42.1 Risk and Hazard Assessment

Goose Creek is a small rural ranch community located in northeastern Elko County. The community boundary identified for this report is shown in Figure 42-1.

The rural ranch community type does not lend itself to the standard community assessment procedures. Community design, suppression resources, and fuel hazard conditions are described qualitatively for the rural ranch communities. Within this community type, the homes are often surrounded by landscaped yards, corrals, or agricultural pastures with no wildland vegetation in close proximity to structures. These common characteristics usually contribute to a low risk of damage or direct loss of homes due to wildfires. Hay and alfalfa fields, stockpiled bales, livestock, ranching and farming equipment, and fuel tanks are assets that require special planning for protection during a wildfire because of their considerable value to ranchers and farmers.

42.1.1 Community Design and Defensible Space

There are three ranches in the area that are situated at the bottom of creek drainages. All of the ranch structures are surrounded by irrigated agricultural fields and pastures. Defensible space is not a primary risk factor because the agricultural fields provide a buffer zone between residences and wildland fuels.

42.1.2 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources

The closest wildfire protection resource available to Goose Creek is the Jackpot Volunteer Fire Department. Table 42-1 lists the types of local wildfire resources, cooperating partners, and equipment available for initial response to Goose Creek in the event of a reported wildfire. Additional resources are available from local, state, and federal agencies through mutual aid agreements as described in Section 4.1.1.

Table 42-1. Goose Creek Wildfire Suppression Resources

Type of Equipment	Amount of Equipment	Cooperating Partner (Resource Location)
Type 3 Engine Type 2 Engine Type 1 Engine Type 6 Engine	2 1 1 1	Jackpot VFD
Type 4 Engine	1	Bureau of Land Management (Wells)
Source: Sam Hicks, Nevada Division of Forestry Elko County Prevention Captain; Verl Jarvie, Jackpot VFD Chief

Water Sources and Infrastructure

Water available for fire suppression resources in Goose Creek is limited to ponds at the ranches.

Community Preparedness

Elko County has an active Local Emergency Planning Committee and has adopted an emergency plan that includes a hazardous materials response plan and an all-risk disaster response plan, which is updated annually.

42.1.3 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior

The vegetative fuel hazard in the Goose Creek interface area varies from low to high. Irrigated agricultural lands were considered low fuel hazards. The highest fuel hazard in the interface area was identified near Trout Creek, estimated at five to six tons per acre. Fuels in the community consist of juniper, ten to twelve feet tall, and big sagebrush and rabbitbrush, three to six feet tall. Ground fuels include cheatgrass, and perennial grasses. Cheatgrass growth is dependent on annual moisture and will produce increased fuel volumes and elevate fuel hazard conditions in years of higher than average precipitation.

42.1.4 Fire Behavior Worst Case Scenario

The worst-case scenario for a wildfire in Goose Creek would start from a dry lightning storm on a summer day in a year with normal to above normal precipitation and high annual grass and forb production. Multiple fire ignitions, and strong erratic winds could push fires in any direction. A wildfire could exceed initial attack resources and spread rapidly before suppression resources could arrive Risks to residents in the area are somewhat mitigated by agricultural fields that provide a buffer zone between structures and wildland fuels.

42.1.5 Ignition Risk Assessment

Goose Creek has a high risk of ignition based on fire history in the area and a history of dry lightning from thunderstorms. However, hay storage areas without defensible space and in close proximity to wildland fuels pose a potential ignition risk.

42.2 Risk and Hazard Reduction Recommendations

The risk and hazard reduction recommendations for Goose Creek address the primary concern for maintaining defensible space and assuring water availability for fire suppression.

42.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments

Despite the reduced risk of damage or loss to structural properties, Goose Creek has other unique conditions due to the remote location and relative isolation. Hay and alfalfa fields, stockpiled bales, livestock, ranching and farming equipment, and fuel tanks are assets that require special planning for protection against wildfire because of their considerable value to ranchers and farmers.

Property Owners Recommendations

• Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes according to the guidelines in Appendix E. This area should be kept:
  • Lean: There are only small amounts of flammable vegetation.
  • Clean: There is no accumulation of dead vegetation or other flammable debris.
  • Green: Existing plants are healthy and green during the fire season.
• Store firewood a minimum distance of thirty feet from structures.
• Clear all vegetation and combustible materials around propane tanks and other fuel storage tanks for a minimum distance of ten feet.
• Immediately dispose of cleared vegetation when implementing defensible space treatments. This material dries quickly and poses a fire hazard if left on site.
• Maintain the defensible space as needed.
• Create a fuelbreak of bare ground or gravel for 100 feet around stockpiled commodities such as hay or alfalfa. Because it is dried plant material, stacked or baled hay is vulnerable to ignitions, as much from internal combustion as from outside sources.
• Seed a mixture of fire resistant species around residential structures and ranch outbuildings. This will enhance fire safety, especially important in these rural areas where water sources are limited or distant.

42.2.2 Fire Suppression Resources

Property Owners

• Coordinate with the Nevada Division of Forestry to develop and adapt water sources to refill fire apparatus.
• Develop a system for backup power in the case of a large wildland fire.

42.2.3 Public Education

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

• Develop a version of the “Living With Fire” publication tailored to the concerns of rural Nevada ranchers. The publication should include solutions for power back up, foam and other fire retardant products, fire resistant seeding, suggested site plans, and water storage adapted for filling fire engines and water tenders.

42.3 Summary of Recommendations

Table 42-2. Goose Creek Risk and Hazard Priority Recommendations

Involved Party	Recommended Treatment	Recommendation Description
Property Owners	Defensible Space	Remove, reduce, and replace vegetation around homes, equipment, and hay storage areas according to the guidelines in Appendix E. Maintain the defensible space as needed. Create a fuelbreak of bare ground or gravel for 100 feet around stockpiled commodities such as hay or alfalfa. Seed a mixture of fire resistant species around residential structures and ranch outbuildings.
	Fire Suppression Resources	Develop a system for backup power in the case of a large wildland fire. Coordinate with the Nevada Division of Forestry to develop and adapt water sources for refilling fire apparatus.
Nevada Cooperative Extension	Public Education	Develop a rural Nevada version of the “Living With Fire” publication tailored to the concerns of rural Nevada ranchers and farmers.

Figure 42-1 Goose Creek Fire History small | large | x-large