Tag Archives: mammoth lakes fire protection district

Local News

MAMMOTH LAKES SNOW REMOVAL

Mammoth Lakes is getting help from up North to help remove massive snow buildup.

Posted by Seth Conners

According to Stuart Brown in Mammoth Lakes, A crew of 15 California Conservation Corps members from the CCC’s Tahoe Center are assisting the Town in areas that pose a significant threat to life and property. Led by supervisor Zach McHenry, the CCC crew is based at the Community Center on Forest Trail and will be here for approximately 10 days.

At the request of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, corps members are working with the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District, AmeriGas and Eastern Sierra Propane to clear record-setting January snow accumulations from approximately 40 prioritized risk-based propane tanks that are covered by up to 20 feet of snow.

The primary concern of the Town’s agencies is the risk to public safety from heavy snow potentially breaking off the first or second-stage regulators and piping on the tanks or homes, and thereby causing propane leakage that would pose a significant threat to life and property. The CCC crew will also remove snow around fire hydrants throughout town and from public buildings with flat or low-pitch roofs such as the Community Center or other public facilities. The crew has also assisted the Town with filling hundreds of sandbags to help mitigate localized flooding.

The California Conservation Corps is a state agency created in 1976 by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.  Members of the CCC are young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 who join for a year of outdoor work as well as emergency response — floods, fires, earthquakes, oil spills and more.

Local News

Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District pushing Fuel Reduction

MLFPD Encouraging Reduction of Wildland Fire Fuels

May 18, 2016
Submitted by Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District

Now that the winter snows have melted from much of town, the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District (MLFD) reminds residents of your responsibility to keep your property wildland fire safe. Long term residents are aware of the wildland fire incidence that can occur around town and especially 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. In addition, the warmer temperatures are revealing the significant number of dead trees that are located in and around town.

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.

forest 1
photo provided by MLFPD. Before Fuels reduction work.
forest 2
Photo Provided by MLFPD. After fuels reduction work.

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.

mammoth lakes fire protection district, mammoth lakes california, mammoth lakes fire department, defensible space
Local News

MLFPD offers Fire Safety Tips

Holiday Fire Safety

submitted by the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District.

Decorating homes and businesses is a basic part of the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. An estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. These types of fires result in several deaths and numerous injuries. Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and Christmas trees from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you and your family have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural cut tree in its festivities, make sure that you – “keep the tree watered.” Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. A dry and neglected tree can be a serious problem. Keep your tree well-watered and remove from the structure if many needles begin falling from the tree.

When selecting a tree look for a fresh tree that is green with needles that are hard to pull back from the branches and do not break. The trunk should be sticky to the touch and cut 1 inch from the truck before placing in a watered stand. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground and if many needles fall off, the tree was cut too long ago, has dried out.

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Do not put your cut tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Use Only Nonflammable Holiday Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on overnight or unattended!

Don’t Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire. Wrapping paper may also contain toxins that are not safe to breathe if allowed to burn.

Beware of Snow Covered Ponds/Lakes

While snow covered ponds and lakes may appear inviting, prior to the recent storms, ice development was marginal and in many places did not thicken to adequately support significant weight. As a result persons may obtain a false sense of security when looking at a snow covered lake. With the holidays quickly approaching, emergency responders want to ensure that the word is out there that this may not be the year to venture out on snow covered lakes, at least not at this point in the winter season. Please be extra careful around our lakes and be very observant of children and pets.

The Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District wishes you a very happy and safe holiday season. For more information or for any questions pertaining to fire related issues, please feel free to contact the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department at 934-2300.

mammoth lakes fire protection district, mammoth lakes california, mammoth fire department, christmas tree safety
Local News

Mammoth Fire Marshal issues Fireworks warning

Fireworks Prohibited in the Town of Mammoth Lakes

Thom Heller, Fire Marshall for the Mammoth lakes fire protection district,  is passing along the following fireworks information.

All fireworks are prohibited in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, regardless if “safe and sane” or not. In addition, personal use of fireworks is prohibited in the non-incorporated areas of Mono County, on the Inyo National Forest (INF), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.

Due to VERY HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER, both the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District and Mammoth Lakes Police Department will enforce a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to the possession and use of fireworks. Fireworks violations will be strictly enforced.

Enjoy and celebrate the holiday in a safe and responsible manner, and feel free to attend the scheduled Fourth of July firework shows. There will be a fireworks show on Saturday, July 4 at Crowley Lake and in The Village at Mammoth on Sunday, July 5.

For additional information on the fireworks restrictions, please contact the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department at (760) 934-2300 or the Mammoth Lakes Police Department at (760) 934-2011. Please enjoy our national holiday in a safe and responsible manner.

mammoth lakes fire protection district, mammoth lakes news, mono county news, fireworks, drought 2015
Local News

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

mammoth lakes california, mammoth lakes fire protection district, mammoth news, thom heller