LAFD Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna speaks with homeowners Ruth and Jim Doyle as he prepares to conduct a free wildland fire home assessment on the exterior of their residence last fall on North Mesa. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

LAFD Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna displays valuation criteria used during wildland fire home assessments. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

As insurance companies across New Mexico are raising premiums, canceling or declining to renew coverage for homes in wildfire-prone areas – including Los Alamos – the Los Alamos Fire Department is taking a proactive approach to assist local home and business owners.

“The LAFD Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna and LAFD Fire Marshal James Pepe have been working with insurance industry professionals, other fire service professionals, local government and state government officials while attending  meetings at the New Mexico State Legislature,” LAFD Deputy Fire Chief Wendy Servey said. “The New Mexico State Fire Marshal along with other state and national organizations within the wildland field such as National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and New Mexico State Forestry are actively working on this topic. This is not only a Los Alamos issue but more of a Western states problem that we are only beginning to feel here locally.”

Chief Sterna and Fire Marshal Pepe and their team have launched an onsite wildfire assessment program free of charge to home and business owners.

“Insurance companies talk in terms of risk,” Chief Sterna said. “My goal is to make sure people are insurable in this community … if something bad happens they have insurance to help recoup property loss. The department’s goal is to educate and empower homeowners to mitigate risk and harden their residences. It’s going to take all of us to keep our neighborhoods safe from fires.”

Los Alamos County adopted portions of the International Wildland-Urban Interface code recently he said. The goal is to ensure community members have the information, knowledge and tools to prepare and protect their homes from the threat of wildfire.

“I hope it gives folks comfort when they know they are doing the right things to help protect their property,” Chief Sterna said. “We want to get to be comfortable with folks being prepared to shelter in place.”

Chief Sterna has conducted more than 500 wildfire assessments to date throughout the community. He summed up his work to instruct and educate residents about reducing fire risk, “I couldn’t ask for a better career in a more beautiful place.”

Home hardening Tips:

• One of the most recommended actions is creating a 5-foot noncombustible buffer around homes and decks. Remove all vegetation, trees including overhanging branches, grass/artificial turf, wood/rubber mulch, wood/vinyl fencing, and any stored items within 5 feet of homes.
• Replace combustible (wood/vinyl) fencing, posts, and gates within 5 feet of the home with a noncombustible fence, such as metal (aluminum, chain link, or iron) or concrete blocks. While this is the recommendation, seasonal maintenance of combustible fencing by staining, painting or replacing weather worn fencing, siding or gates is another way to help mitigate wildfire risk.
• When possible, do not park or store any vehicles, boats, RVs, trailers, or ATVs within 5 feet of the home. Ideally, relocate these stored items in a closed garage or park them at least 30 feet away from the home.
• Remove all combustible items such as firewood, potted plants, outdoor furniture, trash cans, pet houses, lawn tools, sheds, hot tubs, etc., from this zone. Clear all tree debris from roofs and gutters regularly.
• Wind-blown embers can enter homes through vents in attics, roofs, gables and crawlspaces and ignite materials inside. These pathways are the most significant entry point for fire embers. Install ember-resistant vents or cover all existing vents with 1/8-inch or finer metal wire mesh.

LAFD acknowledges that wildland is a part of the landscape of Los Alamos stating, “We are surrounded by forest and it is not possible to exclude fire in the future. However, with the proper preparation, prevention, public education, training and equipment, wildfire risk and hazard can be mitigated.”

Chief Sterna encourages residents to register for Code Red. Los Alamos County offers this emergency notification system that allows county officials to alert registered individuals to an emergency in their area. Citizens are encouraged to sign up themselves and all family members – as it is the fastest way for Emergency Management to inform the community of an emergency and any important messages that may impact them. Registered users can receive alerts via land line, cell phone or e-mail. Sign up here: Citizen Alert CodeRED Notification Sign Up.

Chief Sterna also encourages all residents to review and act on the recommendations outlined in the County’s “Ready, Set, Go! Wildland Fire Action Guide” – a comprehensive resource designed to prepare residents for the possibility of a wildfire. The “Ready, Set, Go!” program embodies a three-step approach to maximizing the safety of individuals and property. With easy-to-follow lists and reminders, the “Ready, Set, Go! Wildland Fire Action Guide” is available online at https://lacnm.com/Ready-Set-Go.

To schedule a free wildland fire home or business assessment in Los Alamos or White Rock, email kelly.sterna@lacnm.us. Also, the LAFD wildland page has a tremendous amount of information at https://www.losalamosnm.us/Health-and-Public-Safety/Fire-Services/Wildland-Division.

About LAFD:

LAFD is one of the largest career fire departments in the State of New Mexico and operates in the smallest county in New Mexico at 109 square miles. The department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, aviation rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, code enforcement, public education, and domestic preparedness planning and response. LAFD provides these services with a career staff of 150 personnel (140 uniformed/10 civilian) and operates out of 5 stations.