I_WMRC_2018A 07/10/2018 01:01:08 PM Committee Summary

Mike Morgan, Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), Colorado Department of Public Safety (DPS), introduced himself to the committee. He introduced additional DFPC presenters Vaughn Jones and Melissa Lineberger, and DPS Director Stan Hillkey, and he described the division's work. Committee members received three handouts from DFPC [Attachments A, B, and C].

Mr. Morgan continued to discuss the divisions within DFPC and their work.

Vaughn Jones, Wildland Fire Management Section, DFPC, discussed his section's work and their role in fire management. He described the division's firefighting air resources, including single engine air tankers, type 2 helicopters, and multi-mission aircraft.

Mr. Morgan described various wildfires in the state in 2018. He explained how wildland fire responsibility is determined among fire protection districts, county sheriffs, and the state. He also discussed support the state provides prior to state responsibility to keep fires small.

Mr. Morgan provided an overview of legislation from 2018 impacting DFPC, including an additional $3 million General Fund provided to the Wildfire Preparedness Fund.

Mr. Morgan discussed strategic planning with stakeholders at DFPC, explaining that the division aimed to develop a long-term strategy for DFPC support to the state's fire agencies. He responded to committee member questions about the role of existing advisory committees in this process.

Mr. Morgan described the challenges identified in the strategic planning process. He explained that the state is not yet prepared to respond to its wildland fire problems. He responded to committee member questions about how local governments can better coordinate with state departments.

Mr. Morgan responded to committee member questions about the locations of the division's air resources and the availability of ground crews.

Mr. Morgan responded to committee member questions about DFPC's role in fire mitigation. Discussion ensued on fire mitigation.

Mr. Morgan provided the committee with eight working group recommendations to improve wildland fire response in the state.

Melissa Lineberger, DFPC Chief of Staff, responded to committee member questions about the state's use of predictive technology in tracking fire development.

Senator Coram, chair, provided opening remarks to the committee.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened. Mike Lester, Colorado State Forester, introduced himself and the Colorado State Forest Service. Committee members received reports from the CSFS on the health of Colorado's forests [Attachment D] and forest management to protect Colorado's water resources [Attachment E].

A copy of CSFS's presentation slides is available as Attachment F.

 

Attachment D

 

Mr. Lester discussed the impact of bark beetles on Colorado's forests. He responded to committee member questions about the number of trees destroyed, and about the unnaturally dense state of the state's forests.

Mr. Lester explained CSFS's mitigation, treatment, and watershed protection efforts. He discussed the benefits of fire adapted communities.

Mr. Lester discussed wildfire funding in Colorado and the challenges the CSFS faces. He noted that the state owns only a small fraction of the forest lands in the state. He added that the CSFS needs additional funding for its Forest Restoration and Wildfire Mitigation grants and its Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities program. Mr. Lester suggested that the CSFS intends to focus its resources on the areas where they can have the most significant impacts.

Mr. Lester responded to committee member questions about the market for biomass.

Mr. Lester responded to committee member questions about the role of local governments in conducting wildfire mitigation.

Garry Briese, Colorado State Fire Chiefs (CSFC), introduced himself to the committee. He also introduced Vail Fire Chief Mark Novak.

Mr. Briese discussed the role of the CSFC and its prior work with the committee.

Mr. Briese discussed the negative effects of the Gallagher Amendment on residential assessments, which fund fire protection districts.

Mr. Briese responded to committee member questions about how to address the CSFC's concerns about the Gallagher Amendment.

Chief Novak explained that the Vail Fire Department, as a municipal department, is not as directly impacted by the Gallagher Amendment, but he noted that the impacts on surrounding districts affect his department as well.

Vanessa Reilly, Legislative Council Staff, discussed housekeeping matters and noted that the committee would add a meeting on August 8.

Committee members discussed additional agenda items.

Bob Lackner, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided an overview of the interim committee bill request process. He discussed the committee's charge. Committee members received a copy of the committee charge memo [Attachment G] and a memo discussing the bill request process [Attachment H].

Chris Creighton, Legislative Council Staff, explained that staff can provide preliminary fiscal analysis and additional research before the bill drafting process.