Volunteer Fire Department

The association has its own volunteer fire department, and equipment. If you will notice as you come in the gate the association has 3 off-road tanker trucks that are parked up front. These are all converted 6x6 ex-military vehicles. Each one has a water storage tank and pump. There is also a Caterpillar D-3 bulldozer with a pull behind fire plow. The John Deere tractor that is up front also has a Brushmaster chopper disk that can be utilized to cut fire breaks. The volunteers are board members, employees, and members of the association. The association has worked with the Division of Forestry and these volunteers have been trained by the Division of Forestry for fighting fires in the woods. These volunteers all live near the ranch and have been called upon many times to respond to fires both large and small within the property.

The Division of Forestry is committed to working with the members of the association to help prevent wild fires. You will notice the large signs the Division of Forestry has posted at the entrance that documents the large fire of 2007. The signs also offer tips to try and keep your camp safe. There are brochures available at the gate; they are provided by the Division of Forestry about fire prevention and keeping your camp safer. Or you can visit the Division of Forestry website by going to the link on the web site under recreational resources. Please take advantage of this valuable resource. It is important for members to be cautious with camp fires and make sure they are completely out. You could be held civil and criminally responsible for damage or personal injury from a fire that was started by you.If you see the fire trucks responding or other equipment please move off the roadway, and don’t follow them into a fire scene. This if for your safety as well as the fire crews safety.

If a large fire breaks out like the one earlier in 2007, members should be aware that the Division of Forestry has the authority to take control of the property. In the 2007 fire they had the property evacuated and stopped all access to the property. This can be frustrating to a member who has a camp. But this done for the safety of everyone involved, and cooperation is greatly appreciated. During the fire of 2007 the visibility inside the camping area was down to zero. There were very large fire tractors plowing fire ditches in this and having someone in a truck, or on foot that they couldn't see could become a dangerous situation. The fire at times was also traveling at an estimated 40 mph. During this fire even one of the Division of Forestry fire tractors was overrun by fire and engulfed, it and the operator were saved by helicopter water drops. We all as members need to thank the Division of Forestry members if we see them on the property; they have done an outstanding job at the Ranch!!!!

IF YOU SPOT A FIRE PLEASE CALL THE FRONT GATE, THE NUMBER IS ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD. THE FRONT GATE HAS THE CONTACT FOR ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS AND MOST OF THE TIME SOME OF THEM ARE ON THE PROPERTY. THIS EXPEDITES EQUIPMENT GETTING ON SCENE.