The Challenge
Over the past century, average New England temperatures have warmed nearly 2.4°F. Winter temperatures have increased the most as the average winter temperature is now 3.5 °F warmer than in the early 1900s. All global climate models project that temperatures will continue to increase. Model projections suggest an increase in average temperature over the next century by 2 to 8 °F in each of the four seasons. It is expected that, as a result of higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, there will be more frequent storms, droughts, and wildfires. The wildfire season is also expected to lengthen, and wildfires are expected to occur more frequently.
In Recent years Massachusetts has experienced flash droughts that have caused fires that are difficult to extinguish. These drought fires can burn deep into the organic layer emitting smoke to days or weeks, and challenge fire fighters by working day after day in hot conditions.
These changes have resulted in increased risk to the public from smoke and damage to structures and other property. It has also increased the risk to firefighters and the cost of suppressing wildland fires.
Project Scope
The project was to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and equipment for Cape Ann (City of Gloucester, Town of Essex, Town of Manchester-by-the Sea, Town of Rockport). A CWPP is a collaborative document developed a comprehensive and strategic plan that aims to reduce the risk of wildfire. The plan is available to the public online and it gives specific actions to reduce the risks identified. This equipment will allow fire personnel to suppress wildfires in a more efficient and safe manner than on foot in areas that they currently cannot access with their existing equipment.
Metrics
Number of communities with a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
Results
Through the collaborative process of creating the plan the fire departments and emergency management agencies of the cities and towns of Cape Ann gained knowledge of the risk of wildfires and the risk to the public in the planning area.
City of Gloucester, Town of Essex, Town of Manchester-by-the Sea, and the Town of Rockport have the information about their fire risk, and specific strategies and actions they can take to mitigate this risk.
After the CWPP was paid for, $20,000 remained. Therefore, DCR sought approval from EEA to use the remaining funds to purchase wildfire fighting equipment. Gloucester purchased a UTV that will provide a much needed, quick-response fire apparatus to be used on wildland fires across the CWPP area. Increasing the number of this type of firefighting equipment is on of the recommendations in the CWPP. Therefore, this project not only achieved creating the plan, but it also helped the town start implementing the recommendations that came from the planning effort right away.
Residents have online access the CWPP. They can view the projects that are underway or have been completed, can view the risk assessment map, and explore the property owner and renter resources. The readily available online project tracker will help keep track and measure progress: Cape Ann CWPP Project Tracker Dashboard
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
The mitigation strategies outlined in the plan take funding, dedication, and many hours of work by of towns, cities, the state, and the public to be successful. To be successful there must be a long-term commitment to implement the recommendations outlined in the CWPP.
Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions
This project aligns with action 11: Wildfire Management Infrastructure Improvements, under the high vulnerability to Loss of Life or Injury due to Wildfire identified in the 2023 ResilientMass Plan. The project also addresses the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan and 2022 MA Climate Assessment Priority Impacts:
- Health Effects from Degraded Air Quality in the Human Health and Safety Sector.
- Damage or loss to homes and critical facilities in the wildland urban interface in the Infrastructure Sector.
- Forest Health Degradation in the Natural Environment Sector
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services in the Government Sector.
- Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions in the Economy Sector.
The project aligns with the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan goals:
- Resilient State Assets and Services
- Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
- Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities
Further Action
The CWPP lays out many next steps/mitigation strategies:
- Creating Resilient Landscapes
- Fire Adapted Communities Recommendations
- Recommendations for Safe and Effective Wildfire Response
DCR and State resources can help implement or fund many of the recommendations. Examples are:
- Training firefighters
- Equipping departments with wildland fire PPE and tools/apparatus
- Providing homeowner education-preparedness
- Increasing Firewise USA support to communities
- Enhancing wildland fire prevention and education
- Implementing mechanical fuel treatments
- Implementing prescribed fire management
Additional Information and Resources
Link to Cape Ann’s CWPP website: Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Mitigation Strategies: Cape Ann Mitigation Strategies