CWPP PRIORITY #8 Community: Oakhurst
Location: Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, R21E, T7S Sections 18, 19, 30, R22E, T7S
Population: 1071 dwelling units plus numerous outbuildings; commercial and light industrial buildings; governmental, utility and medical facilities; churches and schools
Specific Problems
- Large areas of heavy concentrations of grass and brush mingled amongst structures
- Many narrow winding roads with hazardous fuels encroaching one or both sides of the road
- Inadequate water supply to support fire fighting operations in many areas of the community
Evacuation Routes
- East on Road 426 (Crane Valley Road) to Road 223 towards North Fork
- West on Road 426 to Highway 41
- Highway 49 south towards Oakhurst or north towards Mariposa
Past Actions
- Roadside fuel reduction by Cal Fire and Madera County Road Department of some roads within the community
- Fuel reduction projects including fuel-breaks, prescribed burns, and mechanical and hand treatment adjacent to the community; primarily concentrated on ridge tops around the Oakhurst Basin
- Intermittent compliance inspections for PRC 4291 regulations by fire officials
- In 2007 a Fire Safe Council fuel-break project was completed around the Oakhurst Basin along the ridge tops of Miami Mountain, Crooks Mountain, and Potter Ridge
Priority Mitigation Needs
- Citizen involvement to reduce fuels on their property and to utilize fire-wise construction techniques to improve structure survivability
- Roadside fuel elimination or reduction along county roads
- Completion and maintenance of a fuel break system surrounding the community
- 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.