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Draper fuels crew details fuel breaks, chipper program and new grants to bolster wildfire preparedness
Summary
Fuels crew supervisor reported completion of major fuel‑break work (Mercer Hollow, Maple Hollow), roadside thinning, burning of slash piles, support of national incidents, and new grants totaling roughly $320,000 ($120,000 prior, $200,000 new) to hire staff and buy a chipper and cab truck for community chipper days.
Parker, the city’s fuels‑crew supervisor, gave a detailed account of last season’s mitigation work and plans for expansion with new grant funding.
He described the Mercer Hollow fuel rake (~35 acres) and a Maple Hollow fuel break that extends roughly two miles and is 100–120 feet wide, noting multiple access points for firefighting resources. He said the fuel breaks are intended to improve access and serve as tactical stopping points for wildland fires in Suncrest and surrounding hill neighborhoods.
Parker said the city used a $120,000 grant last year to support crew employment and that the fuels crew exceeded a $55,000 participation commitment under the state cooperative agreement—reducing the city’s owed amount. He also said the crew secured a further $200,000 grant this season to purchase a dedicated chipper and a cab truck, enabling a larger, city‑run program of community chipper days. "My big picture is to put in these fuel breaks, improve access, and egress for firefighting resources," Parker said.
He described multiple operational successes: roadside thinning on Mike Weir that limited fire behavior during a car fire, the burning of about 54 slash piles in Ridgewood, and support on five national wildfire incidents. Parker emphasized community participation: two recent community chipper events produced an estimated 90 hours of volunteer time, which counts toward the cooperative agreement. He said the new equipment will let the city expand chipper days, target homes in the wildland‑urban interface, and help residents prepare for risk assessments tied to insurance.
Councilors asked about long‑term maintenance of the fuel breaks and county responsibilities for state‑mandated risk assessments; staff said counties are expected to coordinate assessments but the city will train staff to assist residents and host outreach/open‑house events. No formal council action was taken during the fuels presentation.
