Nashville / West Sand Ridge Fire Safe Council

Subject: The Sand Fire 7/25/14 through 7/31/14

Special Thanks to all the FIRE FIGHTERS and their support teams for the quick decisive action.

There is a book to be written regarding the Sand Fire. So much support. So much energy. So much caring for one another. So much appreciation to those who withstood tremendous ambient heat and the flames too.

I wish to thank everyone who had concerns about the residents of the area and who called or emailed me direct.

I am so very proud of the accomplishments derived from CALFIRE’s Prop 40-CFIP Grants that cleared Wolverine, Jaguar, Tripp Road and a portion of Freshwater, Grant 508- clearing of Freshwater, Vintage Trail and Zephyr , and also the more recent Grant 187 undertaking of all of Sandridge Road from Bucks Bar to Hwy 49, along with neighborhood work days that cleared a major portion of Mesquite Rd. All required sincere dedication and continuous education of residents to prepare their homes in a FIREWISE manner and complete FIRESAFE clearing on properties guaranteeing much safer evacuations and safer access by Fire and Sheriff by greatly improving visibility , knowledge of the area and cleared routes. Throughout all these endeavors, Jan Bray, our Registered Professional Forester was constantly available and steadfastly directed our movements. Much appreciation is due to the fact that El Dorado County Sheriff ( in charge of evacuations) assisted in the planning by sharing expertise in developing the plan along with guidance by CALFIRE, Diamond Fire and Pioneer Fire. Supervisor Ray Nutting , Ca. Resource Conservation District ( Cosumnes Watershed Manager) and Pacific Gas and Electric offered amazing support. Without the approval of EDCFSC’s Vicky Yorty and Alan Jaeger we may never have gotten this Fire Safe Council started.

Highest accolades must go to the residents who themselves prepared well and thoroughly. I am anxiously anticipating all the stories of success that will come from the homeowners, the firefighters and those who have observed this successful product of effort, energy spent and awareness of a community willing to “Take responsibility“.

Thank you, thank you , thank you, and special thanks to the California Fire Safe Council and the US Forest Service for providing our grant funding. When all is said and done this will be a great example for others to follow. An opportunity now exists for education and effort to continue. Nine years in the making and we aren’t done yet!

Very Sincerely,

Linda Colombo

Greater Sandridge FIREWISE Watershed Council aka Nashville Sandridge Fire Safe Council