Arbor Pros will be thinning and limbing trees, clearing brush, and chipping along the south boundary of the Boulders Complex (between condos and railroad tracks). They will begin at 8:30 AM on Monday 9/23/2024 and expect the work to be completed on 9/25/2024. This work is being done to maintain our Firewise Certification.

— Glenn Rothell

Should you have any questions about this notice or The Boulders Condominium Association, please let us know by email HOATahoe@associasn.com, sending us a message and/or request through Town Square, or calling (775) 626-7333

 
Dear Boulders Community Members, 

As you may know, there was a fire yesterday behind Safeway. Fortunately, with the assistance of several helicopters, two airplanes, and Truckee Fire, the fire was quickly contained. This is a reminder that all residents should have a Grab and GoBag and be signed up for Code Red. Another helpful place to receive information is through the Watch Duty app. The information in this letter was written last week before the fire. Please read it carefully and reach out to us if you have any questions. 

2024  Firewise Committee Members 
♦             Julie Ebert         ♦ 
♦         Laurie Mecchi        ♦ 
♦           Glen Rothell         ♦ 

Guided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise principles, The Boulders has been a Firewise USA® certified community since 2019. We work directly with both Truckee Fire and Cal Fire to establish fire safe practices around the community. We must continually focus on accomplishing goals to maintain our certification. As many of you know and have experienced, insurance companies are canceling homeowners policies in California, especially in areas which are part of the Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI). Alternatively, some insurance companies recognize the importance of Firewise certification, and subsequently offer discounts on homeowners’ insurance policies. It is imperative that we comply with NFPA standards, and we still have work to do around our community. Goals won’t be accomplished quickly, yet we can maintain our compliance by showing we are making progress with fire danger mitigation.  

Working closely with Jill Short, the Boulders’ Landscape Committee lead, here are a few of the current Firewise projects in the Boulders Community:

The Five-Foot Zone: the area of defensible space within five feet around our buildings needs to be free of mulch and flammable plants. We are working towards replacing the mulch with gravel and beginning the discussion about removing flammable plants. We are getting quotes on having the trees that are touching rooftops and decks trimmed. We are working with our landscaping company to ensure that future planting comes from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and Truckee Fire recommended list. 

Flammable Items: During their visual inspection, Truckee Fire told us that owners must remove all flammable items from underneath decks. Note: If there are items under your deck that remain from original construction, please create a maintenance request in TownSQ, and Associa will work with you on disposal. Additionally, when leaving your unit for an extended period of time, clear your deck and entry area of combustible items such as chair cushions, umbrellas, carpets, door mats, & other such decor. 

Evacuation Plans: Residents should have an evacuation plan, and know our Evacuation Zone TRK-E326.

Location Identification: We will be placing reflective numbers on the bear bins. This is essential for emergencies and for locating our units in the dark. Do not remove these numbers.  It is important that all owners and long term renters register with TownSq and follow the Boulders website. Our committee will send updates as we accomplish and establish new goals. We know there is a lot of work to be done throughout the Boulders to prevent a wildfire from destroying our beloved community.  

Sincerely,
Julie Ebert, Laurie Mecchi, & Glen Rothell
Your Firewise Committee

If you have questions about the information in this email, or about the Association, please contact Associa Sierra North at 775-626-7333 or email HOATahoe@associasn.com.

On June 12, 2024, I attended a meeting of the Firewise Coalition. I am on The Boulders BOD and a member of the Boulders Firewise Committee. The primary topic of this meeting was to discuss ways to make community members aware of what Firewise is. In the Boulders we are already aware of Firewise and have been designated a Firewise Community. We will be working with Truckee Fire to inspect our community in the near future. Following this inspection we will be making fire safety improvements, primarily to the landscape so we can continue to be designated a Firewise Community. Though it is not guaranteed, our hope is that this designation will help us retain our fire insurance.

Glen Rothell

Dear Boulders Community,

As you may know, Truckee is part of the Wildfire Urban Interface, WUI, in an area where there is high fire danger. Kelly Turner began this project in 2018 and dedicated a tremendous amount of time to help us become a Firewise Certified Community. She no longer lives in the community but it is important that we continue the work to mitigate our fire danger and maintain our Firewise Certification. Many insurance companies offer a discount if your property is part of a Firewise community and the work being done to maintain the certification also is becoming part of many community requirements. We apply for renewal of our certification annually and one of the components of recertification is to educate our community about fire mitigation. Some of the things we are doing to maintain our certification are listed below.

●    We are working with our landscape service to ensure we introduce new landscaping that  incorporates native plants that are not extremely flammable. 

●    We are reducing/eliminating landscaping that includes flammable plants 5 feet from all buildings and clearing the zone of debris.

●    We are trimming tree branches so they don’t hang over roofs and are limbing trees so branches are 6 feet from the ground. 

●    We plan to install appropriate screening on our roof vents that prevent embers from entering buildings and igniting a fire.

Additionally, there are some things you all can do individually. 

●    Please make sure you don’t store any items under your decks. 

●    Sign up for Code Red so that you can be well informed about any type of emergency in our community.
>>   https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3780/Emergency-Alerts  <<

●    Know your Zone, which is TRK-E326 and be familiar with the evacuation route to take if there is a fire. 
https://www.truckeepolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Evacuation-Routes-1.pdf

We plan to provide more information for you on our website and will let you know when it is posted. We are looking for a volunteer or two to work on Fire Wise tasks. It would be helpful if this could be someone who lives in the Boulders or spends a lot of time there. Julie Ebert has temporarily taken over for Kelly Turner and she can help you get started.  Please email Julie at julieeb78@gmail.com if you would like to help with this project.

Sincerely,
Julie Ebert