ok like I am confused...uh what...... fuel modification-well I think we need more of that! There is still loads of brush from this private property right up to the side of several houses/property line (within a few feet).
I thought brush was to be 30 ft away from structures? Or is there no fire safety rule for that?
True... There is still hazardous fuels below the houses at top of Pinon Mesa. This is a complex set of circumstances that has been gone over at many Fire Safe Council meetings. The 30 ft rule has recently been changed by the state, then the county to 100ft and can be more in certain instances. Unfortunately natural vegetation does have some exemptions.
Well.... it does look better I will say...
Isn't this where the new roads are going combining Pacific Crest or Basil with Larcarno and Zermatt - out to hwy 2? When are the those roads projected..anyone know?
The three roads you mention have been extended and will join into the new Wright Mountain Road. Wright Mountain Road would have already been started but Caltrans would not allow it during cold weather periods due to the asphalt that will merge or blended into Hwy2. The road project will be out for bid very soon and should be started/complete by summer 2006.
I must admit what interesting timing! How come nothing was done prior to now (I know just be thankful)? It didn't just grow recently.. been putting lots of people in jeopardy for some time now. If it was my property, I would have gotten a notice once a year from the fire dept.
The fire hazard has existed for years and has been discussed but no one was able to get the ball rolling. When the Fire Safe Council, SB County Fire, ANF and SBNF cooperatively put an effort together to get the hazard reduced things started happening. The owner of the property below East Canyon and Pinon Mesa also joined in and footed the bill for bulldozer work.
As I previously stated the bulldozer work accomplished a few things at once. It provided rough grading of the 3 road extensions and one additional East-West Rd that will join into Wright Mtn Rd. It also provids a major fuel break running East and West that would allow fire fighters a chance to protect structures in the Pacific Crest Estates. The bulldozer work also included grading that follows the contour at the base of Pinon Mesa which provides another fire break below structures.
That slope below the structures on Pinon Mesa will require additional fuel modifications to help reduce the risk of wildfire. The fuel modifications to the slope area could not be started without clearing the heavy brush below first, as a staging area is needed to chip the slash remove from the slope.
