Outstanding Community Fire Safe Council of 2007

The Mt. Laguna Fire Safe Council was chosen from among the 65 Fire Safe Councils in San Diego County for this award. Congratulations! This recognition is thanks to an ALL-VOLUNTEER community commitment to keep Mt. Laguna fire safe. The award was presented at the 2nd Annual FSC of Greater San Diego County event held at Dos Picos Park, Ramona on September 29, 2007. When Tom Gillet, USFS District Ranger, Clay Howe, BLM, Fuels Chief and Marty Leavitt of the FSC of Greater SDC presented the award they noted that we also met their “3F” criteria: Fuels, Food and Fun. Not only are we reducing fuels on the mountain but we are also enjoying good food and having a lot of fun doing it thanks in great part to our Annual Progressive Dinners and Wine-a-Bit events.

On September 29th we were named Outstanding Fire Safe Council and one week later we truly lived up to that honor. Early in the morning of October 7th strong winds downed an oak branch adjacent to a cabin on Los Huecos Road. The branch knocked down a 120 volt SDG&E power line. The live line fell in an area between three cabins that had been initially cleared by the USFS and maintained by cabin owners as part of annual fuel reduction. An unidentified person, rising early at 5:30 while it was still dark, spotted the area “glowing” and called 911. The USFS at Camp Ole, which was already on high alert because of the low humidity and high winds, responded immediately, put out the fire and prevented it from spreading. John Truett, USFS Battalion Chief, Mt. Laguna resident and strong supporter of the MLFSC called me at my cabin. USFS fire crews were there when my husband and I arrived. It was an amazing sight. We learned that the fuel reduction efforts of the cabin owners had averted a multimillion-dollar fire, which whipped by high winds could easily have reached Pine Valley. Even though success stories like this never reach the media, we know that fuel reduction efforts in our community work. A special thanks to the owners of cabins 559, 555, and 553.

In the light of this we ask that you check out power lines near your property for any trees or branches, dead or alive, adjacent to or overhanging power lines. Note the SDG&E tag number on the poll and call SDG&E (858-654-8608). They are responsible for removal of these hazards. The MLFSC 50/50 Dead Tree Project has limited funds still available. If you have a dead tree that needs removal, please call John Wallar (949-361-5572).

The Generator committee is prepared to sign a contract with Neal Electric to purchase and install stand by generators at the Shrine Camp and at the Stuart Water Company in Mt.Laguna. This project, funded by a grant from the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC), specifically the Barona and Sycuan tribes, is schedule for installation in January weather permitting.

Our 2008 grant from the USFS/USDA through the California FSC is funded. The focus of the grant is a fuel reduction project on private property in Morris Ranch. This project will be contiguous to the 4000-acre Rodeo Fuels Project planned by the USFS on Federal land. The goal of both the USFS and MLFSC projects is to reduce hazardous fuels and the potential for catastrophic fire in Mt. Laguna. Letters will be sent to all private property owners on Morris Ranch Road explaining the project and inviting their participation. Under the right wind and weather conditions a fire starting any where in the Troy, Long or Fred Canyons, Kitchen Creek or other adjacent areas could easily spread to Morris Ranch and from there to the community of Mt. Laguna. We thank Morris Ranch residents, Alan Towel and Rosemary Cesario, Dennis Sherman, and Ken Miles, for their offers of support for this project.

Check out the access road from the Sunrise Highway to the gate at the base of the SDSU Mt. Laguna Observatory. Paul Etzel, Director of the MLO as well as a member of the Board of the MLFSC, paved the road. This will not only provide better access to the MLO but will also provide access and a staging area for emergency responders in the event of a fire. Thanks, Paul.

We congratulate John Wallar, our MLFSC Vice-President and head of our Dead Wood Gang, for being elected President of the Mt. Laguna Improvement Association. Stan Jasek, MLFSC Board member was elected Vice President and Cookie Ringhand continues as Secretary. We thank John, Stan and Cookie for their commitment of time and energy to Mt. Laguna.

October Fest 2007 was a great success thanks to hosts Linda and Cal Turner and to all who attended.

Thanks also to Joan Holland for her donation to the MLFSC.

Pat Deasy-Spinetta, Cabin 1117
President, Mt. Laguna Fire Safe Council
619-589-1789 pspinetta@cox.net

Upcoming FIRE SAFE COUNCIL Meetings -

The 3rd Saturday of Every Month 10:00 am At the Red Tail Rooston Sunrise Highway across from the volunteer fire department