Forest Resource Protection Forest Health, Insect & Disease Forest Fire Control Staff

2008 Vermont

Fire Program

Annual Report

Narrative

The State of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation received 119 fire reports totaling 140 acres for the 2008 fire season.   Fire occurrence was minimal following an active spring fire season.

A wintery mix weather pattern, rain/snow/sleet/freezing rain, was common during late winter, continuing into early April across Vermont.  Very little accumulation was in place in much of western Vermont following a January thaw.  However, the wintery weather pattern kept the deep mountain and northeast snowpack in place through mid-April.  The snowpack had become layered with ice during March storms.  The water content of the snow was estimated at 15 inches and there was significant potential for serious spring flooding. 

Modeled snow depth, April 1, 2008.

Figure 1.  Source:  http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html

Snow water equivalent  on April 1, 2008.

Figure 2.  Source:  http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html

From April 15 on, the weather turned mild and dry.  A stretch of particularly gorgeous weather from April 15 to 28 was dry (most of the state received less than .25” of rain) and warm (60’s, 70’s, and even low 80’s).  This warm, dry period allowed snow to melt slowly and thereby eliminate the threat of flooding at this time.

Snow depth on April 30, 2008.

Figure 3.  Source:  http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html

The normal early spring fire danger was highest through this spell, and with an increase in fire danger, an increase in fire activity followed.  The majority of fire reports received for the 2008 fire season occurred during this time.  Debris burning was still the most common cause and all fires were relatively small in acreage.  The three largest fires of the season occurred during this period, a 10-acre fire possibly caused by arson burned marsh and phragmites; a 13-acre rekindle from a campfire the night before burned forest fuels; and a 14-acre unpermitted brush fire escaped into the forest as well.   The woods fires burned more rapidly than expected due to the leaf litter on the forest floor being drier than usual.

Fire danger ratings reached “Very High” for much of this period, especially in southern Vermont where the rating went to “Extreme” on April 24.  The National Weather Service offices in Burlington and Albany also issued a red flag warning on April 24 for strong winds, low relative humidity, and extremely dry fuels.  The warning covered all of Vermont.  Many fire wardens stopped issuing burn permits and, consequently, no wildfires were reported on April 24.  The fire danger rating caused the cancellation of a prescribed burn on April 24, as well.  The State of Vermont attended daily briefings by the Green Mountain National Forest fire staff during this period.

Spring fire season continued into mid May following another 2-week dry spell.  Greenup progressed in the valleys through this period and the mid to upper elevation locations became drier.  Full greenup occurred by mid-May thus ending spring fire season in most areas.   There was a 4 acre woods fire on June 13 and 14, where a lightning struck tree started a deep-burning ground fire. 

The 60 day period from mid-June to mid-August saw several episodes of very heavy rainfall…mainly in central Vermont.  Flooded streets, overwhelmed culverts and washed out roads were common throughout this period.  A severe storm on July 18th spun off an officially designated tornado in Waterville and Cambridge…leaving a path of devastation stretching for miles over the woods and farmland.

The rainy weather pattern ended around August 12th as abruptly as it started.  Rainfall amounts for the month averaged near normal. Rainfall was below normal in September across northern Vermont and continued into October in the Northeast Kingdom.  KBDI and 1000-hour dead fuel moisture values (indicators used to monitor ground fuels) indicated drier than normal ground fuels.

September, 2008 Monthly Departure from Normal Precipitation

Figure 4.  Source:  http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html

An escaped campfire in the West Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Brunswick burned 3 acres of timber litter and deep duff on the steep shore of Wheeler Pond.  The fire started over Columbus Day weekend, October 13 but was not discovered until the 14th.  The Brunswick Town Forest Fire Warden and a couple of helpers got a scratch line around the most active fire late in the day on the 14th and called the St. Johnsbury district office for advice.  The town of Brunswick does not have their own volunteer fire department but is covered by North Strafford, New Hampshire.  Since the fire was on state land, fire staff from the St. Johnsbury office responded on October 15th.  Active fire continued to burn in pockets of deep duff and unburned surface fuels in scattered patches.  Once those were extinguished, the remainder of time on the fireline was spent mopping up.  The newly acquired fire trailer was a valuable resource to get almost all of the equipment needed to contain and extinguish this fire on site.  The only additional item was borrowed from Fish and Wildlife, a flat bottomed boat to get to the fire more quickly and easily.

Despite the potential for more fire activity, no additional fires were reported.  October was wetter than normal in western Vermont and normal to slightly below normal in eastern Vermont.  Fire danger remained low to moderate through the end of fire season.

Reporting

The Annual Wildland Fire Summary Report was entered into the national database (on Form FS 3100-8).  

A new online fire reporting system was introduced in 2008 as another option for wardens to promptly report wildland fire occurrence in their towns.  Each fire warden was given a user name and password to enter the system.  The report is simple to complete with only a few required fields.  When the report is submitted, automatic email messages alert district and Headquarters staff that a report has been submitted. Prompt reports are also an important input in fire danger determination. Usage was minimal but is expected to improve over time.

Wildfire Equipment

In 2008, the Essex district office fire staff processed $77,690 of wildland fire protective gear and equipment orders, a 21% increase over last year.  Fifty five volunteer fire departments submitted requests for equipment though the Forestry Division’s 50/50 grant program (funded by VFA dollars) and an additional 7 fire departments submitted individual requests.  Wildfire equipment was purchased through us from GSA.  This large volume of equipment was ordered, checked in, and sorted at the Essex office and distributed by Protection staff across the state. 

Vermont’s small volunteer fire departments continue to strengthen their wildland fire response capabilities with expanding inventories of hand tools, mop up kits, and PPE for their firefighters.  It is becoming common for firefighters to respond to fires, drills and outdoor training sessions in bright, yellow Nomex. 

PPE and other equipment for Western Fire personnel was also purchased and cached at the Essex District warehouse. 

Also purchased was a fire training/emergency trailer unit.  This is the third trailer District III staff have designed and outfitted with hand tools, pumps, hose and assorted fittings in removable bins and shelving.   This trailer is housed at the St. Johnsbury district office.  Fire trailers are also located at the Essex and Rutland district offices.

The fire trailers have been used for several training sessions during the spring and fall including the 9-hour wildland fire course in Milton, Plainfield, Orwell, Hinesburg, South Hero, Essex, Morrisville and St. Johnsbury.  The St. Johnsbury trailer proved very effective as a ready source for chain saw, pumps, hose, fittings and adaptors when FPR responded to the remote Wheeler Pond fire in Brunswick in October.

We also acquired a supply of new hand tools from the Vermont Fire Academy which replenished the cache at the Springfield district office.  Two old Mark-III pumps were sent out of state, to Georgia, for repair and refurbishing after determining that repair was more economical then purchasing new pumps.

Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force

Troy Dare, the Task Force engineer attended the 5 annual town forest fire warden meetings in 2008 to increase awareness of the dry hydrant program and progress to date.  The need for additional dry hydrants continues as fire departments better understand their capabilities and limitations.    

The pilot Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) project, the first in the State, was completed in 2008.  With funds from the USFS, the VRFPTF awarded a grant to Two-Rivers/Ottaquechee Regional Planning Commission to develop a CWPP for two towns, Rochester and Newbury.  Local fire chiefs and selectboard members were involved with the projects as were representatives from the regional planning commission, the Green Mountain National Forest, and the Vermont Forestry Division. 

A risk assessment was completed based on ignition risk, hazardous fuels, slope and aspect and response capabilities.  From this assessment, recommendations for improvements were made including hazardous fuel reduction by mowing and/or prescribed fire, structural treatment, i.e. defensible space, training, equipment and firehouse upgrades, etc.

Also completed in 2008 were the Firewise/Fire Foolish and Dry Hydrant Maintenance videos.  This project was funded by a USFS grant to the VRFPTF.  The footage, credits, edits and production of the videos was completed in June and distribution to fire wardens, fire chiefs, town offices, the Vermont Fire Academy, Vermont Technical College was completed shortly after.  A supply is also available in the Forestry Division to hand out at fire department events, homeowners associations, etc. and or broadcast over Public Access TV.

	Vermont Town Forest
	Fire Warden System

In 2008, we held our 5 annual town forest fire warden training sessions throughout the State.  The focus of this year’s program was the revision of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation’s Wildland Fire Plan and how it applies to the wardens… their role and the role of the State of Vermont in wildland fire suppression.  Also as part of the program were presentations - Lessons Learned from the Higgins Hill Fire, What Red Flag Warnings Mean to You and an introduction to the new online fire reporting system.  72% of the wardens attended these 5 sessions.  All 276 Town Fire Wardens and Deputy Wardens are required to attend at least 3 Forestry Division sponsored training sessions during each 5-year term of office that they serve.

Location/Dates of 2008 Annual Warden Training Sessions:

• Responded to 8 wildland fires – 4 in District 1, 3 in District 2, 1 in District 5
• Helped with paperwork
• Delivered equipment
• Built and installed fire warden signs
• Provided prevention materials, permit books, etc.

Vermont Wildfire Training

Vermont Fire Service Training Council:

We continue to work with the council on providing wildland fire training to Volunteer Fire Departments as part of the Vermont Fire Fighter I Certification program.  At this time by agreement with the Training Council, the Forestry Division does all wildland fire training given to fire departments in Vermont.  This training package, called Wildland Fire Control (the 9-hr. course), was given 16 times in 2008 to 318 volunteer firefighters. 

The Wildland Fire Control course was also given to 177 additional students through Regional Fire Schools, Fire Cadet Academy, vo-tech programs, conservation camp, and school groups.

Other Wildfire Related Training:

We conducted an Annual Fire Refresher and Work Capacity Test this spring with 9 ANR participants.  All were certified for Western fire assignments.  Lars Lund also taught an Annual Fire Refresher for the USFS with 12 students as well as a pump refresher and hose testing day for Forestry staff (10 participants) and 3 Smokey Bear and Fire Prevention presentations to local school kids.

National Fire Danger Rating Training:

Tess Greaves taught a segment in fire danger rating and the operational use of the Weather Information Management System (WIMS) to New England/New York regional fire weather users in August as part of the Compact Fire Science Working Team sponsored RAWS installation and maintenance training. 

She also coached 2 groups of students of the Advanced National Fire Danger Rating System course held at the National Advanced Fire and Resource Institute in Tucson, Arizona in February.  The course objective was to write a fire danger operating plan for a fire danger operating area (state, region, national forest, etc.).

Also in January she participated in the Eastern and Southern U.S. Seasonal Assessment Workshop which develops an outlook for the upcoming fire season based on current conditions, climatology, drought, etc.  She presented weather and fuel conditions for New England/New York to 25 participants from the Eastern half of the U.S.

Wildlfire Related Training Received by Forestry Staff:

In addition to the pump refresher and hose testing day and the annual fire refresher and work capacity test that several staff participated in, Forestry staff also completed the following training:  I-100 – Introduction to ICS, I-200, IS-700 – self study courses online, S-203 – Public Information Officer.

Cooperator Activities:

• The Annual Operating Plan with Green Mountain National Forest was updated in 2008.
• Annual Wildland Fire Summary (2007) sent to Vermont State Fire Marshal’s office for its Annual Report.
• Vermont Fire Training Council Meetings
• Rural Fire Protection Task Force Meetings
• Daily Fire Briefings with GMNF: April 21-23 – coordinate resources during high fire danger period
• Conference Call with NWS: April 24 – Red Flag Warning and criteria
• Vermont Emergency Management: May 12 – Cooperation and roles in Wildland Fire response
• Northeast Forest Fire Supervisors Meeting: June 17-19 – Latham, NY
• Technical Assistance Meeting with GMNF:  July 9th
• Fire Season Startup and Ending meetings with the NWS in Burlington and Albany, NY

Northeast Forest Fire Protection Compact Activities

Committees and Working Teams

We were active participants on all committees and working teams and attended most of the various functions and meetings this past year.  Representation was as follows:

Being a small state with limited staff, we depend upon the Northeast Compact for training, developing technical expertise, an introduction to new science and technology in a constantly changing environment, and to keep abreast of the current wildfire situation in our region.  Our involvement on the various working teams is proving to be very beneficial to the state and volunteer fire departments in Vermont.

We were able to send 4 people to the Compact Annual Winter Training Meeting, January 21-25, 2008 in Portland, Maine.  As always, the training program was worthwhile and provided quality training topics and expert instructors. 

Jim Esden represented Vermont’s Prevention working team at the annual New England Fire/Rescue/EMS Expo held at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, June 2008.  Compact’s booth distributed Smokey Bear and other prevention material to lots of kids and their parents as well as information on wildland urban interface, firewise, and other prevention topics.

Wildfire Prevention in Vermont

Fire Weather
Fire Danger Program

The State of Vermont has an interagency cooperative fire weather/fire danger program with 5 RAWS (remote automatic weather station) acquiring hourly weather observations that are uploaded daily into the national system.  Four of these stations are owned by the Green Mountain National Forest and the fifth by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  The State is responsible for data collection and daily dissemination of fire danger indices to state and federal fire managers, fire wardens, dispatch centers, etc., through a extensive email distribution list.   Each RAWS was maintained in 2008 according to NWCG standards.

Daily distribution of fire weather forecasts and the fire danger report continued this year.  Reports were sent out from early April to mid-November.  In addition to fire weather and fire danger reports, situation reports to the Northeast Coordination Center continued again this year.

A poster, What Firefighters Need to Know about Red Flag Warnings was developed and distributed to forest fire wardens in 2008.  The poster gives specific information on what a red flag warning is and isn’t, when and how they are issued, and most importantly how erratic fire behavior might affect firefighter safety.

Also, developed in 2008 by Eric Evenson at the National Weather Service office in Burlington, was a media packet to help educate the press on wildland fire in Vermont.  Categories covered were:  fire climatology, fuels, fire danger, red flag event and fire weather forecasting.  Content was provided by FPR.

Federal Excess Property Program

In March, 2008 we acquired a 21 ft Seaark Boat.  It was a Coast Guard boat stationed in Louisiana and was acquired for the South Hero Fire Department to assist them in the firefighting efforts

The Forestry Division continues to maintain excess property on Vermont’s inventory and to complete disposal of property that are no longer needed or serviceable. 

We are not actively screening for new property.

Prescribed Fire Program

The following prescribed burns were conducted (or planned) in Vermont in 2008:

• Army National Guard: April 16th – Underhill 1 burn, approx. 50 acres -  Maintenance of Firing Ranges/fuel reduction, successful
• FPR and F&W: Planned for April 24th – Ira 1 burn, approx 30 acres Early successional habitat maintenance, cancelled due to Red Flag Warning / Extreme Fire Danger
• FPR and F&W: May 7th – Plymouth 1 burn approx 20 acres – Early successional habitat maintenance, successful
• FPR and F&W: May 13th – Plymouth 1 burn approx 6 acres – Early successional habitat maintenance, successful
• USFS: May 14th – Mount Tabor 1 burn approx. 12 acres, fuel reduction of mechanically treated stand opening, fire escaped into woods, entire unit not completed

Interagency Fire Detail

ortheastern Forest Fire Protection Commission (Compact) Activities

The Vermont Forestry Division qualified and issued red cards to 19 ANR personnel for Interagency fire assignments. 

Positions Vermont firefighters qualify for are:

In 2008, the Vermont Forestry Division sent staff on Interagency Fire assignments in Oregon, North Carolina and to the Rattlesnake fire on the White Mountain National Forest.

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation, March 2009.