June 10, 2021

In this issue:

Preparing for 2021 Wildfires & Future

Friends & Neighbors -

We are taking action now! Last month, I provided an overview of plans and initial funding to jumpstart local prevention initiatives. We've wasted no time and have put your tax dollars to work. Fire prevention and suppression is our top priority and it is going to require all of us working together to keep our community, our neighborhoods, our homes, and properties safe.

The County Board of Supervisors is leading, taking action, and planning for a future where we're investing more in fire prevention—a vision we can all agree on!

-Alfredo
Progress Report
Fire Prevention Projects
Real Action, Real Projects
Circle Oaks
Crews have completed:
  • 2.5 linear miles of a shaded fuel break
  • Averages 100-200 feet in width
  • Roughly 46 acres of defensible space treated
  • Required private property collaboration

Why is this project important:
This project will protect over 200 homes and properties in the Circle Oaks Community. This is a high fire risk area, threatened in 2017 and 2020 by wildfires.
Before
After
Howell Mountain
Crews have completed:
  • 7 miles along County right-of-way
  • Clearing of back roadside vegetation
  • Trimming of hazardous branches and trees

Why is this project important:
The work along Howell Mountain Rd and Ink Grade Rd is important because the reduction in wildland fuels will result in lower fire intensity, making evacuations safer and providing Firefighters a tactical advantage in suppressing wildfires.
Wildfire Hazard Ordinance
Compliance Update
Here's a current update on County inspections:
  • 1,071 Properties Inspected
  • 168 cited as non-compliant
  • Staff following up with re-inspection and abatement

How can you help?
If you have concerns or want an inspection, call 707-299-1464 or email firemarshal@countyofnapa.org
Defensible Space
Helping Homeowners & Businesses
Here's a current update on defensive space:
  • Consulted over 90 homes for personalized defensible space improvements
  • Consulted over 12 businesses, including Auberge, Mumm, PUC, St. Helena Hospital

How you can help?
If you are interested in a consultation, call: 707-299-1464
More Air Support
Water Helicopter Stationed at Napa Airport
  • CalFire Type 1 Helicopter
  • Stationed at Napa Airport
  • 2,800 gallons of water
  • Uses closest water source (pond, river, lake, etc)
  • 1,700 permanent water sources in Napa County

In the event of a large scale fire, Cal Fire and Napa County will have additional air resources available:
  • Sonoma Air Attack Base (Windsor): Less than 5 min flight time
  • Ukiah Air Attack Base: Approx. 10 min flight time
  • McClellan Air Attack Base (Sacramento): 25 min flight time
  • Boggs Mountain Helittack (Lake County): 5 min flight time once airborne

All camps are part of CalFire's air support strategy. Click here to see a map.

The Good News:
Having a helicopter at the Napa County Airport is incredibly important. This is the right aircraft for Napa County that best positions us to reach fires early.
Increasing Crew Numbers
Volunteer Force Increases
Napa County has an exceptional team of volunteer firefighters that step up each year to respond to wildfires. If you are interested in joining the team or learn more, visit the website below.
  • 30 new volunteer Fire Fighters trained and joined Napa County Fire

  • Click here for more information
Additional Wildfire Cameras
Embracing Technology
We’re embracing technology to help us identify fires earlier. Here's a current update:
  • PG&E adding 9 additional cameras throughout the county.
  • Cameras are public and can be accessed on alertwildfire.org
  • The IQ FireWatch Project continues to move forward, helping create network of cameras throughout the County, click here for a tentative map.

Why is this important:
Identifying fires early is critical to quick suppression. The IQ FireWatch project is intended to help identify fires early, generating an alert to Central Dispatch, and best positioning us to get suppression resources to the fire before it grows.
Insurance: A Major Issue
Insurance Commissioner visits Napa
Wildfire Insurance for homeowners and businesses in high hazard areas has become extremely expensive or impossible to get.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara attended a Townhall organized by the Napa County Farm Bureau to listen to local concerns.

Here’s what we discussed:
  • Insurance companies are dropping policies in Napa County and increasing premiums dramatically (heard stories of premiums increasing by 20-50%)
  • Insurance companies need to recognize prevention work, like defensible space, the Countywide fuel mitigation work, and early detection camera network, reduce wildfire risk
  • Insurance companies should offer incentives (better pricing) for businesses and residents who are proactively minimizing wildfire risk.

This was the start of a conversation and we’re continuing to engage with the Insurance Commissioner. We want to be part of the solution and lessen financial impacts resulting from wildfires.
$5 Million: Future Work
Napa County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), led by the Napa County Firewise Foundation is a roadmap to reduce fuels and prevent wildfires.

  • 5-year plan: $41 million
  • County fully funded year one projects, totaling $6.4 Million (includes $1M, above)
  • Projects are Prioritized based on:
  • Evacuation corridors for ingress & egress
  • Community Fuel Breaks
  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Drinking Water Protection
CWPP: Interactive Maps
Fire Ad Hoc Committee
Recommends Sustainable Funding Source
Following a recommendation by the Wildfire Ad Hoc Committee, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to begin exploring the potential of creating a sustainable funding source by increasing the local sales tax, which is ranked among the lowest in the state.

Starting In June, the Board will receive monthly updates from the Napa County Fire Chief on the progress of preparing for 2021 wildfires. You can find agendas and watch meetings here.

Why is this important:
A sustainable funding source, like a sales tax increase, will allow us to invest in prevention projects that minimize wildfire risk. We have a plan, we have identified the projects, and now we need sustainable funding to do the projects (and maintain them).
Fire Safe Councils Get to Work
Volunteer-led local network supported by Napa Firewise
Highlighting Silverado Fire Safe Council
Following the 2017 Atlas Peak wildfire, the Silverado Property Owners Association established the Silverado Firewise Council. In 2019, they obtained national recognition and certification by the National Fire Protection Association. Today, they have been successfully raising funds to increase the number of projects to protect the area from future fires.

Below, in red and yellow, are planned vegetation management projects in the Silverado area.
Join or Volunteer for a Fire Safe Council
Learn about how you can support community efforts
ANGWIN | ATLAS PEAK | BERRYESSA ESTATES

BERRYESSA HIGHLANDS | CALISTOGA | DEER PARK

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN | GORDON VALLEY


SODA CANYON | ST. HELENA

Click here to see contact information for all councils.
Get Ready!
Resources:
Defensible Space:
Contact Me
Cell: 707-225-2019
Alfredo.Pedroza@countyofnapa.org

Banner Photo Credit: Art by Hudson Kramer. Hudson is a student at New Technology High School and 2nd place winner of the Agricultural Commissioner’s Crop Report Art Contest, 2016.