Weaverville to Reduce Fire Hazards – 6/10/09

 

Weaverville-area residents will have the opportunity for low-cost abatement of wildfire dangers, under a new program that will also see youth trained in firefighting.

 

Scott Alvord, Interim Chief of the Weaverville Fire Department, announced the Hazard Reduction Program, funded by Federal Stimulus grants administered by the Weaverville SMART Center.

 

California State law requires 100 feet of “Defensible Space” around homes. “Adequate fuels clearance is vital for protection of property during an urban interface fire,” explained Chief Alvord. “By improving Defensible Space we make our communities safer, and provide a safer work environment for the firefighters defending these homes.”

 

Under the program, upon request of a property owner, crews will remove weeds, accumulated leaf and needle litter, brush, and other hazard vegetation around structures. Priority will be given to elderly, handicapped, or low-income residents, in the Weaverville, Douglas City, and Lewiston areas. Participation is strictly voluntary.

 

Anyone interested may contact the program coordinator, Mike McMillan, at the Weaverville Fire Station, 623-6156, haz-reduction@wfdca.org, or call (530) 206-6098.

 

Actual work will be performed by the Weaverville Field Office of Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc. “Weaverville Fire Protection District does not have the financial ability to support this program alone,” according to Chief Alvord. “Firestorm has been active in the county for many years. They came forward and offered to assist, as a service to the community.”

 

More crew members are needed. Under terms of the grant, crew must be 18 to 24 years old. Applicants are encouraged to contact the SMART Business Resource Center, 40B Glen Road, Weaverville, 623-5538.