The docket identifies several specific areas of concern related to wildfire risk in the High West Energy (HWE) service territory. These are not areas of "growth" in the sense of economic or population expansion, but rather geographic zones where specific wildfire risks and considerations are highlighted:
a. Area A
- Mainly open range land on the eastern side (adjacent to the I-25 corridor) and private/public forested areas with rough terrain on the western side.
- Key considerations: Difficult fire suppression due to terrain, frequent high wind events that can rapidly spread fire, timber growth, and difficult right-of-way access in winter and spring from snowfall. Vegetation management is a top priority here. Most powerlines follow the I-80 corridor, with some extending into Larimer County, Colorado
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b. Area B
- Open native grass hilltops mixed with dense forests (ponderosa pine and cedar) in valleys.
- Key considerations: Far from fire stations, rough and steep terrain, low population density (delayed fire notification), and limited access for suppression. Most powerlines are supplied from the Weikhorst Substation
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c. Area C
- Long north-south ridge timbered with pine and cedar, minimal powerlines mainly on the north end.
- Key considerations: The town of Pine Bluffs is at the north end, with houses in tree-covered draws and ravines lacking vegetation management. Main substation feed goes through hard-to-access terrain, making fire suppression nearly impossible until the fire reaches the top or bottom of the ridge
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d. Area D
- Geographically similar to Area B (same ridgeline), located between Harrisburg, NE, and Albin, WY.
- Key considerations: Not as far from suppression resources as other areas but has few roads (lack of fire breaks), susceptible to high winds and rapid fire spread. The area east of Banner County Rd 15 to Hwy 71 has rolling hills (easier access), while west of Rd 15 to Laramie County Rd 158 is steeper and sometimes unnavigable
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e. Area E
- Encompasses nearly 75% of the west unit of the Pawnee National Grasslands (private and public lands).
- Key considerations: Expansive grasslands but low fuel load due to annual grazing, rolling hills allow easier suppression access, many gridded roads create natural fire lines. Most powerlines along roadways for quick reporting
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f. Area F
- East unit of Pawnee National Grasslands: rolling hills and an escarpment running in an L-shape from WY/CO border through Pawnee Butte to Peetz, CO.
- Key considerations: Area around Pawnee Butte is rough but treeless; escarpments contain some cedar trees in drainages. Difficult suppression access if wildfire starts here. Most right-of-ways are flat and grazed (minimal fuel). Distance to fire stations (Grover, CO; Kimball, NE; New Raymor, CO) is a concern
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For each area, key considerations revolve around:
- Accessibility for fire suppression
- Vegetation type and management needs
- Proximity to fire stations/emergency services
- Terrain and its impact on fire spread and suppression
- Infrastructure vulnerability and inspection needs
These factors directly influence the wildfire risk mitigation and emergency response planning for each identified area
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