One of our community members was concerned about the potential fire hazard caused by dead vegetation and grasses in our “cove area.” She contacted the Douglas County Fire Marshall and he did a site walk-thru. This is her report. The HOA Board is in communication with the Chelan PUD and the Fire Marshall and we will follow up to see if the PUD will do any clean up of this area. We are also looking into a permit which may allow us to remove blackberry bushes.
5/6/18
Dear Aspen Shores Board and members of the HOA,
Our recent focus on the vegetation at the cove, coupled with the prospect of the beginning of the annual fire season, resulted in some reflection about fire safety issues, regarding homes in close proximity to the cove. Buddy’s home, as well as the homes facing the cove, (those at the top of the hill, directly overlooking the cove), would appear to have the greatest risk, in the event that a wildfire started within the cove. This constitute’s what I believe to be a very real threat, since smoker’s are common place at the beach. Cigarette and pot butt’s have been found on the beach and in the adjacent vegetation. It is likely that some of these smokers are boaters who are not members of our HOA, pulling into the cove from the river.
I contacted the Douglas County Fire District in April and a staff member from their Fire Marshal staff, came for a quick look to assess the potential fire risk. He viewed the cove and the hillside from my yard, as well as walking down the trail to the beach. I shared that the land in the cove was PUD property and that we had a covenant in our bylaws that prohibited any pruning or clean-up of vegetation in the cove. Noted below are some comments and observations from this meeting.
(1) He felt that the cleared area of the cove trail helps create a defensible fire break. The initial section of the trail, (the straight section below the Kwak’s, Peters and Baker’s house), looks best because there also is a wider cleared area adjacent to the trail. A wider clearing creates a better buffer. As you continue down the trail, rounding the corner to approach the beach, the bushes and trees begin to crowd the trail area much more tightly. From a defensible space viewpoint, this is less desirable.
(2) In the event that a fire jumped the trail, to the steep hillside facing the homes, it would travel up the hillside rapidly.
(3) Bushy vegetation, with lots of dry woody branches at their core, were observed at the beach. These should be pruned back to decrease risk.
(4) From a fire safety perspective, maintaining a clear trail, as well as additional space adjacent to the trail, conserves defensible space.
The Fire Marshal noted that he would be in touch with the PUD to check on the status of the cove area and to share his observations and thoughts with them. He stated that he would be back in touch, after talking with them.
The board and HOA member’s careful consideration of this information is greatly appreciated.
Thank-you,
Janis