47.1 Risk and Hazard Assessment

Ruby Valley is seventy miles long and averages ten miles wide, running north/south along the eastern flank of the Ruby Mountains. The area is situated at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet. Several ranches are scattered north of the Ruby Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The community boundary identified for this report is shown in Figure 47-1

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.

47.1.1 Community Design and Defensible Space

Eight working ranches and some abandoned ranches were observed during this assessment in Ruby Valley. Most of the structures are buffered by irrigated agricultural fields. The RCI Project Team noted five structures with combustible wood shake roofs, and two ranches where defensible space around structures and hay/equipment storage areas needs improvement.

47.1.2 Suppression Capabilities

Wildfire Protection Resources

Fire protection in Ruby Valley is provided by the Ruby Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The department has several stations situated throughout the valley, with a total of seventeen volunteers and one chief. Table 47-1 lists the types of local wildfire resources, cooperating partners, and equipment available for initial response to Ruby Valley 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 47-1. Wildfire Suppression Resources Available to Ruby Valley

Type of Equipment	Amount of Equipment	Cooperating Partner (Resource Location)
Type 6 engine	2	Ruby Valley VFD Secret Pass Station
Type 3 Engine Water Tender	1 1	Ruby Valley VFD School Station
Type 6 Engine Type 3 Engine	1 1	NDOW Gallagher Fish Hatchery (Ruby Valley)
Type 4 Engine Water Tender	1 1	Ruby Valley NWR (Ruby Valley)
Type 2 Engine	1	Spring Creek Station 1 (Spring Creek)
Type 6 Engine	1	Nevada Division of Forestry (Wells - seasonal)
Type 6 Engine	1	US Forest Service (Wells)
Type 4 Engine	1	Bureau of Land Management (Wells)
Source: Larry Burton, Ruby Valley VFD Fire Chief.

Water Sources and Infrastructure

Water available for fire suppression in Ruby Valley includes ranch ponds, individual residence and irrigation wells, and numerous creeks that could be used for drafting sites in the event of a wildfire.

Fire Protection Personnel Qualifications

The Ruby Valley volunteers have received training from the Nevada Division of Forestry and cooperating agencies to meet the minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group basic wildland standards.

Work Load

In a typical year, the Ruby Valley VFD responds to the following annual calls:

• Three to four emergency medical calls.
• Six to twelve wildland/brush fire calls.
• Six other calls.

47.1.3 Factors Affecting Fire Behavior

The vegetative fuel Hazard in the Ruby Valley interface area varies from Moderate to High. The lower elevation areas of the valley consist of sagebrush and rabbitbrush, with an understory of perennial grasses, crested wheatgrass, and cheatgrass. Cheatgrass growth is dependent on annual moisture and will produce increased fuel volumes and elevate fuel hazards in years of higher than average precipitation. Fuel loads along the valley bottom are estimated at two to four tons per acre. On slopes to the west of the community the fuels are of a greater density, with some pinyon-juniper stands, and fuel loading is estimated at four to eight tons per acre. The prevailing wind direction is from the south/southwest; however downslope winds from the mountains are erratic and unpredictable. There is a history of afternoon thunderstorms and dry lightning strikes in the area.

47.1.4 Fire Behavior Worst Case Scenario

The worst case scenario for a wildfire in Ruby Valley would be a dry lightning storm on the west side of the valley in pinyon-juniper and annual grass ground fuels. Erratic downslope winds would drive the fire toward ranch residences, especially those located on the west side of Ruby Valley Road. Initial response from fire suppression resources could be an hour or more away dependent on availability during normal working hours.

47.1.5 Ignition Risk Assessment

Ruby Valley has a high risk of ignition based on fire history in the area and the potential for increased fuel loading from annual grasses in high precipitation years. There is a moderate wildfire history in the public lands surrounding the community, and a history of lightning strikes around the community. The primary risk of ignition in Ruby Valley is lightning, although human caused ignitions are unpredictable and can occur at any time.

47.2 Risk and Hazard Reduction Recommendations

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

47.2.1 Defensible Space Treatments

Despite the reduced risk of damage or loss to structural properties, Ruby Valley 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, equipment, and hay storage areas 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.

47.2.2 Fire Suppression Resources

Property Owners

• Develop a system for backup power in the case of a large wildland fire causing power failure.
• Coordinate with the Nevada Division of Forestry to pursue funding to develop or adapt water sources for fire protection and install filler hoses for water tenders.

47.2.3 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.

47.3 Summary of Recommendations

Table 47-2. Ruby Valley Risk and Hazard Reduction 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 annually. 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.
	Fire Suppression Resources	Develop a system for backup power in the case of a large wildland fire causing power failure. Coordinate with the Nevada Division of Forestry to pursue funding to develop or adapt water sources for fire protection and install filler hoses for water tenders.
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 47-1 Ruby Valley Fire History, Suppression Resources, and Critical Features small | large | x-large