In February 2024, the MVC released a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to promote resilience, adaptation, and response across Dukes County. See below for updates about implementation actions:
- Controlled burn in MCSF of 58 acres in April 2022 – this was a state led effort with notable municipal support of personnel
- 5 controlled burns administered across TNC & Trustees properties in Spring 2023
- MVC completed a preliminary GIS assessment of Dukes County lands well suited for controlled burns based on vegetation type, working with Mass Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Aquinnah CERT held a fire safety training
- MCSF now furnished with an excavator with a mulching head which allows for far more effective fuels management work, following support from federal legislation delegation
- DCR has formalized a District Fire Patrol(wo)man position dedicated to MCSF
- WT Fire Chief has sent out a town wide mailing declaring the importance of standardized 3” house numbers clearly posted on homes
- IGI Farm redevelopment has reportedly used the CWPP to helped them rethink land management at this site
- 10,000 gallon dry hydrant installed on SMF property on Chappy will help the Town FD suppress fires in that area of high risk
- Chilmark has secured access to a drone pilot who flies above smoke to the Town can determine where to create breaks and stage people in the event of a brush or forest fire
- MVC-TNC have applied for funding to create a fire break along the perimeter of the high risk Woods Property
- MVC has applied for federal funding to install dry hydrants in high risk pockets of the island
- WT FD is crafting a demonstration project that would utilize a “turbo draft” that can reach water sources over 100’ away; this will change the way WT views swimming pools and small ponds as a fire suppression resource, and help them assess if they should purchase this equipment (benefits are not limited to structural fires)
- Dodgers Hole residents in Edgartown participated in a Firewise Community Program with DCR and the Town that allowed for hazardous fuel removal in a neighborhood fence line to the State Forest
