The intent of this RFQQ is to procure hazardous wildland fuels reduction services under one contract to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire using approximately 29.4 acres of forested lands in the Ponderosa Park Community. The project area is located on private lands in low density Wildland Urban Interface. The private lands in the project area are bordered by other private lands and Klickitat Public Utility District high tension power line easement lands. The residences in this area are identified as a high-risk community in the Klickitat County Community Wildfire Protection Plan of 2018 in terms of fire response and fuel loading. Moreover, fire flow pattern on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains typically runs west to east with the prevailing wind pattern. The Ponderosa Park project area will create a shaded fuel break around the Ponderosa Park community, and this strategic fuel break would disrupt the fuels continuity in, and the historic fire flow pattern of, this high-risk area. Work will consist of vegetation clearing, small diameter tree thinning, tree pruning, chipping and debris disposal by hand and/or mechanized equipment. While the terrain is generally flat, the area is quite rocky. Phase 1 was completed using a hand crew and chipper which proved effective, but we will accept proposals using mechanical crews.
