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I wish I could go, but I have plans already. Hopefully some of the rest of us can go help.Forest Recovery in the Rodeo-Chediski Fire area
Saturday, July 27
Heber, Arizona
We need as many volunteers as we can get! We regret such short notice, but it has been hard to get things nailed down. We are going to be short-handed with such a short notice, so please join us if you can.
Link to fact and registration pages at web site.
http://www.dgcenter.org/voa/eventdescri ... -recov.htm
Below is information we have at the web site.
The work
We will be distributing straw in areas that have been aerially seeded with a mixture of native grasses. Bales of straw we be pre-positioned in the work area. Small teams will take them apart and cover the ground in the immediate vicinity. This is simple work but it is dirty because it is in the burn area.
You are encouraged to arrive Friday evening and stay over and enjoy the place on Sunday. The forests are now open except for the burned areas. (This was a “mosaic burn”—over 40% of the total burn area did not burn and the damage in some of the burned areas is light.)
Physical requirements to participate
While all volunteers will be provided with dust masks, this is not an appropriate project for persons with respiratory conditions. (All volunteers will be evacuated if serious winds are encountered.) Otherwise, you will be walking in a burn area of fairly gentle slopes, breaking up and scattering straw.
Agenda
You may do this as a day trip, but we strongly advise against that. It is a three to four hour drive to Heber. Camping “arrangements” are described below.
Saturday:
8:00 AM – gather at Mogollon High School in Heber –There will be other groups and individuals there. Look for the VOA banner or Michael’s green Jeep Cherokee. The feds will provide an orientation to volunteers and then shuttle everyone in school busses to work area, which is nearby.
We will break for lunch in the forest and return to the high school in the afternoon. It is hard to predict the exact time, but we would expect it to be about 4:00 PM.
It is possible that the work schedule will be changed if winds or electrical storms develop.
Camping & meals
We have arranged for camping at Camp Shadow Pines. There is water, one porto-john, a barbeque pit, plenty of pads for RV’s and plenty of space in the forest. We will be camping adjacent to the camp and will not have access to their facilities (insurance issue).
Because of the emergency nature of this event VOA will not be providing food service. We will have breakfast beverages, including juice, Saturday and Sunday AM. Campfire restrictions have been lifted.
The weather is certainly pleasant there—especially compared to Phoenix. Upper 80’s to lower 90’s during the day and low 50’s at night.
What to wear and bring
BAER (feds) team is providing hard hats, gloves, and dusk masks.
Wear
Good work shoes
Light weight OLD long pants and long sleeve shirts – your clothes will get very dirty
Gaiters, if you have them, will help keep the ash out of your boots
At least two quart s of water to carry with you. Because of the elevation (About 8,500 feet) you will need to drink extra water.
Sun protection (wide brim hat, sun screen)
Rain gear
Change of clothing for after work
Other gear
Camping gear. You should make certain your tent is sealed because rain is a good possibility this time of year
Your own food and a lunch you can carry with you and enough for your drinking needs during the day.
Small day pack to carry personal items (including toilet paper) to the field
If you do not want to camp, Payson is probably the most convenient place to look for a motel.
Recommended: personal first aid kit
Directions from east Valley
Take US 87 (Beeline Highway) north to Payson
In Payson, take US 260 east toward Heber/Overgaard
Camp ground: Camp Shadow Pines is a few miles west of Heber on the north side of the highway at mile marker 300. Pull into the camp and follow the VOA signs to your left.
Magollon High School is on the north side of the highway in Heber. There is a large sign.
Please drive carefully.
Please email (voa@dgcenter.org) or register on-line if you can come
Link: http://www.dgcenter.org/voa/eventdescri ... -recov.htm
Thanks,
GTG
