By the
Trout Lake Newswriters
Pat Arnold, 395-2233
Maxine Bulick, 395-2101
Sarah Burr Arnold, 395-2669
The final tally has not been completed however it appears that the Community Foundation Labor Day Sale was just as successful as last year's sale despite the lack of larger, more expensive items to sell. The final results will appear in a following column.
Many many Trout Lakers worked many many hours to make the sale a success. Many many thanks to all of these folks who worked so hard. Special thanks to Page Logan, Brett Logan, Kathy White and Jim White our fearless leaders who were there to organize and direct the sorting, setting up, selling and breaking down of the sale. Two of them also made the interesting glass vase sculptures on display at the cash register tent. And many many thanks to all of the folks who donated items for the sale and who bought items at the sale. Couldn't have done it without you.
Last week I wrote about how efficient the Forest Service Wildland Fire Crews were in their fire suppression efforts and how much safer the town is as a result of their work. This week I have some statistics about these efforts. There have been 18 small fires in the forest this year. Fourteen of these fires occurred between Aug. 29 and Sept. 15. Of these fires, 17 were human caused, one was lightning caused. Most of these fires were kept to less than a half an acre as the result of rapid reporting followed by rapid and effective response by the fire crews. The largest fire, lightening caused, was two acres in size. It was located on the north side of the mountain near Muddy Meadows. A crew of five smoke jumpers was on this fire for five days (after the fire is controlled and out a crew either stays in the area for a few days or returns frequently to check to see if the fire continues to be out).
According to information in the Wildfire Protection Plan the town is most vulnerable to fires originating on the west and south of town, the location of most of this year's fires, because of the prevailing winds. It is so comforting to know that Forest Service Crews are "protecting our back" to the best of their ability and with good success so far. Thanks again.
The higher power helps those who help themselves and there are steps that individuals can take to protect themselves from fire danger. The Trout Lake Wildfire Protection Plan helped many residents create defensible space around their property and created fuel breaks around the town thereby making the town less vulnerable to wildfires. A defensible space around the buildings on a property reduces the rate of spread and intensity of the fire so there is an improved chance that the building on the property will not be destroyed. It also creates an area in which fire fighting efforts may occur more safely.
It is an excellent idea for all residents of towns located in an urban/wildland interface such as Trout Lake to creat defensible space around the buildings on their property. More information on this subject can be found in the phamplet LIVING WITH FIRE, A GUIDE FOR THE HOMEOWNER published by the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group or on the web at www.firewise.org. Further information can also be obtained by contacting the Fire Protection Officer at the Forest Service. Telephone number is 395-3444.
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