VI. Virginia Highlands Community Fire Risk Zones

RCI delineated fire management zones based on an interpretive analysis of the existing data. Factors such as fuel types, hazard ratings, and access were carefully considered. The resulting zone delineations provide guidance for the community as a whole in fire management projects. The zones, described below, are outlined in Figure 5. Hazard reduction recommendations are given to address the specific concerns within each zone.

Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4

Zone 1. Heavy Fuel – High Density Development: Extreme Fire Hazard

The majority of the Virginia Highlands are one-acre parcels that were classified as Zone 1. Within the Zone 1 area the slopes are steep and the woodland fuel concentrations are extreme. The steep slopes result in difficult road construction and limited opportunities for road improvement. Most access problems occur in this zone. Emergency response time will be the slowest in the central part of Zone 1 due to the complexity of the road network. The fire risk is compounded even more because of the high density of housing in this area. The UNR fuels analysis and the SCFD priorities are consistent with this assessment.

Fuel Breaks – Existing roads recommended for fuel break construction include Cartwright Road, Lousetown Road, segments of HWY 341 that traverse the P-J woodland, Sazarac to Empire, then north to Agate and on to Lousetown. Although Saddleback dead-ends in the center of Zone 1, this road presents a critical location for an important fuel break. Efforts should be directed at seeking an extension of Saddleback to Lousetown Road to provide a continuous firebreak and first line of defense to the more heavily populated areas of Zone 1 to the south. (A tentative route for the extension of the Saddleback fuel break is shown on the project zone map)

A minimum treatment area of 200 feet is recommended based upon the flame lengths that can result from a worst-case scenario fire in steep, overgrown woodland terrain.
Within 75 feet of the road centerline, trees should be thinned to create a distance between trees that is twice the height of the remaining trees. Note: distance between trees should be measured from the tree canopy rather than the tree trunks. Remaining trees should be limbed within 4 feet of the ground. Shrubs should be thinned to allow a 10-foot distance between plants. Remaining shrubs should be adequately pruned to reduce height and mass so as to not effectively carry fire. All dead and decadent plant material should be removed from the site to a designated disposal area.
Additional, less intensive tree and shrub treatment that provide the recommended spacing should extend for an additional 25 feet on both sides of the centerline.

Private Driveways – In the heavier fuel types, particularly in steep topography, the fuel break treatments described above are also recommended for private driveways.

In lesser fuel areas and on relatively level ground, the treatment area can be reduced to extend 75 feet on either side of road centerline, utilizing the fuel break recommendations.
Treatment areas should be broadcast seeded with seed mixture recommended in Appendix A for Zone 1, prior to initiating biomass removal. The disturbance created by physical treatment of the site will help to plant the seed for site recovery.

Private Residences – Create effective defensible space within a minimum of 30-40 feet of structures.

Remove trees and shrubs immediately adjacent to structures. Clear the area of fine fuels and shrubs within a minimum of 30-40 feet of structures.
Reduce the tree stand to create a 30-foot spacing between tree canopies. Limb all remaining trees to within 4 feet of the ground height within 100 feet of structures. Areas requiring revegetation should be reseeded using seeding recommendations in Appendix A for Zone 1.
Remote residences located in heavy fuels areas may be difficult to access during a fire event. These residents are advised to be prepared to shelter-on-site to save their lives. It is highly probable that a fast moving fire or the intense smoke for the fire could isolate residences from escape. Under this scenario, staying inside the home may be the safest place for harbor until fire fighters can access the property. Seek advice from your local fire department for sheltering on site.
If the property is fenced to exclude astray horses, the property owner must make an effort to manage cheatgrass and other flammable annual herbaceous vegetation that acts as flash fuels and carries fire through shrub type vegetation. Within a minimum 30-foot area around structures, mowing or use of a weed-eater type of implement will help to control these species.
Ornamental and/or native landscaping can be used to replace vegetation that must be removed to reduce hazards. Green fleshy ornamental plants tend to be more fire retardant than many native species.

Biomass Removal – All vegetation removed during treatment applications should be gathered and hauled to the designated disposal area near the SCFD Station #2.

Street Signs and Addresses – Street names and residential addresses should be identified on signs with 4-inch iridescent letters. Reflective and easily observed signage is critical, especially at night. In lieu of sign replacement, engraved letters on existing signs should be painted with a white or light colored iridescent paint to improve identification, especially at night or during a fire event or other emergency situation.

Zone 2. Moderate Fuels – Defensible: High Fire Hazard

Zone 2 includes Fivemile Flat and the corridor around Highway 341 in the southwest portion of the project area. Fuels in Zone 2 are generally light to moderate, with some patches of dense fuels. Access is goodsince all roads are within a short distance of Highway 341 and are well maintained with moderate or no slope. Fire response to incidents in this area should be quick and effective.

Of greatest concern in Zone 2 is the threat of fire moving into the Highlands from outside the community perimeter. Zone 2 is bordered on the west side by steep, heavily fueled canyons that extend into densely populated areas, a likely source of ignition. This zone is the only break between the outside threat and the extreme fire hazard in Zone 1. Management actions to protect against the spread of outside fires should be a high priority in this zone.

Fuel Breaks – Existing roads recommended for fuel break construction include Cartwright Road and Lousetown Road.

Treatment should occur for a minimum distance of 50 feet from the centerline and extend to either side of roadway.
Shrub stands should be thinned to 10-foot spacing between bitterbrush and big sagebrush plants. Shrub heights should not exceed 3 feet.
Areas dominated by pinyon-juniper should follow the recommendations for Zone 1.

Private Driveways

Clear shrubs within 20 feet of roadway center at a minimum.
Reduce shrubs to approximately 10-foot spacing for an additional 30 feet for a total treatment width of 50 feet from road centerline on both sides.
Remove lower limbs of pinyon and juniper trees within 4 feet of the ground. Rake and remove pine needle litter an branches from beneath the tree.
Cleared area should be seeded using recommended seedmix for Zone 2 to help prevent cheatgrass invasion.

Private Residences – Create effective defensible space within 30-40 feet of structures, at a minimum.

Remove shrubs and other vegetation within 30 feet of structures.
Where pinyon-juniper trees exist on-site, thin the tree stand to provide a distance between individual tree canopies equivalent to 1.5 times the tree height. Limb the lower 4 feet of all trees within 60 feet of residences. Reduce shrub density within the 60-foot parameter, being certain to remove all shrubs beneath trees that could become ladder fuels and extend fire into the tree canopy.
Residential driveways should be cleared of potentially threatening fuels and constructed with an adequate turning radius to accommodate firefighting equipment.

Zone 3. Brush Fuel Type: Fire Hazard – Very High

The Brush Zone is in the east-central portion of the Highlands project area. Fuels are mostly tall brush,with inclusions of scattered pinyon-juniper trees. The change to a mostly brushy fuel type here reflects the lower elevation and drier conditions on the eastern portion of the project area. Slopes are moderate to steep. However, access is generally good due to the close proximity of SCFD Station #2. Lighter fuel loads and flatter slope gradients characterize Zone 3 east of the fire station.

Fuel Breaks – The Zone 1 recommendations should be implemented for that portion of Lousetown Road located within Zone 3.

Private Driveways – These should be treated for a minimum distance of 50 feet from centerline on both sides of the road.

Shrubs are especially robust and dense over much of this fuel type and should be thinned to a shrub spacing of approximately 10 feet between plants when shrub heights exceed 3 feet.
Where trees exist within this zone, clear all brush from within 10 feet of individual trees, and maintain a distance of at least 15 feet between trees. Limb the lower 4 feet of all trees to provide firefighters access for additional hazard reduction treatment during an emergency. Rake and remove all pine needle litter from beneath pruned trees.
Remove all dead shrubs and other harvested biomass to a designated safe area.

Private Residences – Create effective defensible space within 30 feet of structures at a minimum.

Remove hazardous vegetation within 30 feet of structures.
Extend the treatment area to at least 60 feet by effectively thinning shrubs to allow approximately 10 feet of spacing between shrubs. Clear all shrubs and other herbaceous vegetation from beneath any trees on site within the 60-foot treatment zone. Remove limbs from the lower 4 feet of trees to provide firefighters access for additional hazard reduction treatment during an emergency. Rake and remove all pine needle litter from beneath pruned trees.
Provide adequate space for fire equipment to turn around.
Identify addresses with 4-inch fluorescent numbers that are readily visible to emergency responders.

Zone 4. Low Fuel: Fire Hazard – Moderate

Zone 4 is at the eastern edge of the project area. Fuels are generally light even though slopes may be flat to very steep. The small amount of development in this area reduces the threat of fire to private property.

Private Driveways – Control shrubs and herbaceous vegetation for a distance extending from the centerline of the road to 30 feet on either side.

Provide 5 to 6-foot spacing between shrubs that do not exceed a height of 2 feet.
Pinyon and juniper trees that occur within the treatment area should be limbed to 4 feet. All shrubs and pine needle litter should be removed from beneath the tree canopy.
All disturbances created from hazard reduction treatment should be revegetated according to the recommendations for Zone 4, given in Appendix B.

Private Residences – Effective defensible space should be created within a minimum of 30 feet of surrounding structures.

Clear native shrubs and other fire-prone vegetation within 30 feet of structures. Trees should be limbed to 4 feet. Pine needle litter should be raked and removed from beneath pruned trees.
If the property is fenced to exclude astray horses, the property owner must make an effort to manage cheatgrass and other flammable annual herbaceous vegetation that acts as flash fuels and carries fire through shrub type vegetation. Within a minimum 30-foot area around structures, mowing or use of a weed-eater type of implement will help to control these species.
Replace hazardous fuels with fire retardant species or desert landscaping (xeriscape) treatments that incorporate rock or gravel and minimize use of flammable plants.