Casas Arroyo Fire Prevention and Protection Plan
Policy:
Prevention Policies -- Impacts on the Casas Arroyo property from fire prevention activities are to be performed with the goal of reducing the danger of a catastrophic fire, not only to homes, but to vegetation and wildlife. Local fire-fighting organizations have told us they will always place first priority on protection of lives and structures, not oak trees or wildlife habitat. Some protection of our oak trees and other vegetation has been effected by the existing cries-crossing of roadways (as firebreaks), and may be somewhat improved by reducing the grasses, small branches, and brush at the bases of vulnerable trees. Because of their slow growth rate, the oak trees have a particularly high value. The following recommendations are labor-intensive and on-going maintenance activities that may, at best, slow or reduce the intensity of a lightning or human-caused fire. We realize that not everyone is able to adopt all the policies, but ask you to comply with as many as you can. As research into more effective and palatable techniques becomes available, the fire committee will consider amendments to this document.
Any of these policies should be performed only after assessing and minimizing the specific visual impact to the "natural look" of the property. Any questions should be resolved with the fire team or Board of Directors.
- At least once a year, before nesting season and before the summer fire season, mow along the highway or the railroad to create a firebreak between the highway and Casas Arroyo.
- At least once a year, mow no more than eight feet on each side of interior roads (excepting private drives) to create fire breaks.
- At least once a year, mow one swath around water tank, water tank access road, and well sites.
- Clearing of small dead wood for the purpose of reducing ladder fuels at the base of oak trees, junipers, and shrubs is encouraged under the following guidelines:
- No motor vehicles shall be driven off-road on hillsides, or in areas where they are likely to destroy vegetation or leave obvious evidence of their presence.
- No dead wood larger than 10 inches in diameter is to be removed, because it may
provide habitat for wildlife. (Wood of this size is not likely to
carry a fire.) No standing snags or stumps are to be left with saw
marks or scars (from the removal of smaller branches) that are
visible from roads or adjacent properties.
- No live wood is to be removed from common land except for the removal of small branches or shrubs that may constitute ladder fuel from the lower levels of vulnerable trees near homesites. Any pruning on common land shall be undertaken with great caution, and should not change the overall original appearance of the tree, nor be visible from roads or adjacent lots without approval of the owners.
- Leaf litter should not be raked cleanly from under trees, because it provides habitat for insects consumed by native bird species, and is an important component of the ecosystem. Excessive -piles of undecayed leaf buildup (greater than 3 inches), combined with other fuel, may be removed.
- Any material removed from under trees should be either completely removed from the property, stored safely for use as fuel by the homeowner, or chipped and dispersed as mulch on the ground well away from trees. Any dispersal on common land should be as compact on the ground as possible to reduce air spaces that increase flammability. Again, any dispersal should also be with the intent of minimizing visual impact (no piles of brush, leaves, or branches)
- Both new and existing structures with fireplaces or wood stoves are required to have spark arresters installed on all chimneys or stovepipes.
- Ashes should never be stored on the property unless wet through and cold, but should be disposed of on unvegetated land on the homeowner's lot, or carried to the community landfill. Fireplace ashes are not to be disposed of on common land.
- Do not hoe or rototill firebreaks--this causes soil disturbance leading to erosion and introduction of nonnative weeds such as tumbleweed.
- Treat wood roofing and/or siding with fire-retardant chemicals. Have enough garden hose available to reach all parts of the roof. Clean gutters and roof of all debris and leaves.
- Don't allow newspapers and rags to accumulate. Keep flammable liquids in unbreakable containers.
- Locate barbecue grill away from trees and vegetation, and, preferably, 30 feet away from structures. Clear grass or vegetation at least 10 feet on all sides of grill.
- Store firewood well away from structures and trees (30 feet), if possible.
- Mowing grass around individual homesites in order to create a firebreak is at the owner's discretion and should be performed with great caution to prevent sparks from the mowing equipment from igniting an accidental fire. (The U.S.D.A. Forest Service general guidelines for firebreaks specify a minimum 30 foot firebreak around all buildings on flat land and more (up to 100 feet) if the building is on a slope.) Overhanging branches or adjacent trees are to be kept trimmed at least 10 feet away from the chimney or stovepipe. Any modifications should be performed with the intent to minimize visual impacts.
- Owners of new and existing dwellings are encouraged to
incorporate additional guidelines from the USDA, as applicable: