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Parched hills, bone-dry grass and trees, and record high temperatures have combined to create a dangerous situation this summer at Muir Beach. One spark, a discarded cigarette or a downed power line, and our idyllic community could be destroyed by a roaring inferno. Not content to wait until disaster strikes, the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department has developed a proactive plan to reduce the fire danger in our community. The department has received a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) grant from the National Park Service to help reduce the dangerous fuel loads from the trees and brush. This is the second WUI grant that Muir Beach has received. The first was used to acquire the chipper, splitter, trailer, tractor, chain saws and other equipment that you may have seen in use throughout the Beach. This grant was also used to cover the costs of maintaining and operating the equipment, and often for paying the crew. This second WUI grant will allow us to continue the program by funding repairs, upgrades and replacement of the existing equipment. It also provides for the staff required to operate and maintain the equipment. Among the first application of the WUI funds will be the reduction of the fuel load in the Cove Lane ravine, along the Pacific Way approach to the Beach and in the Terwilliger Butterfly Preserve. We are also using these funds to provide chipper services to our Muir Beach neighbors from August through November for only a $25 fee. This program will be run through the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department by Graham Groneman. The chipper days are scheduled for the first and third Fridays of each month, through this November:
To take advantage of this service, please contact Graham at 388-1446, or ggroneman@co.marin.ca.us. All chipping will be done at the homeowner’s site and left on the homeowner’s property. Furthermore, with the help of the National Park Service, we have established a relationship with PG&E to remove trees that have grown up into their high tension wires. Several trees have already been cleared along Sunset Way, and our hope is that PG&E will continue to remove similar problem trees as they are identified. If you have a tree near you that is already in the wires or growing aggressively in that direction, please contact Leighton Hills or Michael Kaufman, and we will work with you to make the necessary arrangements with PG&E to have them removed. Because the Marin County Fire Department is very concerned about this fire season, they will be assessing the Muir Beach Area to ensure that all our homes are in compliance with fire regulations. Please consider the attached flyer and let’s all make sure that the only thing that gets toasted this summer is community preparedness.Click here
to download the DEFENSIBLE SPACE Flyer
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