Rich County reviews wildfire risk map and moves to adopt statewide Wildland Urban Interface code

Travis Hobbs, Rich County Fire Warden, presented a House Bill 48 Wildfire Risk Assessment map showing approximately 400 structures in the county are in the high-risk Wildland Urban Interface zone, concentrated near Garden City. Hobbs told commissioners that property owners will face an annual fee between $20 and $100 for the first two years based on building square footage, that fees will likely increase after 2028, and that properties are initially assigned the highest risk level until inspected.

Commissioners discussed adopting the 2006 Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code — a step Hobbs said is required for participation in Cooperative Wildfire Systems (CWS). Hobbs will work with the county attorney and the planning administrator to draft ordinance amendments for Planning Commission review and subsequent action by the Board. No final ordinance was adopted at the January 7 meeting.