The Impact of Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council

April 2022

The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) is being highlighted as an organizational success story by the California Fire Safe Council because they are the gold standard of what Fire Safe Councils are trying to achieve throughout California. They have built their success from the ground up, working with local organizations and the community to develop a strong CWPP that has clear objectives. They have a nationally renowned volunteer group called the Woodies and have built strong partnerships with their community to build fire resiliency in the San Jacinto Mountains. In 2021 MCFSC was awarded the Resilience Brilliance Award for the ‘Community Collaboration’ category. Please go with us on a journey below as we highlight Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council's successes as an organization and provide you insights into where they plan to go in the coming years.

The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) was formed in 2001 with the purpose of educating residents about fire safety in and around Idyllwild, CA. MCFSC serves all of the communities in the San Jacinto Mountains Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), located in Riverside County. These communities are comprised of more than 8,000 residential properties, most of which have wood exteriors and are in densely overgrown forests where years of drought, bark beetle infestations, and seasonal dry winds known as Santa Anas severely increase the potential of a catastrophic wildfire. In addition to dedicated efforts towards year-round fuels reduction projects, MCFSC is home to a crew of volunteers, The Woodies, who assist the community's less fortunate residents on a weekly basis. The mission statement of MCFSC is to: Educate and motivate our community members to act on their individual responsibilities to become fire-safe and to advocate and facilitate fire-safe policies on both public and private lands.

MCFSC provides services in the heart of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) of the San Jacinto Mountains. MCFSC's success is built upon the San Jacinto Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), their nationally recognized group of volunteers, called The Woodies, and a great partnership with California Fire Safe Council who helps coordinate funding for many of their projects.

In 2006, the Riverside County Mountain Area Safety Taskforce (MAST) and the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) worked with the community to develop the  San Jacinto Community Wildfire Protection Plan  (SJCWPP). The primary mission of the 2006 CWPP was to prepare for and mitigate the likelihood of a disastrous fire in the mountain communities while restoring the forest to a healthy state (SJCWPP 2006).

The 2006 CWPP recognized the importance of the entire San Jacinto Mountains and all the communities working together, "This plan addresses the needs of communities from the top to the bottom of the San Jacinto Mountains. This inclusiveness is meant to ensure that every community has a voice in the protection plan. It also recognizes that all areas of the mountains are a potential starting point for a catastrophic fire. There have been massive multiagency fuel reduction efforts underway for the last several years that have already gone a long way in accomplishing many of the goals identified . . . this CWPP recommends proactive fuel management including strategic fuel breaks, strengthening of abatement enforcement ordinances, enhanced outreach, and education programs, and a comprehensive evacuation and preparedness program" (SJCWPP 2006).

MCFSC is able to complete much of their work because of their nationally recognized crew of volunteers, the Woodies, who donate thousands of hours each year:

•  Helping low-income seniors and physically disabled persons create and maintain defensible space around their homes by trimming and thinning trees and brush, raking dead leaves and pine needles, and providing on-site education about effective defensible space.
• Processing trees removed from fuel reduction jobs into firewood, which is donated to the Idyllwild Help Center for distribution to the needy.
• Providing fire safety education to their friends and neighbors.

In 2020, MCFSC acknowledged that their secret to success is the willingness, no, the eagerness with which their people dig into the resolution of problems within the community. Every year, MCFSC's 20+ member volunteer crew named the Woodies donate thousands of hours doing fuels reduction work on properties of disabled, elderly, and low-income individuals plus they process trees removed from the abatement jobs into firewood for distribution to the needy by the Idyllwild Help Center. The value of their time plus the value of the wood is used as a match for the grants.

The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) Grant Clearinghouse has worked closely with Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council providing distribution of federal and private grant dollars to MCFSC. Between 2014 and 2020, CFSC has funded seven of MCFSC's grant requests totaling over 1 million dollars since 2014. During that same period, MCFSC has provided over 2 million dollars in matching funds in that same time period. However, since their partnership began, CFSC has awarded over 6 million dollars in grant funds to MCFSC since they were established, accounting for 60% of their funding

In fall 2014 the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) was awarded a $200,000 State Fire Assistance (SFA) Grant through the  California Fire Safe Council . SFA funds are made available through the US Forest Service. The 14 SFA grant program and publications are funded in full by the U.S. Forest, Pacific Southwest Region, under the terms of Grant No. 13-DG-11052012-111.

Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) worked in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, NRCS, BLM, CAL FIRE, Riverside County Fire, Idyllwild Fire and the Southern California Edison Company (SCE). The MCFSC’s membership in Riverside County Mountain Area Safety Taskforce (MAST) afforded the council ongoing communication with collaborators. The roles of their partners were to create fuel breaks, remove select dead and dying trees and abate fuels on large parcels. MCFSC’s role was to leverage the effects of their partners’ work by reducing the fuel load on privately owned parcels located near large treatment areas. These smaller properties are often owned by individuals who do not fully understand the impact that a wildland fire could have on them and their neighbors. Additionally, more than half of the homes are owned by absentee owners.

As part of the grant, on June 26, 2014, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) hosted a community outreach and educational event: A Town Hall Meeting with the Fire Chiefs. The presenters were, Chief Felix, U.S. Forest Service; Chief Hawkins, CAL FIRE/ Riverside County Fire/County OES; and Chief Reitz, Idyllwild Fire Protection District. More than one hundred people packed the town hall. The topics presented by the chiefs were well received. The highlight of the evening being the intelligent and focused discussion between the fire chiefs who comprised the panel and the residents who attended.

In 2015, one of MCFSC's projects with the grant included enhancing the ingress and egress for the Stonewood community. The 2013 Silver Fire crested Black Mountain, one peak away from Stonewood, and the CHP notified residents to evacuate. Thanks to the diligent work of the firefighters and a shift in the winds, the fire was restrained at the Black Mountain peak. This incident was a wake-up call for Stonewood residents. The property owner’s association saved their funds to prepare their roads for future evacuations. Several homeowners also used this opportunity to abate their residences for fire season with the help of MCFSC.

The communities within the WUI are old established communities. There are no practical means of widening roads, establishing ‘green belts’ of manicured lawns, or building block walls between the community and wildland. While these fire safe features are part of new communities that are bordered by National Forest, we must design projects that fit the needs of our communities. -President Norm Walker

All work was completed on the 2014 Fire Safe Communities project in January of 2016. MCFSC had originally pledged to match $200,000 in grant funds, upon project completion MCFSC had provided over $1.3 million in match funds through volunteer work of The Woodies and a partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to remove fire hazard trees.

In 2015 the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) was awarded a $38,920 SBR Fire Protection Planning/Education Grant through the California Fire Safe Council. This NRCS/USFS Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership- San Bernardino and Riverside County Fuels Reduction (SBR) grant was made possible by federal financial assistance provided to the CFSC from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The 2015 grant program and publications are funded in full by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, under the terms of Grant No. 14-DG-11052012-125

The  2017 San Jacinto Mountains Community Wildfire Protection  Plan update kept the same focus as the original plan, to prepare for and mitigate the likelihood of a disastrous fire in the mountain communities while restoring the forest to a healthy state (SJCWPP 2006). However, many of the proposed projects identified were completed or near completion, and four major fires (Esperanza, Cottonwood, Mountain, and Silver Fire) had occurred since the original plan adoption. Some important findings were developed in the 2017 update.

Many of the community members experienced the fires, providing them with first-hand knowledge of the effectiveness of fire mitigation. MCFSC engaged the community through the local newspaper and a survey posted on their website to review the original goals of the plan. Community members and the steering committee all agreed that the original goals still applied.

In 2015, the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MFSC) was awarded a $151,726 State Fire Assistance (SFA) Grant through the  California Fire Safe Council . SFA funds are made available through the US Forest Service. The 15 SFA grant program and publications are funded in full by the U.S. Forest, Pacific Southwest Region, under the terms of Grant No. 14-DG-11052012-123.

The primary focus of the Fire Safe San Jacinto Mountains grant was to make all residents aware of their responsibility for their property and their community. Through education, MCFSC shared practical solutions to minimize the effects of a wildfire. Education brought about a continued change in the community toward a fire-safe and fire-resilient community.

While education is the primary activity of fire safe councils, it is not enough for the high wildfire hazard area of the San Jacinto Mountains. This grant allowed MCFSC to do even more. It will allow them to implement fuel reduction plans on parcels near and adjacent to other treatment areas. MCFSC used the following methods to conduct fuels reduction:

• Identified properties adjacent to or within close proximity to areas treated by the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire.
• Worked with property owners to develop fuel reduction plans.
• Dead and dying trees were referred to one of our partners for removal.
• Maintained two brush collection sites, one in Poppet Flats and the other in Pinyon. The sites provided central locations for the disposal of fuels removed by homeowners. They are accessible to approximately 700 homeowners; it was estimated about 350 owners used them.
• The MCFSC Woodies volunteers continued abating hazardous fuels on properties of elderly, disabled and low-income individuals. The volunteers processed trees removed from various projects into firewood for Help Center clients.

All work was completed on the 2015 Fire Safe San Jacinto Mountains project in September of 2017. MCFSC had originally pledged to match $200,000 in grant funds, upon project completion MCFSC had provided over $227,000 in match funds through volunteer work of The Woodies and a continued partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to remove fire hazard trees.

In 2016, the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MFSC) was awarded a $200,000 State Fire Assistance (SFA) Grant through the  California Fire Safe Council . SFA funds are made available through the US Forest Service. The 16 SFA grant program and publications are funded in full by the U.S. Forest, Pacific Southwest Region, under the terms of Grant No 15-DG-11052012-127.

The Prepared Mountain Communities project continued to build on previously completed grant projects. Utilizing the same objectives, tools, and approaches from the previously awarded grants.

On January 28, 2017, MCFSC hosted the 2017 State of the San Jacinto Mountain Briefing and Discussion. Presentation included:

• Preparing Our Communities to Survive a Wildfire Fire -- Pat Boss MCFSC Field Supervisor
• Status of the Goldspotted Oak Borer in our Communities and What Can you Do -- UCR, USFS, and CAL FIRE
• The Current and Future Fuels Reduction Projects and Staffing Levels in the San Jacinto Mountains -- U.S. Forest Service District Fire Management Officer, Idyllwild Fire Chief, and the Riverside County Fire Chief

The event was advertised in the MCFSC fall newsletter and a banner was hung over the main street. MCFSC ran ads in the local newspaper, posted it on the MCFSC Facebook page and in the Idyllwild Herald. The county supervisor posted it on his website and all of the HOAs were asked to send the information to their members. Unfortunately, the turn-out was low; there were only about 35 attendees. The newspaper gave the event excellent coverage to help disseminate the information to those who did not attend.

In July 25th a suspected arson fire was set alongside State Highway 74, a winding two-lane mountain road that gives access to several mountain communities located in the San Jacinto Mountains. The fire named the Cranston Fire, consumed over 13,000 acres and threatened the communities of Mountain Center, Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Garner Valley. Through aerial and ground suppression efforts the affected communities sustained minimal damage considering the extreme fire behavior exhibited for two days. However, on the outlying fringes of Mountain Center and the town of Idyllwild several residential streets did get hit by fire activity causing home and property damage.

Several of the residential properties affected by the Cranston Fire were properties on which the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council had previously completed fire abatement projects done under the Prepared Mtn. Communities Grant (16-USFS SFA 56443). These properties were located in both Mountain Center and Idyllwild where the fire had made substantial runs during the first few hours of the incident. A post-fire inspection of these properties showed how the fire activity was reduced or even stopped as it came in contact with the fuels reduction area completed by MCFSC contractors. It was clear that fire abatement work done around homes in the WUI enhances home survival and the ability of firefighters to be effective in working around the property.

All work was completed on the 2016 Prepared Mountain Communities project in October of 2018. MCFSC had originally pledged to match $200,000 in grant funds, upon project completion MCFSC had provided over $638,696 in match funds through volunteer work of The Woodies and a continued partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to remove fire hazard trees. The following are before and after pictures of a few of the properties that were abated by MCFSC.

In June 2018 the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) was awarded a $200,000 State Fire Assistance (SFA) Grant through the  California Fire Safe Council . SFA funds are made available through US Forest Service. The 18 SFA grant program and publications are funded in full by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, under the terms of Grant No. 17-DG-11052012-122.

The San Jan project continued to build on previously completed grant projects. Utilizing the same objectives, tools, and approaches from the previously awarded grants.

As part of the grant, on March 5th, 2020 MCFSC organized a large public community event titled “Lessons from Paradise.” This event included a public viewing of the PBS Frontline Documentary “Fire In Paradise,” updates from and a Questions and Answers session with CAL FIRE/RCFD, California Highway Patrol, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council, Mountain Disaster Preparedness, Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Team Rubicon, and the US Forest Service.

All work was completed on the 2018 San Jac Fuels Reduction project in 2021. MCFSC had originally pledged to match $200,000 in grant funds, upon project completion MCFSC had provided $906,645 in match funds through volunteer work of The Woodies and a continued partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to remove fire hazard trees. The abatement of properties continues to show the success of MCFSC grants. The following are before and after pictures of a few of the properties that were abated by MCFSC.

A recent resident to Idyllwild, the Koptz's bought a home on a large parcel located on a narrow road on the edge of town. Mr. Koptz contacted the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council for assistance with fire abating the property. The property was wooded with some heavy understory fuel loading, some small dead trees, and a large pile of dead tree debris consisting of small logs and large tree rounds from past tree cutting jobs done on the property.

Using the 18-SFA-110339 grant MCFSC was able to do a complete fire abatement job within the defensible space of this home removing nearly 30 tons of hazardous forest fuels and dead tree debris.

Work was completed on a property in Idyllwild, CA for Ms. McDermott, an elderly woman. Through the grant program, MCFSC was able to mitigate many fire safety code hazards. Using the San Jacinto Fuels Reduction (18-SFA-110339) grant MCFSC removed almost 5 tons of biomass through thinning existing brush, trimming trees, and raking ground fuels.

In 2021, the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MFSC) was awarded a $15,000 Trailer and Tools Grant through the California Fire Safe Council. Trailer and Tool funds are made available through the California Volunteers/Listos program. The objective of the Listos Campaign is to ready our most vulnerable populations for disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods, and public health emergencies. The Trailer and Tools grant program and publications are funded in full by California Volunteers, under the terms of Agreement No EP9001.

The trailer has enhanced fire prevention by providing the mode and method to provide fire abatement services to the community. The additional tools are utilized by MCFSC staff and the Woodies Volunteers at worksites.

The trailer has been utilized for community outreach and public relations events. Educational materials and site supplies are easily loaded into the trailer to take to an event site and the trailer itself is a way to spread our message to the community.

MCFSC has started work on the 2020 San Jac Fuel Reduction project awarded through CFSC. In 2021, MCFSC has been awarded two additional CFSC funded grants under SFA funding and Edison International totaling almost $250,000. All of which builds on previously completed work described.

MCFSC was also notified by CAL FIRE in September of 2021 that they will receive $750,000 through CAL FIRE Early Action California Climate Investments (CCI) Program FY 2020-2021 Fire Prevention Grant. The focus is similar to other projects, with the removal of hazardous fuels which will limit the spread of wildfire by decreasing the intensity of the fire and limiting the potential ember cast amongst homes. A fire that starts from private property will have less of a chance of escaping into adjacent forest land after horizontal and vertical hazardous fuels reduction work has been completed. 

MCFSC has also partnered with National Forest Foundation, which received $4.9 million from CAL FIRE Forestry Health Early Action Grant Awards, to slow the spread and reduce the damage to oak forests from Coldspotted Oak Borer in Southern California. MCFSC could potentially receive $800,000 through their partnership.