A FIREWISE EVENT for the Chilcoot and Vinton communities drew a sparse crowd on Saturday, June 23rd at Sierra Valley Grange Hall. The slide show presentation was given by Sue McCourt, Fire Prevention Specialist, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services with input by Sean Bassou, Battalion Chief for Plumas National Forest and the use of spectacular fire photos from last year’s Chilcoot fire by Laural Colberg.
Sierra Valley Fire Chief Vicki Anderson was also present along with Gary Parque, chipping coordinator for Plumas County Fire Safe.
The fire prevention message was particularly poignant to LouLou Litze of Chilcoot, who had lost everything in the Moonlight Fire and stated it was nice to be insured and to have pictures.
The benefits of a Firewise community were explained, including how it just takes a few people to start it and is about fire awareness with no governmental oversight. Sue felt it makes sense for Chilcoot and Vinton which could include community-based projects, such as community cleanups and barbecues and demonstrations on fire extinguishers.
A Firewise assessment would include the Fire Safe Council and formation of a board to do a risk assessment and preparation of a mitigation plan. along with a yearly educational event. There’s a certification application and a documentation of hours put in for fuel reduction, all at no cost.
There are several Firewise communities in Plumas County with more in the process.
Under question, it was stated the need for defensible space, the importance of Caltrans’ mowing, that there is not much code enforcement and the need and importance of neighbor talking to neighbor. The 30-feet distance for stacked wood from homes was discussed and how Cal Fire will do inspections and protect privacy.
The event was hosted by Sierra Valley Grange and Sierra Valley Fire District.
Sierra Valley Fire Chief Vicki Anderson was also present along with Gary Parque, chipping coordinator for Plumas County Fire Safe.
The fire prevention message was particularly poignant to LouLou Litze of Chilcoot, who had lost everything in the Moonlight Fire and stated it was nice to be insured and to have pictures.
The benefits of a Firewise community were explained, including how it just takes a few people to start it and is about fire awareness with no governmental oversight. Sue felt it makes sense for Chilcoot and Vinton which could include community-based projects, such as community cleanups and barbecues and demonstrations on fire extinguishers.
A Firewise assessment would include the Fire Safe Council and formation of a board to do a risk assessment and preparation of a mitigation plan. along with a yearly educational event. There’s a certification application and a documentation of hours put in for fuel reduction, all at no cost.
There are several Firewise communities in Plumas County with more in the process.
Under question, it was stated the need for defensible space, the importance of Caltrans’ mowing, that there is not much code enforcement and the need and importance of neighbor talking to neighbor. The 30-feet distance for stacked wood from homes was discussed and how Cal Fire will do inspections and protect privacy.
The event was hosted by Sierra Valley Grange and Sierra Valley Fire District.
TWO 8-cubic yard trailers will be ready to be dispatched soon to any resident’s home or to a neighborhood seeking to clean up brush and other fire-risk biomass around their homes arrived this past week. It is believed this will contribute significantly to further divert material from the county landfill sites.
Grinding to process the material will be provided at the Loyalton co-gen plant.
Watch for these trailers to be featured in this year’s 4th of July parade in Loyalton.
Grinding to process the material will be provided at the Loyalton co-gen plant.
Watch for these trailers to be featured in this year’s 4th of July parade in Loyalton.
