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Page last updated May 27, 2024 6:45am
Firewise Neighborhood Clean-Up
Starting on May 23, there will one 30-yard dumpster in the Campground, with switch outs for an empty dumpster as often as Wastewise can manage. The last dumpster will be removed on Monday June 3.
Wastewise will accept pine and fir needles and cones and weeds. Small (no larger than ½ inch diameter and one foot long) sticks caught up in your waste are okay, but too many larger sticks can result in us being “cut off.” Bitterbrush is okay, but discouraged because it takes up so much volume in the dumpsters.
Waste material must be loose (no bags--plastic or paper). If you need to collect materials in bags for transport, 30 gallon paper leaf bags are about 50 cents each at Ace Hardware.
Dumpsters have walk in doors at the back for drop off. As they fill, it may be necessary to fill from the top. A portable scaffold will be provided.
This event is funded by the Okanogan Conservation District, so there is no cost for Edelweiss owners. No sign up is necessary, but we encourage you to record your address, number of bag/trailer/pick-up loads and approximate hours worked on the clipboard which will be hanging on the dumpster.
Firewise 2024: Prepare for the Fire Season
It’s a great time to get prepared for Fire Season, we could be facing a bad situation this year. Why?
- A drought, that’s been ongoing since last summer
- A very dry winter
- March temperatures in the 70s
- A shallow snowpack in the mountains
Add all these things up and it means that the wildfire hazard in the Methow Valley is likely to be even higher than average this summer.
One way you can reduce your own risk and the risk to our greater Edelweiss community, is to thin the forest on your property, and clean up roofs and on the ground. Many of you have already thinned your properties, thank you for doing that. For those of you who haven’t but are considering doing so, here are some suggestions for spring Firewising, and some references for further information.
Do it yourself
Cut the smaller and more densely packed trees yourself. You can then pile the trunks and branches next to the road before the Fall Edelweiss Chipping and Dumpster events. Edelweiss hires a contractor who will chip the cut small trees and branches at no cost to individual property owners. The next event will be in the fall. Watch for dates and details for how to sign up in September.
Clear duff away from structures and yard; and remove needles and cones from roofs.
Hire a contractor
There are several qualified contractors available to do thinning, limbing, and chipping. For a list, go to the EMC website. Then click on “Information,” then “Firewise Guidelines,” and then “Contractors.
Okanogan Conservation District
Get a FREE property assessment, this includes access, structure(s) and vegetation. To schedule and get more information, call Eli Loftis 509-429-3453 or www.okanogancd.org
Take advantage of the DNR cost-share program
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees a cost-share program to help landowners defray some of the cost of hiring a contractor. Property owners who do the thinning and limbing themselves can also benefit from the cost-share program. For an excellent description of the DNR program and how you can take part in it, go to the Edelweiss website, click on “Information,” then “Firewise Guidelines,” and then “DNR Cost Share Program.”
Organize a group of neighbors to thin their properties
If the same contractor thins the forest on two or more adjoining lots, the cost per lot can often be less than if each owner had hired a contractor separately. Talk to your neighbors about this possibility. Or get in touch with me, and I can help you get started. For further discussion of this subject, go to the Edelweiss website, click on “Information,” then “Firewise Guidelines,” and then “DNR Cost Share Program.” The discussion of group projects is under the heading “Can I reduce my costs?”
Let Us Know If You Need Help
The Firewise Committee is happy to answer any questions you might have about any of these subjects. Feel free to email: emcfireready@gmail.com
Neighborhood Coordinators: April Update
June 6, 2024, Meeting Announced–Details
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Location: Edelweiss Pool Area
Questions: Sharon Cupp, Coordinator of the Neighborhood Coordinators, Firewise Committee, sharoncupp@comcast.net
Description: In person meeting to discuss Firewise current activities within the 16 Neighborhood groups, and provide updates that assist neighborhood coordinators.
[Source: S. Cupp]
April Newsletter Information
Right of Way Tree Thinning: Mid/Late April, 2024
This is the third, and final year, of the HOA approved project to thin trees along roads in Edelweiss’ right of way. The purpose of this project is to reduce the overall fire risk currently facing Edelweiss, develop firefighting access and improve forest health by selectively thinning trees and pruning vegetation along Edelweiss roads.
This year we’ll be working on E and W Fawn Creek Rds, Cassal Rd, Laney Lane and Bitterbrush Rd. Homestead and Highland were thinned last year which will gives you an idea of what the end product looks like. We’ll be marking trees in early April and Brother Fire will begin work mid-April.
![](https://i0.wp.com/edelweissmethowvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image.png?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
[Source: EMC April Newsletter]
Spring Chipping Event: Approx May 12, 2024 Sign-up form
We are pleased to announce the Spring Chipping Event will return once again this year. The chipping event will take place soon after May 12, so please sign-up and have your chipping piles prepared by May 8. This event is being funded by a grant from the Department of Natural Resources.
Here are the requirements for debris to be chipped:
- No Bitterbrush (tends to be too dirty for chipping)
- No dimensional lumber or wood posts (these inevitably come with nails and screws embedded.)
- No pine needles, grass clippings or leaves–these can go to the dumpster during our “Yard waste event.”
- Maximum diameter is 12″
Brothers Forestry will chip dead logs and branches, but if they are too “punky” or rotten, they will separate out and leave, as that debris tends to clog the chipping chute.
Best arrangement of slash is with the “butt ends” pointing toward the road, and the slash stacked in the same direction (not criss-crossed, as that makes it more difficult and time consuming to disassemble the piles.)
Give instructions on whether chips are to be left in a pile or spread (make your choice when you use the sign up form below)
Starting on May 23, there will be at least one 30-yard dumpster in the Campground, with switch outs for an empty dumpster as often as Wastewise can manage. The last dumpster will be removed on June 2.
[Source: EMC April Newsletter]
Yard Waste Dumpsters Event: May 23, 2024
Wastewise will accept pine and fir needles and cones and weeds. Small (no larger than ½ inch diameter and one foot long) sticks caught up in your waste are okay, but too many larger sticks can result in us being “cut off.” Bitterbrush is okay, but discouraged because it takes up so much volume in the dumpsters.
Waste material must be loose (no bags). If you need to collect materials in bags for transport, 30 gallon paper leaf bags are about 50 cents each at Ace Hardware.
Dumpsters have walk in doors at the back for drop off. As they fill, it may be necessary to fill from the top. A portable scaffold will be provided.
This event is funded by the Okanogan Conservation District, so there is no cost for Edelweiss owners. No sign up is necessary, but we encourage you to record your address, number of bag/trailer/pick-up loads and approximate hours worked on the clipboard which will be hanging on the dumpster.
[Source: EMC April Newsletter]
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EMC Firewise Webmaster: Jay Edwards. Please contact Jay if you have any website questions, suggestions, comments, or see anything out of date.