Risk/Hazard Identification and Mitigation Project Worksheet

Description of Risk/Hazard: Describe in detail the risk or hazard that poses a threat to the community.

Vegetative Fuel and Topography: The Incline Village Unit 3 is characterized by Jeffery pine and white fir stands with BA/AC ranging from 100-200+ ft. Slopes are west facing and 50-55% slope. The understory is brush, primarily bitterbrush and manzanita. A fire in this area could threaten Tyrolian Village and the developed area of Champagne/Burgundy. The area has received some thinning treatment; however, tree mortality is increasing the amount of dead and down fuels.

Worst Case Scenario / Hazard: With the wind blowing off of the lake upslope, a human-caused ignition from the road or the development to the south would quickly spread into this area. Wind-driven, the fire would develop a large flame front moving up towards Tyrolian Village at the top of the ridge. Burning embers from the flame front in this proposed treatment would easily reach Tyrolian Village and further under worst case conditions.

Priority Ranking: What is the priority ranking of this risk/hazard in relation to all others identified?

Given the threat to structures, the prescription area downhill of Tyrolian Village and the Mt. Rose Highway is the #2 priority for the NLTFPD. The area above the community to the west would be a moderate priority.

Location: Describe or attach a map with sufficient detail to allow accurate ground location.

Around the Tyrolian Village neighborhood and the lookout curve on the Mt. Rose Highway. See Figure 7-4.

Recommended Mitigation Measures and Scope of Work: Present prescription and work specifications in sufficient detail to facilitate procurement of bids and quotes. For hazardous fuel removal projects include estimated volumes (tons/acre) of fuel removed and disposal plan.

Remove or thin brush understory to decrease the fire intensity and reduce ladder fuels. Remove dead and down material. Spacing between remaining bushes should be 2-3 times the height of brush. A brush masticator could be not be used on this project as the slopes are all above 30%. Aerial systems or other steep slope methods should be explored. Hand cut, pile, and burn. Use of herbicide could reduce sprouting of some species.

The entire prescription area needs to be thinned to reduce fuel loadings and increase forest health. Thin from below, removing smaller trees and leaving larger ones to achieve the desired stocking rate of 80 to 100 square feet of basal area per acre. Construct a shaded fuel break 400 feet wide on east side of Tyrolean Village and along the north side of ski area. Hand cut, pile & burn.

*Prescribed fire could be used to reduce the brush understory, and desired where feasible to return fire to the landscape. It should only be applied in areas after thinning and slash pile burning are complete to maintain fire control within five years of pile burning.

Evaluation of the Extent to Which Completion of This Project Will Reduce the Fire Threat:

This prescription will reduce the chance of an uncontrollable fire burning into the Tyrolian Village neighborhood and the developed area of Champagne/Burgundy. It would protect the Mt. Rose Highway and the neighborhoods from a downslope fire. The shaded fuel break along the north side of the ski area would protect the ski area facilities from a fire moving up the drainage to the west or from across the drainage to the south. Implementation of the prescription will reduce the competition among residual trees, increasing forest health and decreasing tree mortality. This will reduce the amount of accumulated dead and down material contributing to the fuel loadings on the forest floor.

If all of the recommendations in this report are implemented, there is still no guarantee that a devastating wildfire will not occur in the Incline area. However, community awareness and individual attention to fuels management on private property and fuel reduction on state, federal, and county property will help to achieve the highest level of wildfire safety possible.

Identification of Protected Species or Other Critical Resources: Describe any measures that must be taken to protect critical wildlife habitat, historic

Environmental compliance measures must be implemented before project initiation. Stream Environment Zones are located in the project area and must be protected, employing appropriate TRPA mitigation measures.

Some threatened and endangered species exist in the Tahoe Basin. Appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures should be employed during project implementation.

Compliance with cultural resource protection may also be necessary. Check with TRPA and the NVSHPO to ensure cultural resources are protected.

Post-project Rehabilitation: Present scope of work in sufficient detail to facilitate procurement of bids and quotes.

Rehabilitate any fire control lines, landings or disturbed areas. Rehabilitation will be minimal if only hand methods are used. Where soil has been disturbed, TRPA rehabilitation measures and Best Management Practices would apply. This could include reseeding or mulching areas if necessary.

Estimated Timeline:

Desirable time of year to complete:

Burning should occur during a period of cooler temperatures and moderate moisture (late fall) to allow for the best fuel consumption versus fire controllability ratio. Thinning and hand work could occur anytime conditions are dry enough to minimize soil disturbance, but preferably outside of extreme fire condition season.

Estimated time required to complete project:

Depending on available resources the project could be completed in a 12-month timeframe (one fall to the next)

Estimated Cost: Present an estimate of the total cost of project completion and the basis for the estimate presented. If the project can be subdivided into phases or various components, present an estimated cost for each.

Project Maintenance Requirements:

Re-burn or thin every 10 years.

Other Considerations: Describe any other considerations that must be taken into account to successfully complete this project such as permits, clearances, approvals, etc.

• USFS - Approval
• TRPA - Approval
• Air Quality - Washoe County Permit