Risk Assessment
What puts this community at risk
Summary of the community wildfire risk assessment for Old Station, completed with CAL FIRE and the local volunteer fire department and reviewed annually by the Firewise committee.
Assessment findings
Fuels
High
Dense mixed conifer with heavy ladder fuels and standing dead from bark beetle mortality. Continuous canopy runs to within 30 feet of many structures along the Highway 89 corridor.
Topography
Moderate
Volcanic benches and moderate slopes channel fire upslope toward the residential core. Lava rock outcrops create natural fuel breaks in places but block equipment access in others.
Access and egress
Extreme
One paved corridor in and out. Several driveways exceed 300 feet with turnarounds too tight for a Type 1 engine, and overhanging limbs reduce vertical clearance below 13 feet 6 inches.
Weather and wind
High
Late-summer north winds routinely exceed 25 mph with single-digit relative humidity. The critical fire weather window runs from mid-July through the first substantial fall rain.
Structure ignitability
High
A majority of homes predate modern ignition-resistant standards. Unenclosed eaves, untreated wood decking, and unscreened vents are the most common vulnerabilities found during home assessments.
Water supply
Moderate
No pressurized hydrant system across most of the community. Response relies on draft sites and tenders; two additional storage tanks are in the action plan.
How the assessment is used
Every goal in the three-year action plan traces back to one of the findings above. When the committee prioritizes a project or applies for grant funding, the assessment is the evidence.
The assessment is refreshed with a forestry professional at least every five years, and after any significant fire, storm, or vegetation change near the community.
Residents can request a free home-level assessment at any time. It takes about 45 minutes and produces a short punch list specific to your structure and lot.