatible with fuel reduction, but there some con-

siderations that landowners can follow:

Most important, do not underplant where the young tree

will become ladder fuel as it grows. Eventually, the old

ponderosa will be removed, but planting the new tree too

close to the older trees may result in removing the ponder-

osa sooner than necessary. A rule of thumb is to plant new

seedlings at least 15 feet from the branches of adjoining

trees.

Avoid replanting with Rocky Mountain juniper or eastern

red cedar. Although these are recommended for replanting

in dwarf mistletoe infections, they are highly volatile spe-

cies and should be avoided where fuel reduction is also an

objective.

Consider planting aspen. Aspen, because they retain large

amounts of water, are excellent trees for fuel reduction pro-

jects, and they are immune to mistletoe. Aspen need full

sunlight to grow, and, although they will tolerate dry sites,

they will grow better in lower areas where they receive

more water.

Large witch’s brooms in lower branches can be dangerous

ladder fuel, and should be pruned.

In larger openings, consider replanting with firewise shrubs

to benefit wildlife. Chokecherry, native plum and other

shrubs provide cover and forage for wildlife, and will not

significantly increase fire risk if planted properly. It is best

In zone three, scattered

standing dead trees and down

logs provide good wildlife habitat, and should remain


to plant shrub clumps in zone three of defensible space and, as always beware of introducing new

ladder fuels.

Dwarf mistletoe treatment is a complicated process that depends on the site conditions and the land-

owner’s tolerance for cutting trees. In most cases, a combination of treatment methods will best suit the

landowner’s objectives. Consultation with a qualified forester is recommended to develop an effective and

acceptable treatment plan.

Landowners are often uncertain about the threat posed by standing dead trees and down wood in all

defensible space zones. Standing dead “wildlife” trees are valuable habitat, and some should remain in

zone three, but not zones one and two. Good rules of thumb for retaining dead trees for wildlife are:

first, the tree should be larger than ten inches in diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground; sec-

ond, no more than five widely spaced trees per acre should be retained; third no wildlife tree should

pose a threat of falling on anyone or anything.

There are also rules of thumb for down wood. Large concentrations of wood, such as brush piles or

jackstrawed sticks pose a threat, and should be removed. Isolated down logs, however, are beneficial

wildlife habitat, and do not pose a significant wildfire threat when they remain in zones two or three.

The effort of removing isolated decaying logs from the forest floor is largely wasted, and would be more

effective applied to removing ladder fuels and opening the forest canopy.

HOME CONSTRUCTION AND SURVIVABILITY:

Homeowners are reminded that street signs, addresses,

road widths and fire hydrants do not keep a house from ig-

niting. Proper attention to their home ignition zones does.

They should identify the things that will ignite their homes

and address those.

The construction materials, location and even the shape of

a building influence its vulnerability to wildfire.2 It is not the

intent of this assessment to suggest extensive alterations to

homes that already exist in the community. Understanding

how home construction affects the home’s vulnerability dur-

ing a wildfire helps residents plan defensible space projects

to compensate for construction differences. When remodel-

ing or home improvement projects are done, plans can be

made to reduce the ignitability of the buildings.

Decks and roofs are the most vulnerable parts of a home. If either burns, the home will be lost. They

are most likely to catch windblown firebrands, and air currents are more likely to form eddies that trap

heat and in the irregular surfaces found in roofs and decks

Fire resistant roofs are extremely important. Roof material with a class A rating indicates the best re-

sistance to fire. Many roofing materials are available to homeowners but they vary in cost, weight and

longevity. Homeowners should consult with a reputable building contractor to determine which roofing

material will best suit their needs.

2 Bueche, David, Tim Foley, Peter Slack, (2012): Firewise Construction: Site Design and Building Materials. Colorado State

Forest Service.

“Combustible de-bris on a roof may ignite from

firebrands and start the home on fire even with a class A roof.”


Even the most fire resistant roofs require maintenance. The most important item is to keep the roof—

and gutters--free of debris. Combustible debris on a roof, such as leaves and pine needles, may ignite

from firebrands and start the home on fire even with a class A roof. Combustible litter is most likely to

accumulate in areas where one shape meets another such as gables and dormer windows. Gutters will

also accumulate debris. These same areas are most likely to accumulate firebrands because of eddies in

wind currents during a wildfire. Combustible debris should be removed anytime it accumulates. Gutters

and downspouts should be metal since plastic may burn.

The eaves (the extension of the roof over the outside wall) are also vulnerable areas. Open eves, with

the roof joists exposed, are particularly vulnerable because the irregular surfaces can trap hot gasses and

fire brands. Enclosure of exposed eves (called a soffit) helps prevent this. It is best to construct soffits

so that the lower edge of the soffit meets the wall at a 90o angle. This reduces the amount of heated air

and fire brands that might be trapped.

In addition to the roof, decks are extremely vulnerable to fire. The deck surface is exposed to fire brands

and fire brands can collect underneath decks. Possibly the worst mistake any homeowner can make is

to store any combustible material beneath a deck. Countless homes have been lost because of firewood,

scrap lumber, even gasoline stored under a deck. Even motorized equipment, when left under a deck,

with gas in the tank has caused home losses during fires.

Ideally, the underside of decks should be enclosed with a non-combustible material. If that is not possi-

ble, covering the area under a deck with stone, concrete or rock mulch will make the deck safer. When

decks are rebuilt use fire resistant materials. Firewise USA has developed fact sheets for deck construc-

tion and other topics and these can be found on the web at:

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Re-

sources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series

Carefully consider the landscaping in the vicinity of decks as well. Avoid planting flammable shrubs, such

as junipers, anywhere near decks or foundations. Potted plants or planters on decks may also increase

the hazard, and furniture with cushions or wooden frames may ignite from firebrands. The area of de-

fensible space should be increased near decks, especially on the downhill side.

Vents, in roofs and foundations, are also areas of vulnerability, but are necessary to ventilate attics and

crawl spaces to prevent moisture accumulation. During a wildfire, heated gasses and firebrands can

enter attics or crawl spaces through vents. All vents should be screened with metal screening with

openings of 1/8 inch. Soffit vents should be located as close to the edge of the eve as possible. Vege-

tation around foundation vents can create unintended vulnerability, particularly on the downhill side.

Landscaping with stone or rock within five feet of the foundation is recommended.

Fire resistance of windows and doors should be considered. If window glass breaks, firebrands will enter

the house. The most fire resistant glass is low emissivity, multipane tempered glass which withstands

the heat of a fire for the longest period. Double pane windows last longer than single pane when exposed

to the heat of a fire.

Window frames are also important. Metal frames offer the best protection. Vinyl frames usually do not

burn but can melt when exposed to heat, and wooden frames will burn. Metal screening on the outside

of windows offers additional protection, but most windows are sold with nylon screening that will melt.

Solid metal shutters offer the best protection, assuming the homeowner has the opportunity to close

them before evacuating.

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Firewise-USA-Resources/Research-Fact-Sheet-Series


Wooden doors are obviously able to burn during a fire. The thicker the door the more resistant it will be.

Metal doors are far superior, and glass in doors is subject to the same vulnerabilities as window glass.

Well maintained weather stripping will help prevent fire brands from entering a home. Garage doors are

often overlooked as a source of ember entry into a home, and homeowners should maintain the seals

around garage doors to prevent ember intrusion.

SUSTAINING A FIREWISE PROGRAM

After reviewing the contents of this assessment and its recommendations, The Timbers Firewise Commit-

tee in cooperation with the CSFS and Tri Lakes/Monument Fire Protection District will determine whether

or not it wishes to continue seeking Firewise Communities/USA recognition. The Firewise Communi-

ties/USA representative will contact the Firewise Board representative by September 1, 2017 to receive

its decision.

If the site assessment and recommendations are accepted and recognition will be sought, The Timbers

Firewise Board will create agreed-upon, area-specific solutions to the Firewise recommendations and

create an action plan in cooperation with the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District.

Assuming the assessment area seeks to achieve national Firewise/USA recognition status, it will integrate

the following standards into its plan of action:

Sponsor a local Firewise organization (board, task force, committee, etc.) that maintains the Fire-

wise Community program and status.

Develop and publish a Firewise/USA Community Assessment and Action Plan that includes action-

able and achievable local solutions.

Invest a minimum of $25.43 annually per dwelling in its Firewise Communities/USA program.

(Work done by municipal employees or volunteers, using municipal or other equipment, can be

included, as can state/federal grants dedicated to that purpose.)

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

Submit an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA. This report documents continuing partic-

ipation in the program.

Wildfire Education: The first step toward action is an awareness within The Timbers that the community

is at risk, and more importantly, that the community can reduce the risk with individual and cooperative

action. The Timber Firewise Committee will partner with the CSFS, and the Monument/Tri Lakes Fire

Protection District to increase homeowner and community awareness of how wildfire risk reduction relates

to effective forest stewardship. The focus of the effort will include all aspects of forest stewardship

including insect and disease, watershed preservation and forest health. The information included in this

assessment has of necessity been brief and general in nature. For further information, the websites

below will be useful.

Informational Materials:

Protecting Your Home With Defensible Space:

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/FIRE2012_1_DspaceQuickGuide.pdf

Firewise Construction:

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/firewise-construction2012.pdf

Firewise Landscaping: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06303.pdf

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/FIRE2012_1_DspaceQuickGuide.pdf

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/firewise-construction2012.pdf



Firewise Plant Materials: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06305.pdf

Gambel Oak Management:


Ips Beetles: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Ips.pdf

Mountain Pine Beetle: http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/MPB.pdf

Dwarf mistletoe management: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/DMT.pdf

Websites:

Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District: http://www.tlmfire.org/

Colorado State Forest Service: http://csfs.colostate.edu/

Firewise Communities: http://firewise.org/

Fire Adapted Communities: http://www.fireadapted.org/

Fire Adapted Colorado: https://fireadaptedco.org/

Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners: https://www.ppwpp.org/

Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Organizations (NEPCO): http://nepco.org/

Developing a Successful Firewise Program: Social science studies of how communities adopt any

new idea show that residents can be divided into three categories:

Early adopters who are on board with new ideas from the start. The Timbers Firewise commit-

tee, of course, fits into this group. These people compose roughly 20% of any community.

Fence sitters who are open to the new idea, but are not yet convinced. These are approximately

60% of a community.

The unalterably opposed. These are the remaining 20%. Short of coercion, they will not partici-

pate.

The most successful Firewise programs first target the fence sitters, those who can be persuaded. As

the program builds, and becomes a larger part of the community’s life, some of the unalterably op-

posed will join. Neighboring Firewise Sites are good resources for newly participating communities.

Red Rock Ranch, a Firewise Site south of Palmer Lake, is a participant in a Firewise/USA pilot project

called Sites of Excellence. Several communities in other states are also participants in the project which

is designed to invest resources in the communities and study what activities lead to effective participa-

tion. The project can be followed on the Firewise website.

Dave Betzler, the Red Rock Ranch, Firewise Resident Leader offered some interesting thoughts about

why homeowners are often slow to do fuel reduction. In a recent project update on the Firewise/USA

website, Betzler identified three challenges encountered by the Red Rock Ranch Firewise Committee:



http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Ips.pdf

http://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/MPB.pdf

https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/DMT.pdf

http://www.tlmfire.org/

http://csfs.colostate.edu/

http://firewise.org/

http://www.fireadapted.org/

https://fireadaptedco.org/

https://www.ppwpp.org/

http://nepco.org/


1) Burdened Homeowners: Creating even one acre of defensible space is a daunting challenge.

Added to other responsibilities in a homeowner’s daily life, the task can seem overwhelming.

Often breaking the whole into smaller tasks helps. Small, high priority tasks like cleaning gut-

ters or removing high hazard plants in a landscape are less intimidating. Like it or not, Fire

Adapted communities are created over years, not in a single weekend.

2) Resource Limitations: Homeowner associations have a multitude of responsibilities and small

budgets. Neighbors working together and community sponsored projects like chipping days or

Firewise work days help reduce the burdens for homeowners.

Cost share programs often help reduce the expense by reimbursing landowners for part (usually

50%) of their fuel reduction expenses. These grant programs are highly competitive, and pro-

jects that demonstrate a landscape level effect have priority for funding. Regional organizations

like Black Forest Together or The Coalition for the Upper South Platte have been successful in

combining the cost share requests from HOAs into competitive, regional applications.

3) Volunteer Availability: Family responsibilities and emergencies, age and physical limitations of-

ten limit the availability of community volunteers. Often community service groups, church or-

ganizations will assist communities.

firewise communities/usa – what it is and how it...

Documents