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by the loudest voices), and investing in wildfire rapid detection technology in conjunction with <br />local fire departments and the county. <br />After her presentation, Meg asked the board for their comments and questions. <br />Susan asked if the Marshall Fire actually mimicked the management effects of a prescribed <br />burn on smooth brome. Ember replied that staff had been monitoring this issue. She said that <br />on Davidson Mesa there have been patchy areas with increased native cover, but other areas <br />with increased weed cover. She added it was unclear how much of that was response to the <br />fire and how much was the remarkably wet spring we had this year. Meg added that at Avista <br />open space, there is a lot more of a patchy ground cover, as a lot of thatch has been removed <br />by the fire. They both thought that prescribed burns would have to be paired with seeding and <br />intentional management. Susan asked if staff had been seeding this year and Ember described <br />what her staff have been doing. <br />Helen commented that a major "con" of irrigation and watering is that it would take a lot of <br />infrastructure to pull off, not just hoses. <br />Helen asked whether there is mowing technology that would enhance mulching, so the mowed <br />thatch can decompose faster and not stay on the land as a hazard. Ember said she has been <br />exploring this question with the mowing contractors. <br />David suggested changing the title of the prairie dog slide from "prairie dog maintenance," since <br />it suggests human removal and intervention. <br />David felt that the removal of trees and shrubs in fuel breaks will be unpopular if they are native <br />species. He added this should be worded more carefully in anticipation of this. Meg replied that <br />having shrubs and trees in a fuel break will produce embers and they should be removed if the <br />primary objective is to have a fuel break hold. <br />Michiko asked if there are better or worse tree species for fuel breaks and whether the <br />recommendations should include more nuanced recommendations about tree flammability. <br />Meg said that the state has recommendations about the burn -properties of specific species. <br />Ember added that Meg has traveled the open system to look at particular stands of trees that <br />may be of concern. Ember added that hearing OSAB's concern about excessive tree removal <br />was useful. <br />Helen recommended that the city provide a website that can provide resources and education <br />for private landowners. Ember replied that this was part of the plan. She also had the idea of <br />providing fire hardening tips for use by professional landscapers. Helen thought that was a very <br />good idea. <br />Susan said that the report should reflect the reality that to actually remove smooth brome for <br />shortgrass prairie restoration would require large-scale herbicide control and therefore is not <br />likely to be popular or feasible. <br />Helen commented that Meg's presentation to the board might be a useful appendix to the <br />report, as it was easier to digest. Meg said she thought it could be included in the report and <br />