On Saturday April 7 2012. in Dutch Flat, California a crew of volunteers dedicated to fire safety used hand tools to wage war against an extremely flammable species of invasive plant. Both Scotch Broom and French Broom were removed from the side of the road.
Photos provided by William Hart:
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| Some the of the 2012 effort was a follow up treatment to the 2011 event. Scotch Broom seeds can last up to seven years and brush cut at the ground line can sprout new growth. |
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| CDF Batallion Chief Chris Paulus |
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| Placer County Supervisor 5th district Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery |
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| Ryan Bellanca of Bella Wildlife & Forestry Services |
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| After being pulled from the hillsides the brush was carried down to the road |
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| Once the invasive brush was pulled it was loaded into trucks and hauled off. |
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| Scotch Broom bushes on the hillsides were removed from above and below sometime by precariously perched volunteers |
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| Weed Wrenches were the preferred tool of choice |
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| Sometimes loppers were the only thing that worked but the plant must be cut below ground or new shoots will form from the root system. Bob Waters pictured. |
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| Sometimes the crew had to get down on the ground and yank the brush | by hand. |
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| Left to right Otis Wollan Placer County Fire Safe Council Chair member, Karina Bellanca Placer County Fire Safe Council Chair, Ryan Bellanca Bella Wildlife & Forestry Service, Robin Reynolds, Bob Waters, CDF Fire Fighter, Placer County 5th District Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, Don Adams Weimar/Applegate/Colfax Municipal Advisory Council Chair, Chris Paulus CDF Battalion Chief, Karen Calvert Placer County Fire Safe Council Chair member, Local Resident, CDF Firefighter |
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| Once the invasive plants were removed and the area is safer for the upcoming wild fire season the crew got a free lunch of sandwiches chips and Placer grown oranges from the Mahlberg ranch. |
