Extreme Weather Needs Assessment for Amador and

Calaveras Counties

Presentation to:

Amador County Transportation Commission

February 13, 2020

ACTC’s strategy:

Utilize Fire Hazard Severity Zone map developed by CAL FIRE

Utilize FEMA’s THIRA/SPR (Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment / Stakeholder Preparedness Review) process:

Develop community/ neighborhoodlevel fire hazard assessment and evacuation route development

1. Understand extreme weather-related events that will occur with greater frequency and intensity in future years

2. Conduct vulnerability assessments

3. Develop method to prioritize projects that recognize climate change concerns and limited financial resources

Caltrans D10 Climate Change Vulnerability Report objectives:

FIRE THREAT

Potential Fire

Behavior

Surface Conditions• Vegetation

Type, Size and Density

• Ladder & Crown Fuels

• Slope

Weather• Wind• Temperature• Humidity

Fire History

Ignition Sources

Human Influences• Land Use• Buildings

FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY

ZONESProbability

of Fire Occurrence

FACTORS CONSIDERED BY CAL FIRE IN CREATING

FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES

… and scored as to FIRE

BEHAVIOR that would lead to

building ignition.

ZONES of similar terrain, vegetation and fuel types were

created …

Butte Fire, 70,850 ac.

Irish Fire, 825 ac.

Waverly Fire, 11,750 ac.

Largest 3 fires since 2015

Assessing Fire Hazard in our Communities

Pine GroveWeighted FHSZ = 2.56Pop. = 2,219Area = 6.75 mi2

PioneerWeighted FHSZ = 3.00Pop. = 1,094Area = 4.00 mi2

Red CorralWeighted FHSZ = 3.00Pop. = 1,413Area = 5.18 mi2

VolcanoWeighted FHSZ = 2.80Pop. = 115Area = 1.42 mi2

BuckhornWeighted FHSZ = 2.91Pop. = 2,429Area = 5.74 mi2

Improving Evacuation Routes in our CommunitiesA collaboration between ACTC, AFSC, CAL FIRE, Amador OES and AFPD