Expert: Decatur Island lacks structural firefighting resources; OPALCO to prepare fire mitigation plan
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Summary
San Juan County testimony highlighted limited firefighting resources on Decatur Island, DNR responsibility for unprotected islands, and local brigades’ limited training and water supplies; OPALCO said it will prepare an operational fire mitigation plan and that DNR raised no comments on the application record.
Jordan Pollock, a division chief with San Juan County Fire & Rescue who also consults on island wildfire training, told the hearing that Decatur Island is classified as "unprotected" under Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) arrangements and does not have a local fire district or a hydrant system. Pollock said local volunteer brigades have limited training and water capacity and that off‑island assistance commonly exceeds an hour under ideal circumstances.
Pollock described Decatur’s response posture: county fire districts may respond via fireboat or sheriff transport when available, and DNR can provide helicopter water support (he estimated an idealized 30‑minute ETA from a regional base when available). But he emphasized operational limitations: brigade personnel receive only brief wildland training in many cases and the Decatur Emergency Brigade’s engines carry on the order of 400 gallons with modest hose and hand tools. “The brigade… has minimal training, 4 hours,” he said, adding that brigades should avoid entering immediately dangerous atmospheres for structural or toxic incidents.
Appellants and their counsel argued the proposed expansion of critical electrical infrastructure (solar arrays, substation, and battery systems) increases the stakes for response and recommended conditions and coordination with DNR. Pollock agreed that the applicant should provide DNR a full summary of on‑site infrastructure and hazards so the agency can consider operational implications; he said that notification would be “due diligence” for an unprotected island.
Applicant witness Russell Gary said OPALCO is preparing an operational fire mitigation plan at community request though it is not required by county code, and he testified that two recent fires shown in exhibits—a March grass fire and a May golf‑cart battery fire—were not caused by or exacerbated by OPALCO equipment. He added that OPALCO provided the permit and SEPA materials to DNR and that the agency did not submit comments during its review.
The hearing record therefore shows three points of record consensus: the island has limited local firefighting infrastructure, DNR is the primary agency for wildland response on unprotected islands, and OPALCO has agreed to prepare a fire mitigation plan and to coordinate with responsible agencies.