4.0 County-Wide Assessment Results
4.1 County-wide Risk and Hazard Assessment Overview
The RCI Project Team evaluated the communities described in this report between September 13 and 15, 2004. The hazard rating for each community was base upon inventories of community design aspects (roads, signage, utility infrastructure), defensible space condition, construction materials, architectural features, wildland-urban interface characteristics, fuel type, and fuel density. Assessment results are summarized in Table 4-1.
| Community | Interface Classification | Interface Fuel Hazard Condition | Ignition Risk | Community Hazard Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Classic | Low to Moderate | Low | Low |
| Ash Springs | Rural | Low to Moderate | Low | NA1 |
| Caliente | Classic | Low to High | High | Moderate2 |
| Eagle Valley/Ursine | Intermix/Classic | Low to Extreme | Moderate | High |
| Hiko | Rural | Low to Moderate | Low | NA1 |
| Mt. Wilson | Intermix | Extreme | High | Extreme2 |
| Panaca | Classic | Low to Moderate | Moderate | Moderate2 |
| Pioche/Caselton Heights | Intermix | Moderate to Extreme | High | Extreme2 |
| Rachel | Intermix | Low | Low | Moderate |
| 1 The Risk/Hazard Assessment procedures are not applicable to rural ranch communities. 2 The community hazard rating is reported from the previous assessments (RCI 2002). The hazard scoring system previously used in 2002 varied slightly from the methods used during the 2004 assessments. | ||||
4.1.1 Wildfire Protection Resources
Wildland firefighting resources are available throughout the populated areas in Lincoln County. The Pahranagat Valley Volunteer Fire Departments in Alamo and Hiko respond to the western part of Lincoln County, while the Caliente, Panaca, and Pioche Volunteer Fire Departments respond to communities in the eastern portion of the county. The BLM Ely Field Office has mutual aid agreements with all Lincoln County volunteer fire departments to respond to wildfires. The closest available BLM resources are stationed at the Caliente and Pony Springs Fire Stations. The Caliente Station is manned full-time during the fire season with ten employees including a Station Manager, a Fire Ecologist, and a Logistics Coordinator. The Pony Springs Station is seasonal. All equipment is maintained on site at the fire stations, and is sent out within ten minutes of a call, when available, from the Ely Interagency Communication Center, which handles dispatch for all federal agency fire response personnel in Lincoln County.
The Nevada Division of Forestry operates the Pioche Conservation Camp. The camp can provide up to four Type 2-trained hand crews during the fire season. NDF fire personnel receive National Wildfire Coordinating Group-310 training. The NDF Pioche Conservation Camp has equipment for hand crews but does not have firefighting apparatus on site. An interlocal agreement with the Panaca Volunteer Fire Department allows NDF to operate their Type 3 and Type 4 engines when necessary.
The quantity and type of resources dispatched to a wildfire is dependent on fire activity and the availability of personnel and equipment. Table 4-2 summarizes the types of wildfire suppression resources available from the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of Forestry to respond to a wildland fire in Lincoln County. The wildfire suppression resources for each community are included in the community chapters of this report.
| Type of Resource | Amount of Equipment | Cooperating Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Type 4 Engine Type 6 Engine Water Tender Single Engine Air Tanker |
2 1 1 1 |
BLM Caliente Fire Station |
| Type 4 Engine Type 6 Engine |
1 1 |
BLM Pony Springs Fire Station |
| Type 2 Hand Crew | 4 | Nevada Division of Forestry Pioche Conservation Camp |
| Source: Rick Orr, BLM Caliente Field Station Assistant Field Manager; John Jones, NDF Southern Region FMO | ||
4.1.2 Detection and Communication
Fires are reported in Lincoln County through 911 calls to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatches volunteer fire department personnel. All wildland fires in Lincoln County are dispatched for Bureau of Land Management and Nevada Division of Forestry firefighters through the Ely Interagency Communication Center. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has access to the state mutual aid frequencies, and the radio system is compatible with neighboring agencies.