Denise Sweeney, Chair, Diamond Springs Fire Safe Council

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) July 21, 2022 — The Diamond Springs Fire Safe Council (DSFSC) respectfully submits the following comments, concerns, and potential solutions regarding the proposed Dorado Oaks development in Diamond Springs. These comments do not reflect the views or opinions of any other Fire Safe Council. The Council is not supporting nor opposing the proposed subdivision, or the many other developments recently proposed, only highlighting the aspects of fire prevention and response within our purview that are imperative to address if the project is approved. Wildland fire is the greatest threat to people, property, and the environment in Diamond Springs. Our submittal will focus on pre-fire mitigation and safety in the event of a fire.

Vegetation Management

It is no surprise to anyone that the area is in dire need of vegetation management. Fuel loads within the wildland urban interface need to be drastically reduced on both public and private property and on developed and undeveloped land. The DSFSC has been awarded a roadside clearance and shaded fuel break grant in partnership with six other Fire Safe Councils in South County. This grant is a miniscule step to address the overall fire mitigation needs in the area. In the event of an evacuation, those communities of 10,000 plus residents will travel via Pleasant Valley Road.

An even greater hazard to the area is the Martinez Creek Drainage. This steep, complex, and difficult to access drainage area is considered one of the biggest fire threats in El Dorado County. Martinez Creek Drainage meanders through an area that reaches from nearly Bucks Bar Road to Logtown. If ignited, the entire area would likely experience a conflagration. A portion of the acreage of the proposed Dorado Oaks Subdivision is very close to this drainage, thus putting the potential new residents at risk, and increasing the risk to current residents during evacuation.

Egress and Ingress

Egress is a major concern both in the immediate area near the proposed Dorado Oaks Subdivision and the circulation element of traffic to get out of harm’s way. Currently, there are over 400 homes that use Fowler Lane as the primary outlet to Pleasant Valley Road. The only other way out of the existing neighborhood is to use Canyon Valley Road. To reach this road, many residents would have to head away from Pleasant Valley Road and back into the neighborhood to North Circle Drive and then drive east to Canyon Valley Road. Both are narrow two-lane roads. In the event of an evacuation, one could expect to see some 800 vehicles trying to escape using one of these two roads. The ability of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles to access the area to support evacuation and engage in fire suppression is doubtful with inadequate means of egress.

The Dorado Oaks project proposes to add two gated, unmaintained feeder roads to Fowler Lane. One at the back of Fowler, and one towards the front of Fowler near Panther Lane. The intent of these roads is to provide emergency egress from the subdivision, and possibly emergency vehicle ingress. In the event of an evacuation, one could expect to see at least half of the residents of the nearly 500 new residences trying to flee using one of the two roads leading to Fowler Lane. This would add an additional potential of 500 vehicles to the 800 already using the only way out – Fowler Lane. The ensuing gridlock is a recipe for certain disaster.

Once on Pleasant Valley Road, having safe routes to safety is also problematic. During a normal day, traffic on Pleasant Valley Road east of the intersection of Fowler Lane and Sacramento Streets can back up a half mile. The procession of vehicles fleeing the Caldor Fire brought traffic to a standstill. A fast-moving fire could trap hundreds of people in flames. The proposed additional traffic lights and/or roundabouts may hinder an orderly evacuation. Imagine hundreds of vehicles backed up on Pleasant Valley Road fleeing a fire in the Martinez Creek Drainage and several hundred more attempting to access that same road from Canyon Valley Road and Fowler Lane. Negative outcomes with loss of life are likely.

The Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District is currently strapped for resources. Reduction in services is facing residents of the district. An influx of population and the associated fees and taxes from this project may not support the additional burden and lessen the ability to engage in life saving and fire suppression.

Potential Mitigations

• It would be appropriate to consider a substantial financial contribution by the developers of Dorado Oaks augmenting current vegetation management efforts (e.g., Martinez Creek Drainage, roadside fuel reduction, shaded fuel breaks), thereby partially mitigating the high risk of fire and the ensuing traffic jam that would occur with the additional vehicles trying to flee along with the current residents.
• The developer-proposed side roads onto Fowler Lane need to be un-gated, paved, two full lane roads that would accommodate substantially higher traffic flow into and out of the subdivision or propose another solution that does not put current residents in greater danger.
• The development plan proposes the construction of new roundabouts at China Garden Road and Highway 49 and between Silver Drive and Faith Lane at Highway 49. Are there studies of how well roundabouts work when navigated by an evacuating, terror-stricken population attempting to flee an area? Research should be done to determine if roundabouts are appropriate for evacuation routes. We know from experience that turning all the lights to green and letting the evacuees flow through enabled traffic to flow during the Caldor Fire evacuation on Highway 50. Using roundabouts would hinder evacuees from turning onto Pleasant Valley Road from Fowler Lane and Canyon Valley Road and would likely hinder public safety ingress. In addition, there is insufficient law enforcement staffing to control traffic at those critical access points. A study of the feasibility and costs should be undertaken, and any costs should be assumed by the developer.
• Approved mitigation measures and enhanced services, both by government (e.g., Diamond Springs Bypass) and developer (e.g., vegetation management within and external to the proposed subdivision, traffic enhancements) must be in place prior to adding to the area’s population.

Conclusion

The Dorado Oaks project and the slew of other proposed developments will markedly and substantially change Diamond Springs from today’s exurbia to suburbia. Growth at the expense of increased threat to the community, its residents, property, and the environment is unacceptable. Again, the DSFSC neither supports nor opposes the Dorado Oaks Subdivision project. If approved, appropriate mitigation measures must be implemented, including phased implementation with infrastructure in place. We have suggested ones that we consider to be reasonable and appropriate. There are likely other mitigations to be considered as well. The DSFSC expects decision makers to carefully and thoughtfully ensure the safety and well-being of the community we hold so dear.

Respectfully submitted, Denise Sweeney, Chair, Diamond Springs Fire Safe Council

https://www.edcfiresafe.org/diamond-springs-fire-safe-council/