San Manuel community members and stakeholders listen intently to the presentation by Corey Guerin of the State Forester’s Office
T.C. Brown
Copper Area News
Corey Guerin, Lead Prevention Officer, with the Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management met with members of the community at the San Manuel Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Frank Molina from BHP and Ernie Ivy from San Manuel Fire were also in attendance to answer questions and discuss fire concerns around the community.
Corey gave an insightful presentation about wildfire dangers, risk assessment, and the benefits of having a community Firewise program in place before wildfires happen. He also discussed community specific concerns. He indicated that he would be very willing to assist in setting up a Firewise community in San Manuel if there was enough interest. He expressed his willingness to return to answer more questions and present additional information to more of the community. He also discussed the importance of being signed up for the Pinal County Emergency Notification System (PENS).
Molina discussed ongoing concerns for fire ignition risk in and around BHP property and throughout the community. It was pointed out that several areas have been recently cleared in the community with more to follow. It was also pointed out that there are large areas owned by BHP that are being used to dump trash and other flammable material with negative effects to the long-term concerns of fire abatement.
Ivy discussed established and planned mutual aid agreements with local, state and federal agencies that would assist San Manuel in the case of a fire. He also discussed planned future training for solar-related fires in reference to the planned solar farm and the multiple homes in the community that have solar panels already installed. He also discussed future enlarging of the San Manuel Fire District.
Several members of the San Manuel Revitalization Coalition (SMRC) were on hand. The group expressed an interest in pursuing Firewise USA site designation for the San Manuel community. Firewise community members may be able to find reduced insurance costs, as well as other benefits. There would have to be enough on-going community participation for this idea to come to fruition, but it is certainly a possibility. Interested San Manuel community members can contact SMRC directly to express interest and sign up to be notified of updates. All in attendance appreciated the time and answers presented.
Firewise Recognition Steps:
- Obtain a Community Wildlife Risk Assessment.
- Form a Community Board/Committee.
- Create an Action Plan.
- Conduct a “Firewise Day” event.
- Invest the Equivalent of the National Hourly Volunteer Rate per Dwelling Unit, Annually.
- Submit online Application/Renewal.
For more information on the San Manuel Revitalization Coalition see https://www.sanmanuelaz.com.
“WHAT IS PENS?
PENS stands for Pinal Emergency Notification System. It is Pinal County’s tool to notify residents of any impending or current emergency where action by residents may be necessary. PENS utilizes the Genasys Emergency Management software.
A PENS alert notifies residents when an emergency is immediately impacting their community, and they may need to take action. These notifications are usually reserved for more severe situations where life or property may be threatened. They can also be used in situations such as a weather alert or wildfire, where time is of the essence, and immediate notification is imperative.
Alerts are issued through phone, text, and/or email, depending on how you registered to receive your alerts. PENS can also be indirectly posted to County or departmental social media channels and can be sent according to any geographic boundaries necessary or be used as a countywide message blast.”
For more PENS information and to register go to https://bit.ly/4ebQRxC.
Some of the topics discussed are summarized below.
“Reduce Home Ignition Risks
When considering your home’s “ignition risk,” it can be helpful to think about the area around your home, or “home ignition zone.” This includes your home at the center and everything within 100 feet (or 30 meters).
A home’s ignition risk is determined by its immediate surroundings and the materials used for its construction. The specific location isn’t necessarily as influential
as the landscape around it.
HOME IGNITION ZONES (HIZ) CAN BE DIVIDED INTO 4 PARTS:
“HOME ZONE”
The home itself and everything within 5 feet of the foundation. Includes: Fences, decks, porches, and other attachments. Recommended construction materials: Non-flammable or low flammable for new homes and retrofits — especially with roofs, siding, and windows. Preventative measures: Remove flammables (debris, mulch, plantings) from roofs, eave lines, gutters, deck/porch surfaces, and within 5 feet of the home and any attachments.
5-30 FEET
Includes: Decks and fences, provides space for emergency fire suppression equipment. Preventative measures: Keep lawns mowed and well-maintained; well- spaced plantings of low flammability species; swap mulch for rocks, gravel, or stone; remove large fuel packages like firewood piles from this area.
30-100 FEET
Preventative measures: Keep irrigated with low-growing and low- flammable plants; create separation between grasses, shrubs, and trees to avoid fire spreading into taller vegetation in a “fuel ladder” effect; space trees to prevent crowns from touching.
100+ FEET
Research shows that keeping high intensity fire 100 feet from a home will prevent the fire from igniting the home directly. Preventative measures: Place low-growing plants and well-spaced trees; keep volume of vegetation (fuel) low.
CHECKLIST
Research shows taking simple, scientifically proven steps can help reduce the risk of your home and property becoming fuel for a wildfire. Band together with homeowners in your community to follow this list of actions throughout the year.
Clear — ignitable material such as needles and leaves from roof, gutters, eaves, porches and decks.
Repair — any loose or missing roof shingles/tiles and caulk any gaps or openings on roof edges.
Cover — exterior attic vents and install metal wire mesh (1/8 inch or smaller) to under-eave and soffit vents.
Relocate — items kept under decks or porches; swap out vegetation in these areas for rock or gravel.
Replace — mulch with hardscaping, including rock, gravel or stone.
Remove — ignitable features within 30 feet of all structures including firewood piles, portable propane tanks and dry and dead vegetation.
Protect — water dry grass and shrubs, trim brown vegetation and dispose of yard waste.
Prune — low hanging branches (6-10 feet for taller trees, 1/3 of tree height for smaller trees); remove any tall grasses, vines and shrubs from under trees.
Contact — neighbors and create a plan to address shared wildfire safety concerns together.
THREE BIGGEST WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR FACTORS:
- Topography (lay of the land)
- Weather (wind speed, relative humidity, and ambient temperature)
- Fuel (vegetation and man-made structures)
EXTREME WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR, FUEL QUANTITY, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS OFTEN COINCIDE:
- Extended drought
- High winds
- Low humidity
- High temperatures
- Excessive fuel buildup (live and dead vegetation material)
FUEL IS THE ONLY ONE OF THESE FACTORS WITHIN OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL.
Fuel can be: Dead leaves and pine needles left on decks, in gutters and strewn across lawns can ignite from embers.
Shrubs and low hanging tree limbs that can be reached by fire moving along the ground.
Homes with flammable features. Unprotected attic vents, for example, allow firebrands entry into attics and to the flammable materials within. A burning home is a potential threat to surrounding homes and structures.”
ABOUT FIREWISE®
The national Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level.
Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise® Site.
ABOUT NFPA®
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. NFPA launched Firewise USA in 2002, as the first program of its kind steadily gaining traction for over 20 years.
More information can be found at www.firewise.org and www.nfpa.org.
Department of Forestry and Fire Management information can be seen at https://dffm.az.gov.