2006 Burn Pile Performance Report

    Once again in 2006 the Alpine Fire Safe Council partnered with Alpine County Public Works and Alpine County Fire Departments to provide the community burn pile at Turtle Rock Park. Public Works mailed reminders (in their bi-monthly newsletter) to residents in Woodfords and Markleeville. The burn pile was open on weekends during the months of April-May and again in October-November. Temporary county staff manned the site and kept written records of loads delivered. Both the “spring pile” and “fall pile” were burned by the members of Woodfords and Markleeville Fire Departments.  As in past years the remnants of the piles were relocated and/or removed by Public Works prior to the utilization of the site by the Death Ride. No chipping of materials was required, thus keeping overall costs to a minimum. 

    The project disposed of an estimated 167 tons of biomass (primarily pine needles, shrubs, and limb wood.)  Combined Spring/Summer statistics show that  residents delivered 472 loads to the burn site! (see below). This project continues as the most effective, annual, community-based fuels reduction effort. Until a viable replacement appears, this project deserves continued financial support.

Spring 2006 Load Summary

              Participants:       61

              Loads:              169

              Tons:                  108

Fall 2006 Load Summary

              Participants:       88

              Loads:              302

              Tons:                    59