News Release 

    Residents from five Uintah Basin Communities came together to develop strategies to protect their area from wildfire.  According to Dale Jablonski, Area Forester, “Drought conditions have substantially increased the risk of a wildland fire.  In some areas, it is no longer a question of if but when a catastrophic fire will occur.  Our job is to minimize the damage.”
    Concerned citizens from East Fruitland, Tabby Springs, Diamond Mountain, Dry Fork and Deep Creek learned ten steps to significantly reduce the fire risk to their home and community.  The 10 steps are:

1. Creating a defensible space – Clear brush away from buildings.

2. Break it up – Avoid continuous vegetation.  Providing space between trees and shrubs will interrupt the rapid progress of fire.

3. Eliminate fuel ladders – Remove vegetation that allows a fire to move from lower growing plants to taller ones.

4. Lean, clean and green – Keep an area free of debris by eliminating pine needles and leaves.

5. Maintain your space – Evaluate the effectiveness of your defensible space on an annual basis.

6. Check your roof – Remove branches, leaves and needles from rooftop and gutters.

7. Construction and building location – When building a new residence, location can make the difference between saving and losing your property to fire.  Fire resistant building materials are highly encouraged.

8. Have an emergency water supply – Identifying personal water storage can be critical to saving your property.  Consider an above ground water tank, an underground water tank, or even a swimming pool.

9. Fireproof your signs and access – Make sure emergency vehicles can access your area at the same time you are evacuating.  Is your property clearly signed with fireproof signs so emergency personnel can easily find you?

10. Do emergency planning – Plan in advance both for your family and community.
    
     

    Local agency personnel were on hand to support the community efforts.  State of Utah was represented by Dale Jablonski and Ken Ludwig, with Chris Gamble from the Ashley National Forest, and Deni Kettle with the BLM.  The 5 communities learned how to recruit partners and develop fundraising events.  Many grants require matches.  Community Solutions, workshop contractor, developed an exercise that got participants to think in creative and innovative ways of looking at matches.
    Participants from the five communities began working on their Fire Plan.  Plans must address Fuels Modification, Education, Emergency Plan, Facilities and Equipment, Regulative Issues and Maintenance, and Evaluation.
    Communities completing their Fire Plan prior to September 2004 will receive $3,000 from the State of Utah for implementation purposes.
    Community Solutions emphasized this is just the first step to planning.  To be successful, more people need to get involved.  If you are a member of one of these communities and would like to assist in community efforts as well as protecting your property, please contact Rhonda Ayala, Dinosaurland RC&D at (435) 722-0884, ext. 102.