BEULAH FIRE PROTECTION AND AMBULANCE DISTRICT
BEULAH FIRE WILDFIRE MITIGATION PROGRAM
Wildland Mitigation Program
The Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District serves a rural mountain community and responds to 111 square miles of coverage area. The District was awarded a USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant to address the growing threat that wildland fires present to the community. This grant has three project areas, (1) home ignition zone mitigation, (2) evacuation route shaded fuel break, and (3) hazard tree removal on residential properties.
Home Ignition Zone Mitigation
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is the area that includes your house and the surrounding defensible space. Science has shown that the conditions within 100 feet of a home will determine whether or not the structure can survive a wildfire. Creating a robust HIZ involves both home hardening and developing effective defensible space utilizing vegetation reduction. Vegetation management and fuel reduction surrounding structures focuses on treating, clearing, or reducing debris and other types of combustible fuels to prevent or slow the spread of fire.
Evacuation Route Shaded Fuel Break
Shaded fuel breaks are used to reduce dangerous fuels that spread wildfire. Trees in the areas of a shaded fuel break are maintained to reduce the potential spread of fire while the tree canopy reduces future growth of brush and other vegetation. The thinning of fuels along designated evacuation routes will aid in maintaining safer routes of egress in the event of a wildfire.
Hazard Tree Removal
Removal of dead trees located in common or open spaces that are endangering structures on private property. The goal of hazard tree management is to minimize the potential that trees near structures will cause injury, death, or property damage.
Slash Pile Management
Located on the west side of Beulah Fire Station 1 on the top of the hill (follow signage for directions). Residents of Beulah only are permitted to bring tree limbs and shrubbery including limbs up to 10" in diameter for disposal. Loose pine needles (not attached to limbs), yard waste such as grass clippings and leaves, are not permitted to be disposed of on the slash pile. Trash debris of any kind is not permitted on the slash pile.
For more information on this program or to answer any question, please contact the District Office to speak to Michelle or Dylan, or email them at the provided links.
