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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 27, 1982)
September 27,1982 Page 11 SPILYAY TYMOO Fire prevention is e v e r y o n e ’ s jo b by Marsha Shewczyk Hot, dry weather indicates summer fun and outdoor activity to most people but a firefighter has a different perspective on those condi tions. At any moment he may hear his pager go off and have to spend anywhere from an hour to a week battling a fire. What starts out as a small one-acre fire can, because of wind and fuel conditions, end up being a 7700 acre blaze which recently occurred on the Warm Springs reservation. Then it becomes a fight against a destructive force and a hope that conditions do not get worse. At times it’s an uneven battle. Fortunately the number of fires in and around Warm Springs is a low level this year. People, too often the cause of fires, are becoming more aware that their own caution can prevent fires. Fire prevention is becoming as important as fire supression. For a year, now, it has been a full time job for prevention technician Ed Johns. It is his duty to ’ make adults and children conscious of the destructive nature of fire and to encourage their cooperation in preventing fires. The Central Oregon Co-op, of which Fire Management is a part, was noted for it efforts at p u b lic e d u c a tio n an d awareness, for -its media cov erag e aim ed at fire prevention and for assisting with public compliance to fire regulations. As the resu lt of fire prevention work by the Central Oregon Co-op Warm Springs Fire Management is able to share recognition for their fire prevention achievements. The group was aw arded the National Bronze Smokey the FIRE TODAY Fire prevention technician E d Johns alerts community members and travelers to the dangers of fire. Hopefully these fire warning boards erected around the community will be observed by everyone. Spilyay Tymoo photo by Shewczyk Bear award. On the Warm Springs reservation Smokey the Bear often visits the schools cautioning children about playing with matches and simply making them aware of the dangers of fire. Signs are posted at various p la c e s th r o u g h o u t th e com m unity indicating to P r e s c r ib e d is beneficial Forest managers are in the business of both fire prevention and fire use. Under planned and controlled conditions fire can benefit forests and ranges. BARGER f ir e More recently, fire has been used to maintain natural e c o lo g ic a l s y s te m s in wilderness areas. In such cased fire, oAce Started, is allowed to burn under close surveillance where - previoulsy prescribed c o n d itio n s o f h u m id ity , tem p eratu re, topography, fuels, etc., are met. Smokey the Bear is actively continuing the campaign the co ntinuing the cam paign a g a in s t c a r e le s sly th e malicioulsy caused forest fire with forest managers. But The “ p re s c rib e d ” fire Smokey’s role and the ways in programs described here are which his fire prevention different. They have different message relates to forest fires is objectives, and their manage being confused. Fire can be ment varies. But they have one both the friend and the foe of thing in common: The fact that the forest. they are fires burning under There are basically two kinds conditions that have previously of forest fires. They may be been d eterm in e d to be started by man or lightning: beneficial and that meet land Fire by prescription which management objectives. benefits the forest is planned and often intentionally seit by “prescribed” fires are man: and wildfire, which does not These the concern of Smokey’s not benefit the forest is fire prevention campaign. His unplanned and often started by job is still the big one of man’s carelessness, or malice, reducing the number of or accident. carelessly and maliciously Land resource managers caused wildfires. His mass- have been intentionally using media campaign is America’s fire in the forest for many years. most effective antidote. His It can be a powerful resource message, “Only You Can management tool. Carefully Prevent Forest Fires” is the controlled prescribed fire is keystone of forest production used to improve grazing against fires which annually conditions for some species of destroy millions of dollars wild animals and birds, to worth of property, valuable prepare seed beds for new trees, natural resources, and even and to reduce fire hazards. human life. community residents and tourists the fire conditions of the day. W arm S p rin g s F o re st P roducts In d u stries has allowed a sign to be posted warning logging personnel of the conditions. “The mill has been doing an outstanding job at fire prevention,” comments Johns. By means of a computerized .analysis, weather, burnable fuels and humidity ratings are p ro v id e d . An A ra tin g designates no fire prevention necessary other than common sense. However an E rating is posted if danger exists due, to th e d a y ’s c o n d i t i o n s . Everything in the woods will be closed down after 1:00 p.m. to prevent fire. An F rating means everything will be closed down for the day. O th e r fire p re v e n tio n activ ities u n d ertak en bv th e F ir e M a n a g e m e n t department include working with the tribal Fire & Safety department to burn areas under controlled conditions which could present fire d a n g e r. T rim m in g low branches from trees and cleaning up around hourses cleaning up around houses is part o f this method of prevention. Residents of Warm ¡Springs are encouraged to keep a re a s im m e d ia tely surrounding their homes fresh and green. Fresh paint on houses, too, can prevent fires as chipping paint provides fuel for fire. Burning permits are issued by the Fire and Safetv department, another means of controlling and preventing fires. An average of 60 fires a year occur in Warm Springs and surrounding area ' on the reservation. This year, 21 of the fire s have been caused by humans. In the past there have been as many as 108 fires in a year and a few as 7. Too often humans are responsible. With rising populations and increased numbers of tourists d u rin g the fire season, p re v e n tio n is e sse n tia l. Observing rulesconcerningfire and using common sense are important. " Occasionally, reminders are necessary that fire is dangerous and can be p re v e n te d . Firefighters will be the first to agree with that. But fire prevention is not solely the job of firefighters, it should be everyone’s job. Community involvement is essential in fire prevention. Smokey says, “It’s up to you.” Ken Smith to receive achievement award Los Angeles, September 15, 1982—The United Indian D evelopm ent A ssociation Board of directors recently announced three distinguished honorees for annual awards to be presented at the INPRO/82 Banquet, Thrusday evening, October 14, 1982. The awards ceremony will be held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in North Hollywood, California, and will commence upon surprise presentations of Outstanding Business Owners of the Year from San Diego, Los Angeles and northern California. Competition for these awards is based upon p ro fitab ility , m anagem ent expertise and contributions b a c k in to th e I n d i a n community. Each year, recognition is given to those persons who contributed most to American Indian economic progress. On the public sector side, an award will be presented to Ken Smith, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of Interior, for his newly instituted policy on Economic Development Initiatives. On the p rivate sector side, outstanding recognition will be given for contributions made by Robert McIntyre and the Southern California Gas Company, which is a founding m^mbeF of the UIDA< Council. A highlight fo the event will be formal bestowing of the Jay S ilv e rh ee ls A chievem ent Award (JSA) to the Honorable A. David Lester', Commis sioner of the Administration for Native American, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The JSA award is bestowed each year upon an Outstanding American Indian who has achieved p e r s o n a l su cc ess w h ile contributing to the improve ment of American Indian communities. Mr. A. David Lester, a member of the Creek Nationa, was born in Clarem ore, Oklahome, and is a graduate of Brigham Young University. In 1969, Mr. Lester served as an E c o n o m ic D e v e lo p m e n t Specialist for the National Congress of American Indians. In 1970, he became the first President of United Indian D evelopm ent A ssociation (UIDA) which was pioneering new approaches for increasing the number of Indian tribes and in v id iv u a ls involv ed in business ow nership. Mr. Lester’s efforts in Indian economic development led to two Presidential appointments as an advisor on Indian Federal policy. In 1970, he was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Minority Enterprise, and in 1972 he was named to the National Council on Indian Opportunity. In 1978, Mr. - Lester was appointed Commissioner of the Administration for Native A m ericans (ANA) which nationally promotes economic and social self-sufficient for American Indians. ANA’s focus is on supporting the efforts of tribal governments to strengthen or establish the econom ic, governm ental, social and legal istitutions. Mr. Lester’s dedication to assisting American Indians achieve self- sufficiency has been excep tional and inspirational. He truly is deserving of the Jay S ilv e rh e e ls A w ard fo r INPRO/82. INPRO is the nation’s only annual conference dedicated to American Indian Progress in eco n o m ic and b u sin ess development and is sponsored by th e U n ite d In d ia n D evelopm ent A ssociation (UIDA). UIDA is a private n o n - p r o f it c o r p o r a t i o n , founded and directed by American Indians, Through UIDA’s business and economic developm ent effo rts, the number of Indian enterprises in California has increased from 50 to 600 since is inception twelve years ago. These clients include individual business owners, tribl enterprises and community service centers.
