Firefighters vs. snowmobilers

[summitchaser]

I was suprised to see this in the Fri. Yakima herald

Fire disctrict 8 is arguing they should be able to plow a 13 ft wide path for a quater of a mile from the crystal springs snopark to the firestation built there 2 years ago. They say if they can't plow that the response time will be 20-30 min. slower along I-90.

The forest service is saying that the 1994 closure order says they can plow into it if they have an emergency call. the forest service has the support of the state and two recreational groups. The forest service says having a 13 ft wide groomed path would be unsafe for snopark users.

the article says there are 3 stations in fire disctrict 8 the first two cover the vacation homes and the volunteer firefighters only live there part time. Three fulltime residents that are on the department live with in 300 ft of the new station, adn their homes are snowbound as well.

Both sides hint that this goes back to the issue of lack of year round access to private property in that area.

I would sure hope that people wouldn't use emergency services to get closer to having year round access to their homes.

This is the first I have heard of this, anyone know more than what the article said? thoughts, opinions.

 

[CleElum Sledhead]

The article is not telling the whole story. It is really a bunch of crap in my opinion (from what I have heard anyway).

Very short version:

A couple local property owners here have wanted this Forest Service road #54 plowed for years. About 1/4 of a mile in my opinion. Forest Service (FS) said no because it is a groomed trail during winter and the mix of automobiles and snowmobiles, skiers, dog mushers, etc, was not a good mix.

One local property owner donates land to build new station. They say it will be used for SEASONAL USE ONLY. They get permits and build station.

Now local property owners ask FS if they can plow the road to the new station. FS says no again. They said we already told you no before you built the new station.

Local property owners and fire district now go to media and say FS and snowmobilers are preventing emergency services to I-90. PR spins it into snowmobilers bad and selfish. Local fire district good and just wants to provide emergency service. The other two stations across I-90 can easily provide the needed service. I don't buy the 20-30 minutes gig, but either way, there were other locations that should have been considered.

In my opinion, although the station never should have been built there if winter use was the plan, my input has been to let the fire truck park at the groomer shed in the Crystal Springs Sno-Park during winter and let the groomer park at the station shed. Seems like a win win to me, so I am pretty sure this option will not be taken.

I am sure someone will get on here and tell me I am full of crap, but that is how I see the deal from my little knothole.

 

[Soccerd6]

Seems like a win win to me, so I am pretty sure this option will not be taken.

LMAO!!!!

 

[PassRev]

Land donated?
Sounds more like a land owner (read developer) bribing local government to get what he wants...

 

[jsacquit]

CleElum Sledhead, sound like you unemotionally and accurately pointed out the facts. Hard to dispute THE FACTS!
I live off of Westside Road on Walace Drive - usually ride the Quartz Mt. area, in fact, heading up there early Saturday morning. Want to join us?

 

[summitchaser]

Sure sounded like someone just trying to get access for themselves. This was the first I had heard about it, so I thought I'd throw it out there and see if I was missing anything.

30 minute to get to the fire station in Kachess, I find that hard to believe. I think if these people wanted year round access they should not have bought land where they did. They should have research wether or not they'd have year round access with the sno park so close.

This is the society we live in though, if you don't like the rules that are in place get a lawyer and sue someone.

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

This is getting to be a big issue all over Kittitas County. I've had a cabin at Lake Cle Elum since 1984 (yeah, I'm an old *art!) and now finished building a retirement home near Indian John Hill Rest Area. From both, I've been able to sled from my door.

Now, due to people building homes out in the middle of nowhere, I hit locked gates and/or plowed roads on what used to be my own private routes up the hill. Some guy just bought 136 arces between Elk Heights and Sky Meadows. He hasn't even started to build yet, but has already plowed my secret, private route 3 times this year. I had a little snow when I went up yesterday (thurs), but by the time I returned from my ride, he's plowed down to dirt.......

I talked to the Forest Service last year riding out of Manashtash Sno-Park. They said every year, they more and more pressure from landowners to open the roads early.......Sad.....

 

[HM8]

I saw that on the news last weekend. I figured there would be more to come on the issue.

 

[muttrmk]

To keep that area plowed seems like a lot of waisted money to me. It is too bad when common sense doesn't rule the land.

 

[blindman]

why is it firefighters think they are frickin rock stars???

imo . would cut there wages in half and double there actual work hours.

and if they don't like like it ..fire em all.."no pun intended"

easy to fill job as there are 300 candidates for every opening.

jeez wonder why..................maybe underworked and overpaid??????

it's just a pretty boy chest beatin club. imo

FLAME AWAY...

 

[snojunkee]

i read this in the herald also,and i can tell u they'll never go for swapping sheds for the truck and groomer cuz that won't get the road to their cabin plowed.which is what this is all about.what,this guy wants to start a war with us?needs to move back to where he came from.somebody go pi$$ on this guys fire.

 

[truckman]

Blindman, lets not loose sight about what this post was really about. Sorry that you dislike firemen so much. Like Sledhead said, I think this issue is more about property owners in the Crystal Springs area looking for year round access, whether it be so they don't have to ride or walk to the house in the winter, or as a way to increase the marketability of there property. The Kachess station is no where near 20-30 minutes from I90 but obviously whoever talked with the press didn't communicate all the "facts" in this situation. Maybe all the land owners that would be affected by this access issue would like to donate a permanent easement between the snow park and the Lost Lake road on the West side of their property in exchange for winter maintenance. Just an idea. Also, please don't misconstrue a few Fire commissioner and landowners agenda to represent firefighters. The indiviuals of District 8 are all volunteers who give part of their lives to help others in need. Kudos to all the brothers and sisters who volunteer their time.
Erik
Professional Firefighter Local27

 

[SledheadPaul]

So is that piece of land there now county property? I parked there overnight for some spring riding last April(lots of other rigs parked there) I was in my little camper. Some prick wearing loafers and driving a new Escalade drives up and starts reading me the riot act about parking there and how it was private property, he was kind of an a---hole.I told him I did not see any signage about parking,etc. and I did not see any reason to move.He grumbled a bit and then I watched him and his hot wife drive up into the trees to their cabin.
Never heard another word about it.

 

[summitchaser]

Here is the problem as I see it, people buy a house over here. The fact that it is snow bound in the winter is ok because they have always wanted to live in the woods. They have always liked to camp and snowmobiling to your home will be a fun time. They do this for a couple of years and then their wife realizes this sucks and they think they can change the way things have been done for ever because they are somebody. Well they are not, don't buy a full time home you can't get to in the winter your WIFE won't like it then you will have to wine and cry and hide behind public saftey for year round access. I have a simpler idea if you don;t like go back to where you came from, kittitas county will be ok.

 

[rmkboxer]

why did they put one over there when there is one at kachess that is on a plowed road?

 

[yammadog]

why did they put one over there when there is one at kachess that is on a plowed road?

No kidding, for the population they have up there and to have 2 fire stations so close, seems like a waist of taxpayer dollars and should be investigated for improper back room dealing....

 

[lingzing]

Firefighters???

Here Here Truckman. This is certainly seems to be a landowner/ elected commissioner issue. As a former volunteer firefighter who gave hundreds of hours to my community and missed countless family dinners, birthdays and other functions helping my community( for no pay mind you), I think Blindman should don the gear and give it a try before he has any comment.
My hat is off to all those who give for the safety of their neighbors.

Flame on!

Hey Truckman, drop me a PM some time about riding.

 

[mtbarr64]

I think all new development and land sales should have mandatory public use easement rights to public lands if access currently runs across the land.

There should not be a right for someone to buy up the land like in Maine and then landlock the public lands from the public.

To all the property rights extremists, you know this when you buy the property so don't buy it if you don't want access given.

These people probably bought the land cheap because of the limited use and now they want it "fixed" to meet their new needs.

Don't buy the land based on current conditions with the expectation of changing the rules like these people. That is just rude. Better yet do research first and truly understand what it all means.

Kind of like the subprime lending and variable rate loans. They all knew this up-front, so if you can't hack the extra payments now, too bad. They just want someone to bail them outbecause of their bad decisions.

 

[kevinhoglund]

horse pucky.

Them building a station snow bound was a mistake. No planing involved there. I have been a firefighter for ten years. I support being able to render aid to people in distress. But what they did here is pure stupidity.

 

[Ice Cap]

Let your feelings on this subject be heard.
Go to the attached link and post your comments.

http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/12/21/news/doc476c470faad7f663922882.txt#blogcomments