The report completed by the Austin Fire Department and Texas Forest Service, which provides the baseline wildfire assessment for the NWACA area. This can be used as a reference for any smaller portion of NWACA when putting together their Firewise Community applications and their CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan).
A NWACA Map for WUI Response Index
This map shows an overall wildfire risk index for the NWACA area. The index values are color coded, as shown on the map legend. They are a composite of three components of fire behavior in the wildland urban interface (WUI):
- vegetation hazard, based on density
- slope
- structure density of the area
As you can see from the temperature bar at the bottom of the map, about half of our neighborhood is at extreme or high risk in a wildfire event.
A NWACA Map of Conflagration Risk
This map shows each of the residences in NWACA, color-coded for their risk in a fire situation, based on proximity to other residences. The risk might be from a wildfire or from a nearby house fire. See the legend at the bottom of the map.
In addition, the map has circled the primary evacuation points for this part of Austin - see the red circles. In case exit is not viable, there are temporary evacuation zones where residents might be able to shelter in place, shown with white stars - the area around Murchison Middle School and the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Central Texas is in a long drought cycle, despite occasional rain. Dry NWACA landscapes and the homes within are vulnerable to wildfire because we live in a greenbelt with a lot of wildfire fuel in its dead and down material. Our homes are most at risk from flying embers. They can be made relatively safe by removing debris, sealing all points of entry from flying embers, and clearing dead and dry vegetation. If you haven’t yet done so, please get a free home assessment to help you identify your risks. Use the Home Firewise Risk Evaluation form in the Be Involved menu on the home page.