The burn ban goes into effect at midnight on May 31, 2019.  NO MORE BURNING until burn ban ends in the fall.  Please be careful and be Firewise during the coming months when there is increased risk of wildfire.

Firewise has opened a Go Fund Me page under Ponderosa Park Firewise Needs Your Help.  If you are inclined to help your community's Firewise Program please access our Go Fund Me page and donate!  This will help us continue the chipping program and apply for grants.  To donate, click here to access our page.  Thank you neighbors.

Your Firewise committee has also brought our concerns to the planning meeting for the 5 year plan for Central Klickitat's Conservation District.  One of their goals is Forest Health and Wildfire Protection.  We are also looking at a couple of grants that we might be eligible for.

On Saturday, April 6, 2019, a group of volunteers from Ponderosa Park cleared the bitter brush from along Red Cedar.  A rainy day at the start but dry by the end.  Below is a before picture.

Some of the volunteers.

Remember to be Firewise! October through January is prime time for thinning and limbing. Now is also a great time to get a new burn permit from Rural 7 in Goldendale, since the old burn permits expired December 31st, 2018. Also, remember to get signed up for Reverse 911 for Klickitat County, and get alerts on your phone. Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Residents participating in the 12/1/2018 Firewise work party on Golden Pine.

Dan Lennon, our DNR forester, has sent us some information from Firewise USA.  This is Fire Prevention Week, and the 2018 theme is LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. BE AWARE.  Fire can happen anywhere.  Firewise USA is launching three resources on their website: a video, a webinar, and an online learning module.  "Your Home and Wildfire", a four minute video launched today and can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfbEcMeYFFA.  " Wildfire and Insurance: Be Financially Prepared", a live webinar, will be broadcast October 10th, noon our time.  Registration is required at: https://www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Webinars/Wildfires-and-insurance-learn-how-to-be-financially-prepared.  "Understanding the Wildfire Threat to Homes" is an interactive learning module for residents which will launch October 12th, and can be found on the Firewise USA site, or at: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Online-learning-opportunities/Online-courses.  Good stuff to help make us safer!

If you are NOT doing a community or individual cost share, you can still help yourself and your community.  You can submit volunteer hours on this website for hours you spend thinning, limbing, and removing brush.  Look under Data Entry Forms, and fill out a Firewise Volunteer Sheet.  Dan Lennon, our DNR Forester, says that when we find and apply for grants, showing that we are working at being Firewise will increase our chances of receiving grants, even though the hours already accumulated don't count toward the grant.  If we do get a grant, that money can be put to use for projects that make us all safer.

On May 5, 2018, a firewise work party removed overhanging trees and cleared brush on the west entrance to the Park along W Ponderosa.  The Park received a DNR grant for doing this work.  Thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts.