Brush Drop Off A Force for Good in Carbon Canyon

Yesterday morning, the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, in conjunction with its partners, the City of Chino Hills and Waste Management, held its annual spring Brush Drop Off near Fire Station 64 on Canon Lane, as the Council continues its efforts, over nearly a quarter century, to mitigate wildfire risk in a variety of ways, including his important program.

It was a cool and damp morning, great, however, for residents on the Chino Hills side of the Canyon to cut down brush, trees and other plant material that provide ready fuel for wildfires and bring them to the site where a pair of roll-off bins were available.  A trio of Council volunteers assisted residents in placing the plant material in the bins, which the disposal company provided courtesy of the City.  This May the 4th was truly a force for good in the Canyon.

With all the rain producing all of the brush, it is vital that we do whatever we can to keep the level of material as low as possible, especially as warmer, drier weather will quickly dry it out and raise the risk of wildfire damage, though we, of course, hope that we will avoid this for another year!  Thanks to the City, Waste Management and the Council for their collaborative efforts on this critical endeavor and a second Brush Drop Off will likely be held this fall.

Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council Brush Drop-Off Day a Success

Today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Canon Lane next to Fire Station 64, north of Carbon Canyon Road, there was a steady stream of Carbon Canyon residents from the Chino Hills portion who took advantage of the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council's brush drop-off day.

The first bin was set aside and the second one was put into place during today's brush drop-off day.

This program, with the support of the City of Chino Hills and Chino Hills (Republic) Disposal, has been held for the last several years, often in the spring and fall, and allows for local residents to dispose of their brush and help keep the fire risk in the canyon down.

Several Council volunteers were on hand to help with off-loading and piling of the debris into large roll-off bins and there were sometimes three vehicles at a time waiting to drop off the material.

Local residents participating in the drop-off day; in this case, this vehicle made several trips to drop off material.

By mid-morning, the first bin was getting full and, fortunately, the disposal company had another empty one nearby in Chino Hills, so it took just a few minutes to bring it and haul away the first one.

As 1:00 neared, the second bin was just about full and one late arrival had to be turned away as the bin was being hauled out.

With something on the order of 7,500 pounds of brush dropped off, that means that much less of a fire risk in the canyon.

In all, an estimated 7,500 pounds of brush was brought down and then taken away.  With the deadline of the 15th looming for local residents to remove their brush by order the fire department and with the weather being just about perfect, this was the time to get the work done and it was great to see those residents who took advantage of the project.

There may be a fall date for a second brush drop-off day this year, so look for more information here, on the Chronicle Facebook page, on Next Door Sleepy Hollow and on the Chino Hills Connection site.

Brush Drop-Off Day Next Saturday the 13th

Next Saturday the 13th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, with significant support from the City of Chino Hills and Chino Hills (Republic) Disposal, is holding its spring brush drop-off day.

Residents of the Chino Hills portion of Carbon Canyon only can bring their cut brush to a roll-off bin on Canon Lane next to Fire Station 64, just north of Carbon Canyon Road, where Fire Safe Council volunteers will help load the material into the bin.

Remember, there is a Chino Valley Fire District-imposed deadline of the 15th to remove brush from properties in order to reduce fire risk, so next Saturday is an opportune time to take that material down for disposal.

Fall Brush Drop Off for Chino Hills' Carbon Canyon Residents Saturday!

This Saturday, the 24th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents of the Chino Hills portion of Carbon Canyon, including Sleepy Hollow, Mountain View Estates (Canon Lane), Oak Tree Estates and Downs, Western Hills Oaks, Carriage Hills and Summit Ranch, are encouraged to bring your cut brush to the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council's brush drop off location on Canon Lane, north of Carbon Canyon Road, adjacent to Chino Valley Fire District Station 64.

Volunteers from the Council will be on hand to assist with the unloading of material into a roll-off bin, provided courtesy of the City of Chino Hills and Republic (Chino Hills) Disposal.  It definitely helps when the brush is cut to pieces that are easily transferred off vehicles and piled into the bin.

The goal is to reduce as much flammable material as possible from the canyon before the fall Santa Anas, with windy and dry conditions, come along.  However, as we all should know by now, there are no "fire seasons," because the entire year is susceptible to wildfires.  Look at the enormous wildfires that broke out in late spring/early summer.

So, if you have material ready to be cut, or already cut, load them onto your vehicle and head on down to the drop-off site this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help us reduce the risk of wildfire in our ever-sensitive Carbon Canyon!

Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council Brush Drop Off A Success

Yesterday's Brush Drop Off program, coordinated by the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, went great.

From 8 a.m. until about Noon, a few Council volunteers assisted residents from the Chino Hills portion of the canyon, in unloading and filling a 40-foot long roll-off bin of all kinds of cut material, from brush to tree limbs and other items.

This program is made possible with funding from the City of Chino Hills and the bin dropped off and picked up by Chino Hills Disposal, as well as the coordination of Council chairperson Charlie Blank.

The haul was pretty impressive--somewhere from 7,000 to 8,000 pounds of flammable plant material was removed from the canyon.

With yet another dry winter in our region portending what will almost certainly be a high risk for wildfires this summer and fall, anything we can do to mitigate that risk in the way of brush removal becomes that much more important.

So, thanks to the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, the City of Chino Hills, Chino Hills Disposal, and participating residents for the collaborative effort on reducing wildfire risk in our canyon!

Carbon Canyon Brush Drop-Off Day Next Saturday!

The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council's annual spring brush drop-off day is next Saturday the 23rd from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Carbon Canyon residents in the Chino Hills portion only can bring cut brush to the drop-off location next to Fire Station 64 on Canon Lane just north of Carbon Canyon Road.

Thanks to the City of Chino Hills and Chino Hills Disposal, who are paying for and providing a roll-off bin, the brush can be deposited at the site for Chino Hills Disposal to haul away.  Fire Safe Council volunteers will be present to assist.

Property inspections by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District are underway and there is a 15 May deadline for canyon residents to cut brush and remove other material that can be a fire risk and the drop-off is one way to dispose of these items--the other, of course, being the trash cans provided by the disposal company.  But, for larger quantities of brush, this is the way to go.

Brush Drop Off Day Next Saturday!

Next Saturday, 25 April from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council once again offers a brush drop-off event as part of its Fuel Reduction Program project.

During those five hours, any resident of the Chino Hills portion of Carbon Canyon is welcome to bring their cut brush, which Fire Safe Council will assist in loading into roll-off bins paid for by the City of Chino Hills and provided by Chino Hills (Republic) Disposal.

The location is just north of Chino Valley Fire District station 64 at 16231 Canon Lane at Carbon Canyon Road.

Residents should bring their ID, a copy of a utility bill or a Carbon Canyon Emergency Access pass to verify that they are eligible to take advantage of the program.

With fire department inspections coming starting 15 May, this is the time for local property owners to be cutting their brush, hauling it down to the drop off point, and be ahead of the game when it comes to reducing fuel and keeping our fire risk lower.

For more information about the brush drop-off program and the Fire Safe Council, call (909) 902-5280, ext. 8833 or www.CarbonCanyonFSC.com.

Carbon Creek Palm Tree Removal Underway--Updated!

Work crews engaged in cutting down the stand of highly-flammable palm trees next to Carbon [Canyon] Creek on Monday.  Photo courtesy of Jim Powderly, Chino Valley Fire District.

With the urging of Sleepy Hollow residents on the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and in cooperation with the Chino Valley Fire District, the City of Chino Hills and, importantly, $20,000 in grants from San Bernardino County supervisor Gary Ovitt, a significant project to remove highly flammable palm trees from Carbon [Canyon] Creek in Sleepy Hollow is nearing completion.

A view of the palm tree removal work zone from across Carbon Canyon Road earlier today, as crews began work removing the material from the trees, which were cut yesterday.

Last year, the first phase consisted of injecting chemicals to kill the cluster of trees, after which another related round of work involved the removal of a large amount of plant material that posed both fire and flood risks.  Supervisor Ovitt's first disbursement of funds covered much of this work.

A detail showing palm fronds ready for removal.

Another infusion of monies from the supervisor, to the tune of $10,000, has allowed the next stage to proceed, this being the chopping down and hauling off of the dead trees.  This segment of activity began yesterday and continued today and maybe completed tomorrow.

It's staggering to actually see the creek and its adjacent area after many years of benign neglect.

The Fire Safe Council was told at a recent meeting that the City of Chino Hills, which owns the land along the creek within its borders, stands ready to commit to regular, ongoing maintenance of the watercourse and its adjacent areas so that this burst of activity, which was long overdue, is not in vain. 

Let's hope this is the case.

UPDATE: 13 March 2014.  Chino Valley Fire District inspector Jim Powderly, who did a great deal to bring this project to completion, reported that the City of Chino Hills coordinated the removal of 27 tons, from four 40-yard roll-off and a low-boy roll-off bins, exclusive of the material that was mulched and left on site.  In all, a staggering 43 tons of flammable material was hauled off during the entirety of the cleanup project, just in that one area along the creek in Sleepy Hollow.

As Jim reminded people in an e-mail today, this two-phase project was an important component to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) developed by the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, with a lot of work done by Olinda Village residents George Ullrich and Eric Johnson.  And, again, local residents pushed this item forward for the Council to pursue.  It was a true team endeavor and good to see the City of Chino Hills step up on the removal of the material and a commitment to maintain the area in the future.

Here are more photos of the project from Chino Valley Fire District inspector Jim Powderly.  Those ducks found the creek once it emerged from the morass of plant material that accumulated over the years.  The ducks have even found their way into some Sleepy Hollow yards.

 

 

 

Carbon Canyon Brush Drop Off This Saturday

The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council will be holding its biannual brush clearance drop off day this Saturday, the 28th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Canon Lane, just north of Fire Station 64.

Representatives of the Council will be assisting residents of the Chino Hills portion of Carbon Canyon in offloading brush from their vehicles into a roll-off bin provided by Chino Hills Disposal by arrangement with the City of Chino Hills, which is covering the costs of the program.

Chino Hills residents of the canyon can bring down their cut brush at any time between the hours listed and multiple drop-offs are welcome.

With another subpar winter rainy season in 2012-13 and upcoming fall Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, as well as the reality that fire season is now year-round, it is important for property owners to make comprehensive brush clearance a priority to reduce fire risk.

The brush drop-off program is another important project of the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and its partners in Chino Hills Disposal and the City of Chino Hills.  For any questions about the program, please call the Chino Valley Fire District at (909) 902-5280, extension 409 or e-mail jpowderly@chofire.org.

Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council Upcoming Events

The Rim Fire in Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas is moving quickly towards being one of the biggest, if not the largest, wildfires in California history.  Major conflagrations have occurred in the drought-stricken western states like Colorado and Arizona, as well as in other parts of California. 

Unfortunately, prolonged drought conditions and factors emanating from climate change do not portend a lessening of wildfire events and as development continues and is planned in and near wild-land areas, the problem likely will worsen--all the more reason (though certainly not the only) for the City of Brea to deny the Madrona housing project, should that matter come before the city council on appeal of the Planning Commission's narrow 3-2 approval of Madrona's predecessor, Canyon Crest.

As firefighting agencies put it these days, "fire season is all year long," instead of during the fall when Santa Ana winds blow or when hot late spring or summer weather dries out growth from the previous winter's rains.  Consequently, organizations like the local Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council are working year round to do what they can to mitigate fire risks.

In September, then, the Council will be holding two major events dealing with fire suppression and awareness efforts, as shown on the flyer above.

On Saturday, 14 September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Council hosts its annual "Wildfire Awareness Fair" at Western Hills Park, located at the corner of Carbon Canyon Road and Canon Lane.  The free fair includes fire protection product demos, information on landscaping appropriate to our region, exhibits and information provided by local agencies, vendors and associations; prize drawings; and more.

Two weeks after that, on Saturday, 28 September from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Council conducts the last of two "Brush Clearance Drop Off" days, in which residents of the Chino Hills portion of Carbon Canyon can bring brush removed from their property and, assisted by Council volunteers, unload them into roll-off bins provided by the City of Chino Hills through Chino Hills Disposal.

For more information on these upcoming events and on the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, visit at www.CarbonCanyonFSC.com or call (909) 902-5280, x. 409.

Carbon Canyon Brush & Weed Clearance Deadline Today

A card was received yesterday from the Chino Valley Fire District reminding residents in Carbon Canyon about brush and weed removal.  Today was the official deadline for getting rid of the flammable material that makes this area particularly susceptible to wildfires.

In particular, the card reminds residents that there are two zones to create defensible space with a total of 100 feet around the house to clear.

The first is a 30-foot perimeter around the residence is where dead or dying leaves, grasses and brush should be cleared from the ground, needles and leaves cleaned off of roofs and out of rain gutters and tree limbs cut back from at least six feet above ground and ten feet from chimneys.  In addition, vegetation should be pruned and taken away from near windows and it is recommended to have fire-resistant plants in landscaping around houses.

Then, there is an additional 70 feet in which leaves, twigs and branches should be removed and tree canopies maintained so that branches are at least ten feet away from other trees as well as any structures.

Finally, and this is key in hot and dry conditions, such as those experienced late last week and which likely will be the norm for much of the summer and fall, mowing, trimming and other use of power equipment should take place prior to 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on hotter days.  Dry vegetation, like weeds and grasses, should not be removed by a mower, but with a trimmer.  Finally, the district recommends having a cell phone handy to call 9-1-1 in case of a fire and implores residents not to put themselves in harm's way when putting out a fire.

It is worth restating, incidentally, that this was one of the driest winters since official records were begun in the late 1870s.  The Los Angeles Times had an article just yesterday (read it here) pointing out that the lack of rainfall for most of January not only created early conditions for dried-out vegetation, but that a small burst of precipitation at the end of the month did not actually relieve the situation, but made it worse by allowing for new growth that would not have arisen if there had been more rain and which then dried out quickly in succeeding weeks, creating more hazardous conditions.  The massive fire in Ventura County was evidence of what can happen in these situations.

Fire preparedness has improved by a high order of magnitude in recent years compared to what it was in such conflagrations as 1990, 1978, 1958, 1929 and other major wildfire years, but conditions are also changing, as witnessed with the massive Freeway Complex Fire, which is already nearly five years old now.  Vigilance by everyone with a stake in Carbon Canyon from fire fighters, elected officials and residents continues to be crucial in minimizing the risks and hazards associated with wildland fires.

Carbon Canyon Brush Pickup a Success

Volunteers from the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council hard at work with brush brought by Canyon residents to the drop-off site on Canon Lane near Western Hills Park and Fire Station 64.

Today the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council held the first of its two brush pick-up days for Canyon residents next to Western Hills Park and Chino Valley Independent Fire District Station 64. 

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., teams of Fire Safe Council volunteers assisted residents in off-loading approximately 14,000 pounds of plant material onto two large roll-off bins provided by Chino Hills Disposal with assistance from the City of Chino Hills.

Working as a well-oiled and coordinated team, these dedicated volunteers helped fill two of these roll-off bins with about 14,000 pounds of plant materials brought in about two-dozen loads.

With a deadline of 15 May looming for Canyon residents to remove brush as directed by inspectors of the Fire District, this program goes a long way towards removing plant material as part of a larger fire suppression effort.  Work of this kind is especially important this year because we had another low yield of rainfall, only about five inches, which means that, though there is still some greenery out there, the hills are getting browner, drier, and more fire-prone as we edge closer to summer.

With the second roll-off bin full and ready for removal, Fire Safe Council volunteers head home after a busy day.

With the fall fire season being historically the time when the worse blazes occur, the Council will be having another brush pick-up day at the same location and time at a date to be determined soon, so keep an eye on this blog for more information by logging onto www.CarbonCanyonFSC.com or calling the fire district at (909) 902-5280, extension 409.

Carbon Canyon Brush Drop-off Day This Saturday!

The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council will be presenting its Spring brush drop off day this Saturday, 27 April from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of its program for fuel reduction to mitigate fire hazards in the Canyon.  The location is next to Western Hills Park and Fire Station 64 on Canon Lane, just off Carbon Canyon Road, in Chino Hills.

With the support of the City of Chino Hills absorbing the cost of providing roll-off bins from Chino Hills Disposal, Fire Safe Council volunteers will be on hand to help those with special needs to offload brush and green waste from their vehicles into the bins, though others should be ready to unload their own brush.  In all cases, the waste has to be bundled to be accepted.

This service is provided free to residents only, who are asked to bring their identification, utility bill or canyon resident emergency access pass to prove Canyon residency.

With fire inspections by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District beginning on 15 May, it is to the advantage of Canyon residents to take the opportunity to clear brush on their properties and take it down to the site for free removal.  Those who don't have their lots clear by the inspections face the prospect of fines.

There will be a second drop off day in the late summer/early fall and residents can learn more by logging onto www.CarbonCanyonFSC.com or calling the fire district at (909) 902-5280, extension 409.

Carbon Canyon Brush Clearance Due by Tuesday the 15th

The deadline for clearing brush on the Chino Hills side of Carbon Canyon, established by the Chino Valley Fire District, is this Tuesday the 15th.  After that date, inspectors from the district will be going through the Canyon and determining which properties have not yet been cleared.

Those areas that are not adequately cleared will be cited, crews brought in by contract with the district, and property owners subject to paying these costs and potential additional fines.

The reason for the mandate is to remove as much flammable material as possible within the Canyon as we head into the warmer Summer season when drier conditions mean that the likelihood for wildfires are much greater.

Meantime, the brush drop-off program, coordinated by the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council with assistance from the City of Chino Hills and roll-off bins provided by Chino Hills Disposal, was conducted earlier today.  A couple dozen or so drop-offs by about ten different persons led to filling several tons worth of plant material in two large bins.  Fire Safe Council members assisted residents in offloading the material from their vehicles into the bins.

This Wednesday, the Fire Safe Council will be recognized for its volunteer efforts to promote fire awareness and prevention at a meeting held at Western Hills Country Club, during which time council members will receive certificates of appreciation for their donated time over the course of the last year. 

Congratulations to those persons who take time out of their busy lives to work for the promotion of fire issues in Carbon Canyon!

Carbon Canyon Resident Brush Drop-Off Day #2 This Saturday

The second installment of the brush drop-off program for residents of Carbon Canyon on the Chino Hills side only, coordinated by the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and paid for by the City of Chino Hills, will take place, once again, next to Fire Station #64 and Western Hills Park on Canon Lane and Carbon Canyon Road.

The hours have been shortened to between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., because that's when all of the activity took place at the inaugural date in September, which had an additional hour at each end.  As with last month, residents can bring their brush to the drop-off point and members of the Council will be there to assist.

Those bringing brush should bring proof of residency in the Chino Hills side of Carbon Canyon, such as a driver's license, utility bill or Carbon Canyon emergency access pass.

For further information, call (909) 902-5280, x. 409.

Carbon Canyon Resident Brush Drop Off Day This Saturday

Though grant funding recently expired for a long-term project concerning a fuel reduction program, which allowed the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council to arrange for brush pick-ups for residents on the Chino Hills side of the Canyon, a new arrangement has been made by the Council with the City of Chino Hills.

This Saturday, the 24th, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Canyon residents will be able to bring cut brush to a drop-off location at Western Hills Park on Canon Lane, across from Fire Station 64, just north of Carbon Canyon Road.  There, a green waste dumpster provided by Chino Hills Disposal and paid for by the city will be available for off-loading the material.

It is important to note that all contents MUST BE BUNDLED and that those dropping off brush are to be prepared to do their own unloading.  For persons with special needs, there will be Fire Safe Council volunteers to assist.

Because this is a free service offered to Canyon residents, it is also essential that those taking part provde residency by bringing their driver's license, utility bill or Canyon emergency access pass.

With the fall coming and Santa Ana winds fueling the potential for dangerous fires within the Canyon and in adjacent areas, keeping up on the removal of brush assists greatly in mitigating some of the risk.

For those who cannot get their brush to the collection date this weekend, there'll be another time to do so next month, specifically Saturday, 22 October.

More information can be obtained by calling (909) 902-5280, extension 409.