Fire Mitigation is any activity or treatment intended to reduce the spread of wildfire and damage to properties and greenspaces.
The Greenbelt Management Committee (GMC) follows the latest forestry science best practices for fire mitigation and is actively working with the CLRRA and the Crystal Lakes Open Space Conservancy to secure grants to support a variety of mitigation projects in the following areas: Fuel Reduction:
Remove dead trees (both standing and on the ground) and slash (branches, twigs, brush and other waste material generated from clearing and cleaning outdoor natural spaces in and around properties and greenspaces).
Maintain areas that have been cleared/mitigated in the past by removing new growth. The saplings removed for this purpose can be replanted in new areas - for information on adopting saplings, contact Carmel Mawle at [email protected]
Strategic Thinning:
Thinning is the process of removing select trees to reduce the overall density and competition among trees. The remaining trees will be stronger, healthier, and better able to resist disease, stress and wildfire.
GMC works with forestry conservation rangers to develop tailored mitigation plans using best practices that will increase the health of the strongest trees in our greenspaces and forests.
Tell us about the greenbelts and green spaces near your property: Property owners are invited to notify us about any areas of concern. To notify the GMC of a problem in a Greenbelt area, please contact us at [email protected] - please specify the location and if the area is close to any structure.
Any property owners who would like to personally volunteer to help with mitigation in Greenbelt areas around their property must first contact the Basecamp office for permission, sign the volunteer liability waiver, and learn about mitigation guidelines in order to achieve the best outcome. If you would like permission to mitigate a Greenbelt area yourself, please contact Basecamp Manager Maria Stella Anderson at [email protected]
And, of course, we invite you to join the GMC, attend one of our virtual Zoom meetings or send an email for more information and support regarding the community’s greenbelts and greenspaces.
GMC Christmas Tree Fundraiser Watch the CLRRA View newsletter for information on our annual Christmas tree and potted sapling event at Basecamp. The trees and saplings are new growth taken from past mitigation areas where we are working to maintain cleared areas. Funds raised go toward the Open Space Conservancy.
Property Owner Mitigation Resources: The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a comprehensive resource and assessment of fire hazards and mitigation action prepared for Crystal Lakes by The Ember Alliance in 2022.
Crystal Lakes Fire Department has many resources for property owners on their website. Go to https://www.clvfd.org/. You can find their Mitigation Assessment Checklist below.