New fire plan explored

THOMPSON FALLS - The Sanders County Commissioners held a public meeting on Dec. 20 in which they met with fire behavior analyst Rick Carlson to discuss the fire plan draft for 2013.

Carlson, who is a retired Plains-Thompson Falls district fire prevention specialist with DNRC, explained the different action items set within the fire plan, and the plan is set for review and commentary prior to its pending adoption.

The particular action items listed were that of improving wild land fire conditions, promote rural fire districts, update and monitor pre-disaster emergency plans, develop community plan for Sanders County, and maintain the ground of hazardous fuels, such as slash disposal and such. The list goes on, and was researched over a number of years.

The experience of fire officials with local fires has culminated to the careful planning process that now comprises the plan, such as examples cited like the Chippy Creek Fire a few years ago, and how they can do better with fires like that.

One of the main factors that will help with this action item is education to spread awareness among land owners, as well as offer assistance to land owners to better prepare their properties for wild land fires for prevention and safety. Fire knowledge, Carlson said, is a very valuable thing, and encouragement from community leaders is also valuable. Communications between the different fire officials for more effective prevention and/or suppression was also touched on.

The fire plan draft will be made available for the public to view and comment on in January of the new year. The plan will be posted to the Commissioners website for a 30-day comment period, and comments will be reviewed and considered, then the plan revised, if necessary, prior to the official adoption of the plan.