My 250th Blog Post

My last blog post on the May 20^th Sun Valley City Council meeting was the 250^th blog I’ve written since I began this interesting journey back in 2005.

Blogging has been a great way, as an Elected Official, to communicate with the citizens on a variety of issues. It has also been a tool to keep our community instantly informed, particularly in the early stages of the massive Castle Rock Fire of 2007. I have had a great time sharing many of my photos with you here, and it has been a way for long-lost friends to find me. I can’t think of abetter opportunity to involve technology in our democracy.

Great thanks to all of you who regularly read my blog posts, for your comments, and for your e-mails and phone calls! I look forward to continuing this journey with you here.

Here’s a photo I took a couple of weeks ago of Idaho’s beautiful Sawtooth Mountains from near Lower Stanley. Enjoy!

Living in the Urban-Wildland Interface

Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to meet and discuss forest issues with Regional Forester Harv Forsgren, head of the U.S. Forest Service’s Intermountain Region. The Intermountain Region, which includes the Sawtooth National Forest among its 13 National Forests, covers 6 states and nearly 34 million acres of forest and grasslands.

We had an excellent discussion concerning the huge impact that fire is now having on the Forest Service’s budget, the past 100 years’ policy of fighting fire, drought conditions, and especially the urban-wildland interface. Currently 50% of the agency’s annual budget is spent fighting fires.

We received a massive local dose of this reality last year during the Castle Rock Fire, especially on how volatile a fire can be, and what a precarious situation we have created by building so close to the forest with indefensible materials. I took this picture out Adams Gulch during the Castle Rock Fire last summer.

The Los Angeles Times today has an excellent article on how development in the urban-wildland interface is a contributing factor to the escalating cost of fighting forest fires. Click here to read the LA Times article.

We are certainly aware of the situation here in Sun Valley and recently added a used heavy wildland fire engine purchased from the BLM to our City Fire Department’s arsenal. In addition, we recently banned wood roofs on all new construction and major renovations in the City. Protecting the City is one of our principal missions. Doing it with limited resources is always a challenge.

Locally, Fire Chief Jeff Carnes has been encouraging residents of Sun Valley to work with Blaine County Firewise to take steps to make their property safer from the threat of wildfires. Last year Patti and I worked with the Forest Service to “firewise” our cabin. This year we invited Blaine County Firewise to survey our home in Sun Valley. They came up with several recommendations which we are currently implementing. Click here to go to the BC Firewise website. Give the Firewise folks a call; they are great people to work with on finding ways to protect your home.

 

Congratulations – Castle Rock Fire Community – Idaho’s Brightest Star

Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter, on Thursday, March 27th recognized the 2008 Idaho “Brightest Stars” nominees in a ceremony in Boise. Over 100 nominations from around the state were made in the following categories: Individual, Youth, School, Organization, Small Business, Corporation, and Community. These Idaho “Brightest Stars” were all acknowledged for their outstanding volunteerism and service to others.

The Governor’s Brightest Star Awards program was established in 2001 to promote volunteerism that positively impacted citizens working on behalf of Idaho’s families and children. It was designed to affirm and encourage active civic engagement by citizens of all ages and focuses specifically on volunteerism. The program is now under the direction of Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

Among the three nominations in the “Community” category was our very own Wood River Valley community. The “Castle Rock Fire Community” was a grand prize award winner, receiving the First Lady’s Choice Brightest Star Award.

 

First Lady Lori Otter, in presenting the award, recited these words prepared by Cindy Jesinger in the nomination about our community. The First Lady added that she was very impressed with the volunteerism in the community while visiting during the fire:

“The Wood River Valley Community provided for food, shelter and safety during the Castle Rock Fire. 700 people volunteered shelter for evacuated families, food, animal care for small pets and large animals, automobile/RV/boat parking spaces, food for Command Center volunteers, coats, sunglasses and massages for firefighters, storage of valuables, and support of the Wildland Firefighters Fund. The Castle Rock Fire Community in Blaine County created a national model of volunteerism during disasters. From individuals answering telephones; to teams walking neighborhoods preparing residents for evacuation; to restaurants providing food for members of the Incident Command. Residents united to support efforts so save their community. Local, state and federal elected officials rallied to support and join the efforts of local residents. Thanks to all who helped during the time of need.”

From my personal experience during the fire, I can confirm this community redefined the term “volunteerism.” Every person, whether a full-time resident, second-homeowner, occasional tourist, business owner, you name it, stepped up to the plate to make the effort a success. The responses I received from down the street or from the other side of the world to my fire reports on this blog were heartwarming. So many offered to help in countless ways and fortunately we were able to take them up on those offers. Even those working on various aspects of the fire because it was their job went way beyond the call of duty and volunteered countless hours of personal time to the community. It shows the deep love everyone shares for our community.  

Blaine County Disaster Services Director, Charles Turner, led a group of valley residents to Boise to represent the 700+ volunteers who earned the Brightest Star Award. Chuck and Cindy Jesinger, who nominated the community for the Award, were congratulated by Governor Otter during the ceremony.

Earlier in the day, the contingent from Blaine County had its picture taken with the Governor and First Lady.

To see some of the volunteers in action, you can click here to view my slide show from the Castle Rock Fire.

Wishing Senator Stennett Well

Patti and I are wishing our friend and local State Senator Clint Stennett well as he undergoes surgery to reduce swelling on his brain. The Times-News reported the story on Clint here today.

Sun Valley and Blaine County are very fortunate to be represented in the Legislature by a leader with the talents Clint has shown over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and wife Michelle during this difficult time. We are looking forward to his speedy recovery, as Idaho needs his good sense and leadership back in the Legislature.

Here is a picture I captured of Clint this past summer during the Castle Rock Fire as he contemplated the impact it was having on our community as the flames were boiling up the backside of Baldy.

Technology and the Environment

To kick off the New Year, I was thinking today about how we could do some positive things in the City of Sun Valley to improve our environmental image in the resort world. Right or wrong in the grading, the poor ranking the Sun Valley Resort has received the past two years from the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition has probably not helped the tourism business for the valley from the growing number of environmentally conscious travelers which we so heavily depend on in this highly competitive business.

The Sun Valley City Council began 2007 by passing a Resolution adopting the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. That was a big step for our City, but the remainder of the year showed little follow through. Our neighbor Hailey was very successful in preparing and implementing a climate protection plan as this story by Gary Stivers at SunValleyOnline shows. I am hoping Hailey’s leadership will rub off on us and others.

Our local economy is significantly tied to the climate – both in the winter and summer. The warmer it gets, the shorter the ski seasons are becoming, and the larger the forest fires are becoming, the harder they are to fight and the longer they last. Both have already had impacts on our tourist visits. Our major competitors are taking significant strides to do something about protecting the climate (see Vail, Aspen, Park City, Jackson Hole). Even the little ski area in Montana where I learned to ski as a kid, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, runs its operations on biodiesel. Our neighbor to the south, Nevada and in particular the tourist mecca of Las Vegas has been finding out that clean energy and sustainable development pays off as well, especially in down real estate markets, as this story tells. It’s time for action in Sun Valley, not more studies, talk, finger crossing, wishful thinking or denial.

Being involved in various technology businesses, I thought about the marriage of tech and the environment. In my research I came across a website/blog called “EcoGeek.” They have a great site with ideas, insight and links to a resource of practical information. As they say, “EcoGeek devotes its pages to exploring the symbiosis between nature and technology.”

A story EcoGeek did the other day titled “7 Technologies that will Save the Earth in 2008” caught my attention. It has some very practical ideas and thoughts that can help improve our lives while also making sure that we don’t mess up the Earth at the same time. Give it a look.

Hopefully, the City of Sun Valley has the political will necessary to do the right things to make certain our local economy is strong long into the future by ensuring that our environment is also strong.

Great Thanks to our Sun Valley Firefighters

Last evening Patti and I attended, with well over 1,000 others, the 28th Annual Sun Valley/Ketchum Firefighters’ Ball held in the Limelight Room in Sun Valley. It was good to catch up with plenty of old friends and reminded us again of the importance of “community.”

Seeing our firefighters and their families also reminded me again of how important the Sun Valley Fire Department is to the City and how fortunate we are as residents of Sun Valley to have the Department we do. Led by Chief Jeff Carnes, our Sun Valley Department is constantly singled out as the leader in how a small fire department can operate efficiently and smoothly.

Chief Jeff Carnes & Firefighter and First-Responder Tina Carnes

Last year at this time I wrote a blog about the Fireman’s Ball (click here to see it). It explains the importance of the Ball in raising money for the Firefighters’ Burn-out Fund. With the heavy use of equipment and extra expenses incurred during the Castle Rock Fire this year, any extra help to replenish their funds is especially important. If you haven’t already contributed some tax-deductible dollars to the fund, please take a moment and send them a check:

Sun Valley/Ketchum Volunteer Firefighters’ Association
P.O. Box 966
Ketchum, ID 83340

Great thanks.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Trail Leader Chris Leman Recognized

Last April I wrote a blog about our friend and local trails guru Chris Leman (click here to read it). After a series of well deserved awards and recognition, Chris has continued his fine volunteer work throughout the summer. He really stepped up to the plate during the Castle Rock Fire, looking out for our ever important trail system. Now he is making sure they are properly rehabilitated.

Big Wood Backcountry Trails member and Sturtos employee Kasey Hochmuht also stepped up to the plate recently when she noticed Chris was in need of a new mountain bike. Realizing Chris deserved a thank you from the members, she called on all of us to help get a bike for him. After using her connections at Sturtos and getting a deal from Scott USA, she pulled off a wonderful presentation at tonight’s monthly meeting of BWBT. Member Bob Rosso of the Elephant’s Perch also presented special gifts to Chris and his always supportive wife Laurie. Pete Lane’s kicked in a little something special for Chris and Laurie as well. I think the pictures say it all.

As one member so aptly said this evening: “Who says community service doesn’t pay.” In Chris’ case this is a very small, but well deserved thank you for all he does for the community. In my opinion, the Lemans’ contribution to the well being of the community by making our trails some of the best in the nation is a very significant factor in the success of our local tourist economy.

You can always read Chris’ latest trail update and blog by clicking here.

Castle Rock Fire Slide Show

After distilling down nearly 1,000 pictures I took of the Castle Rock Fire, I was finally able to put together a slide show. These are my favorite 72 pictures which tell a story that reflects on the local human side of the fire. You have three choices for viewing the slide show (see below).

It starts with the small smoke behind Bald Mountain ski area on August 17, 2007 when the fire was only about 30 acres in size. As the fire grows and threatens Ketchum and homes north of town, it shows the big backfire effort in Adams Gulch, some behind the fire lines scenes near the Upper Board Ranch and out Greenhorn Gulch, and then takes a look inside the Emergency Operations Center in Ketchum as evacuation plans are made as the fire threatens neighborhoods south of Bald Mountain and then the Warm Springs section of Ketchum. The show ends with Baldy rising from the smoke on August 30, 2007. On September 4, 2007 the fire was declared contained at 48,520 acres.

To see the slide show through my Flickr site: click here.

To see the slide show through my web site: click here.

To download a full PDF version of the slide show (it’s large: 16.6 MB): click here.

Keeping Constituents Informed

It was humbling to learn today that this blog was recognized as one of a small, but growing number of blogs by public officials who use them to communicate with their constituents.

In an article at DemocracySpace.org entitled “Official Blogging” our effort to cover the Castle Rock Fire was highlighted along with the blog of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. DemocracySpace.org was recently created as a “place for community organizers, study circles participants, and public officials to meet online and share stories of building the citizen engagement movement.” This is a very positive and intriguing use of blogs which should help communities address pressing issues through inclusive dialogue. I would encourage you to take a little time and explore their site at this link.

Speaking of blogging the Castle Rock Fire, it was amazing to learn that during the fire several other blogs, websites and news outlets (including CNN) linked to our blog as a source of information. The response from Sun Valleyites down the street and on the other side of the world was amazing. I am glad that we were able to be here to provide that service to our residents, second homeowners and visitors.

Labor Day Tribute to Our Firefighters

As we commemorate Labor Day, our national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country, it is appropriate to pay special thanks to our local firefighters.

The Sun Valley Fire Department, comprised of two full-time employees and 20 plus on-call volunteers, provided critical support to the U.S. Forest Service and Ketchum during the Castle Rock Fire. Our Fire Department was called out almost immediately to help provide structure protection in the Adams Gulch, Hulen Meadows and Fox Creek areas. They stayed on that job for 14 days. As they did that work, they also continued to provide protection for all of our residences, businesses, visitors and residents in Sun Valley. While all the media attention was on the Ketchum Fire Department, they were being supported by Sun Valley and more than 20 volunteer, city and rural fire departments from across Idaho. Hailey, Wood River Rural, Bellevue, Carey, Sawtooth Valley and Friedman Memorial Fire Departments also played a valuable role in the Castle Rock Fire.

Had the tables been turned and this fire or another was threatening Sun Valley, the Ketchum Fire Department would have done the same thing to support us. That is what makes the firefighting brotherhood as great as it is. They work selflessly for the well-being of our greater community.

So here’s great thanks to Jeff, Pat, Blair, Eric, Tina, Ray, Mal, Reid, Jim, Chris, Dan, Chris, James, John, Gunnar, Bart, George, Joe, Matt, Ryan, and Mark; and also Nick’s and Patrick’s great support help.  

Castle Rock Fire Update 9/1/07 – 10:00 a.m.

9/4/07 – 9:00 a.m. Update – InciWeb reports at 9:00 a.m. the fire is now 100% contained: “After a long tough fight, the Castle Rock Fire has been 100% contained and handlines and bulldozer lines completely surround the 48,520 acre fire…” To read the full InciWeb report, click here. Congratulations to Incident Commander Jeanne Pincha-Tulley and her entire crew!

*****

9/4/07 – 8:00 a.m. Update – NIFC reports at 5:30 a.m. the fire at 48,520 acres, containment at 94%, personnel at 919 and total cost to date at $23.4 million. The report now estimates full containment today, September 4, 2007.

***** 

9/3/07 – 8:00 a.m. Update -  NIFC reports at 8:00 a.m. the fire at 48,189 acres, containment at 89%, personnel at 1,087 and total cost to date at $22.6 million. Fire managers still estimate full containment of the fire today, Monday, September 3rd. The latest InciWeb report is available by clicking here.

*****  

9/2/07 – 8:00 a.m. Update – NIFC reports at 8:00 a.m. the fire at 47,859 acres, containment at 81%, personnel at 1,517 and total cost to date at $20.3 million. Fire managers estimate full containment of the fire by tomorrow, Monday, September 3rd. The latest InciWeb report (click here) gives a good run down on the status of the fire this morning.

*****

This good news from the USFS and Blaine County this morning:

Upper & Lower Board Ranch neighborhoods are upgraded to Voluntary Evacuation Status beginning at Gates Road as of Noon today.  That means residents (only) can return to the area, but no contractors, landscapers, etc.  However if fire behavior changes, you may need to leave again.  Remember, no one will be admitted until 12:00 PM!

For additional important information on the lifting of the mandatory evacuation order and other status changes, please click here.

*****

Resources:

For USFS Incident Report updates click here.

      (if InciWeb is down click here)

For current Blaine County updates click here.

For Firewise information click here.

For trail closure information from Big Wood Backcountry Trails click here.

For health information regarding wildfire smoke from St. Luke’s Hospital click here.

For current air quality information in the Ketchum/Sun Valley area click here.

For information on how to contribute to the local firefighters click here.

For general information - call 208-726-7811

Castle Rock Fire Update 8/30/07 – 10:30 p.m.

9/1/07 – 8:00 a.m. Update – NIFC reports at 5:30 a.m. the fire at 47,316 acres, containment at 78%, personnel at 1,547 and total cost to date at $18.9 million. They continue to mop up the backfire behind the homes in the Board Ranch area of Warm Springs this morning where the mandatory evacuation remains in effect.

****

8/31/07 – 6:00 a.m. Update – NIFC reports at 5:30 a.m. the fire at 46,231 acres, containment at 66%, personnel at 1,701 and total cost to date at $16.6 million.

H B-Day – P B-R!

*****

Tonight’s Community Briefing at Hemingway School by Incident Commander Jeanne Pincha-Tulley and Operations Chief Joe Reyes was a breath of fresh air and hope. It looks like the end is in sight.

In Jeanne’s words, as she pointed to a map of the Lower Board Ranch area, “When we finish this piece, we can put this baby to bed.” That’s not to say that we won’t be seeing smoke into the winter snows and perhaps even a little next spring as some roots that smolder over the winter perk up again (yes they can do that!). Our Board Ranch friends living as refugees are getting anxious, and rightly so. The good news is their homes are standing and they will have a place to go home to.

Several other topics were covered at the meeting including plans already underway on resource recovery assessments, planning for making our community better prepared for future fire events through the “Firewise” program, and watershed protection. Ketchum District Ranger Kurt Nelson explained he and his staff will be working with Big Wood Backcountry Trails in assessing needs for trails rehabilitation.

We are not completely out of the woods, so to speak, as the weather service is predicting more storms which could effect the fire lines over the next few days. The fire managers will be paying close attention to this, making sure the lines they have constructed and reinforced hold.

Resources:

For USFS Incident Report updates click here.

      (if InciWeb is down click here)

For current Blaine County updates click here.

For Firewise information click here.

For trail closure information from Big Wood Backcountry Trails click here.

For health information regarding wildfire smoke from St. Luke’s Hospital click here.

For current air quality information in the Ketchum/Sun Valley area click here.

For information on how to contribute to the local firefighters click here.

For general information - call 208-726-7811