September 10, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mark Almer
Chairperson, Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council
530-559-3774 (cell)
530-622-3774 (home) – evenings & weekends
gffsc@directcon.net (e-mail)


GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP MAKE GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE

On Saturday, September 8, 2007, a Press Conference was held at Pioneer Fire Protection District Station #35 in Grizzly Flats, amidst the backdrop of U.S. Forest Service Engine #63, Pioneer Fire Protection District Engine 38 & Squad 35. The Press Conference highlighted the accomplishments of the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council, along with detailing the projects that are currently going on within the community.

Besides the defensible space clearing that is being performed by the individual property owners, a fuel reduction project has commenced along the community’s evacuation routes. The project has been funded by U.S. Forest Service Grants of over $412,000. A contract has been awarded to bidding contractor Fire Stop and the work commenced last week.

Although the Press Conference had been planned for several weeks, the timing was perfect due to the wildland fire that had occurred the previous afternoon on the 7000 block of Grizzly Flat Road. The importance of defensible space clearing was reinforced even further.

The speakers at the Press Conference included: Mark Almer, Chairperson of the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council; Richard Englefield, Chairperson of the El Dorado Fire Safe Council; Forester Patrick McDaniels, CAL Fire; Division Chief Steve Parr, U.S. Forest Service; Chief Bob Gill, Pioneer Fire Protection District and Deputy Todd Crawford, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department.

Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Press Release - 9/10/07

In his welcoming comments, Chairperson Mark Almer stated: “We are set up for a catastrophic fire event in this community. We are working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and allied agencies.”

El Dorado Fire Safe Council Chairperson Richard Englefield stated that the “Community has really taken off in the last few years and is a shining star in our Fire Safe Councils.”

CAL Fire Forester Patrick McDaniel spoke of the California Forest Improvement Program (funded by Proposition 40) and stated: “We have five projects currently going on in the Grizzly Flats Area. We are going apply for a grant with this GF4 project (a fuel reduction project on the perimeter of Grizzly Flats). The El Dorado County Fire Safe Council will be using this grant to leverage a federal grant.”

The third speaker was U.S. Forest Service Division Chief Steve Parr. He stated “To date, your grants total $412,000 and that the projects are a “community protection”.” He also detailed several fuel reduction projects that are being undertaken by his agency in the Grizzly Flats area. “We will continue to support you and your grants and projects.” He referred to the Fire Safe Council as “hard chargers” in Grizzly Flats.

Pioneer Fire Protection District Chief Bob Gill stated: “…without CAL Fire, U.S. Forest Service, O.E.S. (Office of Emergency Services), and C.E.R.T., the mission doesn’t get done.” He spoke of how active the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council is: “These communities are more active than I ever thought.” On the subject of the defensible space clearing, he said: “If you’re prepared, you can deal with it. Pioneer (Fire Protection District) will continue to be involved in defensible space inspections.”

El Dorado County Deputy Todd Crawford said (in regard to C.E.R.T.), “…the community involvement up here is very important. (We) look forward to building our team up here. (There are) a lot of good pieces to the C.E.R.T. program: First responders, Traffic control and Firefighter assistance.”

The Press Conference concluded with a brush chipping demonstration by Jerry Dusa, Fire Stop contractor, and a tour of three properties that are an example of the evacuation route clearance project and homeowner defensible space clearing.
 

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Evacuation Route Information

Evacuation Route Prioritization

Fire Plan for Construction and Service Contracts