Posted September 2008

Minutes of Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities Board Meeting

Minutes of Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities Annual Meeting

August 20, 2008

Held at the home of Joe and Carol Stehling in Hidden Lake, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Attendees: Joe Stehling, Jody Gray, Bruce Kelly, Bob Brown, Diana Johnson, Scott Jones, and Ernie Lopez. 

The meeting began with a discussion of the slash that has been processed in 2008. Joe Stehling estimates that about 98 cubic yards were chipped at Hidden Lake. Bob Brown said that Elk Ridge has a burn permit to dispose of about 13 good-sized piles of slash, but he does not have a size estimate. Jody Gray reported that Ute Park has chipped about 12-15 cubic yards of slash and has another Chipper Day planned for August 30. Bruce Kelly reported that Hidden Lake Park had five days of chipping 31 piles of slash. Diana Johnson reported that Taos Pines has done two long days of chipping and has another Chipper Day planned for August 29. All in all, a good deal of slash has been generated and disposed of through voluntary thinning efforts this year. 

Community representatives were reminded to gather data for annual Firewise renewal. The consensus was that all the member communities have completed renewal requirements and just need to document the efforts and submit applications for renewal. 

The Fire, Forest, and Water Fair was poorly attended again this year. The Colfax County Fair booth was worked by Scott Jones and Joe Stehling for three days. They handed out 40-50 Firewise brochures. Scott Jones felt the effort was worthwhile. All present indicated a desire to find better ways to provide information to larger numbers of people. Bruce Kelly said that there is generally a good crowed at the Eagle Nest 4^th of July Parade, and suggested that maybe there would be a way to tie into that event. Ernie Lopez talked about the Forestry Division’s participation in fairs; the current ideas are to de-emphasize small fairs and continue participating at the County Fair, but possibly only with an unstaffed exhibit.  

Joe Stehling made a few comments about the Trigo Fire. He visited a retreat center that had sustained minimal damage although being in the path of that fire. When the flames reached the fuel break around the retreat buildings, the fire dropped from a crown fire to a surface fire. The fuel break was a “staggered” type. Joe is not sure that is the correct term, but he uses it to describe the fact that the area near the buildings was thinned to a very low tree density, with gradually increasing densities of trees left growing toward the surrounding forest.  

Scott Jones reported on the status of the non-profit organization application. CCCFC has now been officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation by the IRS. The recognition is “provisional” for the next few years. We can now issue letters to contributors stating that their contribution is tax deductible. Ernie Lopez said that CCCFC can now apply for grant funding as a non-profit corporation.  

The next topic of business was board vacancies and the upcoming CCCFC election. Contrary to information in last month’s minutes, Bob Brown has not moved to Arizona. He has purchased a second home in Arizona and he has spent time lately getting that home ready for use, but he plans to continue to live in Elk Ridge and divide his time between the two locations. Bob wants to continue his work with CCCFC and is running for re-election as Vice-President/Operations, for a three-year term. Jody Gray was appointed to replace Alán Huerta as Secretary only until the next election. She is running for election to complete the term as Secretary, which has one year remaining. The Vice-President/Operations and Secretary are the only board positions up for election this October. If anyone would like to run for one of these offices, candidates must inform the Secretary by September 15. Ballots will be sent out by email no later than October 6, and must be returned by November 3.

The standard meeting date and time were discussed. Some members have conflicts with Rotary Club or other commitments. Scott Jones moved that the standard meeting date and time be changed to 10 am on the third Tuesday of each month. Bruce Kelly seconded the motion. The motion passed. The standard meeting time is now on the third Tuesday, at 10 am. 

Ideas for a fire station in the Shields-Hidden Lake-Elk Ridge area were discussed, as well as potentially helping to establish fire stations later in other areas. The Hidden Lake POA has offered to provide land in the Hidden Lake common area for a fire station. Other possible locations were also discussed, including whether locations on state land might become available.  

We discussed the following goals for CCCFC:

·    Education: We plan to watch for events that we can tie to for educational outreach. Bruce Kelly suggested we give presentations in local schools. Scott Jones suggested we aim for four days per year of public outreach events, and noted that we need to document our outreach efforts for the IRS.

·    Prevention: We plan to continue coordinating and encouraging community Chipper Days.

·    Suppression: Scott suggested we work with Thermo-Gel representative Chuck Ferguson and with any representatives of other potentially useful fire suppression products to inform residents about their availability. We would not specifically promote any commercial product; our role would be to disseminate information about any products or practices we think could be useful to residents of our communities. Scott Jones suggested we promote participation in volunteer fire departments, by including signup forms for VFDs with Firewise literature that we disseminate, and by supporting VFD auxiliary groups.  

Diana Johnson said that she plans to work with Rachael Mondragon to apply again for a CFRP grant for a La Jara thinning and educational project on Carson National Forest that will include an interpretive trail and firewise gardens at the top and bottom entrances to Taos Pines. 

Ernie Lopez mentioned that the Game and Fish department plans to do thinning work on Colin Neblett Wildlife Area in and near Cimarron Canyon. The State Forestry Division is helping with the forestry prescription for the project. 

Ernie Lopez said he attended a meeting this month with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS has committed that 10% of the county’s allocation will be earmarked for forestry. The new farm bill has guidelines that have not yet been converted to program specifications. Typically, requirements would include a 10 acre minimum size and that the land be agricultural. He suggested that we invite Clyde Boyle of NRCS to a coalition meeting soon to describe the program. Joe Stehling said he had talked to Clyde at the Colfax County Fair, and learned that the deadline for EQIP applications will be October 17. The web page for the New Mexico EQIP program is http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.html. 

We talked about fundraising. We need to start collecting dues from members and also asking for contributions for specific items such as fire stations, as well as holding fundraising events such as pancake breakfasts. Joe Stehling suggested we talk to Melissa Vossmer, who is interested in a fire station for outlying areas, maybe with grant money. Scott Jones moved that we establish three committees: (1) a fundraising committee, chaired by Bruce Kelly; (2) a fire station committee, chaired by Bob Brown; and a grants committee, chaired by Scott Jones. Bob Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed. These three new committees need volunteers, so please choose one or more committees that you would like to join and contact the chair person to volunteer.

We also discussed the need for a bank account. The plan is to open a checking account that requires two signatures on each check, and to submit signature cards for Joe Stehling, Scott Jones, and Bruce Kelly. 

Joe Stehling announced that a tree farm field day will be held at his home on Saturday, October 4 at 10 am, with a catered lunch. Please contact him for more information. 

Action Items:

·    Scott Jones will call Chuck Ferguson to get information on Thermo-Gel that we can distribute.

·    Scott Jones will assist Joe Stehling to write a letter to Bob Coss about HLPOA’s commitment to a fire station and about the non-profit status of CCCFC.

·    Bruce Kelly will gather information about specifications for fire stations.

·    Bob Brown will talk to Bob Coss about fire station specifications.

·    Ernie Lopez will ask Clyde Boyle to speak at the September 16 CCCFC meeting.

·    Jody Gray will draft a standard thank-you letter for acknowledging contributions to CCCFC.

·    Scott Jones will open a CCCFC bank account.

·    Joe Stehling will talk to Harry Morrison about a field trip to Philmont, possibly in October. 

The next meeting was scheduled for 10 am Tuesday, September 16, at the State Forestry Division office in Ute Park.  

Jody Gray moved that the meeting be adjourned. Scott Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 pm. 

Submitted by Jody Gray.

Meeting Minutes Archive

posted July 13, 2008

Report on visit to Manzano Mountains, Trigo fire

On 21 June Joe and Carol Stehling joined a group of Backyard Tree Farmers to visit the site of the Trigo fire in the Manzano Mountains Southeast of Albuquerque.  The purpose of the visit was to observe how thinning operations at the Manzano Mountain Retreat Center saved the retreat area.  [The Backyard Tree Farmer organization is for land owners with less than 10 acres of land.  The focus is to help the land owner learn to care for their piece of the forest with emphasis on flora and fauna; fire and water; soil conservation and safety]. 

At the request of the owner of the Retreat Center thinning operations were conducted and a staggered (not sure this is the correct term) fuel break was constructed along the boundary of the retreat.  Selective thinning around the structures was also done.  It was said that hot shot crews who were on location were absolutely giddy when they observed how the fire actually dropped to the ground as soon as it reached the fuel break along the boundary.  While the adjacent forest was torched and crowned and badly damaged, the area that had been thinned was scorched, but not burned.  The ground was blackened as were the tree stumps left from the thinning operation.  The fire did not get into the crowns of the trees as it did on the adjacent property.  One structure had one ember lodge in a loose piece of siding, but was noticed and extinguished prior to burning.  Although an evacuation notice was issued, the caretaker stayed behind to assist the hotshot crews.  The retreat had a several acre sports area which was considered a safe zone in the event the fire did reach the structures.   

Not all Firewise and defensible space requirements were put into place; e.g. tree canopies away from the fuel break were not spaced 20 feet apart, open crawl spaces under buildings were not fenced with 1/4” mesh, and trees were left adjacent to buildings.  However pine needles were raked up and lower tree limbs were removed to reduce the ladder fuel.  This allowed the fire to burn on the ground and not progress into the tree crowns. 

Besides observing the impact and effect of thinning operations, we learned several facts:

1. Type II crews are not allowed by protocol to directly attack a fire if the height of the flames is four feet or higher.  Thus keeping a fire on the ground by removing ladder fuel will permit them to fight the fire. 
2. The USFS fights fires on US national land
3. State forestry is responsible for fighting fires on state and private land
4. The Retreat Center started with 180 – 200 square feet of basal area pinion and juniper.  It was thinned to 60 square feet basal area
5. It takes a 60 mph wind to blow through crowns with a 60 SF basal area
6. Oak and alligator juniper trees were not cut as cutting increases propagation too much
7. Thinning to 20 – 40 SF basal area is considered a fuel break
8. An order to evacuate is not law in New Mexico.  You can stay put, but do not be upset if the firefighters ask the name of your next of kin.
9. When told to evacuate be sure that it is the proper authority ordering evacuation
10. Ask where and in which direction to evacuate

This visit demonstrated visibly the advantage of thinning and creating defensible space around structures.   

Joe Stehling

President, Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities

Posted May 22, 2007

PRUNING TECHNIQUES 

Now that spring has sprung, in anticipation of a new wildfire season, it is time to start cleaning up your properties of the dead and downed combustible material.  In conjunction with this clean up remove any material that will allow a ground fire to move from the ground up into a devastating crown fire.  This material, called ladder fuel, consists of dead and downed ground debris and the lower branches of trees.  Ladder fuel is combustible material that will allow a relatively controllable ground fire to be carried up into a difficult to control tree-top crown fire.  Tree branches should be removed up to about ten feet above the ground.  Recent weather reports have been all over the map.  We have a wet period and fire danger is lowered.  The wind blows and we have a dry period and the fire danger is raised.  Now is the time to get prepared regardless of the forecasts. 

Whether you are a homeowner with a small plot of land, or a tree farmer with many acres, you can mitigate the potential for wildfire by creating defensible space around your structures and throughout the property.  One aspect of creating defensible space is to reduce the ladder fuel.  Besides thinning of the closely spaced trees so crowns do not touch, clearing the dead and downed combustible material and pruning leave trees up to approximately 10 feet from the ground will allow a ground fire to pass through without moving into the crowns.   

In this article I would like to focus on proper pruning techniques.  There are many reasons to prune living trees - for tree health, defensible space, and aesthetics.  As outlined in New Mexico State University Guide H-156, Tree Pruning Techniques, pruning should be done whenever there are dead or diseased branches, sprouts forming at the base of the trunk, branches growing toward or across the tree’s center, crossed limbs that rub together or may rub in the future, V-shaped crotches (when possible to prune), multiple leaders (upright branches that compete as secondary trunks or may develop into additional trunks), and nuisance growth (interfering with power lines, sidewalks, buildings, traffic or traffic visibility.)   

Pruning of deciduous trees should be done during the dormant season.  Evergreen trees ideally should be pruned late in the dormant season just as new growth is starting.  Pruning will actually stimulate new growth.  Since new growth will have begun by the time you read this article, drastic pruning should not be done at this time.  Dead and diseased and crossing branches should be pruned as they are identified.  Lower branch pruning for defensible space, up to about 10 feet can be done now without any danger of harming the tree.  Regardless of when you prune no more than 25 percent of the tree’s material should be removed at any one time.    

The following techniques should be used when pruning to assure tree health. 

-   No flush cuts.   Tree limbs should be cut at the slight flaring of the limb from the trunk.  This flared section is called the branch collar or branch bark ridge.  Cutting the limb at the branch bark ridge will allow the tree’s natural defense mechanism to grow the branch collar around the wound.  The branch collar contains the vascular tissues from both the branch and the trunk.  If you cut into the trunk tissue, you will interfere with the tree’s natural protective mechanisms, allowing entry of disease and insects which damage the tree trunk.[1] 

-  No Pruning Sealer.  Using a so-called pruning sealer will neither help the wound heal nor keep insects out of the wound.  Quite the contrary, the pruning-healing compound will inhibit the tree’s self defense mechanism from healing the wound and provide cover for insects that bore through the covering.  It is a good idea to periodically clean pruning tools with an alcohol solution to prevent the spread of disease. 

-    Repair of Mechanical Damage.  The area of the tree that has been damaged should be carefully trimmed to remove ragged areas and to eliminate areas where water can pool in the wound.  Rot can start at the wound and eventually kill the tree.  A neatly trimmed wound will allow the tree to protect the wound form invasion by “walling off” (compartmentalizing) the injured area.[2] 

-    Small Tree and Shrub Trimming.  When trimming small trees and shrubs, no more than 25 percent of branches should be removed at any one time.  

-    Large limb pruning.  Pruning large limbs should be done in three steps to avoid stripping bark from the trunk.  The first step is to make a cut about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way through the branch on the underside of the branch about six inches beyond the branch collar.  The second step is to cut the branch from the top several inches farther out than the undercut until the branch falls.  The third step is to cut should be made at the branch collar to remove the stub.   

-    Topping.  Topping of a tree or cutting off the ends of branches should not be done.  Topped trees have shortened life spans and can pose a safety hazard as the branches are weakened from the topping.

Submitted by Joe Stehling

Angel Fire New Mexico

FIREWISE PLANNING 

Posted March 5, 2007

First off, I would like to thank all property owners who sent into me their checklist and matrix of thinning and clean up done on your properties.    We are making progress.  Those of you who have not sent the information in, I would encourage you to do so.  

Although as of 5 March we still have 31.5 inches of snow on the ground, it is not too early to start thinking about continuing your efforts at creating defensible space on your properties.      Early prognosis is for a favorable fire season this spring and early summer due to the heavy snowpack in the mountains.     The Interagency Southwest Coordination Center in Albuquerque reports the outlook for significant fires this season is normal to below normal across the state.   

What is defensible space?     The checklist sent out early this year contains the basic information.    

Zone 1:  Up to 75 feet from a structure.   No flammable vegetation within 25 feet of any structure.     Trees and shrubs up to 15 feet from the structure thinned with crowns of trees a minimum of 15 feet apart.    Lower branches of trees should be trimmed to a height of 10 feet above the ground.    This is to inhibit a low level fire from progressing up into the crown of the trees creating the most dangerous of fires – a crown fire. 

Zone 2:  75 to 125 feet from structure depending on aspect and slope of the terrain.  Trees thinned so crowns are no closer than 10 feet.   Crowns can get closer as you get farther from the structure.  A grouping of trees may be left in place with the crown measurement being taken from the outermost branches of the group to the next tree or group of trees.    All ground debris must be removed and lower tree limbs trimmed up to a height of 10 feet.   

Zone 3:  Remaining area to property boundary.   Remove downed trees and debris.    Thin to promote forest health.    A rule of thumb is one should be able to drive a pickup through the trees.    Again clumps of trees may be left as long as they are not too closely spaced so competition for moisture will inhibit growth.  Snags, a pile of brush here and there, and a couple of downed large diameter trees may be left for wildlife habitat as long as they are not against live trees and do not provide ladder fuel. 

Those property owners who do not have structures, your efforts should be directed at cleaning up deadfall and ground debris and work at thinning and removing low hanging branches as time permits. 

Thinning should concentrate first on dead and diseased trees, although a couple of dead trees may be left per acre to serve as snags for wildlife habitat.    The objective of thinning is to prevent a crown fire from progressing and to reduce competition for moisture in the soil.   This will provide for healthy trees that can ward off pests such as the bark beetle. 

Debris may be gotten rid of by burning with a burn permit obtained from the county.   Also we will have another chipper day or days during the summer to assist you in removing the debris.      The chipping will be done on your properties this year, so stockpile at an access point and away from trees so the debris does not become a ladder fuel. 

Any questions may be directed to Joe Stehling, Lot 11. 505 377 0546.  joestehling@earthlink.net

New Mexico Forest Health Improvement and Forest Land Enhancement Programs  

On 24 October 2006 five state and eight federal foresters and entomologists visited the 20-acre Joe and Carol Stehling property (lot 11) at Hidden Lake.    The purpose of the visit was to inspect a property that demonstrates how cost sharing grant money under the Forest Health Improvement and Forest Land Enhancement Programs was being used.    The Stehlings had applied for and received two cost sharing grants to do thinning on their property.    One 50/50 cost-sharing grant was for thinning using contractors and the other was for thinning using their own labor.   The visitors were quite pleased with the thinning that had been completed.  They were also impressed that 16 properties have been thinned at Hidden Lake and other property owners were continuing to thin and clean up deadfall on their properties. 

The application process to acquire grant money took almost one-year. It required several visits by the state forester to determine the degree of thinning required.    Technically the survey is a calculation of the basal area of the in-place acreage and the basal area remaining after thinning.    Basal area is the cross sectional area of a tree at breast height.    The process is for properties of five-acres or more and required the writing of a Forest Stewardship Plan, which covered description of the property and surrounding area; habitat type; fish and wildlife resources; investigation of threatened and endangered species; forest protection and management recommendations, and a number of other topics.   Following completion of the Stewardship plan a practice plan that entailed exactly how the thinning operations was to be carried out had to be completed.   

Although there are no funds currently remaining in the programs, the state foresters are confident funds will become available in 2007.    If anyone would be interested in pursuing the future grant program, contact Joe Stehling at joestehling@earthlink.net.   

 Submitted by Joe Stehling.

On 6 June 2006, Hidden Lake became the 7^th recognized Firewise community in New Mexico along with Ute Park and Elk Ridge.  Currently there are nine Firewise communities in New Mexico (four in Colfax county).  The current number of recognized Firewise Communities/USA sites is 165.  They can be found in 32 states and three of them are on Indian reservations.  The number changes weekly. 

The national Firewise Communities program is a multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of Wildland fire - before a fire starts. The Firewise Communities approach emphasizes community responsibility for planning in the design of a safe community as well as effective emergency response, and individual responsibility for safer home construction and design, landscaping, and maintenance.

The national Firewise Communities program is intended to serve as a resource for agencies, tribes, organizations, fire departments, and communities across the U.S. who are working toward a common goal: reduce loss of lives, property, and resources to Wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.  Firewise Communities/USA is a unique opportunity available to America's fire-prone communities. Its goal is to encourage and acknowledge action that minimizes home loss to wildfire. It teaches you to prepare for a fire before it occurs. The program adapts especially well to small communities, developments and residential associations of all types.

The three communities that have joined together to form the Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities (CCCFWC) meet quarterly to discuss Firewise plans and programs.   Besides representatives from the three communities, the Coalition membership includes representatives from the Santa Fe Estates in Los Animas county in Colorado, Colfax County Fire Marshall’s Office, New Mexico State Forester, Taos Pines Ranch, a subdivision in Angel Fire, Moreno Valley Fire Department, State Farm Insurance Company, and the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative.

Thinning has begun on several properties in the development.  To date 11 lots have done considerable thinning.  Several other lots have begun fuel reduction.  Our education of property owners started over three years ago when Jack Vlk and Marilyn Borich introduced the HL community to firewise through videos & brochures.  From January 2005 through March 2006, over $204,500 has been invested in Firewise activities. This amounts to approximately $1,200 per capita.   

When adequately prepared, a house can withstand a Wildland fire without the intervention of the fire service. In fact, a house and its surrounding community can be both Firewise and compatible with the area's ecosystem. The Firewise Communities/USA recognition program enables communities in all parts of the United States to achieve a high level of protection against Wildland/urban interface fire as well as sustainable ecosystem balance. Firewise Communities/USA program provides residents of the Wildland/urban interface with the knowledge and skill necessary to make it happen.

At our annual meeting on 29 July, Firewise materials were available and the County Fire Marshall made a Firewise presentation and answered questions on making our properties firewise.  

With only three full time property owners residing at Hidden Lake, performing community wide firewise activities is difficult.    We will schedule major firewise activities the week prior to our annual meeting so as many property owners as possible can participate.    On 26 and 27 July we held chipper days to dispose of a mountain of slash that has accumulated at our cabin in which the property manage resides.