DEPARTMENT: Fire
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Community Wildfire Protection Program
SUMMARY:
A. An Ordinance ratifying the submission of a grant application in an amount up to $10,000.00 to the Texas Forest Service for funds to be used in the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan; and authorizing the acceptance of the funds, upon award.
B. A Resolution supporting the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
C. An Ordinance authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Texas Forest Service to provide for mutual aid assistance during prescribed fire, wildfire, and other all-risk incidents.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Wildfire threats are increasing in urban areas, often repeatedly, putting more homes, lives, infrastructure, and other resources at risk. More than 15,000 wildfires burned in the continental United States from 2000 to 2014. During these years, 127 urban areas (cities with more than 75,000 residents) were threatened by major wildfires (fires greater than 5 square miles in area) that burned within 10 miles of the city limits. San Antonio is particularly vulnerable to wildfire because of its extensive undeveloped land within city boundaries and frequent drought conditions.
Cities with an approved Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and an interlocal agreement with Texas Forest Service (TFS) have access to grant funding and state resources to assist in protecting these communities from the danger of Wildfires. Upon approval of this ordinance, TFS will coordinate with San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to develop a list of fuel reduction projects to protect city parks and neighborhoods throughout the City.
Wildfires increasingly are expensive and dangerous, burning homes, and consuming agency budgets. Attempts to mitigate wildfire risk, such as voluntary landowner education and fuels reduction, while import...
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