Sugar Pine Fuels Treatment Implementation Fieldtrip September 19, 2012

This project was begun in 2007. The goals are to reduce fire threat and improve forest health. Treatments were intended to occur in 2009 but many factors contributed to their delayed start in 2011. Efforts are being made to finish the project this summer so that SNAMP’s research on post treatment effects can get under way. These vegetation treatments are designed to create SPLATs, Strategically Placed Landscape Area Treatment, to slow the spread of fire. Treatments include:

• Commercially thin about 900 acres of trees ranging from 45 -110 year old trees. • Biomass thin about 150 acres of approximately 70-90 year old natural 4 to 10 inch dbh

conifer stands • Pre-commercially hand thin and remove fuel ladders, hand pile and burn on

approximately 17 acres. • Pre-commercially thin, tractor pile and burn approximately 30 acres of natural conifer stands

• Masticate brush fields and masticate pre-commercial thin reproduction areas on approximately 650

• Pre-commercially thin/release plantations on approximately 115 acres • Reconstruct 11.5 miles of Forest System road; and construct 0.3 miles of temporary road; • Prescribe burn and/or manually treat infestations of noxious weeds, where located within

the project treatment areas, with the goal of eradication and prevention of their spread.

SNAMP September 19th, 2012 Sugar Pine Implementation Field Trip

     Mixed Conifer Forest Fire History

• 118 Fire Scar Samples • 86% Incense cedar • Fire interval analysis

 Fire return interval (yrs)

Average (S.D.)

Median (Range)

All Fires 1.1 (0.3) 1.0 (1-3) 10% Filter 5.0 (4.5) 3.0 (1-18)

• GPS locations of Samples • Spatial interpolation of burn area • 1844 Wildfire Estimated Burn Area Example  

 

 

Fire & Forest Ecosystem Health Team Stephens Lab-UC Berkeley  

   

Estimated Fire Return Intervals, 1750-1900  

 

Landscape Fire Behavior Pretreatment forest conditions

• Fuel Model Assignment • Regression analysis using Lidar (20 m pixel)

Conditional Burn Probability

• For Fires with Flame lengths >2 m • Modeled with 95th percentile weather conditions

FL (m) Area (ha) 1 14116.6 2 8353.9 3 982.8 4 731.9 5 6.9 6 13.2

• Cont. adjustments with weather • Repeat analyses with post-treatment

o Plot data o Lidar

FS-6700-7 (2/98) U.S. Department of Agriculture 1. WORK PROJECT/ACTIVITY 2. LOCATION 3. UNIT

Forest Service Forest Field Work Sierra National Forest Bass Lake RD JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS (JHA) 4. NAME OF ANALYST 5. JOB TITLE 6. DATE

PREPARED References-FSH 6709.11 and -12

(Instructions on Reverse) Anaé Otto Wildlife Biologist 2012 7. TASKS/PROCEDURES

8. HAZARDS

9. ABATEMENT ACTIONS

Engineering Controls * Substitution * Administrative Controls * PPE

General Forest Field work

Dehydration Always carry plenty of water when working in the field, at least one (preferably two) 32oz. Nalgene bottles per individual. You may also want to carry a combination of water and Gatorade/powerade.

Poison oak Familiarize yourself with what poison oak looks like and make sure you can recognize its different forms (leaf and stick).

Insect bites/stings Yellow Jackets Ticks

Avoid wearing heavy fragrances. Carry first-aid and sting relief kits. Make sure all crew members are informed about others who are allergic and what to do if they need assistance. Carry necessary emergency medication. Bees: watch for bees darting to and from the same area in the ground. If you step on a nest, run! Alert your crew members by yelling “Bees!” so they know to leave the area as well. Remove any gear, hat or loose clothing so that you can remove any bees that may have crawled in. Treat sting areas with sting relief meds. Watch for allergic reactions. Check yourself for ticks after walking in through grass or brush.

Snakes Rattlesnakes: 8 inch high leather boots are a must when walking through rattlesnake country. Rattlesnakes will sound off with a very loud hissing rattle when they feel they are being threatened. If you hear such a sound, back away cautiously and find another route far around the snake. Areas to be extra careful around include rock piles and downed logs. Before stepping directly over a downed log, kick the top with your boot to make sure you do not surprise a rattlesnake that may be on the back side of the log. Also, be aware rattlesnakes can and do swim.

Eye injuries

Travel with care through heavy brush. Use eye protection in brushy areas. If you are holding a limb while traveling through an area, make sure to warn others behind you before you let go.

scrapes and punctures

Wear proper clothing, long sleeved shirts and pants. Carry a first aid kit with you at all times.

severe injury in remote locations

Carry a Forest Service issue handheld radio and know how to use it. Know how to call in an emergency to Sierra Dispatch. Make sure everyone on the crew is certified in first aid/CPR.

blow-down / heavy debris/Snags

Be aware of your surroundings, including hanging or leaning debris that may be dislodged and fall. Try to avoid parking vehicles in this area too. Snags: avoid parking vehicles or lingering underneath a snag tree. Snags can be life threatening and may decide to fall at any time. Always wear hard hats when working in the woods.

Walking around Heavy Machinery/Equipment

General Heavy Equipment Hazards In an area where the machine was working, be alert for loose materials falling or rolling down slope. Objects such as rocks, down logs, and snags can become loose due to vibration from the machine or from being ran over.

Masticators Tractors/Chip Vans Limited Visibility of Operator in machine

Always maintain a safe distance from working equipment—at least 200 feet. Masticators can throw wood shards long distances when operating. Alert the operator to your presence in the area from a safe distance. Carry pink flagging to increase your visibility. Keep in radio or eye contact with operator.

Other Field Conditions

High flow velocity

Evaluate a stream before entering. Follow the "rule of 10" 1) if stream is 1 foot deep and flowing @10 ft./sec, it is too hazardous to wade 2) if stream is 2 feet deep and flowing at 5 ft./second, it is too hazardous to wade. If you do enter a stream and discover it is too dangerous to wade, back out using your wading pole for balance.

Personal Equipment-stream surveys

Secure packs and hip waders with quick release straps and be ready to discard, if an emergency arises. Make sure to put your safety before the safety of your equipment. Always wear hardhats when working in the field.

Severe weather

Suspend measurements during lightning storms or when a storm is approaching. If unsure of weather, call Sierra Dispatch with your location and request a weather report.

Marijuana/opium gardening activities/Hazardous materials/medical waste

Beware of the following types of materials in the forest: Drip line equipment or other water-carrying devices such as pipes etc., fertilizer bags, large trash dumps, food dumps, dumps with Sudafed packaging and/or other drug-related material, large containers, barrels, individuals in camouflage, or anything that looks suspicious or out of place. Make note of the location of such objects for law enforcement investigation. When in doubt, it is best to leave the area and contact your supervisor by radio. Pay attention to your instincts, and remember personal safety first.

Animal encounters

Black bears, Mountain Lions, and Rattlesnakes are fairly common in the Sierra National Forest. If you encounter a bear or mountain lion while in the field, stand your ground and throw your arms up to appear larger. Some bears may make a “bluff charge” where they will run a short distance towards you to see what your reaction will be. DO NOT RUN. YELL LOUDLY AND ASSERTIVELY. Make lots of noise, turn up the volume on your radio and turn the squelch up to full. You may want to pick up a large stick or rock for protection if the animal is not too close, but do not break eye contact while you do this. Wait for the animal to withdraw before moving. Slowly back out of the area and return to the vehicle. Find an alternate location to work in.

10. LINE OFFICER SIGNATURE 11. TITLE 12. DATE

Previous edition is obsolete (over)

JHA Instructions (References-FSH 6709.11 and .12) The JHA shall identify the location of the work project or activity, the name of employee(s) writing the JHA, the date(s) of development, and the name of the appropriate line officer approving it. The supervisor acknowledges that employees have read and understand the contents, have received the required training, and are qualified to perform the work project or activity. Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: Self-explanatory. Block 7: Identify all tasks and procedures associated with the work project or

activity that have potential to cause injury or illness to personnel and damage to property or material. Include emergency evacuation procedures (EEP).

Block 8: Identify all known or suspect hazards associated with each respective

task/procedure listed in block 7. For example: a. Research past accidents/incidents b. Research the Health and Safety Code, FSH 6709.11 or other

appropriate literature. c. Discuss the work project/activity with participants d. Observe the work project/activity e. A combination of the above

Emergency Evacuation Instructions (Reference FSH 6709.11) Work supervisors and crew members are responsible for developing and discussing field emergency evacuation procedures (EEP) and alternatives in the event a person(s) becomes seriously ill or injured at the worksite. Be prepared to provide the following information: a. Nature of the accident or injury (avoid using victim's name). b. Type of assistance needed, if any (ground, air, or water evacuation) c. Location of accident or injury, best access route into the worksite (road

name/number), identifiable ground/air landmarks. d. Radio frequency(s). e. Contact person. f. Local hazards to ground vehicles or aviation. g. Weather conditions (wind speed & direction, visibility, temp). h. Topography. i. Number of person(s) to be transported j. Estimated weight of passengers for air/water evacuation.

The items listed above serve only as guidelines for the development of emergency evacuation procedures.

JHA and Emergency Evacuation Procedures Acknowledgement

Block 9: Identify appropriate actions to reduce or eliminate the hazards identified in block 8. Abatement measures listed below are in the order of the preferred abatement method:

We, the undersigned work leader and crew members, acknowledge participation in the development of this JHA (as applicable) and accompanying emergency evacuation procedures. We have thoroughly discussed and understand the provisions of each of these documents:

For example, ergonomically designed tools, equipment, and furniture. SIGNATURE DATE SIGNATURE DATE furniture.

b. Substitution. For example, switching to high flash point, non-toxic solvents.

c. Administrative Controls. For example, limiting exposure by reducting

the work schedule; establishing appropriate procedures and practices.

d. PPE (least desirable method of abatement). For example, using

hearing protection when working with or close to portable machines

(chain saws, rock drills portable water pumps)

e. A combination of the above. Block 10: The JHA must be reviewed and approved by a line officer. Attach a

copy of JHA as justification for PPE purchase orders