Fire preparation here
I think on everyone’s mind are the disastrous and unprecedented wildfires which occurred over town. We had a massive fire on Catalina Island in May, 2007. In October 2007, five scientists from the State of California Fish and Wildlife Department (CDFW) surveyed the fire damage on the island and published their findings in a memo.
“The “emergency” described by CIC (Catalina Island Conservancy) is not related to deer. The CIC (Catalina Island Conservancy) have no fire management or erosion controls currently in place. Timing of fire and continued drought conditions are precluding a normal green-up, not deer activity. (If every deer disappeared today off the island and rain occurred, erosion would still happen for the next few years due to terrain and degraded habitat type (by previous livestock overgrazing). The current habitat condition throughout the island is a result of centuries of livestock damage to soil and vegetation not deer browsing.” Memo comments from CDFW site visit 2007
Extreme drought conditions continue to put our island at risk of another catastrophic wildfire. The Catalina Island Conservancy’s lead scientist has publicly stated that the chance of another wildfire occurring on our island is not “if” but “when”. But there is a way to help mitigate the risks to lives, the island and property.
I am asking that Catalina Island Conservancy purchase fire suppression equipment – specifically, two helicopters with water dropping capabilities. This equipment could be based at Middle Ranch – next to Thompson Reservoir.
LA County and Avalon City fire fighters, our first responders, will be tasked with battling a wildfire over terrain covering approximately 88% of Catalina Island which is controlled by and the responsibility of the Catalina Island Conservancy.
Every resource to successfully fight a wildfire needs to be offered to our first responders. Los Angeles County doesn’t have the money to purchase firefighting helicopters nor does the city of Avalon…but, in my opinion and the opinion of many others, the Catalina Island Conservancy, the steward of 88% of this island, has the money, jurisdiction and responsibility to purchase such equipment.
Orange County recently purchased two firefighting helicopters for $26 million. I’m guessing the Catalina Island Conservancy will say they cannot afford to purchase firefighting helicopters or hire the staff necessary for maintenance and operation. However, the Catalina Island Conservancy was willing to pay $10 million to shoot deer from helicopters and recently spent significant amounts of money in hiring new executive management, a lobbyist, a crisis management company and scientists to make their case for deer eradication … all with the knowledge that the CDFW put the blame for the 2007 wildfire on the Catalina Island Conservancy for lack of an adequate fire management plan. Ironically, I have not heard any news reports that the Palisades and Eaton fires were caused by deer browsing.
I urge the leaders of the city of Avalon, residents as well as visitors who love this island to pressure the Catalina Island Conservancy to purchase water dropping helicopters. This needs to be accomplished – lives depend on it.
Kate Ruddon
Avalon resident
