Independence Fire Safe Council grateful for support of green waste disposal weekend

The Independence Fire Safe Council (IFSC) would like to give a shout out to the community of Independence for their participation in the fourth annual free green waste disposal weekend event on March 23 and March 24.

There is a line-up of people to thank that made it such a huge success. And judging by the full 40-yard roll-off dumpster it was a success!

For starters Owen’s Valley School contributed the space for the event, nothing better than the center of town. The school allowed the council to recruit student participation, Emma Gonzalez, and Rolon Antee. Emma surveyed residents helping the Fire Safe Council gather information on fire safe strategies and priorities. Rolon picked up a rake and worked in the roll-off stacking the biomass and helped a resident with clearing her property of tumbleweeds.

A big thanks goes to the PAWS volunteers, Dave Mull, and Nate Reade, and his sons Noah and Owen who lent a hand picking up bagged green waste at homes in town by the truck-full; helping folks that did not have vehicles to make it to the dump or to the roll-off at the school. A thanks to Jon Klusmire who helped with the emptying of each truck or trailer that came with a load for the dumpster.

Last but not least we thank the community for working to make our town a safer place by clearing away the dead and dying plants, leaves and shrubs around their homes. We are especially grateful to Kristen Pfeiler, Inyo County Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator that provided the volunteers with leather work gloves and protection eye wear. With funding through the California Fire Safe Council, the County Office of Emergency Services assisted with the funding for the rental of the roll-off and informational mailings to the town.

Each year people return along with new faces to the event, working together, sharing pizza and chatting about fire safe concerns and strategies. It does take a village to keep the village safe from wildfires.

Sincerely,

Bill Michael, Mary Canada, Irene Cruise, Tamara Cohn, Nate Reade, Craig Poole The Independence Fire Safe Council Board