Dear Neighbors:

Early this summer, we had another house fire in Chemeketa Park.  We are very lucky that the fire was able to be contained to the building of origin. The homeowner was at home when the incident occurred and promptly called 9 1 1. Thus enabling our local fire agencies to quickly respond to the residential structure fire before the situation spread to surrounding homes and vegetation. The Santa Clara County Fire Department and CalFire responded with eight engines, three Battalion Chiefs, a fire investigator and Copter 106, from the Alma Fire Station. Copter 106 dropped several hundred gallons of water when fire spread to a tree next to the home.  We are truly grateful to our local fire departments for their fast response and valiant efforts.

While it is true that summer is almost over, we are still in the midst of a record-breaking drought and one of the worst fire seasons in our state.s history.  The vegetation is extremely dry, and we need to continue to take measures to ensure that we are fire safe.  To that end, the Board is working with the Santa Clara Fire Safety Council to have brush removed from areas of the park.  Also, many neighbors have taken steps to improve the defensible space on their own properties.  (Information about defensible space can be found at www.fire.ca.gov.)

While these fire safe efforts are encouraging, there have been recent reports to the Board that indicate a disturbing trend.  Many neighbors report seeing individuals in the Park disposing of cigarette butts in an unsafe manner.  We ask that you please be careful when smoking, barbecuing, or engaging in any activity that has the potential to create sparks. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the Board.  Thank you for your continued efforts to keep Chemeketa Park safe!

On July 15th, the State Water Resources Board approved Emergency Regulation to Increase Conservation. Please see attachment

By now you are probably aware of the water emergency facing California, but you may not be aware of its depth. To give you some perspective, this is the driest year in California.s recorded history.  That.s about 165 years. This puts us at great risk not only in terms of drinking water, but also fire.  In response to this emergency the Chemeketa Park Board of Directors and our water master have been working to make our water system as efficient and leak-free as possible.

While we will continue to do our part to ensure safe drinking water for the community, we need your help.  We have initiated mandatory water rationing.  We are requiring every resident to reduce his or her water consumption by 30%.  That may sound like a difficult task, but we are sure you are up to the job.

Here are some ideas on how to reduce your water consumption:

• When washing dishes by hand it.s better to fill a tub with water than to let the water run.
  
• Cut your time in the shower by half. Turn off the water while soaping up or washing your hair.
  
• Cut down on watering your garden and/or lawn . both time and frequency.  Remember to water in the early morning or late afternoon to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
  

These are just a few ways to conserve water.  A more comprehensive list will arrive at your doorstep within the next few days. 

This said, there are some activities that will not be allowed during this mandatory water rationing phase.

• Neglecting breaks or leaks in your waterline
  
• Installing, cleaning or refilling swimming pools
  
• Washing your car
  
• Power washing your house, deck, patio or driveway
  

This restriction will remain in place until the rainy season at which point the situation will be reassessed.

 Thank you for your awareness and cooperation.

The State has declared that we are in a drought emergency. Please do your part to help reduce our water usage. Stay tuned for more information and water wise work shops in the near future.

July 29th, 2011

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As mountain residents we are all vulnerable to wildfire. We should all be thinking about the recently passedAssembly Bill, X1 29. This bill assess an annual $150 fee per habitable structure. Who will have too pay this fee and how the money will be used is unclear. For those of us living in the Lexington Hills area, we pay through our taxes for both Cal Fire Protection and County Fire Protection. Is this new fee the right way to go? I have many questions and concerns. Cal Fire has been tasked with collecting comments from residents. Please make your voice heard.

You can send comment letters and emails to the board of forestry and they should have .SRA fees. in the subject line. Comments may be addressed to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Attn: George Gentry, Executive Officer, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460. Comments may also be faxed to (916) 653-0989 or emailed to board.public.comments@fire.ca.gov

The deadline for comment submission is 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. After that, the forestry board will forward its recommendations to the legislature for review and vote.

While I am an Officer and Director on the Santa Clara County FireSafe council, the views expressed here are my own.

Rick Parfitt

1 More information on Assembly Bill, XI 29 can be found here.

2 Rick Parfitt is an Officer and Director of the Santa Clara County Firesafe Council.

3 Mr. Parfitts statements on this matter do not neccesarily reflect the views of the SCCFC.