The Gull's Call - Jan/Feb/Mar 2025

CommunityNews Fire Mitigation in Harbor Bay by Joseph Landaeta, Maintenance Director I N EARLY SEPTEMBER 2024, A FIRE MYSTERIOUSLY occurred at Veterans Memorial Park. No one was injured except for the emotions of our residents, staff, and our veterans.

COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Homeowner Association fire prevention is a community effort, and everyone needs to get involved, especially in an “Urban Forest.” Fire can be weather driven especially when summer fire issues are present in the area you live in and weather gets extra dry. FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS While most fires in California occur during fire season in summer and fall, fire can endanger lives and property at any time of the year. Many plants survive pruning and thinning better in fall or late winter than in spring or summer when they are actively growing. Fire hazard reduction is best worked into the normal property maintenance schedule, some task ongoing and performed once a year before fire season and others undertaken every few years as needed. Structures and lives are put at risk when accumulated fuels make property damage more likely and fighting fires more difficult. FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES Ongoing: • Clean up and dispose of leaves and other plant litter. • Remove debris from roof and gutters. • Remove dead plants and dead branches from trees and shrubs. • Remove vines from trees, shrubs, and fences. Annually before fire season: • Mow annual grasses and weeds. • Cut back woody plants that accumulate dry material. • Cut back ivy, vines, and low growing ground covers to remove build up, old dry stems, and dead leaves. • Cut back twiggy shrubs. • Thin and reduce canopies to remove twiggy growth, maintain separation between trees and reduce overall fuel load. • Avoid topping trees as this causes excessive branching and twiggy growth that can increase the fire hazard. • Thin overgrown vegetation. Every few years, or as needed:

Thank you to the Alameda Fire Department for responding and extinguishing the fire and saving what would have been a loss of one of the Community’s focal points in somber remembrance and gratitude of our Veterans. Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 25, 1998. Twenty-one Italian Cypress trees ring the parade field to represent the 21-gun Salute in honor of the National Flag. Sadly, the fire destroyed 3 of the 21 cypress trees, along with surrounding landscaping irrigation. But, thanks to the fast action of Davey Tree Expert Company, Devil Mountain Nursery, and the Harbor Bay Isle staff, the area has been brought back to the original design.

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The Gull’s Call