In the Face of Fire: Two Perspectives on Fuels Reduction Event (Part I)

In the Face of Fire: Two Perspectives on Fuels Reduction Event (Part I)

• Apr 23, 2024

In the Face of Fire: Two Perspectives on Fuels Reduction 
April 23 and April 30 from 11:30 – 1:00
Grand Ely Lodge, 400 North Pioneer Road, Ely, MN (in-person) 

In the Face of Fire is a two-part Tuesday Group series that responds to community concerns about wildfire risk, and forest stewardship. Learn different approaches homeowners can take to create fire resilient properties. Explore the benefits and concerns to consider for informed decision-making. Get practical information to help you act now to be fire adapted, look ahead to enjoying long-range fire resilience, and improve forest health on your land. 

 PART 1: Fuels Reduction and Friendship: One Group’s Approach to Enhance Forest Health and Fire Safety (April 23) 

Listen as eight friends tell their story of using a ‘hands-on with hand tools’ approach to clear over 10 acres of daunting, thickly forested land. They thought they could, and they did!

Learn how their properties are becoming safer and more resilient in the face of fire. Even more, discover how they’ve built community, deepened friendships and gained new perspectives on land stewardship.

Plan to arrive early. A display table will be set up at 11:30 with handouts on Firewise practices, evacuation checklists, available funding opportunities, and more. Experts from the DNR and St. Louis County will be available to answer fuels reduction concerns about your property and our community before the presentation begins.

The friends and presenters: Polly Carlson Voiles, Dave Hunsche, Thea Sheldon, Steve Voiles, Roger Powell, Consie Powell, Aaron Kania, Roxanne Tea

PART 2: Fuels Reduction: Methods and Benefits to Best Suit Your Goals (April 30) 

Fuels reduction can be done in several ways. When choosing your way, presenter and arborist, Austin VanScoy, suggests it's important to consider both the immediate fire mitigation results you desire, and the long-term ecological consequences for forest health.

Discover the details when land stewardship includes the use of machinery to reduce unwanted fuels on your property. Learn the distinction between mechanical chipping vs mulching. Explore the pros, cons and impacts of each approach as you set goals for your own property.

This presentation rounds out basic information to help you begin decision-making on actions you may want to take ‘In the Face of Fire.’

Plan to pick up handouts on tree-care, a fire terms glossary, your goal-setting checklist, and Firewise checklist, “Will My Structure Survive a Wildfire?”

Presenter: Austin VanScoy, Certified Arborist, with the International Society of Arboriculture; former wildland firefighter, and Owner of Dutchman Tree Service in Ely.