SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentThe rugged topography on SBER constrains fire suppression efforts; however, thick wet vegetationdecreases the likelihood of fire spreading to sensitive native habitats. Fire prevention at SBER centerson reducing the likelihood of destructive fires that may threaten endangered species and their habitat.Success depends on conducting suppression activities to reduce ignition and fuel sources, and maintainingthe capability to respond immediately with trained personnel, adequate resources, and a planto contain any fires that occur. The fire danger index can be calculated, and real-time weather can betracked using weather data collected from on-site RAWS. Currently, there is one RAWS on SBER.South Range Acquisition Area. USAG-HI recently acquired the SRAA. Agricultural burning has beenpracticed here in the past, but no complete fire records are available. Several fires that have started inthe pineapple field below Honouliuli Preserve have spread into the preserve threatening rare speciesand their habitat. Army helicopter firefighting resources have been used to help fight previous fires inthe preserve, and will continue to do so. The Army is not currently using the SRAA for training.3.1.3.3 Dillingham Military ReservationFire Management AreasThere are no existing firebreaks at DMR, though there are a number of existing roads that will serveas firebreaks during fire suppression.Fire History and Firefighting ResourcesThere is a high risk of fire during the summer in the relatively dry Mokuleia region (USARHAW and25th ID [L] 2001). Cigarettes, vehicles, and bivouac activities are the major sources of fire risk frommilitary training. There are records for only two fires at DMR since 1996 (USARHAW and 25th ID[L] 2003), both of which occurred in training area P-1 (east and southeast of the airstrip). Theyburned a total of 6 acres and were both caused by pyrotechnics. A lack of data precludes analysis.Fire suppression is not a high priority because of the few rare and endangered species on DMR relativeto other Oahu sub-installations (USARHAW and 25th ID [L] 2001a). Also, no live-fire trainingtakes place, and the terrain is not conducive to high erosion rates if vegetation is absent. There are noRAWS on DMR to aid in determining weather conditions and the threat of wildfires. Through mutualaid agreements, the City and County of Honolulu Fire Department would assist the Army with initialwildfire suppression.3.1.3.4 Kahuku Training Area and Kawailoa Training AreaFire Management AreasThere are several existing roads at KTA that will serve as fire control lines during fire suppression.These roads will be maintained to the extent necessary for vehicle traffic. No major fuels managementprojects are scheduled for KTA, but normal grass cutting along the sides of roads would continueas it is currently practiced.Fire History and Firefighting ResourcesThe risk of wildfire danger at KTA varies from low to high, depending moisture regime and fueltypes (USARHAW and 25th ID [L] 2003). Rugged terrain in some areas limits accessibility for suppressionand increases the risk of fires spreading to sensitive native habitat (USARHAW and 25th ID[L] 2001a). Records indicate that there have been 16 fires at KTA since 1996. These fires burned lessthan 300 acres total. A single fire of 250 acres in the late 1990s in training area C-2 accounts for85 percent of the recorded acreage burned. About half of the fires started in August, but there is noFebruary 2008 3–31 2/25th SBCT Final EIS