By Bob Decker
It is truly amazing when one can see the results of the “power of the people”!
This past Saturday, October 1st, 29 volunteers showed up at 8:00 AM to assist the Payson Senior Center begin to clear tall grass, weeds, fallen brush and other fire fuels from the site of their future facility off Malibu Street behind the Payson Police Department. Participants were organized into three teams: cut, carry away, and stack.
Before After
Former fireman, Alan MacKay, Vice-President of the nonprofit Rim Wildfire Awareness Team, Inc. (RIMWAT), conducted a short safety and procedures class. The teams were then formed up to begin the work. After approximately 3 hours, Elsa Steffanson, Executive Director of the nonprofit Pine/Strawberry Fuel Reduction (PSFR) organization, called for a “time out” break when we all took a look around and marveled at how much we had cleared. The pictures speak for themselves.
With fuels mitigation costing around $6,000 per acre, many homeowners cannot afford to prepare their properties to survive a wildfire. RIMWAT was formed to assist those homeowners whom either cannot afford to mitigate, are not physically able to, or do not know how to make their properties safer. The Senior Center Mitigation Project was an example of what we, as concerned citizens, can do when we work together.
To become a part of one of our volunteer teams, or for a no-charge property evaluation in Payson or Star Valley, please contact RIMWAT at (928) 275-1244. For homeowners in Pine/Strawberry, call PSFR at (602) 842-1955.
RIMWAT is working to help make the Rim Country a safer place to live! ★ ★ ★ ★
