Interlaken Council discusses state WUI rules, schedules fire-district presentation and resident assessments
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Council members discussed implementing House Bill 48 by adopting the state Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code and map, scheduled a presentation and home assessments from fire-district staff, and warned residents that noncompliance could affect insurance and trigger future square-footage fees starting in 2028.
The Interlaken Town Council devoted significant time March 3 to implementing House Bill 48’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) requirements, agreeing to rework a draft ordinance and schedule a public presentation with Wasatch Fire District staff.
Chair (S2) said the town met with fire-district personnel and that the state produces an annual WUI map the town must adopt. "We're not going to pass [an] ordinance tonight because we need to redraft it," the chair said, noting the legislature remains in session and the bill’s language may change.
Council members stressed that many properties in town are likely to be classified high risk on the state map. The chair warned residents their ability to collect from insurance companies after a fire could be affected if properties do not meet the new defensible-space rules, and that fees tied to square footage are expected to rise after Jan. 1, 2028.
Staff (S1) said Wasatch Fire District volunteers — described in the meeting as an assistant fire chief and a battalion chief — offered to deliver a prepared slideshow, perform on-site home assessments and provide mitigation recommendations. The staff presentation will be scheduled (likely at the fire station) so residents can ask questions and receive individualized recommendations.
Council discussed how the map is produced (satellite data, adjusted yearly) and urged residents to obtain assessments that could lower a home’s risk classification. Members said the town will provide clear guidance — including diagrams of required clearance (for example, near-home noncombustible buffers and distances to tree crowns) — and distribute that material to residents before the ordinance is adopted.
Council members agreed the town’s role will be chiefly informational: staff will explore possible funding or volunteer approaches to assist mitigation but said the town will not take on contracting for private property work. The council expects to return with a redrafted ordinance and more detail at the next meeting.
The council did not take a vote on an ordinance; the next procedural step is to finalize the draft ordinance and present the fire district’s community meeting and assessment plan.