Tag Archives: mammoth lakes california

Fireworks at Crowley Lake

Town of Mammoth Lakes  hosting Fourth of July Fireworks spectacular at Crowley Lake

From the Town of Mammoth

Mammoth Lakes, CA – The Town of Mammoth Lakes in partnership with Crowley Lake Fish Camp is proud to once again host the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Crowley Lake. The Independence Day fireworks show promises to be a bright and striking display of color in the Eastern Sierra night sky. This year’s “Sky Concert” will propel over 737 shells into the Eastern Sierra sky for a mesmerizing 20 minutes beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m. (weather permitting). Funding for this year’s Fourth of July show was generously donated by individual community members and business owners, second homeowners, L.D.C. and from the Town’s general fund.
Since incorporating in 1984, the Town of Mammoth Lakes has been celebrating Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks show. The Town contracts Pyro Spectaculars by Souza to light up the sky above Crowley Lake. Souza is well known for doing some of the largest and most spectacular fireworks displays in the world.
Admission to the Fourth of July Fireworks Show is once again only $25.00 per car, RV, or truck (excludes camping), and $5.00 per individual/bike (walking/riding).
Prior to the spectacular fireworks show, kick back on the Crowley Lake Fish Camp lawn and enjoy live music playing from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. The new Crowley Lake Fish Camp restaurant: Pelican Point Grill will be serving BBQ and Holiday specials including cold beverages from Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Camp permitting at Crowley Lake Fish Camp for the Fourth of July begins Thursday, July 2, 2015 and ends Monday July 6, 2015. The entire lake shore at the South Landing of Crowley Lake is open for camping, and the fee is $125 per vehicle including the fireworks show for the 5-days. The North Landing/North Shore of Crowley Lake will be closed beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015, thru 12:00 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2015.

To ensure a safe holiday experience for everyone, please observe the following:

1. No personal fireworks are permitted within Mono County, including the Inyo National Forest (INF), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Be smart; leave the fireworks to the professionals!
2. Due to EXTREME FIRE DANGER, the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District, Long Valley Fire Department, Mammoth Lakes Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Mono County Sheriff will enforce a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to the possession and use of fireworks. Fireworks violations will be strictly enforced.
3. Please obey road closure and no parking signs. Parking is NOT permitted along Highway 395 or Crowley Lake Drive at any time. Do not park in fire lanes.
4. The Mono County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling on Crowley Lake during the fireworks show. Do not boat within 100 yards of the fireworks detonation site at Hilton Bay and proper night-time navigation lighting is required.
5. Help us keep Mono County clean. Please use designated trash facilities.
6. Do not drink and drive. Please use a designated driver or plan to camp at Crowley Lake Fish Camp.

Please enjoy our national holiday in a safe and responsible manner. For more information, please contact the Town of Mammoth Lakes Recreation Department at (760) 934-8989 ext. 222, or visit http://www.ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us/

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Level 3 Restrictions Remain for MCWD

Mammoth Community Water District Level 3 Water Shortage Conditions Still in Effect

Rain in May Helped Conservation Efforts But Fail to Replenish Surface Water Supplies.

Statement from the Mammoth Community Water District:

Conservation, cooler temperatures and rainfall in May contributed to a significant reduction in water consumption by Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) customers compared to May 2013.  Unfortunately, not enough rain fell to raise Mammoth Creek flows to levels that would allow MCWD to store water in Lake Mary or to divert water to customers.  As a result, MCWD would like to remind customers that water supplies remain at a critical level as we start the summer irrigation season.
May water demand from MCWD customers this year was 54 percent lower than May 2013, saving 55 million gallons of water.  This reduction exceeds the MCWD’s Level 3 reduction goal of 30 percent.  Although this May received an inch more rain than in 2013, the savings is still significant.  General Manager Pat Hayes remarked “Our customers are keenly aware of their environment and are seeing the effects of the drought.  It seems this connection is translating into turning down the spigot.”  The year 2013 is being used as the baseline for comparison purposes by the state and MCWD.
The MCWD has been almost entirely dependent on groundwater supplies since last year.  Surface water has been limited or unavailable as Mammoth Creek flows have been too low to divert for drinking water supplies.  These limits to storage and diversions are embedded in MCWD’s water right permit and licenses to protect Mammoth Creek resources.  Fortunately, the MCWD can turn to their nine groundwater production wells this summer to supply the community.  MCWD is keeping a close watch on groundwater levels this summer as we transition into the irrigation season.  For MCWD customers, Level 3 Water Shortage Restrictions remain in effect until conditions improve.  All customers are encouraged to visit the MCWD website for a list of the restrictions.
http://www.mcwd.dst.ca.us/

cover photo courtesy of the Mammoth Community Water District

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MLFD pushing defensible space

Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District gearing up for fire season

submitted by Thom Heller

Now that winter seems to have faded, the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District (MLFD) wants to remind residents of your responsibility to keep your property fire safe. Long term residents are aware of the wildland fire incidence that can occur around town and especially after dry winters and with windy, hot, dry summers. From just about anywhere in town one can see the results of previous fire activity and the scars that have been left behind.

Establishing and maintaining defensible space around our property is all of our responsibilities. We are all part of the team that will protect our community should we find ourselves in the situation of a wildfire threatening town. A well-maintained landscape enhances the beauty and value of any property— and just as importantly, the work serves as a fuel break. The goal is to keep your landscape lean, clean and green. The following steps can reduce your home’s vulnerability from the threat of wildfire and reduce your use of irrigation.

ZONE 1: 30 feet or more adjacent to the home and beyond attachments such as wooden decks.
Within the first 10 feet of the home, use nonflammable landscaping materials (rock, pavers), or low level annuals or perennials less than 18 inches in height. There should be nothing flammable within 10 feet of the home.
Keep this area lightly irrigated and free from dead or dry vegetation, combustible debris, and accumulations of leaf and needle litter. Plants should be carefully spaced, low growing and free of vegetation high in resins, oils, and waxes that burn easily. Mow lawns regularly.
Prune all trees up 1/3 the height of the tree or so the lowest limbs are 10-15 feet from the ground. If adjacent to a structure, prune up to the eave level. Clearance shall be a minimum of 10 feet from chimneys/stovepipes. Keep roof surfaces clear.
Thin out living vegetation 30 to 50% within this zone to decrease fire intensity and continuous path of travel.
Allow space between tops of trees to reduce the risk of crown fire.
Keep firewood stacks/piles at least 30 feet from the home. If this is not possible, from June 1 to September 30, cover entire woodpile with properly secured, fire resistive, California State Fire Marshal tagged tarp.
Water plants and trees as needed to ensure they are healthy. Do not use finely shredded mulch and mulch should be wetted periodically.
Areas around and above propane tanks need to be kept clear of vegetation for 10 feet.
ZONE 2: Approximately 30 to 100 feet from the home (if your property size permits).
Leave approximately 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees, or approximately 20 feet between individual trees. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the crown density.
Limit vegetation that serves as a link between low level vegetation and tree tops (ladder fuels).
Prune trees so branches and leaves are at least 10-15 feet above the ground.
Give yourself added protection with “fuel breaks,” such as gravel walkways, and lawns.
Remove any dead or dying material from yard and break up continuous patches of brush species to slow fire advance and decrease heat productivity.

Property owners who are unable to do this work themselves are encouraged to hire a licensed professional who both understand this information and can apply it to the property. MLFD maintains a list of qualified contractors that can perform this work.

Failure to comply with the regulations and clear your property in a timely fashion is not only expensive, but endangers the lives and homes of your neighbors, the community, and the firefighters who protect them.

If you would like more information on this or any other fire safety related matter, please feel free to contact the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department at (760) 934-2300.

cover photo by the Mammoth lakes fire protection district

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Mammoth CWD construction

Mammoth Community Water District begins Summer Construction

The Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) takes pride in providing quality water and sewer services to the community of Mammoth Lakes. This construction season, the MCWD will be making water and sewer distribution improvements throughout the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

The replacement and improvement schedule for this summer includes water service lateral replacements in the Sierra Valley Sites and Tamarack Lane areas, connecting new pressure reducing control valves at Timberidge pump station, installing water distribution system isolation valves and replacing the remaining small sections of steel water mainlines.

MCWD Construction Crews have started work on the Summer 2015 Water Lateral Replacement Project. Currently the crews are working along Mono Street between Dorrance Drive and Meridian Blvd. Next week, the crews will also be working along Manzanita Road between Dorrance Drive and Meridian Blvd.

District crews will be working between the hours of 7:00am – 5:00pm. Please drive carefully, be alert in construction areas and use alternative routes when possible to keep our crews safe. Visit our website at www.mcwd.dst.ca.us to follow the progress of our summer crews. These construction projects improve the reliability of the water and wastewater systems, improves fire safety and reduces water loss in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. If you have any questions or comments contact Nick Holt at 760-934-2596 ext. 290.

submitted by the Mammoth Community Water District

cover photo by MCWD

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Mammoth Man rescued

Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team rescues an injured hiker near Pyramid Peak

On the evening of Monday, May 11th, 2015, at approximately 9:30pm, the Mono County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an injured hiker near Pyramid Peak.
A male hiker, age 56, of Mammoth Lakes, began a hike to Pyramid Peak in the Sherwin Range. At about4:00pm, as he was descending a rocky area, his right foot slipped on the snow between two boulders and the fall pinned his leg between the boulders. He was unable to extricate his leg for several hours. During this time, he lost his jacket in high winds and his headlamp fell down a crack and was lost. As darkness fell, he was able to free his leg and called 911 for assistance as he was wet, cold and had no light source to continue down the mountain.
The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was dispatched to rescue the injured hiker. Twelve team members staged at the Mammoth Lakes SAR facility and dispatched two field teams. They were able to access the area and hike to the subject’s location. Following an EMT assessment, it was determined the hiker would be able to hike slowly down the mountainside with aid from the SAR team rescuers. Upon reaching the trailhead, an additional patient assessment was conducted and the subject signed a medical care release form. He was transported to his vehicle to seek his own treatment.
The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team wants to remind everyone how unexpected problems can arise while recreating in our mountains and backcountry. Remember to always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Always bring the proper equipment for the terrain and area, as well as being prepared to spend the night outdoors.
Written and reported by: Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer
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