[TowerTalk] Wildfires

[Chuck Smallhouse]

Here in the Oracle AZ area, we're infamously known as being the most 
susceptible wildfire area in N.A.  The terrain, altitude and foliage 
is almost identical to that of the area where the Darnell Hill fire 
occurred (near Prescott AZ),  where they lost 19 fire fighters last 
year.  Only we are rated more risky !

We are at a nominal elevation of 4500 feet (my QTH is at 5K') and the 
vegetation is manzineta, small scrub oak,(< 16' tall) and bear 
grass.  I live on a N facing ridge and have chimney type terrain 
below me.  I've cleared all plants and other fuel for at least 50' 
around my all cement block house with a cement tile roof.  My 
"Antenna Support S
tructures", towers and 5M dish, are all freestanding or have steel pipe braces.

Our community has the most active Firewise and CERT (of which I'm a 
member) organizations of any in the state.  We have had grants to 
allow Hot Shot crews from DOC, and other communities, to clear ladder 
fuels on private property, on a cost sharing basis, over the last 
several years.  Our vulnerability has been reduced considerably.  My 
biggest  concern is the FS land adjacent to mine, which they refuse 
to clean up.  Our communities's main problem now, is with absentee 
landowners, who won't clean up their property, some on large 
acreage.  We do have purposed state legislation, to penalize them, 
for this lack of responsibility.

Our local FD has had their "Red Flag" flying all this last week !

Chuck,  W7CS