|
|
|
|
Submit
|
Custom Search
CivicLifeSportsSchoolsBusinessFoodOur HomesLetters/OpinionsCalendar

Published August 21st, 2019
Lafayette portion of North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break completed
Cal Fire working near Wagner Ranch Elementary School. Courtesy MOFD

Work began the week of July 20 on the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break, a $4 million state-funded program managed by the Moraga-Orinda Fire District to remove hazardous fuels from a 1,500-acre stretch of land extending from Tilden Park to near Acalanes High School. By the second week of August, the seven-mile strip along Lafayette Ridge was completed, according to project manager Jim Call.
"The Lafayette area is a little more affected by the hot weather because there is less of the coastal influence," Call said, explaining why the fuels from the Lafayette segment of the project were removed early in the process. The initial areas of clean up, though, were adjacent to Wagner Ranch and Sleepy Hollow elementary schools in Orinda, which had to be completed before the commencement of the 2019-20 school year.
Call said the crews have faced challenges along the way as they worked 10-hour days, seven days a week. "We've run into a lot of wasps, and a number of workers have been stung. And along the Lafayette Ridge, we've encountered a number of rattlesnakes," Call said. He praised the efforts of the on-site biologists, who tag along with each work crew, ensuring the environment is not harmed. "They found a wild turkey nest, and we gave it a buffer," Call said.
Through mid-August, more than 20% of the fuel break acreage had been cleared. Plans are to work in Wildcat Canyon through the end of August, and then along Bear Creek Road in north Orinda. The final section to be cleared will be the area near Inspiration Point, again, because of its proximity to the coastal influence, Call said. According to terms of the MOFD contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fuel break project must be completed by Dec. 31.
Early on, Call said he heard plenty of skepticism from neighbors, but the complaints have eased as the crews complete their work in the treatment areas. "Now the bystanders comment on how nice it looks," Call said.


print story

Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!)
Comments
Send your comment to:
Reach the reporter at:

This article was published on Page A8:



Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home
Archive
Advertise
send artwork to:
ads@lamorindaweekly.com
Classified ads
Lamorinda Service Directory
About us and How to Contact us
Submit
Letter to the Editor
Send stories or ideas to:
storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Send sports stories and photos to:
sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy
Subscribe to receive storylinks by email
Content
Civic
Lafayette
Moraga
Orinda
MOFD
Life
Sports
Schools
Business
Food
Our Homes
Letters/Opinions
Calendar
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA