Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/27/2009 11:30 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/27/2009 11:43 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Fire Captain, Nick Shawkey Guest Speaker at This Evenings Murphys Community Club Meeting~by Victor Claveau
Murphys, CA...Fire Captain Nick Shawkey of the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) Skull Creek Station was guest speaker at the Murphys Community Club meeting January 27, 2009. Shawkey gave a quick overview of CAL FIRE activities, stating CAL FIRE responds to 350,000 State-wide calls annually. These include structure fires, hazardous materials spills, traffic accidents, and approximately 6,000 forest fires. Local firefighters can be dispatched State-wide, most often to Southern California, and in serious emergencies, anywhere in the country. The State Responsibility Area (SRA) is 30 million acres.....
CAL Fire Captain, Nick Shawkey
The local area is covered by 15 stations, 21 engines and two camps: Vallecito and Base Line, and the Columbia Air Attack Base. (See our article “Columbia Air Attack Base is First to Respond “, 21 January, 2009 to get further information about CAL FIRE Activities).
According to Shawkey, California mandates a 30 ft. structure perimeter completely free of combustible materials. There must also be an additional 70 ft. reduced fuel area, which means pruning, weed abatement, and removing the lower limbs of trees. Rain gutters should be kept free of leaves and other debris.” A list of fire resistant trees and shrubs, as well as other fire safety brochures, are available at all the area fire stations. A “Volunteers in Prevention Program” (VIP) has been established. Volunteers evaluate the compliance to perimeter regulations and report dangers to fire officials, who then contact the property owners to ensure compliance.
Shawkey stated, “The number one concern of CAL FIRE is life safety.” He stressed the need to evacuate, in a timely manner, when directed by the Sheriff’s office to do so. “If firefighters have to be concerned with a rescue, they will not be able to concentrate on fighting the fire. Home owners should store their most important items, such as photographs, and documents so that they can be accessed quickly. “ Always keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicles. In the event of a fire in the area, stay tuned to ThePineTree.net.
“The majority of fires are caused by carelessness. For example, a chain dragging behind a vehicle; a lawn mower that causes sparks; or burn piles that get out of control. Some fires are caused by lightening; there were seven or eight in the Arnold area last summer. A few fires are caused by arson. Safe and sane fireworks are not a problem, it’s the illegal fireworks that are dangerous.” Everyone should be concerned with fire safety, especially in this area.
A few years ago, there was a devastating fire in the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. If you drive through the area today you will see that hundreds of homes have not been rebuilt, because they were under insured. It is important that your fire insurance coverage be reviewed on a regular basis. You might consider a “replacement policy” rather than one at a fixed amount. We have been in drought conditions for a number of years, so fire safety is simply common sense!
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