On the weekend of August 1, 2020, tree service and volunteer crews worked to make the switchbacks on Island Drive a safer place.
The goal of this project is to reduce potential wildfire fuel at this location by removing smaller understory trees and limb established trees. Trees were marked for removal by Scott Josiah, a professional forester. Then Timber Tree Service cut and limbed the trees. Local volunteers pulled the fallen limbs to the streetside for chipping. Timber Tree Service then chipped the remaining stacks and blew the chips back into the vegetation area.
The top portion of an ailing douglas fir is removed to create a habitat tree
EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND RESPONSE
The road through the Island Drive switchback is the only evacuation route for a peak population of approximately 50 residents. Summer peak population coincides with wildfire season.IMPROVING FOREST HEALTH
By preserving forest canopy, existing native vegetation will provide a fire-resistant understory. Future routine fuel reduction will require less effort and can be accomplished by our local volunteers.Island Drive Switchback before the fuel reduction
…and after fuel reduction.
Thank you!
This project was made possible by the hard work and contributions of many neighbors. David Canterman deserves a special acknowledge for organizing the volunteers and chipping service. Because so many showed up Saturday morning to work, everything was done and ready for the chipping crew by noon that day. “I want to thank everyone who showed up today in Scenic Estates to help us reduce the fire danger,” says David, “It was an amazing group of volunteers and we accomplished in a matter of 5 hours what I thought would take 2 entire days.”
Forest fuel reduction by the numbers
VOLUNTEER TIME
50 hours
50 hours by local neighbors to clear fallen limbs from the area of chipping.
FUEL REDUCTION
300 square yards
Approximately 300 square yards of limbs and small trees were chipped and spread back into the vegetation.
FUNDING
Major funding for tree service from Lummi Island Scenic Estates' budget.$1,100 contributed by neighbors in the area.
A portion of chipping fees paid from a WAFAC grant through the Lummi Island Fire Department.
Endorsement from Lummi Island Fire Department
Speaking for the Lummi Island Fire Department, John Granger and I agree that reducing forest fuel loads on lands adjacent to the switchbacks along Island View Lane (which is the only evacuation route for residents in upper Scenic Estates) would significantly enhance resident and evacuation safety during a wildfire event. It would also improve safer access for first responders to this area. We commend you and the residents of Scenic Estates for initiating this project and making it happen. As a professional forester, I would be glad to mark the smaller understory trees and ladder fuels for removal, while ensuring the larger trees and native shrub layer would be retained to maintain site diversity and appropriate shading levels. When you have received authorization from the county to remove trees on the county lands that are adjacent to the road, I’ll go ahead and mark the trees.
Scott Josiah, PhD
LIFD Disaster Preparedness Division
Support from Whatcom County Public Works
From the County’s perspective, you are good to go. Public Works does not require an encroachment permit for tree removal and routine vegetation management on private land covered by a public right of way, unless the work interferes with the public use. Your proposal does not interfere with public use.… We at Public Works are believers!
Jon Hutchings
Public Works Director, Whatcom County
I’ve worked with Scott Josiah and knew that he was working on some plans for fire fuel reduction for the island. Having this information in the proposal, which is comprehensive and specific, is very helpful.… I commend Scott and the other island residents for taking this on.
Laurel Baldwin
Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board
