Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Fire Mitigation Projects
My house is in the Forest Knolls neighborhood in San Francisco. This area actually contains forest, and the underbrush is very thick – 3 feet deep in areas – making it almost impossible to walk between the trees.
This is a fire danger. For some time I’ve wanted to get my neighbors together to clear out some of the brush. However, this is a huge multiple square block area, so it’s too much for even a group of neighbors working part-time on a weekend.
Thankfully, University of California San Francisco owns a good chunk of this forest land, and they are preparing to do something about the fire danger. UCSF is holding a community meeting on October 19th at the Millberry Union at 500 Parnassus Avenue in San Francisco, at 6:30pm. UCSF has proposed two demonstration projects to reduce the fire danger, and the meeting is being held to discuss the proposals. UCSF is seeking funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
I am going to the meeting, and I invite my neighbors to join me. These trees are beautiful, and there are many homes on this hill, so clearing things out should be a priority.
Hi Kevin,
I also live in Forest Knolls, and I think the fire danger has been grossly overstated, because the forest acts like a cloud forest and is thus perpetually damp.
Cal Fire has actually noted – fortunately for all of us – that the area has only *moderate* fire risk, the lowest rating. (I say fortunately for several reasons – both the real threat of fire, and the insurance rating + disclosure requirements that would follow a re-rating.)
The “FEMA Plan” would actually be very dangerous, increasing the risk of fire, of landslides, and of toxic chemicals spreading through the neighborhood. Most opponents of the plan believe it is driven by supporters of native plants, who want the eucalyptus removed so they can plant native bushes.
Please see the website at http://www.savesutro.wordpress.com for more information.
webmaster
3 Nov 09 at 6:14 pm