There are two information boxes posted at each information bulletin board in the park. One is on the corner of Golden Pine and East Ponderosa and the other on the Red Cedar information bulletin board. Each box has the Shaded Fuel Break Release in it. On the front is a list of all lots included in the shaded fuel break. There is a map of the fuel break posted on both bulletin boards with the break highlighted in yellow.  You may take a release, fill it out and deposit it in the Shaded Fuel Break Fire Wise Box at 215 East Ponderosa. This box is attached to one of the porch posts. The circular driveway will make it easy for you to drive through and drop off your release. These will then go to Dan Lennon of the DNR.  When you fill out the release make sure to fill in your lot number. This makes it easier to check properties off on the fuel break map. We thank our community members for supporting this project!

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.