On Thursday, July 8, 2021 Klickitat PUD was notified by the Department of Health that the routine water sample taken July 7, 2021 came out positive for total coliform and negative for fecal coliform and e-coli.  Three repeat samples were taken from the distribution and 2 samples were taken from the wells on July12, 2021 per follow up procedures. A follow-up phone call on Tuesday July 13, 2021 to the Health Dept.on the status of the repeat samples found four of the repeat samples to again be positive for total coliform and negative for fecal coliform and e-coli.

After required assessment of the water system crews believe the source of the contamination to be wellhead #1. Measures were actively taken to correct this. 

Per Dan Lennon, the cost of fighting fire is $10,000 per acre. The cost of fuel reduction is from $600 per acre for a cost share, up to $2,500 per acre depending on the circumstances. As you can see, fuel reduction is much more cost effective, and also much safer. 

The 100 foot shaded fuel break perimeter project is in process, but the property owners on the perimeter need to agree to the work if the project is to go forward. This project is FREE to the property owners. All work is contracted by and paid for by the DNR. This project is a WIN/WIN for our community at a time when the risk of fire is at an all time high. LET'S GO FOR IT!

Ponderosa Park is benefiting right now from the chipping program funded by our last community cost share project. Dan says that we can apply for another community cost share program this fall. Property owners work on fuel reduction on an acre or more of their property. The DNR pays Firewise a percentage of the value of the work done. Then Firewise pays for chipping for the participants, and other park residents, or for other fuel reduction activities to make the whole community safer. We already have three residents ready to sign up. We need 8 to 10 residents or more to sign up.The more acres to be worked on, the greater the percentage to be paid by the DNR. Call Dan if you are interested at 509-773-4246 or email Daniel.Lennon@dnr.wa.gov.

Individual cost share is also available to owners. In this program the DNR payment is made to the individual owner working on their own property. Several residents are involved in this program right now, and others have completed individual projects. Talk to Dan to apply.

Also, Dan has been doing tree testing with an entomologist. The fir death we are seeing is a result of drought stress. There is no sign of spruce budworm.

April 14th from 12:00-1:00pm

This webinar explores how different communities have found different ways to prepare for wildfire. Whether you are just starting out, or you are further along, this webinar will inspire you to take action and work with your community to build better wildfire resilience.

The work party scheduled for November 21st has been canceled due to covid precautions, but we have a suggested replacement.

In these uncertain times the Firewise Committee is encouraging everyone to participate in a virtual work party by doing Firewise activities on their own property, from now through January. Then you can text your hours worked to Ken Schlief at 509-250-2908. You can also take a selfie of you and the work you did, and add it to the Ponderosa website. This will help us meet our requirements to be a Firewise Community, and make you and your neighbors safer. It will also make your forest healthier. Now is the best time to do thinning, limbing, and brush control without attracting insects to the trees. Rain and snow also make slash burning safer. Just be sure you have a burn permit and notify Rural 7 when you plan to burn. Join in! Be Firewise!

After further input from our members, the board changed the meeting date to the 2nd Monday of each month at 7pm.  Hopefully, more members will be able to attend.  The location will be posted on the bulletin boards and the website the week of the meeting as we find a permanent meeting place.  If you still cannot attend, please convey your concerns to a board member to be put on the agenda.  The annual meeting will still be held on Saturday.

The Board  will be meeting at The Grange, 228 E Darland, Goldendale at 9:00am the 2nd Tuesday of each month until further notice.  Please practice social distancing and wear a mask as required by State mandate.