Fire Prevention Inspection - May 8, 2009

On May 8th, 2009 Cal Fire, along with Mariposa County Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Mariposa County Fire Safe Council and MCHS Grizzlies Student Firefighters will perform an LE-100 inspection of each resident’s lot in the Lushmeadows area. The LE-100 inspection will be performed by our local high school Grizzlies Firefighters, under the supervision of professional fire fighters from one of the above mentioned departments.

The students will be trained by Fire Agencies on May 6th, so they have a clear understanding of how the inspections are to be carried out and they will also be instructed on proper conduct. Every student is required to wear their "Grizzlies Fire Department" shirts, to identify them to our community.  The Grizzlies are trained to make contact with the homeowners first and obtain their permission, explain what they are doing, answer any questions that the homeowner may have and complete the LE-100 inspection forms.

This LE-100 inspection will check for various conditions around the residence to insure your home has a Defensible Space and other fire prevention conditions, thus reducing fire hazard conditions. A copy of the completed LE-100 inspection form will be given to the resident. A copy goes to Cal Fire where they will stay on file and an additional copy goes to Mariposa County Fire Department for data entry into their Red Zone Fire Prevention Program, to further assist them with Fire Prevention efforts in the Lushmeadows area and throughout Mariposa County! The LE-100 inspections are a great way of educating the residents to understand fire safety in the foothills.

There will be approximately 50 Grizzlies Firefighters doing the inspections by teaming with the assistance of approximately 20 agency representatives from Cal Fire, US Forest Service, Mariposa County Fire, and The Mariposa County Fire Safe Council, combined. 

The inspection teams will stage at the Mariposa County Volunteer Fire Station #29 around 9 AM where they will be divided into small teams and briefed by the agency representatives.

The Lushmeadows Association Board of Directors has agreed to serve lunch for all participants of this event at the Lushmeadows Clubhouse around 1:00pm. 

These students are some of the top students at Mariposa County High School and we hope that you are pleased to have been selected to participate in the education of these future firefighters and life savers.

Thank you for doing your part in this inspection and making our Lushmeadows Community a more fire safe area to live.

Dick Hutchinson, L/M Assoc. Fire Safe Committee Chair

Fire Safety

Lushmeadows has its own Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The Fire Safe Council is requesting input for the plan.

Protect your home by creating a lean, clean and green zone in the area of 30 feet immediately surrounding your home. Remove all flammable vegetation and any dead or dying plants within 30 feet of each building or structure. You may keep single trees or other vegetation that are trimmed of all dead and dying foliage and are well pruned and maintained.

Create a reduced fuel zone in the remaining 70 feet (or to the property line).

Three inch reflective address numbers against a contrasting background is what emergency service personnel require. Post your address number at the end of your driveway, and at any fork in the driveway. Make sure the address is clearly visible from 100 feet in both directions of travel from the roadway. The sign should be installed approximately 4 feet in height off the ground, and no higher than 6 feet.

This booklet, Welcome to the Foothills, A Guide to Living Lightly in Mariposa County, is a starting point for information to help you effectively take care of your property, provide for personal safety and live in harmony with the flora, fauna and your human neighbors. The booklet is free, and available by calling Kris Randal at 209-966-3431, ext. 2, or visit the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District office.

A companion publication, Living in the Foothills, by the Natural Resources Conservation Service is also available at the MCRCD office.

Useful Links:

CAL FIRE
Fire Safe Council
Mariposa County Fire Safe Council
US Forest Service, Sierra National Forest

Phone numbers:

Fire Prevention Information: 209 966 3622
Fire Location Information: 209 966 3803
Burn Day information: 209 966 1200