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December 2013

PARKS & PARTNERS

Reduce, Reuse, TREE-cycle! 

One of the biggest fire hazards at this time of year, is cut Christmas trees after they've dried out...

 

DO leave your tree where it will get picked up and recycled.

 

DON'T burn your tree in a place you're not supposed to.  
__________________________________________________ 

  
"This will be the 27th year for Christmas tree recycling in San Francisco, where nearly 600 tons of trees are fed into a giant wood-chipper...each year and turned to mulch..."  

See complete story by Beth J. Harpaz, Nov 5, 2013 - NEW YORK (AP)

__________________________________________________

 

Tree remains on Ocean Beach after illegal burning in January 2012, NPS Photo

   

 

GETTING RID OF YOUR TREE 

Whoever is in charge of your regular garbage pick-up probably has a plan for collecting Christmas trees after the holidays.  If you don't know what to do with your tree, give them a call. Typically, they will have instructions for when and how to leave your tree at the curb. In other cases, there may be a drop-off location. 

 

CHIPPING AND BIOMASS  

Some trees may end up in the landfill, but more and more green waste programs are recycling trees by chipping them and using the chips for compost, mulch, or biomass-fuel. Tree chips can be turned into compost within 3-months using biological processes. This will be the fate of Christmas trees taken to Resource Recovery in Bolinas and West Marin Compost in Nicasio. Mulch from tree chips can be used to suppress weeds, reduce erosion, add soil nutrients, retain soil moisture....And then there is alternative energy... Chips are burned to create electricity in biomass plants like the ones in Tracy or Woodland where a lot of the Christmas tree chips from the San Francisco Bay Area will be taken. These biomass plants provide energy to thousands of homes.

 

AVOID FIRE HAZARDS   

It's not a good idea to burn Christmas trees in fireplaces or fire pits unless you remove the branches because the oily, green needles make a dirty burn with black smoke which is unhealthy to breath.  In contrast, the air leaving a biomass generator is filtered to remove soot before being released to the surrounding environment. Conifer needles are also very flammable and prone to casting embers which can be very hazardous.  

 

DON'T RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY WITH A CITATION FOR CHRISTMAS TREE BURNING!

 

Besides environmental concerns, burning Christmas trees is prohibited in some places and may result in a fine.  For example, even though some people do it every year, Christmas tree burning is not allowed at Ocean Beach or anywhere else in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

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"For decades, one not-so-secret tradition has been the annual Post-Yule Pyre, a massively unauthorized torching of used-up, spiritless Christmas trees at an undisclosed location on Ocean Beach..."

 

See complete story by Jesse Garnier, January 4, 2013 - SFBAY.CA

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Numerous $125 citations for Christmas tree burning were issued at Ocean Beach by Park Police last year.

 

If you hear of any plans for a "Post-Yule Pyre", please contact a Park Ranger!

 

 

TOP BANNER PHOTO: Christmas trees being loaded into a chipper at San Francisco City Hall Plaza in December 2012. Photo credit: Cindy Chew / Special to the S.F. Examiner. More... 



Estero Prescribed Fire, October 2013 at Point Reyes National Seashore

 
 
Estero Prescribed Fire Improves Grassland at Point Reyes

Fire management staff and local partners successfully completed a 141-acre burn on N Ranch near Drakes Estero at Point Reyes National Seashore last October. This project is part of an invasive plant eradication effort that has been using fire in combination with other techniques since 1993 to control Scotch broom. The Scotch broom infestation at the Point Reyes threatens both the quality of the rangeland in the pastoral zone and the native ecosystem, including 15 rare plant species and several animal species of concern. If conditions are favorable, the rest of the 575-acre project area will be burned next year.  
 
Bay Area Headlines

 

Marin Officials, Fire Chiefs Embrace New...Vegetation Management Plan

(Marin Independent Journal, October 30, 2013)

 

Recycled Christmas Trees: Mulch, Dunes, Habitats

(AP, November 5, 2013) 

  

Prescribed Burn Near Hollister

(The Monterey County Herald, November 7, 2013)

 

CAL FIRE Lifts Burn Restrictions in Monterey, San Benito Counties 

(CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit, December 2, 2013)

 

Upcoming Events

 

DECEMBER 29 - TAM FIRE SITE RESTORATION WORK DAY -  The Habitat Restoration Team will be planting more native trees and pulling French broom to restore this site where 12 acres of eucalyptus trees burned in 2004. All are welcome to join this ongoing work, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM.  Meet at Eastwood Park. More... 

 

DECEMBER 30 -  MARIN COUNTY MEAURE A COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS DUE -  Volunteer committee members review annual expenditures to ensure conformity with the Ordinance 3586 Expenditure Plan, oversee an annual audit, and prepare an annual report describing how funds were spent. More...

 

JANUARY 17 - COST-SHARE APPLICATIONS DUE (1st QTR) - FIRE SAFE PROJECTS, ALAMEDA / CONTRA COSTA COUNTY -   Diablo Fire Safe Council is providing up to $5,000 cost-share assistance for defensible space fuel reduction projects in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. More...


JANUARY 21 - DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS, MARIN COUNTY VEGETATION AND BIODIVERSITY PLAN -
  Marin County Open Space District is soliciting comments on specific issues to be included in the environmental review of a draft plan which will direct resource management on its 34 preserves. Comments must be received by 4:30 pm, January 21. More...

 

 

 
An 88-foot tall Engleman spruce from the Colville National Forest is decorating the grounds of the U.S. Capitol this year.
Photo by C. Loggers.

 










Holiday Fire Safety Tips



CHRISTMAS TREES can remain relatively fire resistant if you follow these simple steps:

  • When selecting a live tree, choose a fresh one with green needles.
  • Recut the trunk at least two inch above the old cut as soon as you get it home...
  • Keep the trunk in water immediately after it is recut. Moisture is the key to keeping the tree fresh...
  • Check the water levels daily... Never let the water level go below the bottom of the trunk...
  • Locate any tree at least 3 feet away from sources of heat. 
  • Never leave a lighted tree unattended.
  • Remove the tree immediately after the holidays. 

LIGHTS & DECORATIONS

  • Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  • Keep decorations away from heat sources, windows and doors.
  • Properly install your holiday lights. Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.
  • Be sure to use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
  • Make sure all electrical cords have no frayed or cracked wires or broken sockets. 
  • Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
  • Do not leave lights turned on for prolonged periods or unattended.
  • Keep your exits clear by keeping decorations away from windows and doors.
  • LED lights produce almost no heat, making them safe to touch and greatly reducing the risk of fire.
More...

BEST WISHES FOR 2014!

Sincerely,
  
Jennifer Chapman
Fire Communication and Education Specialist
S.F. Bay Area National Parks
415-464-5133 TEL
email  

Thanks to all the partners who are working to improve fire safety and restore ecosystem health.