Bodega Bay Beat by Joan Poulos - September 2018

The salmon are running. This is the best news of our village this week. Our fishermen had a lousy crab season and not much of a salmon season last year.

Even those of us who are consumers and not producers excitedly support this good news for our village. We are told that the price of salmon is so high that you can no longer buy fish directly from the boat. The fishermen made much more by repeated sales to the local vendors and don’t want to compete against themselves. All we can say is—GO FOR IT GUYS.

I wish we could listen to the oldsters down here. I now live next to a state park and we live with constant concern about a fire. Many of our parks are filled with dead branches and dead brush. Remains “tinder-like” stay on the ground. We have repeatedly suggested that some fire agency consider controlled burns. The CERT meeting last week had many good suggestions. We need to put them into place. We have great respect for our first responders and fire fighters. Each of us should do our part to cut down the dried brush that lines our parks and beaches. Our first responders do their part; now it is up to us to take away the fuel. We have immense respect for those who respond to fires, often at their own peril. The old timers always made a point of removing dead brush and providing bare space around potential fire sites. The fire department advises us to mow the dead grass and remove dead tree branches that feed fires.

The fog has rolled in. The evacuees from central California where it is over 100 degrees—are surprised how cool it really is up here during the summer. Sometimes it seems just too much. The traffic caused by day trippers is a continuing problem, not just caused by single events. When they asked us what they could do to get to see the whales (if we could have insured our advice we would have been rich) we just advised them to go back to their cars and get a sweatshirt. Those who did and returned were full of questions (like what time do the whales come through?--and where do we stand to feed the whales—(I suggested San Diego.).

Our own area knows the incredible tolls of fires. I used to live in Potter Valley. Even in those days we were always worried about the fires, especially on Cow Mountain (before marijuana growers invaded it and set guns made it hazardous to traverse.) The undergrowth of that part of Cow Mountain needed to be removed. The old timers always had set fires to do controlled burns to handle the high oil content of some of the brush. More than once I heard them try to convince the Fire Departments that controlled burns were the best way to prevent bigger fires later on. The fire agencies followed the advice of the elders until the agency changed leaders who were so afraid of fire that they wouldn’t follow the suggestion. They were afraid to set any fires, even those which were completely controlled and well managed like the old-timers did. Then when the hot summer came and the mesquite and other plants dried up, there were never large-scale fires. The underbrush had been cleared out. Nothing burns controlled burns next year to cut down the hazards The fire department regularly advises those who own lots that are undeveloped to have them mowed and remove the tinder-like dead plants.( I always wonder why the fire department leaves the dead and dying trees next to their Station 2.)

Those of us who live near access lots just hold our breath during the fire season. Throughout our community, the undeveloped lots filled by day-trippers seeking access to the beach (even from the bird walk) are a hazard—a fire waiting to happen. We need to do whatever we can to prevent it.

The wildlife suffers when there are the raging fires. There are no fresh water tanks or sloughs in these undeveloped lots. We see fawns trying to drink out of the bay, but salt water is not good for them and mothers move them along. Only at Campbell Cove and the Hole in the Head can the wildlife find fresh water (If you want a real concert, go out at eventide and listen to the bullfrogs sing..)

These fires must be horrible for the deer and other wildlife who live in the backcountry. We have lots of birds and deer (one doe insists on bringing her spotted fawn right down into our yards.) Maybe the Park Rangers could look into some pattern of controlled burns that would not threaten the deer, but cut down the pine needles piled up against the fences.

Maybe, just maybe, we might have some major rains. We need to talk to our oldsters who knew the dances and prayers for rain. Maybe some of them would still work. The CERT points will be made. They say they will encourage the community to help as the eyes and ears of the BBFPD before and after any fire. They need to keep reminding us. We can’t just leave it to our elected officials to insist that we take steps to minimize fire hazards.

This is just some of the many tasks the local elected officials face. We need to be sure to tell them how much we appreciate their work. Some fifty years ago (when fewer women were on city councils and Boards of Supervisors) we continued our private practices even while being on City Councils and Boards of Supervisors. I worked hard on the Davis City Council (eventually becoming the youngest Mayor of Davis) and worked at my private law practice. The only concession I got was for a non-scheduled break while the jury was out (to find the bathroom). Thankfully we still have public-minded citizens who are willing to put in the time and effort to improve our community. One of our Supervisors has expressed concern about being pregnant…SHE CAN DO IT… Good luck, Supervisor Hopkins. We’re rooting for you.

Enjoy the autumn weather. If you want to feel good about where you live—just look at the temperatures in Arizona. We have it pretty good—fog and all. It is already time to go visit the Farmers’ Market and support our local farmers. Make it a point to swing by after Church, and meet your neighbors and support this good endeavor.

Go home, look around your yard, cut back the dead plants and cherish the late-blooming flowers. We live in a lovely place. Enjoy and BE KIND.