Section 7 – Fuels and Fire

Introduction

This section of the Millerton area watershed assessment addresses the history and role of fire in the Sierra foothill region and the potential impact of fire to the environment and communities.  The California Department of Forestry (CDF) provided all technical information and maps detailing fuel models, fire history, fuel modification projects and fire prevention standards for property owners.[1]  This information was also provided as a public presentation in April, 2003.  Additionally, the Eastern Madera County and Highway 168 (Fresno County) FireSafe Councils have participated in educational outreach to local land owners.  Fire can be beneficial for watersheds.  However, with the most recent fire in the Cascadel area of North Fork on the Whiskey Creek watershed in 2001 in which over 4,000 acres of watershed were affected – there is a growing sensitivity to the importance of managing fuels in conjunction with potential water quality impacts.

Fuel Models (CDF)

For the prediction of fire behavior, vegetation has been broken down into four general fuel groups (grasslands, shrublands, timber and slash).  These four groups are then subdivided into thirteen fuel models.   The most prevalent fuel models in the watershed are:

In the lower portion of the watershed short grass (Fuel Model 1) is the most dominant type.  Grass and understory fuels, (Fuel Model 2) become more dominate in the mid to upper portion of the watershed.  The watershed continues to transition to short and tall brush (Fuel Model 5 and 6) – mixed with hardwood and conifers, (Fuel Model 8) within the higher elevations. 

Figure  SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 46 – Fuel Models within the Watershed

Fire History

Historically, fire has always been a naturally occurring event on different landscapes throughout California.  Within the Sierra foothill region and the Millerton watershed, lightening – or fire deliberately or accidentally set by the indigenous population would occur.  More recently, fire has been utilized on a prescribed basis to improve grazing and wildlife habitat – or as a preventative measure.  From 1900 through 1949, nearly half of the upper Millerton has experienced fire.  Additional fires have occurred as the population has increased in the area.  Fuel loads have increased by natural vegetation growth, fire suppression and the introduction of non-native species.  Most recently close to the urban interface, significant arson or accidental man-caused fires have occurred in the Backbone area of Auberry, Fresno County (2000) and the Casadel area in North Fork, Madera County (2001). 

From 1900 through 1969 there has been a rather extensive fuels modification program in place within the Millerton watershed – especially in the Finegold watershed of Madera County.  From 1990 through 1999 there was an extensive fuels modification program in the Kerchoff reservoir area towards North Fork, Madera County.  However, there appears within the watershed in Fresno County to have been relatively very little fuels modification – in light of increased population within the Prather, Auberry and Tollhouse areas.

Figure  SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 47 – Map showing the history of fire in the Millerton Watershed

Figure  SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 48 – Map of Fuel Modification Projects in the Millerton Watershed

Upper Finegold Field Investigations and Surveys under Phase 2

Under Phase 2, an extensive recruitment was made for private landowners to participate in a program that would allow for conducting a fuel type and load survey as well as for fire safety.  Under the US Forest Service (USFS) Bass Lake District of the Sierra National Forest (North Fork) and the California Department of Forestry (CDF) Mariposa-Madera Unit (Mariposa), class and field training was conducted in April, 2005 for MAWC personnel.  This training focused on general USFS fuel model types that would be common in the Upper Finegold watershed – as well as fuel load estimating.[2]  The other component of the training by CDF encompassed fire safety for structures and property.  The training provided was specifically designed as a general approach to conduct “ground truthing” – or a general comparison of GIS-based data with field conditions encountered. 

The actual data-collection was conducted by a retired CDF employee from the Highway 168 FireSafe Council, eastern Fresno County.  This included the following: 

Fuel Type/Load and Fire Behavior

· Plot location

· Fuel Model Number

· Average Tons/Acre (3 inch Diameter or less)

· Average Slope (%)

· Average Fire Behavior Potential

· General Observations

· Photo

· Fire safety of structures and property 

In addition, informational materials were provided to the homeowner to assist them in pursuing means in which to maintain or improve the fire safe condition of their property.  These materials were made available from CDF, US Forest Service, and/or FireSafe Councils.

The following are the major Fire Behavior Fuel Models (USFS) observed at the survey sites within the Upper Finegold Watershed: 

There were a total of 17 property surveys conducted with a total of 370 acres.  Additionally, there was a reconnaissance of a fire that occurred August, 2005 in the southwestern portion of the Upper Finegold Watershed.  This fire was called the Chuckchansi or Quartz Mountain Fire. 

On the following page is a map illustrating the general proximity of the surveys conducted – as well as a table of the characteristics of the sites surveyed. 

Figure 49 - Upper Finegold Watershed Fuels and Fire Safety Proximity map of survey sites

Table  SEQ Table \* ARABIC 13 - Fuel Model Type, Load, Slope and Behavior based upon site survey location

02/15/06