Mazama hydrant help
Dear Editor:
Last summer’s fires (Cedar Creek and Cub Creek 2) started in the north. But even down where I live south of Twisp, we knew how easily and quickly they could spread to the rest of the valley. So when the Valley Life Mazama column (Jan. 19) talked of a project in Mazama to improve firefighting response time, it wasn’t just a Mazama story. It’s important to all of us.
Stopping a fire takes water, often a lot of it. If the fire is in Mazama, it can take 45 minutes or more to refill a bigger fire truck from the current main source in Winthrop. For years, firefighters have dreamed of turning an old well near Mazama into the high volume source they need to cut that time in half or even less. Now they need the funds for the pump and electrical to get that water from the well quickly into their trucks.
Firefighters have donated their own money and gotten important contributions from others. They still need more. They have mostly focused fundraising efforts on the people who live closest to Mazama. But I think anyone who lives in or owns property in the Methow Valley should recognize the importance of contributing so the big hydrant project can be ready for this summer.
If you want to contribute or just get more information, please contact Alan Fahnestock, a volunteer Mazama firefighter and volunteer project manager for the hydrant, at fahnestockalan@gmail.com. Donations to Okanogan County Fire District 6 are tax-deductible and can also come from your IRA if you’re making a Required Minimum Distribution. Of course, you may want to check with your own tax preparer to be sure it applies to you.
Randy Brook
Twisp
Support Tim’s Act
Dear Editor:
I am a wildland firefighter on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests writing for public support for Tim’s Act. Wildland firefighters are exposed to risks and hazards that reduce our quality of life and shorten our life span.
Our starting wages at $15 hourly require us to earn 900-plus hours of overtime each summer to afford basic needs in the off season. If we’re lucky, we work 16-hour days for 14 days straight, take two paid days off, and do it all over again until fire season ends. Local ranger districts work their firefighters 13 days straight, then grant one unpaid “day off” on unpaid on-call status.
Unsurprisingly, many wildland firefighters are leaving this field. There are many positions remaining unfilled and even engines that will remain unstaffed this fire season.
Many of the promises made by the infrastructure bill (specifically increased pay) will not be fulfilled. The Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act (Tim’s Act) H.R. 5631 will secure funding for a sustainable work force. Tim’s Act, named after smokejumper Tim Hart who died in the line of duty last summer, will fill the gaps that the infrastructure bill hasn’t.
Wildland firefighters need your support to bring Tim’s Act to the attention of your elected representatives. Please write your elected representatives in support of providing living wages for the hard-working people who protect your homes and natural resources. Sens. Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, and your congressperson need to hear from you about Tim’s Act.
Rachel Granberg
Wenatchee
Outstanding work
Dear Editor:
I want to echo the letter sent in by the Willetts about the quality of the Methow Valley News. I too look forward to it every week. The reporting on Valley Life is truly outstanding.
Keep up the great work!
Barry Leahy
Chelan
