No Fire Department

We do not have a fire department. We have a number of full timers who have basic wildfire fighting training.

The village was laid out with no cabin more than 1000ft from a forestry hydrant. That is a lot of hose lay to get to some cabins.

Access to the hydrants is not always consistently maintained in the winter.

The wildfire folks have had issues with the water utility regarding who is authorized to charge a hydrant. I don't know where that is at. The wapiti hydrants are different than the strata hydrants.

Homeowners do not know what the hose inventory is, and how to access it.

Things you can do, just in case..............

• is my unit/chimney W.E.T.T. compliant and clean 
• fire extinguisher in the kitchen and by the wood stove
• tap in the basement with 100ft garden hose and nozzle attached
• red smothering fire blanket in the kitchen
• plumb an outdoor hose bib that can be left on in the summer when your inside water is off, 100 ft hose and nozzle attached

These suggestions may just help you jump on a little problem before it gets out of hand.

Information for newer members of the community.................

W.E.T.T. Inspections

Many of the cabins were built before there were W.E.T.T. inspections. Newer devices and chimneys come with mandatory clearances from combustibles. In recent years, insurers have required long term clients to provide a W.E.T.T. inspection certificate in order to continue coverage. One cabin snagged in that request had an excellent, efficient wood stove, built by the owner who was qualified to manufacture it. He had to replace it because it did not have a ULC plate on it. 

Chimney Cleaning

As a full time resident, I have my chimney cleaned once a year. I have a newer efficient stove, and burn dry wood. Since the installation of my Pacific Energy stove, the cleaning has never yielded a significant quantity of debris from the chimney. I used to clean my own, but having it done professionally gives me proof that it has been done. A cleaner from Penticton books 2 or 3 days in June or July to come up and do chimneys here.

Chimney Placement 

The closer to the peak your chimney is, the more efficient the draft, and less problems with snow dislodging the chimney.

Fire - Three times in 58 years, 4 if you count the outhouse................

I recall 3 occasions in 58 years when there was a cabin fire related to a wood burning fire appliance or chimney.

• The first one I think was in the '70's before we had running water. Friends were staying in a colleague's cabin, and the floor started to smoulder due to insufficient fireproof barrier under a wood burning heater.
• The legendary one was probably in the '80's - ceiling/roof caught fire from heat of chimney - GW loved to tell the story of what neighbour M was and wasn't wearing when she ran for help.
• Family and friends of mine were renting a cabin, and were following the shut down instructions which included putting the ashes in the outhouse. Only problem was that the ashes were not cold.
• I don't have details to post on the most recent, as I have not spoken to the owners. Several community members, including the guys "authorized" to turn on hydrants were not far away. There is smoke, water damage, and presumably damage  to wood in the vicinity of the wood burning/chimney area.
• The above posts with suggestions are general in nature, and not based on any info on the most recent incident.

Helmets now mandatory in Italy

https://www.skimag.com/news/its-now-illegal-to-ski-without-a-helmet-at-this-major-mountain-destination/?link_source=ta_first_comment&scope=anon&taid=6991fbb174e50b0001a85157&utm_content=comment&utm_medium=ski&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawQCHBFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJOaG5RRW41OFZRZUxwR0hIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHj84MIlAXWJrFdt3s5c_8vs4MQOx7LfxwxALUcESRl529dXddIXl2MoKntxr_aem_Cm7ZP75XCSwv7kYS-L6_qA 

Have you purchased property or a dwelling at Baldy since December 2023?

If you haven't already received a welcome package, contact the BMCA.   baldymtnca@gmail.com

Those who attended the December welcome gathering should have received a gift bag of goodies.

Baldy Mountain Community Association Update

 

The BMCA has decided this year not to ask for membership fees from owners at the mountain. Instead we are happy to take donations and will use them this year to map, mark and develop trails on the Sugar lump side of the mountain. Donate by etransfer to baldymtnca@gmail.com. All funds this year are earmarked for trails.

Did you know that you can donate your cans and bottles to the BMCA when you take them to Return-it Express? Anywhere in BC you can take your bottle and can returns in, use the phone number 2504982972, it will then have Hilary's name on the screen. This is because you need an individual to "sponsor" a non profit association. Even though it says my name the bottle refunds are credited to the BMCA. These returns allow us to pay for costs such as Directors and Officers Insurance and other costs that we cannot get grants for. Any extra funds are used for community projects.

3km Baldy Road - can hardly stand up

Hold off going down Baldy Road toward Hwy 3. Km3 is icy - 3 vehicles went into the ditch when a tow truck started to do the recovery of a roll over. Sanding truck apparently on the way.

Truck pulling a travel trailer slid down the road backwards and jack-knifed - attempt to sort it out will not be made until there is sand/gravel on the road there.

FB Photo Vancouver Ski Team, 1975

I thought I might recognize more - so far just our late friend Rick Crowson, third from right, front row.

The Vancouver Ski Team trained here back in the day.

 

February 15th Flag Day