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Home My WebLink AboutFile Documents.334 McSkimming Rd.0073-2020-BRES (18) Wildfire Hazard Assessment 334 McSkimmimg Road Aspen, Colorado 12/29/2019 Overview The 15,943 sq. ft. property is located within the City of Aspen in Pitkin County and served by the Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD). The site elevation is 8127 ft. on a west facing < 20% slope with continuous fuels. The predominate vegetation types on and surrounding the property are quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) with assorted low growing shrubs and grasses. The Pitkin County Wildfire Hazard Map identifies the property as both Low and Severe for brush. The Severe portion, where the existing 1552 sq. ft. home is, will be demolished and a new home is proposed to replace it. The attached overlay map shows the footprint for the new home that will result in removing a majority of the hazardous vegetation in the Severe rated area. Wildfires in aspen groves are usually low intensity and burn the understory in a “patchy” configuration and can actually slow an approaching wildfire. The absence of more hazardous fuels like Gambel oak, pinon/juniper and other conifers would not support the conditions needed for a high intensity crown fire. I would recommend the whole property should be rated Medium and subject to the development standards for a Medium Wildfire Hazard Area. New Construction The proposed 3129 sq. ft. home will have a class “A” assembly roof with clay roof tiles, double pane tempered glass windows, zinc and porcelain tile exterior walls. The decking was not specified but non- combustible or one hour rated materials are recommended. These materials meet the Medium Hazard Area specifications. Defensible Space The speed and intensity of a wildfire and its potential to ignite a home is influenced by weather, topography and hazardous fuels. Of these three only the hazardous fuels whether natural or man-made can be altered. The concept of creating defensible space is to modify these fuels so it reduces the ignition risk to structures and either stops an approaching fire, takes it from the tree or shrub canopy to the ground where fire suppression can safely take place or allows it to burn around the home. Homes can become a major source of fuel depending on what building materials are used. Zones 1, 2 and 3 are used to prioritize areas for required wildfire mitigation. Zone 1 is nearest the home and requires maximum risk reduction. Zone 2 is an area of fuel reduction. Zone 3 is an area of traditional vegetation management if needed. 07/14/2020 Standards applicable to All Wildfire Hazard Areas Zone 1, 0-30 feet • Existing flammable vegetation and debris shall be removed within 10 feet of all structures. No new conifer trees shall be planted within ten feet of a structure. • Plant nonflammable ornamental plants or hardscape surfaces (stone or decorative rock) within a 10 foot perimeter around all structures. Do not use bark, mulch or plant ground junipers which are highly flammable. • Outside the 10 foot perimeter from the structure to thirty feet, existing trees shall be spaced at least ten feet between crowns with branches pruned to a height of ten feet or 1/3rd the height of the tree with debris removed around the base of the tree. • No tree branches shall extend over the roof or be within 15 feet of chimneys. • Shrubs outside the 10 foot perimeter from the structure shall be trimmed and spaced two times the height of the fuel measured from the crown up to a minimum of thirty feet from the outermost projection of the structure. • Ideally, most flammable vegetation should be removed from Zone 1 to reduce fire hazards. The more you remove the safer the home will be. • Do not store any flammable materials under decks and, if close to the ground, enclose or screen them with 1/16 inch metal mesh. • Each structure shall have a minimum of one ten pound ABC fire extinguisher. • The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the defensible space vegetation requirements. Zone 2, 30-100 feet • All deadfall within one hundred (100) feet of the structure shall be removed. • Standing dead trees and shrubs should be removed within one hundred feet of the structure. A few dead trees per acre may be left to benefit wildlife. • Remove enough shrubs to create at least ten (10) feet between crowns. Less vegetation means lower wildfire intensity. Zone 3, 100 + feet • This is an area of traditional forest management and no recommendations will be made at this time. Maintenance and Miscellaneous Requirements • Roofs and gutters shall be kept clear of debris. • Roof, attic and soffit vents shall be screened with ¼ inch maximum, corrosive resistant wire mesh. • Yards shall be kept clear of all litter, slash and flammable debris. • All flammable materials including firewood and wood piles shall be stored parallel a minimum of fifteen (15) feet away from any structure. • Weeds and grasses within a ten (10) foot perimeter of any structure shall be maintained to a height not more than six (6) inches. • Swimming pools and ponds shall be accessible by the local fire district. • Fences shall be kept clear of brush and debris. 07/14/2020 • Wood fences shall not connect to any structures. • Fuel tanks shall be installed underground with an approved container. • The property owner shall be responsible for the continued maintenance requirements. Access and Water Supply • Access roads, driveways and fire truck turnarounds shall be built to the Pitkin County and AFPD standards. • Driveways should be thinned of vegetative fuels a minimum of ten (10) feet from both sides of the road or as determined by the AFPD. • Addresses should be clearly marked three (3) feet above ground at the driveways entrance with two (2) inch, nonflammable reflective numbers. 07/14/2020 Future construction shall be to the following specifications listed in the Pitkin County Land Use Code, Chapter 7 of the Development Standards, 7-20-60 for Medium Hazard Areas. Roofing Materials • Class A covering or Class A Assembly as defined by the current adopted building code. • No wood shakes or shingles. Roof Venting • Soffit venting shall be located in the outer 1/3rd portion of the overhang. • Attic, soffit and other roof venting shall be of non-corrosive metal mesh with maximum 1/4 inch openings. Projections at the roofline including Soffits, Rafters, Porch or Deck Roofs, Fascia’s or Other. • Sheath with non-combustible materials or: • Combustible materials underlain with 5/8 Type X gypboard or equal or: • Minimum 4x6 rafters with 2x T&G decking. Decks, Decking, Cantilevered Floors or Other Projections Below the Roofline • Minimum 6x6 posts, 6x10 beams, 3x8 joists, 3x decking and 2x railings or equivalent log construction. Other • Any methods approved for Severe Wildfire Hazard Areas may be used in Medium Wildfire Hazard Areas. Submitted by: Jerry Peetz Zone 1 Wildfire LLC 07/14/2020 Severe area (red) vegetation reduced by new construction Low Hazard Area 07/14/2020 1,128 188.1 Legend 1: WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere Feet 0 188.1 94.04 Notes THIS MAP IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. Pitkin County GIS makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the content represented. Map Created on 10:30 AM 12/19/19 at http://www.pitkinmapsandmore.com State Highway Road Centerline 4K Primary Road Secondary Road Service Road Full Address Parcel Boundary Wildfire Hazard Area Not Evaluated Low Hazard Medium Hazard Severe Hazard - Brush Severe Hazard - Trees Rivers and Creeks Continuous Intermittent River, Lake or Pond Town Boundary Federal Land Boundary BLM State of Colorado USFS Medium Hazard 07/14/2020 Above: A majority of the Severe Area brush around the existing home will be removed. Below: Shrubs and grasses under snow in Low Hazard Area should be rated a Medium Hazard. 07/14/2020