Firewise day in the Highlands: Pictured in the photo above are: Front row from the left: Keenan O'Brien, Colin O'Brien, Fire Chief Kevin O'Brien, Daniel O'Brien. The middle row from the left: Bea vonTobel, Dennie Carter, Ed Wilson, Dianne Jordan, Judith Leraas Cook, and---at the far right---Lee Goodwin. The back row from the left: Phoenix Welty, Rob Harvey, Bob Berdan, and Ike
By Chief Kevin O’Brien, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Department
On Saturday, June 9, 2012 the Orcas Highlands neighborhood participated in their annual Firewise work day. Under the leadership of National Firewise expert and Neighborhood Association President Judith Leraas Cook and the help of Contractor Bob Berdan and his crew, neighbors came together, rolled up their sleeves, fired-up their chain saws and weed trimmers, and marshaled a fleet of neighborhood pick-up trucks to clear their homes of vegetation that could contribute to the spread of fire.
The Orcas Highlands Association, a community of approximately 100 homes, has been a Firewise Communities/USA site for seven years. The key to success of the Highland’s Firewise program has been the strong neighborhood involvement.
The highlight of the day was the community potluck where neighbors came together to celebrate their hard work.
For more information regarding Firewise, please contact Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien at kobrien@orcasfire.org or Division Chief Val Harris at orcasfireval@live.com.
