SU0014093 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

to the environment? d) Expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post -fire slope instability, or drainage changes? NARRATIVE DISCUSSION Environmental Setting Wildland fires are an annual hazard in wildfire -prone portions San Joaquin County. Wildland fires burn natural vegetation on undeveloped lands and include rangeland, brush, and grass fires. Long, hot, and dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F add to the county's fire hazard. Human activities are the major causes of wildland fires, while lightning causes the remaining wildland fires. High hazard areas for wildland fires are the grass -covered areas in the east and the southwest foothills of the county (San Joaquin County 2016a). As noted in Section 3.9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, the project is in an area of vacant land mixed with urban development. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Fire and Resource Assessment Program identifies fire threat based on a combination of two factors: 1) fire frequency, or the likelihood of a given area burning, and 2) potential fire behavior (hazard). These two factors are combined in determining the following Fire Hazard Severity Zones: Moderate, High, Very High, Extreme. These zones are mapped for two separate areas: State Responsibility Areas are where the State of California is financially responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires, while Local Responsibility Areas are where fire protection is typically provided by city fire departments, fire protection districts, counties, or by Cal Fire under contract to local government. The project site is within a Local Responsibility Area, and a small portion of the 3009 Pock Lane site has been placed in only a Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The remainder of the project site has not been placed in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Cal Fire 2007a, 2007b). Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures a) Emergency Response and Emergency Evacuation Plans. The project site is not part of a State Responsibility Area, and Cal Fire maps indicate the site is not designated within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a zone of higher severity for either state or local responsibility areas. The project site is in an area that is not prone to wildfires. As discussed in Section 3.9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, the project would not obstruct any roadways once construction work is completed. The project would have no impact related to wildfire emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans. b) Exposure of Project Occupants to Pollutants. Pock Lane Public Review Draft IS/MND 3-73 May 2022