CWPP PRIORITY #6 Community: Sugar Pine
Location: Section 1, R21E, T6S
Population: 54 dwelling units with numerous outbuildings, a large private camp complex; many of the structures within the community are old with historical value.
Specific Problems
- A large amount of timber fuels interspersed with heavy volumes of brush within and surrounding the community
- A 1-mile narrow two-lane road (Road 630 / Sugar Pine Road) with contiguous forest fuels on both sides that serves as the only road in and out of the community
- Narrow roads within the community
- Older homes and cabins in close proximity to one another, some with wood shake roofs and combustible exterior construction
- A large percentage of retired and absentee homeowners
Evacuation Routes
South on Road 630 (Sugar Pine Road) to Highway 41
Past Actions
- Roadside fuel reduction and fuel-break construction along Road 630 / Sugar Pine Road by USFS
- Intermittent compliance inspections for PRC 4291 regulations by fire officials
- Fuel reduction projects including timber harvesting, prescribed burns, and mechanical and hand treatment near the community
Priority Mitigation Needs
- Citizen involvement to reduce fuels on their property and to utilize fire-wise construction techniques to improve structure survivability
- Identify and construct safety zones that can be used as temporary shelter-in-place areas for residents as well as fire personnel
- A 200’ to 300’ wide shaded fuel-break surrounding the community
- Continued construction and maintenance of the fuel-break along Road 630 / Sugar Pine Road
- Continued fuel reduction on Sierra National Forest land within one mile of the community by the use of harvesting, thinning projects, and prescribed burns
- Implement a PRC 4291 compliance inspection program within the community
Education
Through homeowner association or town hall type meetings, develop and promote community specific programs designed to inform and involve the community on wildfire mitigation plans, escape routes, potential shelter-in-place locations, and activities that could reduce the risk to citizens, property and community assets.