Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report | Page 240
useful management tool for wildfire prevention in areas where listed species
occur.
For the safety of those on‐Base and living nearby, it is important that
wildfires are prevented and controlled if they occur. Wildfires must be
contained so they do not become a threat to the health and safety of those
working and living on or near the Base. The Travis AFB Integrated Natural
Resources Management Plan outlines several projects to manage the threat
of wildfires, including:
An on‐Base grass fire that spread east of Travis AFB in August 2015
(Source: KCRA)
Produce a wildland fire response protocol for Natural Resource
Specialist input into fire suppression activities and rehabilitation
funding and projects.
Produce a fire management GIS database (risk analysis, fuel types,
history, fuel breaks and other).
Develop prescribed burn wildlife habitat priorities and coordinate with
Wildland Fire Management.
Source: Travis AFB Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan,
http://fox40.com/2015/08/10/grass‐fire‐burning‐near‐travis‐air‐force‐base/,
http://www.kcra.com/california‐wildfires/crews‐respond‐to‐grass‐fire‐at‐travis‐air‐
force‐base/34643420, http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Travis‐AFB‐fire‐
destroyed‐damaged‐270‐homes‐3199011.php#photo‐2338724
Travis AFB maintains a Wildland Fire Management Plan to reduce the
potential for wildfires, to protect and enhance valuable natural resources,
and to implement ecosystem management goals and objectives. The overall
goal is to reduce the total costs and losses from wildland fire by protecting
assets at risk through focused pre‐fire management and increasing initial
attack success. Fire Emergency Services at Travis AFB has a mutual aid
agreement with Solano County, which authorizes Travis AFB to provide
support to and request support from Solano County jurisdictions during
wildfire incidents on‐ and off‐Base.
Findings
Fire control measures include monitoring of controlled burns, maintenance
of firebreaks, and implementation of fire protection and prevention
inspections. Travis AFB maintains 12‐ to 15‐foot firebreaks around the Base.
Prescribed burning has not been conducted on the Base but is considered a
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Wildfires are more likely to occur on and around Travis AFB during the
summer and fall when grassland vegetation is dry, and the area is
experiencing hot, windy conditions.
For the safety of those on‐Base and living nearby, it is important that
wildfires are prevented and controlled. Preventative measures to
limit and slow fire progression are important.
An eight‐alarm fire burned 12 acres and destroyed about
270 unoccupied homes on the Base in August 2008.
Compatibility Assessment