There is some good news, thanks to the City of Chino Hills, regarding the cleanup of trees in Carbon Canyon Creek that could contribute significantly to the spread of wildfires in the Canyon.
The City's Public Works Department has budgeted just north of $45,000 during the 2021-2022 fiscal year to hire the Santa Ana Watershed Authority, or SAWA, to kill palm trees that, when set afire, literally explode spreading sparks and embers to surrounding areas and spreading flames that make these wildfires considerably worse. This is along the creek from Chino Hills Parkway west along Carbon Canyon Road to the Summit Ranch community.
What SAWA will do is drill holes in the trunks, inject an herbicide that spreads systemically in the tree and leads to wilting and death. After that, the city's commercial tree maintenance contractor, West Coast Arborists, will go in and remove the trees. This latter part of the plan has to take place after mid-September when bird nesting season ends.
A separate project is the hiring of SAWA and a team from the California Conservation Corps to go in on 20 September and remove the remains of a massive eucalyptus tree that, earlier this year, fell from its location next to the creek in Sleepy Hollow. Obviously, this will be welcome as these trees are very intensive due to shedding of bark, piles of leaves, and the oils from the gum found inside.
The work from the City on this is much appreciated as efforts continue to be taken to mitigate wildfire risk, especially during this extended drought and the dangerous conditions that have resulted as climate change continues to make its devastating effects known.
September 20 has come and gone, and the giant City owned eucalyptus tree that fell across the creek is still there, surrounded by the debris of the previous poor clean up job.
ReplyDeleteThe tree fell onto private property, damaged a fence and gate, and nothing has been done to correct the damage or clean up the fire hazard.
I guess this is proof that Sleepy Hollow gets nothing in exchange for our tax dollars.
There is a Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council meeting tomorrow night and this will be brought up for sure. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteIs there a new date for the latest clean up?
ReplyDeleteThat tree in question is going to catch the debris washing down the creek when the water is really flowing. That will cause local flooding and erosion of the bank that supports Carbon Canyon Rd. Does anyone remember how long the highway was closed the last time the roadway was undermined?
And here's a bit of historical trivia for you: The old building closest to the fallen eucalyptus, made of old railroad ties, is the original Sleepy Hollow Post Office..