Announced at a council meeting Nov. 13, the city has approved a Firewise USA Site Community Wildfire Action Plan, which is designed to increase outreach, implementation and education efforts for fire safety in West Lake Hills over the next three years.
The overview
The Firewise USA program, led by the National Fire Protection Association, aims to provide a framework for communities to improve upon their fire safety.
In 2023, the Texas A&M Forest Service performed a Firewise Risk Assessment of West Lake Hills in order to assess the ease with which ignitions could occur in structures around the city under wildfire conditions, and how those ignitions could be avoided. The assessment involved a drive through the city and conversations with city officials regarding local conditions and mitigation projects.
Results of that assessment, according to a presentation by City Administrator Trey Fletcher, showed that the fire resiliency of structures around the city are dependent upon their age and upkeep. Most of the newer constructions around the city have fire-resistant siding; roofing such as metal, composite shingle and clay tile; and landscaping, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Following the assessment, the city’s new Firewise three-year action plan will address fire safety in the community. The plan includes a list of risk reduction projects, suggested homeowner actions and education activities for residents.
The city’s plans for each year are included in the document, with steps laid out each year for education and outreach, home hardening, fuel reduction, and evacuation planning. A few action items listed under Year 1 in 2025 include:
- Leveraging a community newsletter for Firewise messaging
- Developing online resources for education on fire safety
- Maintaining tree canopy of public streets and city-owned properties
- Aligning vegetative debris management communications to property owners
- Holding evacuation drills
- Reviewing unopened streets for emergency evacuation routes
The assessment also said that most homes have a mature tree canopy covering. Noting that leaves fall twice a year, in the spring and fall, the assessment recommended homeowners clean gutters and eaves accordingly, as leaf accumulation is a common ignition point for structure fires.
Although the assessment notes that many fire safety factors may be outside of residents’ control, such as construction materials, vegetation and topographical features of their property, there are measures that can be taken by residents to significantly reduce their fire risk.
What makes the biggest impact on home survivability and first responder safety, according to the assessment, is ensuring that the area within 5 feet of a home and the home itself are properly prepared.
Steps recommended for resident fire safety in the document include:
- Pruning and maintaining vegetation around the home
- Clearing debris and leaves off porches, eaves and gutters
- “Limbing up” trees—clearing low branches and brush that could allow fires to climb up trees onto structures
- Substituting mulch with rock landscaping where possible
- Keeping firewood 30 feet from structures
More information on fire safety in West Lake Hills is available online.
