On the Sierra City Transfer Station Fire

Editor,

As you may know, there was yet another fire a couple of days ago at the Sierra City Transfer Station. This is not the first time the burn pile has been left smoldering. I believe it is the third or fourth time the dump has caught fire in as many years.

While hiking on the Buttes recently, I’ve watched the large slash pile putting up smoke for a couple of weeks now. With the dry conditions, no snow on the ground, low humidity, and the winds we’ve had, another fire at the transfer site was bound to occur.

I mistakenly believed that the County was monitoring the burn pile. According to my maps, it appears that the transfer site is on USFS property. I will in the future notify the USFS should I see an unattended fire at the dump.

We can and should do better than to leave a huge pile of dry wood smolder for days without someone being responsible. I fear that the next fire may spread further than this one did. Thankfully the volunteer firefighters were quick to respond, the USFS arrived to help, and the fire was kept to a minimum despite the heavy winds.

Our volunteer firefighters (bless them) are put in danger every time they respond to a fire. There is too much at stake to take this matter lightly. I would request that procedures be changed and someone needs to be held responsible for this ongoing issue in the future.

Nora Prince

Sierra City