CWPP PRIORITY #2 Community Cedar Valley, Oakhurst CA
Location: Sections 13 & 24, T6S, R21E
Population: 97 dwelling units plus numerous outbuildings
CWPP Community Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley is a region of Oakhurst CA about 5 miles north and to the east. Heavily wooded with narrow roads Cedar Valley too is at-risk for major wildfire issues.
Specific Problems
- A large amount of timber fuels interspersed with heavy volumes of brush within and surrounding the community
- A 1-1/2 mile narrow, windy two-lane road (Cedar Valley Drive) with contiguous forest fuel on both sides that serves as the only road in and out of the community
- Narrow roads within the community
- Older homes and cabins in close proximity to one another, some with wood shake roofs and combustible exterior construction
- A large percentage of retired and absentee homeowners
Evacuation Routes
Southwest on Cedar Valley Drive to Highway 41
Past Actions
- Roadside fuel reduction and fuel-break construction along Cedar Valley drive by USFS and Cal Fire
- Roadside fuel reduction by Cal Fire and Madera County Road Department on roads within the community
- Intermittent compliance inspections for PRC 4291 regulations by fire officials
Priority Mitigation Needs
- Citizen involvement to reduce fuels on their property and to utilize fire-wise construction techniques to improve structure survivability
- Identify and construct safety zones that can be used as temporary shelter-in-place areas for residents as well as fire personnel
- A 200’ to 300’ wide shaded fuel-break surrounding the community
- The elimination or reduction of fuels 100’ on both sides of Cedar Valley Drive from Highway 41 to Cedar Brook Rd
- Fuel reduction on Sierra National Forest land down-canyon in the Lewis Creek drainage between Sky Ranch and Cedar Valley (possible timber harvesting or plantation thinning)
- Implement a PRC 4291 compliance inspection program within the community
Education
Through homeowner association or town hall type meetings, develop and promote community specific programs designed to inform and involve the community on wildfire mitigation plans, escape routes, potential shelter-in-place locations, and activities that could reduce the risk to citizens, property and community assets.