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09/24/25 05 PM: Fire Districts Update Mitigation, Ratings, Restrictions, Fireworks, Planning

Fire Districts Update Mitigation, Ratings, Restrictions, Fireworks, Planning

Jefferson County fire meeting covered district wildfire programs, current fires, fire marshal duties, burn restriction extension to Oct 15, fireworks regs, CWSP/CWPP updates. Informational with consensus on restrictions; no formal votes.

Partner Agency Reports: Fire District Updates and Programs

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:33–00:17:05 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, public safety, planning

Summary

Fire district representatives from Districts 1, 2, and 4 provided updates on wildfire mitigation programs, community assistance, risk reduction efforts, WSRB ratings, and recent fire responses. District 1 reported on the Wildfire Ready Neighbors Assessments (188 completed, 65 on waitlist, grant funding ended June 30), CARES program (1,500 served in 2024, 1,300 seniors), and CRR initiatives. District 2 focused on fire-adapted community assessments (30 on waitlist) and a planned demonstration site at Quilcene Community Campground. District 4 noted WSRB improvement from 7 to 6, deployments to state fires, local fire responses, and plans to expand wildland and marine capabilities.

Key Discussion Points

  • Brett Black (District 1 Chief): Introduced Robert Witburg's Wildfire Ready Neighbors update and CARES stats; explained CRR as broad risk mitigation; discussed WSRB scoring (District 1 at 4 overall, 3 in Port Townsend city limits), rural challenges, and insurance impacts of poor ratings.
  • Robert Witburg (District 1 Community Risk Manager): Detailed assessments providing homeowner-specific wildfire mitigation recommendations; plans for data system including other districts.
  • Don Spetich (District 2 Deputy Chief): Emphasized rural wildfire adaptation near state lands like Camp Harmony.
  • Tim Manley (District 4 Chief): Reported 503 calls YTD, state deployments without injuries, local fires handled via mutual aid, and future expansions.
  • Questions deferred until all reports completed.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided.

Financials

  • Wildfire Ready Neighbors: Grant from WA DNR ended June 30; no current funding specified.
  • CARES: Initial grant from City of Port Townsend; county/city support ongoing. No other financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational reports only; no formal action.
  • Next Steps: Questions addressed post-reports (e.g., CWPP details, rainfall concerns).

Federal and DEM Partner Reports: Current Fires and Evacuation Planning

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:17:14–00:25:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, planning, operations

Summary

Jeff Bortner (Olympic Interagency Fire Management Officer, NPS) updated on Bear Gulch Fire (19,899 acres, 5% contained) and Tunnel Creek Fire (550 acres, 0% contained), managed by Type 3 team, with improving weather forecast including up to 2.5 inches rain. Willie Betts (DEM Director) reported on wildfire-focused evacuation plan development, recent Ladris tabletop exercise praised for participation, need for predefined evacuation zones, and first draft by November.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jeff Bortner: Fires in remote wilderness; concerns over hydrological impacts post-rain; multi-year BAER recovery (5 years for NPS).
  • Willie Betts: CWPP action item for evacuation plan; roles clarified (fire recommends, sheriff executes, DEM alerts); funding sought via Community Wildfire Defense Grant.
  • Limited discussion on runoff coordination between fire/forest and river entities.

Public Comments

  • Unidentified: Asked about CWPP details and public awareness (e.g., brochures at fair, school programs).
  • Tasha (Commissioner): Questioned rainfall runoff concerns.
  • Shelly: Raised need for forest service/river group coordination on post-fire runoff erosion.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CWPP referenced (posted on county website; address-specific risk tools). No supporting materials provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational updates; no action taken.
  • Next Steps: Evacuation plan draft by November for review; public release after approval. No next steps specified for fires.

Office of the Fire Marshal: Formation, Duties, and Programs

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:37:43–00:46:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, ordinances, public safety, planning

Summary

Phil (Fire Marshal) and Brian Traser (Assistant Fire Marshal) presented the Office's mission for fire risk reduction via inspections, investigations, plan review, and enforcement per Jefferson County Code 2.40.020 and IFC. Role includes building official duties, commercial inspection program supporting WSRB ratings (county at BCEGS 3), and hazard correction timelines (extreme: immediate; high: next shift; moderate: 14 days; low: 30 days). Annual update to commissioners planned within 3 months.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil (Fire Marshal): Authority from county code; duties include addressing/road naming, fire danger levels, code guidance; also manages building inspections (2 full-time, 1 part-time).
  • Questions deferred.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Jefferson County Code 2.40.020; IFC; WSRB BCEGS (county rated 3). No supporting materials provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; no action taken.
  • Next Steps: Annual commercial inspection update to commissioners in next 3 months. No next steps specified.

Fire Danger Ratings, Weather Analysis, and Burn Restrictions

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:06–01:56:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety, planning, operations

Summary

Brian Traser and Don (weather expert) analyzed national/local weather (El Nino transitioning, above-normal drought D1, incoming wetting rains ~0.25 inches/24hrs), fuel moistures (live fuels dormant, 100/1000-hr dead fuels low), ERC/BI trends greening. High danger since June 25; ordinance expires Sept 30 unless extended. Consensus to extend high restrictions to Oct 15 (reassess), avoiding yo-yo effect, considering microclimates, staffing (~12-14 firefighters countywide), and partners (DNR at high/moderate).

Key Discussion Points

  • Brian Traser/Don: 124 days without wetting rain; need 5-10 inches sustainable for end-of-season; microclimates vary (e.g., Quilcene drier).
  • Fire Chiefs: Ground-truthing, regional/national resource strain (10k firefighters nationwide, WA 12 big fires); prefer post-rain reassessment.
  • Public emphasized dryness, education.

Public Comments

  • Multiple (room/online): Dry conditions persist; wait for green lawns/saturated fuels; partner alignment needed.
  • Shelly/Russell/others: Enforcement challenges, education key.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Jefferson County Ordinance (burn regs); public websites (NWCC, NWS Quillayute station). No supporting materials provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Moderate post-Oct 1 (pulled); visitor bans/safe zones discussed informally.
  • Rejected: Drop to low (too dry).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Extend high burn restrictions to Oct 15 (level TBD, weather-dependent); reassess ~Oct 30 or sooner; brief BOCC at next meeting (Oct 6); press release.
  • Vote: Consensus (no formal vote); unanimous among chiefs/commissioners.
  • Next Steps: Reconvene chiefs/fire marshal by Oct 15; post resources on county Fire Marshal page; BOCC briefing Oct 6.

Fireworks Regulations Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:57:53–02:37:20 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety

Summary

Review of RCW/JCC allowing fire marshal/chiefs to prohibit fireworks during high hazard declarations (banned June 25 for July 4). Options: total ban (unenforceable), safe/sane only, public displays (permit/bond), do nothing. Fines ($1k/$2k) debated as excessive; enforcement challenges noted (illegal imports, identification). Industry rep advocated education over bans; public split on risks vs. tradition.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil (Fire Marshal): 2023 ban lessons; safe/sane still risky; public display viable with pyrotechnic/permit.
  • Sheriff Rep: Lower fines for compliance; hard to ID post-launch.
  • Randy (TNT Fireworks): Bans drive illegal sales; safe/sane reduces calls (e.g., Tukwila); industry discriminated vs. charcoal.

Public Comments

  • Shelly: Stockpiles hazardous; noise/animal/veteran impacts.
  • Multiple: Safe displays (e.g., Port Townsend barge) safer; wiring enhances control.

Supporting Materials Referenced

RCW 70.77; JCC fireworks ordinance (2022). No supporting materials provided.

Financials

Fines: $1,000 first, $2,000 subsequent.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Safe/sane only; public display permits; lower fines (survey peers); safe zones (logistics issues).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; discuss ordinance changes (effective 2026+).
  • Next Steps: Survey fines/standards; public input/poll; revisit pre-2026 holidays. No next steps specified.

Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:37:42–02:45:44 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, public safety

Summary

CWSP (last updated 1997) update via WUCC; fire flows balanced rural realities vs. needs (current 750 gpm/30min > state min 500 gpm/30min; IFC Appendix B unrealistic, e.g., 1,750 gpm/2hrs residential). Tender reliance noted; sprinklers reduce flows.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil: Right-size for county; PUD input highlights limits.
  • Commissioner: Include fire district rep.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

WAC/RCW water planning; IFC Appendix B. No supporting materials provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; ongoing.
  • Next Steps: WUCC meeting Oct 10, 3pm (hybrid).

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:45:44–02:51:38 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, public safety

Summary

Jefferson County's first CWPP (2024) includes risk tools/explorer; $3M CWDG (27 projects) denied (4 WA awards, east-side only). Prioritize for other funding; next round end-2025.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tools: Address-specific risks, evacuation zones.
  • 12 WA large fires: 2-4 west-side.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen: Weather stations via FPHS funds; west-end meeting at Clearwater School; air quality concerns.

Supporting Materials Referenced

County CWPP website. No supporting materials provided.

Financials

CWDG: $3M requested, denied.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; reapply/alt funding.
  • Next Steps: PWTP team reconvene; Forest Service feedback; west-end meeting suggested.

Background Materials

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